[Milsurplus] PB4Y-2 photo

[Mike Hanz]

On 10/30/2010 12:10 AM, Hue Miller wrote:
> Izzat an ATC loading coil box in the lower left? I'm just guessing, from the size of the
> insulators.

Yup.  It's the "mamma bear", later called the CU-25/ART-13.  There is 
actually another one, the smaller CU-26, mounted beneath the CU-25, all 
with spark plug tips installed on the binding posts for rapid patching 
and reconfiguration.  .  The SPDT knife switch to its left is probably 
for trailing wire/liaison antenna selection.  Looks like they used spark 
plug wire with Rajah connectors on it to hook things up, rather than the 
USAAF preference for solid wire suspended on porcelain insulators.  
Quick and very flexible!

> Also, what is that 3 ( or 5 ? ) position control box mounted by itself on the wall?

It's the reel control box for the trailing wire antenna.

> Also, why is the key mounted so it's best suited to a lefthanded child? ( I mean knob on the
> left, and not much room for the arm there ). Or is it meant to be keyed the way the
> Japanese trained their radio operators, arm well above the key, and swing from the elbow?
> ( No, i doubt that! )

It's not mounted yet...simply pushed over to the front to get it out of 
the way.  They were in the process of installing all that stuff when 
someone probably said, "Time for photographs" and a quick cleanup ensued.

> And yes, you'd think the radio op needs a way to tune the ARB maybe also? Some of the
> China fields or less important Pacific island stations only had HF.  I suppose the radio op
> could retune the ATB if he needed, using the LM, but then what?

That's an interesting observation, possibly reinforcing the concept that 
the ARB/ATB was used more as a command set, but who knows?