[Milsurplus] [ARC5] On being a Completeist ...

[Lloyd Godsey]

And the winner is

The one who has the most toys
when he dies

Thanx
Lloyd Godsey KK7IZ
kk7iz at cox.net
480-620-7145
http://www.lloydsdipsydumpster.com/
http://antiqueradioarchives.com/
Skype: lloyd.godsey

-----Original Message----- 
From: David Stinson 
Sent: Tuesday, August 23, 2011 5:37 PM 
To: milsurplus at mailman.qth.net ; 'ARC-5 List' 
Subject: Re: [ARC5] On being a Completeist ... 

"Complete-ism" amongst collectors is a goal- a journey;
rarely a destination.  It is defined differently by 
different collectors, and can include intermediate goals. 
The idea- or at least my idea of it- 
is that one collects all the bits-n-pieces that would have
been used and/or otherwise included in an operational
set as installed in the intended vehicle, as close as possible
to what one had taking it "out of the crates" and installing it.

The "completeist" values the radio *within the context* 
of the full, operational installation.
This is opposed to the usual "collection" of just the major 
units themselves.  To the "completeist," a half-dozen
ARC-5 receivers on a shelf do not in themselves tell
the story of this historic technology.  To us, it is 
"the radio set used in WWII aircraft" only when it is
in a relatively full *set*.  Until that goal is reached,
the major units are only *parts* of "the radio set used etc."
If a "completeist" finds, say, a BC-474, he won't be happy
having just the radio.  He thinks of the radio in the context
of how it was used in the jungle in the PTO.
He is "on a mission" to find all the pieces-parts for 
a fieldable SCR-288 and won't stop hunting or 
be fully satisfied until he finds the "right" key,
mike, cables, genny, legs, etc. etc.

For another example- Let's use the SCR-274N.
If the idea is to represent "the radio set used in B-17s,"
then the goal is the classic 2tx-3rx installation and,
being a "fanatical completeist," my eventual,
likely unobtainable goal is for the whole set to be 
A.R.C. make, order 1470-NY-41, 
all the connectors to be AAC open wire, 
all the wires to be "period-like" if not actually original 
(my 274N uses an original harness from a P-40).

Now, there's nothing wrong with a set that has 
"mixed" parts- an A.R.C. rack with Stromberg receivers
or with mixed AAF and Navy connectors.  
In fact, my current 274N is mostly W.E.  I have lots 
of A.R.C. parts; just don't have them ready to install.  
As-is it is still, afterall, an acceptable and "authentic" 
representation of what one could find
in any number of aircraft, and is a good example of 
an "intermediate goal" for a "fanatic completeist" like me.
The radio within the context of its actual use as
part of a *set* is the idea.  The addition of accessories- 
the correct phantom antenna, canvas covers, 
shipping boxes, tuning tools, spares and spares chests etc.,
add chapters and richness to the story you're telling 
with your set, and we "fanatic completeists" seek them out.

But like I said: "Completeism" is a journey- rarely a destination.
Though some are close, none of my many sets- 
nice as they are- is yet fully "complete."
For us, the hunt for and eventual finding of "the correct key" 
or "matching contract" is a large part of the fun and satisfaction 
of building a "complete" set.  
And even we "fanatics" often compromise- 
replacing the mic elements in T-17s is an example, or using 
"modern" stake-ons for grounding.  
Within the idea of  "completeism," there's a lot 
of wiggle-room for individual choices.

73 DE Dave AB5S

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