[Milsurplus] [ARC5] ARC-5 in the Bell X-1

[J. Forster]

> Wow, that's a great image! Looks like that's the entire telemetry
> recording package. Recognize what looks like several gyros for
> acceleration, yaw and skid and maybe a dynamotor assembly by the wing tip
> for AC power for all the gyros. Closest to the fuselage appears to be some
> form of multitrack data recorder although have no idea what they would use
> for media back then, maybe strip paper or wire? Did not think there was
> any form of multitrack tape at that time.

I think there was.

> The box next to that appears to
> be the control for the recorder and the calibrator for each track and
> looking at it would assume it's a twelve channel system.

The IRIG standard is 14.

> But this is just
> my speculation from looking at the picture.
> Considering the importance of the Bell X-1 and how it began the age of
> supersonic flight it's great to see an image of some of the telemetry
> equipment that was in use at the time.

Most likely FM/FM with subcarrier VCOs. Same as spacecraft up until the
mid/late 60s. Mostly hybrid- some transistors and some submini tubes.

> Cannot imagine them just letting
> equipment to be sat on an unprotected flight surface like that, won't see
> that happen today with a research aircraft.
> RF

I thought ought that was odd also. Maybe staged for the pic?

-John

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