[Milsurplus] Black paint/white paint

[Nick England]

That was the deal on military procurements - the original supplier was
required to provide complete documentation so that subsequent
contractors could make clones. I have come across some interesting
lawsuit docs on-line from when the 2nd contractor could only make out
about 75% of the govt-furnished microfilmed drawings from the original
contractor.

p.s. never saw any "white" scopes while I was working at US Naval
Elecronics Systems test & Evaluation Facility...but it was fun
watching gray scopes get tested on the "lightweight" shock test
machine (5' drop of a 400 lb hammer).

At least they didn't have to undergo the "heavyweight" shock test
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5792069545817995838#docid=7060797370504105853

cheers,
Nick K4NYW
www.navy-radio.com

On Thu, Sep 15, 2011 at 8:39 PM, J. Forster <jfor at quikus.com> wrote:
> A friend set up and ran the line for those clones. It was strictly the
> lowest bidder got the job. They were exact copies.
>
> -John
>
> ===============
>
>
>> I remember those clones.  They made their way to the US Air Force as
>> well.  I was already familiar with  the Tektronix models they copied,
>> and figured it was just being sure there were two or more suppliers. I
>> still think the Tektronix had an edge in quality and performance.
>>
>>    Bruce Gentry, KA2IVY
>>
>> Ralph Cameron wrote:
>>> Paint reminds me of the U.S. Navy contract to buy Tek scopes painted
>>> white- Tek refused to deviate from their standard blue  so the gov't
>>> awarded contracts to Hiicock and Lavoie. Both contractors copied the Tek
>>> scopes including some spare holes that found their way into the chassis.
>>> Tek sued and many years later the gov't paid $7million compensation for
>>> patent infringement. Past history now and I am sure there3 have been
>>> many similar procurement blips.
>>>
>>> Ralph
>>> VE3BBM
>>>