[Milsurplus] [Glowbugs] Re: Identify this aircraft freq meter?

[Mike Hanz]

On 5/13/2015 10:52 AM, Michael Bittner wrote:
> Interesting photo!  Thanks for posting.  Looks like tuning controls 
> for the BC-375 are under the table! How does that work? 

As well as you might expect, I suspect...  There is a hinged flap that 
runs parallel to the front of the BC-AA-191 transmitter 
(http://aafradio.org/garajmahal/BC-AA-191.htm ) - looks to be about 5" 
wide - and that allows the operator to view the two meters on the front 
of the transmitter when flipped up, and perhaps even reach down to the 
tuning controls if you contort your hand enough.  I have a feeling that 
it wasn't a favorite layout of the operators...

> Apparent rubber bands shock mounting of instrument at far right.

Good eyes!  I think it was adapted from microphone mounts of the era.  
Not sure which instrument that is...possibly the magnetic compass since 
that's the navigator's position.

On 5/13/2015 11:19 AM, grasshopper wrote:

> Looks like the table is hinged

Yes, but unfortunately not in the athwartships direction where you could 
fold it upward toward the front of the aircraft.  Note 'flap' 
observation above.  Looks like the operator still needs to be tall and 
lean waaay over to get to the slewing knob for the compass loop, or get 
up on the desk on his knees if he's short.  I'll bet it was a 
challenging exercise in heavy turbulence...

73,
Mike

> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mike Hanz" <aaf-radio-1 at aafradio.org>
>> I have a photo of it in a B-15 bomber at 
>> http://aafradio.org/flightdeck/1935/B-15-2.JPG
>> I have never figured out how a radio operator was supposed to lean 
>> over that conglomeration in rough weather and turn that tiny little 
>> knob to rotate the loop antenna "periscope" coming down from the 
>> overhead...:-(