[Milsurplus] "Rare" Gear

[WA5CAB at cs.com]

I have an RT-12/TRC-2 Serial Number 494.  So there were more than 124 sets 
made.  I also have just the receiver from another set but unfortunately 
someone removed the nameplate (and the grill).

I also have one PP-39A/TRC-2 s/n 309.  The Signal Corps Order Number is 
25771-PHILA-44-08, same as on the RT-12.  TM 11-2603 dtd 1 April 1944 only 
shows PP-39/TRC-2.  FM 21-6 dtd 10 October 1946 does not list any Change 1 to TM 
11-2603.  FM 21-6 dtd 10 July 1948 and various subsequent DA Phamplets that 
replaced FM 21-6 do not list TM 11-2603.  From which I conclude that the 
manual and associated equipment was removed from the system between the end of 
1946 and mid 1948.

TM 11-2603 lacks a detailed listing of components making up AN/TRC-2.  
However, there is one photograph showing the entire radio set buttoned up in 
canvas and mounted on packboards with captions for each bag.  For the gasoline 
cans and the PE-162 generators it shows 6 and 2 respectively and the caption 
says 6 and 2.  There is only one PP-39 shown and the caption doesn't say 2 
Each so apparently there was only one vibrator supply per radio set.  As the 
PP-39A has the same Order Number as the RT-12, and considering that as far 
as I can tell, no Change covering PP-39A was ever done, it is my tentative 
conclusion that PP-39A was a change during production of the only known 
Order.  And that whatever prompted the nomenclature change didn't invalidate what 
was in the TM on the PP-39.  And that PP-39A S/N 308 went with AN/TRC-2 S/N 
308.  So given that production of spare parts never extended to production 
of complete radios, the RT-12 that I have is evidence that at least 494 
AN/TRC-2's were made.

As an aside, I have had over the years over a dozen BC-1306's or parts 
thereof, and sold most of them.  Although I was disappointed that I don't still 
have a BC-1306 bearing the same Order Number as the RT-12, at least I know 
that I didn't once have one that I sold.  :-)

Robert Downs - Houston
wa5cab dot com (Web Store)
MVPA 9480

In a message dated 08/07/2016 00:02:09 AM Central Daylight Time, 
kk5f at earthlink.net writes: 
> Hue wrote:
> 
> >The AN/TRC-2, i think i saw the production numbers at 124. Who would have
> >thought it would be so low?
> 
> The RT-12/TRC-2 that I have is serial 91.  It's the only RT-12 that I've 
> ever come across.  I too would not have considered the AN/TRC-2 to be 
> "rare".  But if, in fact, only 124 units were made, it would definitely deserve 
> that description...maybe even "very rare".  I suspect some of the the 
> legendary "spy" sets like the AN/PRC-1, AN/PRC-5, and AN/TRC-10 would likely have 
> been made in numbers similar, or even greater.
> 
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