[Milsurplus] How late were ARN-7 Radio Compasses (ADFs) in US mil service?

[Mike Morrow]

Taigh wrote:

> I believe the ARN-7 was used until the early to mid-1970’s in the US Navy.

Some of the oldest USN aircraft in which I got some trip time in 1971-2 were old S2F-? twin-engine anti-sub aircraft that had been converted to TS-2A trainer sircraft used at NAS Corpus Christi.  Even then I was amazed at the vintage avionics they carried, which included the AN/ARN-6 ADF...at least that was a considerable advance over the even older AN/ARN-7.

Other interesting gear that was carried:
AN/ARC-2* MF/HF AM
AN/ARC-27 UHF AM
R-23*/ARC-5 RANGE/BEACON

I spoke with an AET2 radio tech who remarked how hard it was to get parts for the AN/ARC-2.

The latest version S-2F was aboard USS Intrepid/CVS-11 when I was aboard in 1971, grossly more current in electronics.  I never saw the AN/ARN-7 in service anywhere in 1971-72, but my exposure was limited.

The old TS-2A training aircraft were not too impressive in speed snd agility by 1972.  There were graffiti (like "Built By Brooklyn Railroad Scrap Iron Company, 1913") at the stripped crew positions where idle students awaited their up-front time.  The one I liked best was below an escape hatch that someone labeled with the warning:  DO NOT EXCEED MACH 2 WITH HATCH OPEN.

Mike / KK5F