[Milsurplus] Uncommon connector story

[CL in NC]

I had a similar issue restoring a APN-1 radio altimeter.  It used 3 identical Cannon plugs on the front, with the key way repositioned.  Of course, on the Cannons and similar, you can reset the key way, but on the APN-1 that used a plug with a symmetrical same size pin layout, you could only do 2 positions 90 deg apart, using the other two would allow the connector to plug up incorrectly.  It had one with a key-way at 45 deg and it was not a Cannon made plug.  I ended up cutting a slot in the connector body that would allow me to position the key way slot at 45 deg, as the company that made this connector in WW II was long since gone.  The original connector is still in inventory by Amphenol, and sold at places like Newark.  Thought it odd, that an independent contractor made this particular plug and socket, and Cannon just did not make it in house.  Could placing the key way at 45 deg been that big of an issue?

Charlie W4MEC in NC