[Milsurplus] 26003A Navy aviation key

[Michael Hanz]

Along with KK5F's excellent coverage of this key, perhaps a photo of an 
original Bendix MT-11B might be useful.  Sure looks like the 26003 family.

Bendix was into the radio scene as soon as aircraft became more than a 
curiosity.  The early aircraft apparently reeked of gasoline fumes on a 
*good* day, and an open telegraph key that could potentially initiate a 
spark upon key make or release wasn't a good idea.  Even later, a bullet 
or shell through a wing could provide a dousing or at least gasoline 
vapor throughout the cockpit.  The term 'flameproof' seems a bit odd,  
except in the context of not lighting a flame in a fuel rich 
environment.  This in aircraft that had cigarette ashtrays in every 
plane... 😁

- Mike  KC4TOS




On 6/10/2023 1:43 PM, Mike Morrow wrote:
>
> From the NAVSHIPS 900,109 Navy Type Number book of September 1945, the 
> following information is provided on the four nt-26003* keys:
>
> CN-26003     GM     CN-G-115
> KEY-TELEGRAPH
> FLAME-PROOF
> INSULATED FRAME.
> 05/03/33
>
>      -26003A     GO     RE 26F 111
> HAND TELEGRAPH KEY:   (NAF #37153)
> FLAME PROOF,
> INSULATED FRAME.
> KNOB OF LAMINATED MATERIAL SPEC. 17-P-5 TYPE-PBM.
> 10/11/33
>
> CME-26003B     VA-1     GRE 26J 1154A
> KEY, TELEGRAPH
> FLAME-PROOF
> (SLIGHT IMPROVEMENTS IN COMPONENTS)
> 01/06/38
>
> CME-26003C     VA-2 & VB-1     GRE 26J 1156A
> KEY, TELEGRAPH
> FLAME-PROOF
> SAME AS -26003B EXCEPT FOR LARGER TERMINAL TUBE FOR ARMORED CABLE
> 10/04/39
>
> Note that nt-26003 is associated with transmitter GM, and that 
> nt-26003A is associated with transmitter GO.
>
> nt-26003B is associated with visual signaling equipment VA-1, and that 
> nt-26003C is associated with visual signaling equipment VA-2 and VB-1.
>
> This key is my favorite military key.  I have owned five that were 
> pulled from USN patrol aircraft being scrapped that had AN/ARC-25 
> (AN/ART-13 with AN/ARR-15A), AN/ARC-38, AN/ARC-38A, or AN/ARC-94 HF 
> radio sets installed.  ALL.were nt-26003A keys.  At least one had the 
> two-minute key-down caution.
>
> Mike / KK5F
>