[MRCA] 1155

[Michael Tauson]

-----Original Message-----
From: mrca-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:mrca-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On
Behalf Of Jack Antonio
> On 7/7/2012 12:15 PM, J. Forster wrote:
>> Neither the BC-348 nor the ART-13 was available at the start of WW II.
> Not so sure about that concerning the  -348. I have a BC-224-B which
> has a contract date of 5 January 1939. My -348-C has a contract date
> of 1941. At least the 348 was available very early in the war, and 
> certainly predates the AN/ART-13.

The important bit to consider is when aircraft switched from 12v to 24v.
The planning for this started in 1940 or early 1941 with new construction
being almost entirely 24v after decision time.  Prewar and some early war
construction aircraft were 12v (The lines weren't changed over immediately
to complete contracts already in place.) but the vast majority were 24v.
It's instructive to note that with only a few exceptions, ARC-Type K-derived
sets were completely 24v from 1939 and the initial orders for the ATC (which
eventually begat the AN/ART-13A), ARB and other "well known" pieces were in
the 1940-1941 time frame.  I wouldn't doubt that a few 12v aircraft survived
the war in combat units but most were either lost or rotated back to the
mainland for scrapping or use in training squadrons.  (A few of the Navy's
are still at the bottoms of the Great Lakes.)  

According to Ships 242A, the initial order for the ATC was in 1940 but it
took the USAAF until 1942 or so to get past their "not invented here"
attitude and once again accept that the Navy had a decent piece of
equipment.  The slightly modified design adapted as the T-47A didn't hit
combat squadrons until 1944 or so but it made radiomen very, very happy when
it did.

The BC-348 did, in fact, first arrive on 1941 contracts along with the
BC-375 replacing the BC-224 & BC-191 on new construction aircraft.  

Best regards,
 
Michael, WH7HG, A&P 1803851 Ph: 1-866-733-0218
Note to self: Need more henchmen, good ones this time.  Also, start
auditions for new female lab assistant.
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