[MRCA] An interesting question

[Michael Hanz]

On 6/16/2023 8:00 AM, MARK DORNEY via MRCA wrote:
> It is well documented that USN aircraft carrier-borne were equipped with the ARR-1/ARR-2/ZB homing devices. Were the seaplanes like the OS2U Kingfisher carried by USN cruisers/battleships also equipped with it?

The guidance that approved installation - _in aircraft carriers_ - was 
issued in 1938.  Here's the typical installation in an OS2U in 1940 (no 
ZB-* - at that point, at least):



On the other hand, the OS2U photos I took of the rear gunner/radio 
operator position at the NASM Museum at Udvar-Hazy do show some 
improvements.  It was restored to its configuration in 1944, when it was 
used on the USS Indianapolis.  You can see the ZB-* tuning dial just 
under the DU direction finder loop adapter for the RU receiver directly 
beneath it.



The other half of your question would likely be answered by a photo of 
the USS Indianapolis ca. 1944.  The YE/YG antenna was normally the 
highest one on the ship.  But given the fact that cruisers usually 
covered carriers, they might have use the carrier YE as the target to 
return to the general vicinity of the Task Force.  I'll leave that as an 
exercise for the reader (I get seasick too easily...)



- Mike  KC4TOS
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