[MRCG] Origins of the RS-6 and subsequent USAF usage

[Scott Johnson]

-And I forgot, he also started the concept of auto, mechanical, and electrical hobby shops on USAF bases.

Scott V. Johnson W7SVJ
5111 E. Sharon Dr.
Scottsdale, AZ 85254-3636
H (602) 953-5779
C (480) 550-2358
scottjohnson1 at cox.net
scott.johnson at ieee.org

-----Original Message-----
From: mrcg-bounces at mailman.qth.net <mrcg-bounces at mailman.qth.net> On Behalf Of Tim
Sent: Sunday, March 1, 2020 12:21 PM
To: West Coast Military Radio Collectors Group <mrcg at mailman.qth.net>
Subject: Re: [MRCG] Origins of the RS-6 and subsequent USAF usage

Hi Scott - I think he was also a fan of Art Collins - evaluated early SSB gear for HF aircraft comms etc.

73, Tim
N6CC

On Sun, Mar 1, 2020 at 10:42 AM Scott Johnson <scottjohnson1 at cox.net> wrote:

> A story that was related to me by an acquaintance that knew Gen Curtis 
> Lemay (K0GRL) in his later years said that Lemay was always on the 
> lookout for gear that would suit his newly minted Strategic Air 
> Command.  He was apparently briefed on almost everything, especially 
> communications, and found the RS-6 to be just the thing for stranded 
> aircrews that had to bail out over who know where, and establish communications with rescue forces.
> He was, incidentally, after having seen a demonstration, the driving 
> force behind the Adoption of Eugene Stoner's AR-15 (M-16), (to arm his 
> newly created security police forces).
>
> Scott V. Johnson W7SVJ
> 5111 E. Sharon Dr.
> Scottsdale, AZ 85254-3636
> H (602) 953-5779
> C (480) 550-2358
> scottjohnson1 at cox.net
> scott.johnson at ieee.org
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: mrcg-bounces at mailman.qth.net <mrcg-bounces at mailman.qth.net> On 
> Behalf Of Tim
> Sent: Sunday, March 1, 2020 10:51 AM
> To: MMRCG at groups.io; Military Surplus Mail List (
> milsurplus at mailman.qth.net) <milsurplus at mailman.qth.net>; 
> armyradios at groups.io; West Coast Military Radio Collectors Group < 
> MRCG at mailman.qth.net>
> Subject: [MRCG] Origins of the RS-6 and subsequent USAF usage
>
> Hi guys - I had heard the story that the RS-6 set was originally 
> designed as an aircrew survival item, but later adopted by the CIA for agent use.
> (They certainly were carried in go-bags on some USAF aircraft later on).
> Those origins didn't make much sense to me so I researched the CIA 
> Freedom of Information Act reading room site.
> https://www.cia.gov/library/readingroom/home
> (I summarized the findings on my website post regarding the RS-6.)
>
> Interesting stuff had been released on the RS-6.  Notably:
> CIA-RDP79-01578A000100110011-6.pdf
> <
> https://www.cia.gov/library/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP79-01578A000100110
> 011-6.pdf
> >
>
> It states " [REDACTED] reviewed the history of the RS-6 and the 
> requirement for which it was designed and procured; circa 1949-1951. 
> The set was designed as a manual keying, low cost replacement for the 
> WWII SSTR-1.  At the time Agency plans called for large scale stay 
> behind activities and strategic reserve/war planning programs...." etc.
>
> When North Korea attacked South Korea on 25 June 1950 the CIA had 1225
> RS-6 sets in inventory.  CIA-RDP84-00499R000700140016-8.pdf
> <
> https://www.cia.gov/library/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP84-00499R000700140
> 016-8.pdf
> >
>
> As to USAF usage, see:  CIA-RDP78-03424A002400020033-9.pdf
> <
> https://www.cia.gov/library/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP78-03424A002400020
> 033-9.pdf
> >
>
> The last page states: "JUNE 1952 - About this time, the Air Force 
> became interested in the RS-6 and asked the Agency to procure 1500 
> units for their use. In order to fulfill this requirement 100 RS-6X's 
> currently in stock were shipped to the Air Force leaving 1400 units to 
> be supplied from future production."
>
> So I think the CIA has it the other way around; the set was designed 
> for the CIA but later adopted by the USAF.  These documents were 
> declassified and released by the CIA around 2010-2011 and I think they 
> clear up the question about the origins of the RS-6. (there are a lot 
> of other interesting documents on the site regarding the RS-6 and the 
> other CIA sets like the RS-1 etc.)  Interesting reading!  Anyway, FYI.
>
> Tim
> N6CC
>
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