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

[Scott Johnson]

The kit in the toboggan included a hand generator.  The bomber and tanker aircraft also carried the AN/CRT-3 Gibson girl.

Use of the RS-6 was relatively short-lived, I believe it was only carried by the B/RB-47s in their survival toboggan.

Scott V. Johnson W7SVJ
5111 E. Sharon Dr.
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-----Original Message-----
From: mrcg-bounces at mailman.qth.net <mrcg-bounces at mailman.qth.net> On Behalf Of ANDREW MILLER via MRCG
Sent: Sunday, March 1, 2020 12:24 PM
To: West Coast Military Radio Collectors Group <mrcg at mailman.qth.net>
Cc: armyradios at groups.io; Military Surplus Mail List (milsurplus at mailman.qth.net) <milsurplus at mailman.qth.net>; MMRCG at groups.io
Subject: Re: [MRCG] Origins of the RS-6 and subsequent USAF usage


Was there a stated reason for the USAF to be interested in the RS6? It still doesn’t make sense that it would be a bail out radio unless they anticipated landing near some batteries or an intact power grid. 

Sent from my SCR 506

> On Mar 1, 2020, at 9:51 AM, Tim <timsamm at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> 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-RDP79-01578A00010011
> 0011-6.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-RDP84-00499R00070014
> 0016-8.pdf>
> 
> As to USAF usage, see:  CIA-RDP78-03424A002400020033-9.pdf
> <https://www.cia.gov/library/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP78-03424A00240002
> 0033-9.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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