[R-390] Re: Litton Model 1309 Microdial

[Michael Crestohl]

On Sat, 1 Mar 2008 19:10:57 EST,  Flowertime01 at wmconnect.com wrote:
>The front panel was not painted black when the micro dial was installed.
>I think only the CIA wasted time on black paint.
>Real R390 operators know this.

Several years ago some enterprising individual with a good 
imagination painted a front panel black and called it the "CIA" 
model.  It is a fantasy item.

There never was a "CIA" version with a black front panel.  All 
production units had the familiar grey front panel.

If you ever get to visit the National Cryptological Museum at Fort 
Meade MD the first thing you see when you enter the building is a 
R-390A - with a grey panel.

Several years ago a friend listed an R-390A with a black front panel 
on ePay.  He clearly stated that this was NOT a special "CIA" model 
but the bidding went considerably higher despite the fact that he was 
completely honest in his listing.

Go figure...........................it is what it is.

73,

Michael