B 26 Radio Operator Compartment

Hi- Does anyone have a good photo of the radio operator's compartment, showing the operator's desk in the open position?(I found a pic showing it closed) Also, I am looking for a picture or diagram of the assembly of the radio shelves, so I can build a mock-up for displays at air shows, etc... I can approximate the dimensions based on the BC-348, but if anyone has the proper dimensions, I'd enjoy hearing from them...

Thanks!

Robbie

Hopefully, this one will help you out.

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Thanks Hochie! That will be helpful- :)

is this for a model project?
 
I scanned pages from the Flight Manual with pictures of the left and right sides of the compartment
 
PM me your email and I will email you a PDF
 
 

Robbie,

Similar photograph as provided by Don Hoch but showing more of the forward vertical floor and overhead detail due to not being cropped as much as Don's photograph. Credit for the photograph as noted by the copyright.

Also see www.****swarbirdvideos.com/More_B-26_Stuff.html for a view of the aft compartment.

Andy

[image]local://upfiles/10103/6157EEBFA6CB487CACE976EA2BDA8474.jpg[/image]

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Hi Postal- This is actually to make a free-standing mock-up of the radio stack and desk, with an "adaption" down to a plywood base, so I can display my radios in situ at air shows, etc, as part of the Airmen's Preservation Society (APS) display. I want it to look like my "Radio and Instrument" section pulled the radio rack out of a wreck, and we have a set of radios in them we are using for monitoring. Lets the public see them a bit more realistically than just chucked out on a table... I am still hoping to find a reference for a blueprint of the rack or something...

Huey-
Thanks for the pic- Also helpful- I also checked out the website.

(If anyone has any photos of a "typical" 8th AF(or other- any would be helpful!) radio repair and/or instrument shop, please let me know! I am trying to set up a reasonably authentic display of a Radio and Instrument repair section.)

Thanks again!
RR

Unsure of where/what unit, caption just says  " Radio maintainence, Tech testing SCR-522 "

[image]local://upfiles/14097/AADB3C6DB563487393CDCC81B30BF574.jpg[/image]

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By the way, the B-26 radio compartment pics posted above are from Flak Bait at NASM, so you can be sure the layout and equipment is " right. "   Heres a low quality blow-up of a pic from a newspaper article about the restoration of the B-26 at MAPS in Ohio.
Also have listing for radio equip. in case you dont have complete list :
B-26 SCR-274N Radio System Equipment
TOP SHELF :
BC-456A AM Modulator w/DM-33 Dynamotor & FT-227 Shockmount
BC-458A & BC-459A Transmitters on FT-226 Rack & FT-225 Shockmount
BC-442A Control Relay w/RF Ampmeter on FT-229A shockmount

3rd SHELF :
BC-348H Radio Receiver on FT-154B Shockmount
I-82A Radio Operator's Bearing Indicator
FL-5A Audio Filter
J-37 Key with Leg Clamp

2nd SHELF:
BC-453A/BC-454A/BC-455A Receivers in FT-220A Rack on FT221A Shockmount
DM-32A Dynamotors on each Receiver

1st SHELF :
BC-433G Radio Navigation Receiver

ADDITIONAL RADIO POSITION EQUIPMENT :
BC-461 Trailing Antenna Reel Control Box
IN-83 Ceramic Insulating Beads
BC-434A Radio Compass Control Box
SCR-211 Frequency Meter
BC-347 Interphone Amplifier
HS-33 Headset
T-30 Microphone
MC-211 Right Angle Spline Adaptor
SCR-578A Sea Rescue Transmitter
RL-30B Wire Reel Unit

ADDITIONAL RADIO EQUIPMENT IN B-26:
SCR-287 Liaison Radio Set
SCR-522 VHF Radio Set
RC-32 Filter Equipment
BC-357B Marker Beacon Receiver

[image]local://upfiles/14097/C37B915B9CA04839895DA54DE87BF965.jpg[/image]

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Dangit, guess I coulda put this all in one post !  Shot of an instrument repair/testing facility.
 
*** Rob, just found your thread about the C-1 you are restoring ! Happily, this photo shows this piece of equipment " in action ". 



[image]local://upfiles/14097/23D6EAC401714281AEF893819523565D.jpg[/image]

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Here's another one, interior from French Marauder at museum in Paris.

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Robbie,

Send me a PM - I've got a big box full of 'tubes' I inherited from my father in law. If you're in the radio restoration/showing hobby mode maybe I've got something you can use to make your radios warm up and glow.  I'm not an electronics kinda guy - just never throw anything away.

Andy

SHAEF44- Thanks for the multi-posts! Great Pics! The first, of the tech testing the SCR-522 looks like he may be in a mobile shop, or more likely in a field location, using a glider box hut! The roof seems a little low, and the width of the shop a bit narrow,  which is why I am thinking along those lines, although it looks like a fairly well setup workbench, etc. The tech looks to be wearing an earlier style "Ike" jacket, too... Great Pic :)

Thanks also for the pic and listing of the radio components- I had just come across that last night, but appreciate the posting- I can compare, see if the listing I have is complete.

I also really enjoyed the photo of the C-1 Instrument Field Testing Set in use: gave me an answer to a question I had about the assembly: turns out the screws which hold the sides on are also unpainted- I noticed they had a galvanized coating on them, under the years of repaints, but was not sure if originally painted or not. Now I see they were not :) The same with the nuts on the wheels. The photo seems to have been taken in a tech shool environment- which itself is neat, as I can see some of the other involved equipment- The Barfield tester, for testing pressure instruments, is part of the C-1(one of the few parts I don't yet have, but need) and the power drill I do have one of(but not part of the set...lol)

deefeater- Nice pic: gives me an idea of the layout of the rack without radios, so I can figure out its construction. Now to start working out the dimensions- Thanks!

Huey- I sent you an e-mail off-list. Thanks for the offer!

Thanks to everyone for all the help so far!

Robbie!

I can compare, see if the listing I have is complete.

 
The BC-348 receiver, along with the J-37 key and most trailing wire antenna components were part of the listed SCR-287 Liaison radio equipment. Omitted is the biggest ticket item, the major component of SCR-287, the BC-375 transmitter. It was positioned on the aft bulkhead of the B-26 radio compartment with the required tuning units scattered throughout the airplane (attached). -Adrian
 
 

[image]local://upfiles/4170/EA0D8E120D674530A90910EE88A7E957.jpg[/image]

[image]local://upfiles/4170/37C034097C0743D4B2BF1411DAF72608.jpg[/image]

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Boy- they sure scattered the tuners! Wonder what they did when they needed to switch in a hurry to the one behind the bomb bay!

Well, seeing there wasn't as much space in a B-26 as a B-17 radio room, guess they had to do something... I am looking for a BC-375 transmitter for the display, as well as an ART-13, which was later war.

Thanks!
Robbie

Hi Robbie,

I have been building a replica of the shelves from a B-26 for the past couple of years.  I obtained copies of the blueprints from NASM and used those as a basis.  I am building mine out of wood instead of aluminum.  I have drawings that I made up for the construction of my shelves that I can send you if you would be interested.  My wooden version is also free standing as opposed to the original which was attached to the airframe.  I have a fully restored BC-348H as well as all of the components for the SCR-274N "Command Set" (I still need to restore 2 of the receivers) and RC-36 interphone system.  I also have a T-47/ART-13 transmitter and dynamotor that I intend to restore and add to the setup.  I will try to get some photos of what I have so far posted tomorrow.  The B-26 shelves seem to be the most compact way to display in an authentic setting nearly all of the radio equipment used in these aircraft.

Thanks Sean- I'd appreciate seeing your drawings & blueprints- I'll send my e-mail to you off list. I will probably make them mainly out of aluminum, as I currently have access to the proper materials and tools... Also, for weight reasons. I see the fold down desk is wood, and I should be able ot make that easily enough.

I agree with the B-26 setup being great for display reasons- that's why I started to pursue the idea, and see what I could find.

Thanks again!
Robbie

Here are a couple photos of what I have so far.

http://www.fidnet.com/~seanbart/Radio_Shelves_1.JPG

http://www.fidnet.com/~seanbart/Radio_Shelves_2.JPG

I am in need of a BC-433 radio compass and LP-21 loop antenna to round out the major components.

deefeater- Nice pic: gives me an idea of the layout of the rack without radios, so I can figure out its construction. Now to start working out the dimensions- Thanks!

This URL contains photo's of 40-1464, also one of radio rack:http://www.323bg454bs.org/Assets/40-1464/index.html
 
Addition: http://www.primeportal.net/hangar/bill_spidle/b-26_walk_7.htm
Some shots of details of the rack...

Don:

Would it be possible to get a higher resolution version of that excellent photo?  I know some members of a WWII radio enthusiast group who would like t see that in greater detail.
Thanks!
Robert
Releazer@earthlink.net

I've sent you an email with 3 photos (different B-26s).  Best resolution I have.  Hope they help.