P-51 Radios

[Totalize]

Guys,

As I understand P-51's from the B's to D's had VHF radios in the ETO ie no antenna wires while some in the MTO had them as well. But what of late P-51D's in the MTO that had antenna wires. Why did some have them and some not? Was it a factory thing between Inglewood, California and Dallas, Texas? Were some shipped with MF/AM radio sets then converted to VHF and the antenna wire just left in place?

 

[Wurger]

See the thread ... P51 D Antenna Wire

A couple of diagrams with info...

the source: the net

 

[Totalize]

Thanks Wojtek,

I believe Terry said that with a VHF radio there was no antenna wire on ETO P51-B's. In both your examples there is a wire and one of the radio sets maybe the 522 was a vhf radio?

 

[Wurger]

Yes the SCR 522-A radio set was the VHF system and required the "sword" aerial type AN-104-A. So the antena wire wasn't needed. What is more the SCR 522-A radio set was known as TR.5043 radio in the UK used for the P-51s and P-38s.

http://www.radiomanual.info/schemi/Surplus_NATO/SCR-522A_SCR-542A_user_AN16-40SCR522-2_1944.pdf

The SCR-274-N radio set had been used before the SCR 522-A replaced the SW radio set in 1943, as memo serves. The SCR 274-N and the detrola 438, 535 receivers needed the antenna wire W-106-A

http://www.radiomanual.info/schemi/Surplus_NATO/SCR-274N_serv_user_AN08-40SCR274-2_1944.pdf

 

[cvairwerks]

Small note....W-106A is a actually a wire specification. Current close approximation is 18 ga. Copperweld.

 

[Totalize]

That's great guys. Thanks. So some late P-51D's with wire antenna would of had the SCR 274-N? More common in the MTO?

 

[Wurger]

Not necessarily. The antena wire also could be for the a radio range receiver beacon, eg .. the BC 1206A manufactured by the Detrola. In other words having the SCR 522 the AN-104-A mast was used . But if there was the radio ragne receiver BC 1206A installed as well, the wire antenna W-106-A was needed. Just these were two different arials for two devices working with the different frequency. It means that a kind of the radio transmitter/receiver is not the only raeson for having the antenna wire.
If the SCR 274-N was common or not in the MTO it doesn't seem to be the main reason. The wire could be either there or not.
Additionally looking at many pictures with P-51D in it can be stated that it may be very difficult to notice the antenna wire. And this can be the reason for omitting the one often.

BC-1206

 

[Totalize]

Great info Wojtek. Can I reference your information on another FB group I am on with an honourable mention?

 

[Wurger]

Yes , you can. No problemo.

 

[MIflyer]

The P-51A's sent to India and Burma retained their SCR-274-N HF radios because it enabled them to communicate with the ground troops for CAS. The RAF aircraft in the area had converted to the SCR-522 and thus had to rely on the pilots being properly briefed before setting out on a ground support mission. In fact an additional transmitter was shipped with the P-51A's to ensure that coverage could be used.

P-51B/C aircraft sent to China had radio direction finding equipment installed along with a reduced SCR-274-N installation. Someone did a superb restoration of a China based P-51B a few years back and if I can find my pictures of that I will attach them.

The aircraft in the US that had SCR-522 VHF installed generally had the BC-1206 LF receiver installed so they could receive instructions on standard LF control tower frequencies as well as use the AN Adcock navigational stations. I have four BC-1206 receivers; they were also known as "Detrolas" because that was a major manufacturer of the equipment but not the only one.

A mystery to me is what the fighters used that homed in on their airfields used in the ETO. You find references to that in pilot's personal accounts but it seems that most if not all of the fighters lacked the long wire antenna.

Postwar the BC-1206 disappeared as VHF took over communications but some P-51's and other aircraft had the BC-453 set from the SCR-274-N installation installed instead.

 

[Totalize]

The P-51A's sent to India and Burma retained their SCR-274-N HF radios because it enabled them to communicate with the ground troops for CAS. The RAF aircraft in the area had converted to the SCR-522 and thus had to rely on the pilots being properly briefed before setting out on a ground support mission. In fact an additional transmitter was shipped with the P-51A's to ensure that coverage could be used.

P-51B/C aircraft sent to China had radio direction finding equipment installed along with a reduced SCR-274-N installation. Someone did a superb restoration of a China based P-51B a few years back and if I can find my pictures of that I will attach them.

The aircraft in the US that had SCR-522 VHF installed generally had the BC-1206 LF receiver installed so they could receive instructions on standard LF control tower frequencies as well as use the AN Adcock navigational stations. I have four BC-1206 receivers; they were also known as "Detrolas" because that was a major manufacturer of the equipment but not the only one.

A mystery to me is what the fighters used that homed in on their airfields used in the ETO. You find references to that in pilot's personal accounts but it seems that most if not all of the fighters lacked the long wire antenna.

Postwar the BC-1206 disappeared as VHF took over communications but some P-51's and other aircraft had the BC-453 set from the SCR-274-N installation installed instead.

Awesome info. Thanks for sharing!!!!

 

[N4521U]

I sure wish there were as good radio installation dwgs for the B/C Mustangs!!!!!!!!!