What is this on the B-24

[Ztex]

I saw this on the Collings bird and I was wondering...what is it?

Thanks,
Z

[retroaviation]

Retractable antenna. Can't recall the exact terminology of it, or the part number, so over to the experts.........

Gary

[skymstr02]

It an HF radio antenna, a trailing wire type. The knob that you see at the end is a weight, and the wire travels out of the mast. The wire length is determined by the frequency desired, ie, longer length equals lower frequency. The radio operator would use the tuning meter to vary the length of wire.

[K5DH]

The tube with the "funnel" end is called a "fairlead". It insulates the trailing wire antenna from the fuselage. The RL-30A reel that the antenna winds on and off of is inside the airplane. On the B-17, the fairlead is the model F-10. I suspect the same one was used on the Lib. I just bought an F-10 for Chuckie off of eBay last week!

Cheers!

[Ztex]

Thanks guys!

I just bought an F-10 for Chuckie off of eBay last week!

Way cool!

Z

[Larry Kraus]

The only flight manual that I had readily available that had info on the trailing antenna was for a B-32.The manual listed the full length of the antenna as 250 ft.

[Second Air Force]

Crewmembers I've met told me that it could really screw up your day if the clown in front of you extended the trailing wire while flying formation. That weight is heavy, not to mention the wire following it out! Dodging and cursing were the order of the day during such incidents.

Scott