What is this on the B-24

Ztex · **Posted:** Fri Apr 20, 2007 4:49 pm

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

Thanks,
Z

retroaviation · **Posted:** Fri Apr 20, 2007 5:01 pm

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

Gary

skymstr02 · **Posted:** Fri Apr 20, 2007 5:13 pm

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 · **Posted:** Fri Apr 20, 2007 11:24 pm

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 · **Posted:** Fri Apr 20, 2007 11:47 pm

Thanks guys!

Quote:

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

Way cool!

Z

Larry Kraus · **Posted:** Sat Apr 21, 2007 8:34 pm

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 · **Posted:** Sat Apr 21, 2007 8:45 pm

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

Warbird Information Exchange

What is this on the B-24

Who is online