Have any of you guys ever seen...

Thu Feb 05, 2009 9:38 am

Have any of you guys ever seen one of these devices? If you have, or know where I could find one, I would be much obliged.

I don't know what the technical name for it is, don't know the manufacturer, etc... but would certainly like to have one so that we can do demonstrations of this:

Ryan

Thu Feb 05, 2009 9:50 am

Closest I'm finding is this
http://www.postalmuseum.si.edu/museum/1 ... ainer.html
looks like a bit heavier duty rig. I've seen some pics somewhere of a Catalina doing VERY low level package pick-up in Greenland using a similar rig

Thu Feb 05, 2009 11:11 am

To me, it looks like a standard L-4/5 antenna reel retrofitted for message drops... anyone else agree?

Thu Feb 05, 2009 12:13 pm

Antenna reel and it just so happens that I am selling mine!!!
http://cgi.ebay.com/Antenna-Reel-RCA-AV ... 240%3A1318

Dam good timing!!!

Thu Feb 05, 2009 12:22 pm

N3Njeff wrote:Antenna reel and it just so happens that I am selling mine!!!
http://cgi.ebay.com/Antenna-Reel-RCA-AV ... 240%3A1318

Dam good timing!!!

If I don't win is there any chance I could get some good pictures and dimensions?

Ryan

Thu Feb 05, 2009 12:26 pm

N3Njeff wrote:Antenna reel

By George I think you've got it Jeff! Looks like someone modified an antenna reel for light pickup
duties. Note the handcarved handle. I was looking through my All American Aviation Co. stuff
for a model number, but I think you've nailed it!

Thu Feb 05, 2009 12:43 pm

Might check with these folks, don't see that one on their current list but they have a B-17 antenna reel in stock at the moment(different beast altogether) and lots of other gear

http://www.warbirdrelics.com/radio_equipment_2.htm

Fri Feb 06, 2009 8:21 pm

The RAF started working on a pickup technique like this in the Great War, and really perfected it in the 1920s in the Army Cooperation squadrons based arounnd the Empire. Look at pictures of things like DH.9s in India in the 1920s, and you will see what looks like a light weight arrestor hook under the rear fuselage. This was a hinged arm with a detachable hook on the end, connected to a reel in the back seat. They also developed a range of standard leather containers with streamers attached, for dropping messages and small items from very low altitude. My father was teaching Canadian Army L-19 pilots how to chuck these containers out the window as late as 1960.

Fri Feb 13, 2009 5:26 pm

N3Njeff wrote:Antenna reel and it just so happens that I am selling mine!!!
http://cgi.ebay.com/Antenna-Reel-RCA-AV ... 240%3A1318

Dam good timing!!!

Are you guys still in the running for this????

Fri Feb 13, 2009 7:47 pm

N3Njeff wrote:
N3Njeff wrote:Antenna reel and it just so happens that I am selling mine!!!
http://cgi.ebay.com/Antenna-Reel-RCA-AV ... 240%3A1318

Dam good timing!!!

Are you guys still in the running for this????

It went a bit over the budget I felt I could commit the squadron to...

Ryan

Fri Feb 13, 2009 8:04 pm

Hell! went over my budget too! let me know if you get pix of the data plate, Ryan.

Fri Feb 13, 2009 8:05 pm

I take it He!! is a bad word?!?!?! Censorship?

Fri Feb 13, 2009 8:41 pm

Seafury1 wrote:I take it He!! is a bad word?!?!?! Censorship?

Before I pack it up, I will take some real good pics and document dimensions...............Dont worry, I will be sure to keep my eye out for another one!!!!

Fri Feb 13, 2009 8:56 pm

N3Njeff wrote:Before I pack it up, I will take some real good pics and document dimensions...............Dont worry, I will be sure to keep my eye out for another one!!!!

Thanks for the consideration! I'm happy the price went up for your sake as well.

Ryan

Fri Feb 13, 2009 9:00 pm

Ditto! thank you very much. Nice price you got for it.