Warbird Information Exchange

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

_________________
Aerial Photographer with Red Wing Aerial Photography currently based at KRBD and tailwheel CFI.
Websites: Texas Tailwheel Flight Training, DoolittleRaid.com and Lbirds.com.

The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD. - Prov. 21:31 - Train, Practice, Trust.

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

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

_________________
Taylor Stevenson

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!!!

_________________
Long Live the N3N-3 "The Last US Military Bi-Plane" 1940-1959
Badmouthing Stearmans on WIX since 2005

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

Ryan

_________________
Aerial Photographer with Red Wing Aerial Photography currently based at KRBD and tailwheel CFI.
Websites: Texas Tailwheel Flight Training, DoolittleRaid.com and Lbirds.com.

The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD. - Prov. 21:31 - Train, Practice, Trust.

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!

_________________
He bowls overhand...He is the most interesting man in the world.
"In Peace Japan Breeds War", Eckstein, Harper and Bros., 3rd ed. 1943(1927, 1928,1942)
"Leave it to ol' Slim. I got ideas...and they're all vile, baby." South Dakota Slim
"Ahh..."The Deuce", 28,000 pounds of motherly love." quote from some Mojave Grunt
DBF

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

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.

_________________
Bill Walker
Canadian Military Aircraft Serials
www.ody.ca/~bwalker/

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

_________________
Long Live the N3N-3 "The Last US Military Bi-Plane" 1940-1959
Badmouthing Stearmans on WIX since 2005

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

Ryan

_________________
Aerial Photographer with Red Wing Aerial Photography currently based at KRBD and tailwheel CFI.
Websites: Texas Tailwheel Flight Training, DoolittleRaid.com and Lbirds.com.

The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD. - Prov. 21:31 - Train, Practice, Trust.

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

_________________
“Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.”

Benjamin Franklin, American Statesman, Scientist, Philosopher

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

_________________
“Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.”

Benjamin Franklin, American Statesman, Scientist, Philosopher

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!!!!

_________________
Long Live the N3N-3 "The Last US Military Bi-Plane" 1940-1959
Badmouthing Stearmans on WIX since 2005

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

Ryan

_________________
Aerial Photographer with Red Wing Aerial Photography currently based at KRBD and tailwheel CFI.
Websites: Texas Tailwheel Flight Training, DoolittleRaid.com and Lbirds.com.

The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD. - Prov. 21:31 - Train, Practice, Trust.

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

_________________
“Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.”

Benjamin Franklin, American Statesman, Scientist, Philosopher