WWII "gunners' check in clicker" info?

[ZeamerB17]

Saw this on ebay - "Flying Fortress Gunners Check-in Clicker": http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... SS:US:1123

I've never heard of one of these, not that that means much. I always thought they checked in on the interphone; but I'm always hungry for new information. Opinions?

Thanks!

[17f]

I have never actually seen one before so I don`t know for sure if this is it.

I believe (and I could be wrong, correct me if I am) that something like this was used between the jackbox and the throat mike. If one of the crew wanted to be heard by the rest of the crew, they would trip the switch. Otherwise, the T-30 throat mike would have always been "hot" and everybody would be talking over everybody else.

Even if that`s what it is, how does this guy know for sure it`s out of a B-17, much less a G? Is he $99 sure?

[K5DH]

I've never heard of such a thing. Typical aircrew interphone mics had a built-in push-to-talk switch, so there would be no need for an external one. Look at the physical size of the item, too. That device is several inches long, which would be huge and impractical for the alleged use. That big mounting bracket implies that the unit was hard-mounted somewhere, making it even more impractical. The dead giveaway here is that the connectors on the cables (which are plugged into each other) are BNC type, which did not exist during WW2. The concept originated in 1945 and the patent on the design was issued in 1951. The eBay item looks like a case of someone having no clue about what they have, and they're just trolling for a sucker.

[ZeamerB17]

The eBay item looks like a case of someone having no clue about what they have, and they're just trolling for a sucker.

Nah, THAT would never happen.

Thanks for the input, guys - still a mystery ...

[17f]

Interesting looking thing. The only crew communication device that I'm aware of thats remotely similar is the SW-141 which was plugged into the intercom system....

Funny you mention the SW-141. (No connection to seller)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/170831755333

[Jerry O'Neill]

I've never heard of such a thing. Typical aircrew interphone mics had a built-in push-to-talk switch, so there would be no need for an external one. Look at the physical size of the item, too. That device is several inches long, which would be huge and impractical for the alleged use. That big mounting bracket implies that the unit was hard-mounted somewhere, making it even more impractical. The dead giveaway here is that the connectors on the cables (which are plugged into each other) are BNC type, which did not exist during WW2. The concept originated in 1945 and the patent on the design was issued in 1951. The eBay item looks like a case of someone having no clue about what they have, and they're just trolling for a sucker.

Mics would be awkward during combat. You just had to reach down and push the button on the SW-141 that was hanging from your neck. No need to reach over to the wall for a mic that may or may not be where it was suppose to be. SW-141's were pretty standard equipment for bomber crews in WWII. Pilots had the throat mics and push to talk on the yoke, but most other stations in combat used the switch hanging around their neck.
That said, and having been a Curator of Costumes at NEAM years ago, I've never seen the one in question, only the SW-141 type.
Jerry

[Pathfinder]

This is an incredibly rare item....it is the only piece of AAF equipment issued WITHOUT an identifying part or stock number.

[ZeamerB17]

This is an incredibly rare item....it is the only piece of AAF equipment issued WITHOUT an identifying part or stock number.

Seriously, or are you being sarcastic? I can't tell ... Anyway, I sent a message to the seller and this is what he said:

Yes this is an interesting item. I have two of them and have checked both for numbers - nothing on them. I purchased this one from a Military Shop in Oregon many years ago. I know that B-17 gunners had to be able to hear commands from the pilot but did they have a microphone to respond? This Clicker system could have been the answer.

I told him they had mics, but I'm not POSITIVE all crewmembers always did. I am intrigued by the SW-141 mentioned above.

Thanks!

[SaxMan]

I wouldn't think crews would use a clicker. If the pilot was issuing a command, or was asking for crew to check in, how would he be able to tell one position from another with a "click", and certainly if they were doing it outside of the interphone, the plane would be far too noisy to hear over the engines. I once read that crew members not only had to acknowledge the pilot, but also had to repeat the command to make sure they weren't suffering from anoxia. However, the source of that information was Martin Caidin's "Flying Fortress", so I make no guarantees of its accuracy

[ZeamerB17]

ZeamerB17, you probably know the following already, so I hope you can humor me a bit on your thread while I pitch the stuff below at the folks interested in learning this arcane stuff...optimistically speaking..Ha!

Not a problem; I'm always up for learning something new - and I did NOT know all the mic info you just imparted. Interesting stuff - Thanks!

It seems like the more I THINK I know, the less I DO know ...