Last Friday I decided to work on a low priority project just for fun. I don't like all of the new fangled antennas on top of the Harpoon so Ricky and I removed them. Here is a shot showing the offending antennas:
There were 8 antennas on top of the old gal that just don't look right and do not belong. Antennas on WWII aircraft is one of my pet peeves and in my eyes sure can detract from a restoration especially if they are the sleek 500 knot types typically found on jets. Many of the antennas used in WWII are perfectly usable today although I have come across many folks who argue against them.
I intend to install all of the original antennas back on the PV-2 but on a priority basis. I do need a communication antenna so the forward AN-104 is the first one to go back in. The AN-104 was referred to as the ax handle as it was made out of wood but more commonly out of phenolic since it was more stable in changing temperature and humidity. The phenolic was covered with copper or iron. The copper or iron covering is the actual antenna supported by the solid phenolic core. The aircraft structure acts as a ground plane just like modern antennas. Some argue that the antenna provides poor reception on either end of the VHF range but this is not true. If you have an AN-104 that is in good shape it performs beautifully throughout the full VHF range. The engineers back then were pretty darn smart and this antenna is a good example. The AN-104 antenna was the standard used for the new VHF command sets in WWII and was a part of several radio sets like the most common SCR-522 used by the Army and the SCR-274N VHF sets used by the Navy which is what our PV-2 had.
The PV-2 actually used two of these antennas but the aft one only supported the aft end of the ADF sense wire antenna and did not radiate RF. Here is an AN-104AX antenna I had in our stock. The cool thing is that of the several I have two are US Navy contract antennas with the same exact paint that our Harpoon will wear. Navy parts on as Navy aircraft; the way it should be.
To install the antenna I had to fabricate the laminated wood block that mounted the mast to the structure.
And then cut the rough block to size
Machine to fit the contour of the antenna and test fit in the airframe
With the block done some mineral oil was used to preserve the wood
Make a template for the rubber gasket/weather seal and support plate by making a rubbing on paper. Dirty fingers come in handy for this operation
The original paint still left on the area under the original gasket and plate helps to determine the size
Fabricate the mounting straps and secure the antenna with the hardware
One Navy contract AN-104 VHF antenna back where it is supposed to be. I just have to finish the gasket and plate, install it and hook it up to the comm radio.
Now if i can get the rest of the harpoon to match this cool looking antenna!
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http://www.twinbeech.com/84062restoration.htmWe brought her from:
to this in 3 months:
Help us get her all the way back
All donations are tax deductible as the Stockton Field Aviation Museum is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Tell a friend as the Harpoon needs all the help she can get.
Thank you!
Taigh Ramey
Vintage Aircraft, Stockton, California
http://www.twinbeech.com'KEEP ‘EM FLYING…FOR HISTORY!'
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Talk about an Oshkosh Express! 6 hours from California and no stops for fuel and 14 seats in Board room comfort, so says the sales brochure! I'm sold...
I guess it's sorta like the drivers training sign on top of the car...
You have saved some of the coolest ground equipment money can buy.