WW I 1918 Mystery antenna reel

[L-4Pilot]

Are there any WW I experts here on the forum that know what aircraft this antenna reel was used on. Inscription reads L. S. Brach DR-2 April 4, 1918.

I wonder what wireless set was used with it, probably very limited range.

[Dan K]

(FWIW...from an old ebay listing...)


WWI US ARMY SIGNAL CORPS AIRCRAFT AIRPLANE RADIO DR-2 ANTENNA REEL FOR WESTERN ELECTRIC SCR-59 RADIO RECEIVER, SCR-68 TRANSCEIVER AND BC-15 SPARK TRANSMITTER. Used on DeHaviland DH-4, Curtiss JN-4 Jenny and others. Condition is good as shown.

Stamped on reel:

SIGNAL CORPS US ARMY

AEROPLANE RADIO ANTENNA REEL

TYPE DR-2

ORDER No. 42291 DATE APRIL 4 1918

MADE BY

L S BRACH SUPPLY CO.

NEWARK, NJ

USA

[L-4Pilot]

I want to thank ALOHADAVE who sent me some great photos of WW I aeroplanes equipped with Radio Telegraph equipment. ALOHADAVE, an Aviation Historian knows quite a lot about this early equipment and identified the reel I have as an early 1918 model. He provided information about the antenna reels and transmitters/receivers in addition to these exceptional photos.

The Antenna reels contained 300 feet of wire and the two Lb. streamlined lead weight stabilized the antenna wire in flight.

The entire subject of this WW I equipment is quite fascinating.

Last edited by L-4Pilot on Thu Mar 05, 2015 8:15 am, edited 2 times in total.

[L-4Pilot]

Dan K thanks for the information you posted.

[Triplane102]

You might want to check out Peter Jackson 's The Vintage Aviator , http://www.thevintageaviator.co.nz They just added a DH-4 from Century-Aviation, http://www.century-aviation.com Maybe they might be interested in at least looking at your A.reel. Really great item!

[L-4Pilot]

You might want to check out Peter Jackson 's The Vintage Aviator , http://www.thevintageaviator.co.nz They just added a DH-4 from Century-Aviation, http://www.century-aviation.com Maybe they might be interested in at least looking at your A.reel. Really great item!

Thanks Tony.

[L-4Pilot]

This is the BC-15A Transmitter that goes with the antenna reel, I still need the BC-14A Receiver to complete the set but they are almost impossible to find. Thanks to information I received on this forum I was able to track down and acquire the Transmitter today.

[Triplane102]

Great pics !! I forgot to mention The Aerodrome over at http://www.theaerodrome.com/
BTW, your T-41B Restoration is looking Fantastic!!!

[L-4Pilot]

Great pics !! I forgot to mention The Aerodrome over at http://www.theaerodrome.com/
BTW, your T-41B Restoration is looking Fantastic!!!

Thanks again Tony, that Aerodrome forum looks like a really good source of WW I aircraft information.