The Radar Operators position is located right side of the fuselage just opposite from the main entry door. The main radar was the APS-3 search and targeting radar that was widely used throughout WWII. It must have been a good set to have had such a long run. There are a lot of attachments and mods for the basic set which I am learning were installed in our late Harpoon.
To begin the resurrection of the radar position I started with the floor boards. I do not know for sure as I am guessing that they had plywood flooring for protection from the extreme cold of the Arctic conditions that this aircraft was initially designed for. The radar ops table also mounted to the plywood only and not through the underlying metal floor structure.
Here is Larry next to the templates that were made for fitting the floor panels.
The radar operators table mounts to the floor with brackets that the support tubes are screwed to. Here are come of the brackets after bending
Then the table is fitted and the brackets are located on the floor templates
The finished templates are then transferred to the nice plywood and are cut out
After the boards are cut, sealed and painted felt is added as per the original and the brackets are secured in place. Yes I was a cheap bastard and I only sealed the bottom of the floorboards and didn't paint them!
Next is the radar rack structure starting with the upper tubes. They are bent from stock to the specified shape and attached to the structure. They lined up perfectly with the original bolt holes.
The lower tubes attach to the upper ones with special T fittings. These are made from flat stock and are pressed with mandrels to achieve the correct fit.
Next the channels are bent up with lightening holes that support the radar receiver, control box and power supply
Fitting the radar components. Isn't it cool!
The radar scope bracket is fabricated next using some original parts from our stock
Now the finished floor panels and radar table can go in for more fitting
One of the late war modifications that Harpoons had was the addition of the APA-16 adapter that allowed more accurate bomb, torpedo and even rocket release through the radar. Here is the control box for that set and its mountings which place it in the radar operators table. The brackets were fabricated to fit an original mounting plate
Another bracket that held connectors for the radar scope was made and fitted
One of the finishing touches is the bracket for the clock mount. Like the one on the radio operators table this is shock mounted
With everything pretty much fitted and set up its time to tear it all down for deburring and paint. Here is Ken and his son doing just that. Carson is a good kid who is real inquisitive. He is asking all of the good questions and wants to learn more. The future of Warbirds? I hope so.
After all the parts are painted they will be installed for the last time for a while. We are leaving the original WWII factory paint inside the fuselage as it is in pretty decent shape. It needs more cleaning, preservation and touch up but it is the real deal. As the old saying goes it's only original once! I actually am looking forward to the new floorboards and radio/radar racks getting scuffed up with that worn look so they will match the original finish. We are going for that seasoned look sort of like a nice old flying jacket that shows its experience.
_________________
To donate to the PV-2D project via PayPal click here
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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Now really don't get me started!
though it may not mean much I say your group is heading in the right direction. I love the updates. I never had heard of a harpoon until I became a WIX Member. I do have to ask though, have y'all been able to locate a top turret for her?
