Scott Hemsley Posted June 10, 2020 Share Posted June 10, 2020 I'm on the home stretch doing up a 1/72nd Kittyhawk I of 111 Sqn. (RCAF) as it appeared in Alaska, 1942 and I find that now I must question the P-40E experts out there on the antenna wires typically carried. It seems that I've 3 possible choices (but which is correct?): - fin to both wing tips and fin to spine - fin to port wing tip and fin to spine - fin to spine Period B&W photos aren't a great deal of help although I've one photo that seems to show a hint of a connection to the port wing tip. Scott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LDSModeller Posted June 10, 2020 Share Posted June 10, 2020 21 minutes ago, Scott Hemsley said: Period B&W photos aren't a great deal of help although I've one photo that seems to show a hint of a connection to the port wing tip. Hi Scott, FWIW, it may depend on the type of Radio transmitter/receiver equipment your particular P40E-1 carried? RNZAF P40E-1's (including those taken over from the USAAF 68th PS in Tonga) carried the SCR-274N version, which had option 1 of your choices. Reason being, the RNZAF was attached to the US Navy during WWII, so compatible radio gear was necessary. Regards Alan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Hemsley Posted June 10, 2020 Author Share Posted June 10, 2020 Quote RNZAF P40E-1's (including those taken over from the USAAF 68th PS in Tonga) carried the SCR-274N version, which had option 1 of your choices. Reason being, the RNZAF was attached to the US Navy during WWII, so compatible radio gear was necessary. Thanks Alan. Unless I come across clear proof of some setup other than 'option 1', I'll go with your suggestion. The RCAF operated very closely with US forces in Alaska, like (as you describe) the RNZAF did in the Pacific. Scott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hornet133 Posted June 11, 2020 Share Posted June 11, 2020 P-40E, P-40F, short fuselage P-40K, some long fuselage P-40K and even a few of 3 Sqn RAAF P-40Ls in photos show 'fin to both wing tips and fin to spine'. The wires are usually VERY hard to see, but they are there. If the airframe has an aerial mast, the wires run only from it to the vertical fin tip (different radio fit). Many long fuselage P-40Ks used by 450 Sqn had the mast, but others did not, in even the same photo (things were being changed over). Most (but not all of the 3 RAAF P-40Ls have a mast, but there are a few exceptions in photos). So once again changeover period. All P-40M and Ns that I have seen have the mast. Basically look for an aerial mast. If there isn't one then the radio wires will run to a connector near both wing tips and also fin to spine. Steve Mackenzie 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BS_w Posted June 11, 2020 Share Posted June 11, 2020 (edited) when the IFF (scr 535 or R3003) was fitted, the two wires exit from the top of fuselage just aft the frame 9, each side at 2"2/3 from c/l to the stabilizer tips Edited June 11, 2020 by BS_w 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hornet133 Posted June 11, 2020 Share Posted June 11, 2020 BS_w - thanks, I did notice that wire on one photo that I looked at, and assumed that it would be IFF similar to a Spitfire (different attachment point of course), as something I had not seen before. Another case of something that is there but very hard to see in photos. Steve Mackenzie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Hemsley Posted June 11, 2020 Author Share Posted June 11, 2020 (edited) In response to my discussions with Carl Vincent about the RCAF Kittyhawk I's of 111 (F) Squadron, and in particular, their involvement in the Alaskan theater in 1942-43, he sent me the following after he stumbled upon this thread and I present it in full, with his kind permission. Scott _________________________________________________________________________________________ I. It is worthwhile noting that the Kittyhawks concerned were Kittyhawk I’s and that the RAF and the RCAF were the only air forces that use them except, I believe, for a few that were passed on to the Turks. Because of this and, also, because the RCAF tended to use its own equipment, comparisons with the policy and practice of other Allied air arms may not be totally relevant. II. The RCAF Kittyhawk I’s were delivered without radios and the equipment installed was Canadian designed and manufactured. I have the designation somewhere in my research notes. III. However, the aerial array seems to be consistent with other users, presumably because the basic fittings were compatible with the Canadian radios. IV. This seems to have consisted of an aerial from the fin to the fuselage spine and another to each wing tip. This was the initial installation on all RCAF Kittyhawk I’s. V. The comment that the wing aerials are almost impossible to see to see is fully justified. I have hundreds of photos of RCAF Kittyhawks, many using this arrangement and only in a very few can the wing aerials be seen. VI. Some time after their arrival in Alaska the Kittyhawks of 111 (F) and 14 (F) were fitted with IFF aerials [ ? ] that went from the fuselage to the tips of the stabilizer. Photo 1. Kittyhawk of 111 (F) being refuelled at Kodiak, spring 1943. Both the IFF and the wing aerials are visible. (Scott's note: Note the upperwing 'heavily modified A-style' roundel has been restored back to a proper 'A-style' roundel, by this time and the squadron codes are painted out, but with the typical white underscore, retained) Photo 2. Probably the same time and location. Once again the IFF and the wing aerials are visible, the latter very faintly. I am not certain whether the thing dangling from the leading edge of the fin is the fuselage aerial. VII. In mid-1943 the two fighter squadrons in the Aleutians had the previous aerial fit replaced by two vertical aerials on the spine, the larger just behind the cockpit. Whether the smaller was a substitute for the previous IFF I cannot say. Whether the larger one was simply the normal vertical aerial without the streamlined housing I also cannot say. Photo 3. This photo of a 14 (F) Kittyhawk I being repainted on Umnak in the late spring/early summer of 1943 shows this new aerial arrangement. The tail IFF aerials are still in place. Photos 4, 4a. Another 14 (F) Kittyhawk I in late summer 1943 having been repainted including alterations to the position and type of insignia and the overpainting of the very much disliked shark mouth. It retains the tail IFF aerials and the single fin to spine aerial but not the wing ones. (Scott's note: Note the small vertical antenna just ahead of the tail wheel. Purpose unknown at this time) VIII. Some time in 1943, the Kittyhawks remaining in Canada were fitted with a standard streamlined aerial mast as were the Alaska-based ones on their return. Photo 5. A very hard-used former 111 (F) Kittyhawk I at Boundary Bay awaiting reassignment and fitted with the aerial mast. Photo 6. There were always bound to be anomalies. This particular example shows a 132 (F) Kittyhawk I a with both the aerial mast and the fin to spine aerial. IX. Carl's disclaimer: "There is no real research behind the above comments except a very small amount of knowledge and personal photo-interpretation." Edited June 12, 2020 by Scott Hemsley 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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