T1154 question - Page 3 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

CarbonMike · 22nd Aug 2017, 12:44 am

Richard
Do you know how many of those wonderful E52 receivers were made and what they were used for?
In terms of 'fitness for purpose' you have to also consider what resources are needed for design and manufacture, and what other priorities there are at the same period. I can't imagine why the Germans would need a new high-class receiver in the mid-war years.

The R1155/T1154 is certainly a good counter-example. They had to be available quickly and in large numbers. A bonus was that the domestic radio manufacturers like E K Cole could be contracted. Performance and durability were secondary issues.
The HRO is another example. Obsolete, but widely used as an intercept receiver and good enough in that role. Above all, it was available.
Then there was the Sten gun (a horrible thing but they made 4 million of them!), and the subcontracting of the Merlin engine to Packard.
The challenges faced by the military planners at the time are fascinating to look back on.

22nd Aug 2017, 12:44 am	#41
CarbonMike Triode Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Wellington, New Zealand. Posts: 30	Re: T1154 question Richard Do you know how many of those wonderful E52 receivers were made and what they were used for? In terms of 'fitness for purpose' you have to also consider what resources are needed for design and manufacture, and what other priorities there are at the same period. I can't imagine why the Germans would need a new high-class receiver in the mid-war years. The R1155/T1154 is certainly a good counter-example. They had to be available quickly and in large numbers. A bonus was that the domestic radio manufacturers like E K Cole could be contracted. Performance and durability were secondary issues. The HRO is another example. Obsolete, but widely used as an intercept receiver and good enough in that role. Above all, it was available. Then there was the Sten gun (a horrible thing but they made 4 million of them!), and the subcontracting of the Merlin engine to Packard. The challenges faced by the military planners at the time are fascinating to look back on.