Spitfire VHF Receiver - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

flyingtech55 · 16th Dec 2010, 10:43 pm

Hi all

Can anyone tell me the type number of the VHF receiver used in the later mark Spitfires such MkIX/Mk XVI, MkXIV etc and do they ever come up for sale. Just curious!

TimR

Andrewausfa · 16th Dec 2010, 10:57 pm

TR5043 ??

Andrew

M0FYA Andy · 17th Dec 2010, 8:36 am

The TR5043 is otherwise known by its US number - SCR-522. I have been looking for one for a good while and finally bought one very recently. So in my experience they don't turn up very often. They do turn up on ebay in the US, but the shipping is prohibitive!
Andy

GMB · 17th Dec 2010, 10:47 am

Before 1942 the British VHF set was the TR1133, replaced by the TR1143 in 1942.
The US SCR522 known as TR5043 was the lend-lease plug-compatible set to help us out as we struggled to match VHF valve productiuon with losses.

TR1143's are very rare, but the SCR522 was built in greater numbers and continued beyond the war, including using the subassemblies being adpated for other uses, e.g. the T1540.

See my web site for a little more detail: http://home.btconnect.com/gmb

flyingtech55 · 17th Dec 2010, 8:50 pm

Thanks for replies. Presumably, you also need a control unit to use the radio. I understand that the radio was fitted to the aircraft in a compartment behind the cockpit. In the Spitfire I imagine the control unit was installed in the cockpit and connected to the radio via a wiring harness. Was there also an aerial 'unit'?

TimR

Dave757 · 17th Dec 2010, 11:36 pm

Hi Tim,

I remember the control box for the SCR 522, - I had a couple about
50 years ago!. It was the BC-602B, and had both American and British
identification plates on it. What has amazed me is that the weight of
complete SCR 522 assembly is 91 pounds.

Kind regards

Dave

16th Dec 2010, 10:43 pm	#1
flyingtech55 Octode Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Ayrshire, UK. Posts: 1,096	Spitfire VHF Receiver Hi all Can anyone tell me the type number of the VHF receiver used in the later mark Spitfires such MkIX/Mk XVI, MkXIV etc and do they ever come up for sale. Just curious! TimR __________________ All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain.

16th Dec 2010, 10:57 pm	#2
Andrewausfa Octode Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: St Ives, Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 1,180	Re: Spitfire VHF Receiver TR5043 ?? Andrew

17th Dec 2010, 8:36 am	#3
M0FYA Andy Nonode Join Date: May 2007 Location: Preston, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 2,511	Re: Spitfire VHF Receiver The TR5043 is otherwise known by its US number - SCR-522. I have been looking for one for a good while and finally bought one very recently. So in my experience they don't turn up very often. They do turn up on ebay in the US, but the shipping is prohibitive! Andy

17th Dec 2010, 10:47 am	#4
GMB Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: near Reading (and sometimes Torquay) Posts: 3,094	Re: Spitfire VHF Receiver Before 1942 the British VHF set was the TR1133, replaced by the TR1143 in 1942. The US SCR522 known as TR5043 was the lend-lease plug-compatible set to help us out as we struggled to match VHF valve productiuon with losses. TR1143's are very rare, but the SCR522 was built in greater numbers and continued beyond the war, including using the subassemblies being adpated for other uses, e.g. the T1540. See my web site for a little more detail: http://home.btconnect.com/gmb

17th Dec 2010, 8:50 pm	#5
flyingtech55 Octode Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Ayrshire, UK. Posts: 1,096	Re: Spitfire VHF Receiver Thanks for replies. Presumably, you also need a control unit to use the radio. I understand that the radio was fitted to the aircraft in a compartment behind the cockpit. In the Spitfire I imagine the control unit was installed in the cockpit and connected to the radio via a wiring harness. Was there also an aerial 'unit'? TimR __________________ All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain.

17th Dec 2010, 11:36 pm	#6
Dave757 Heptode Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Scratby, Norfolk, UK. Posts: 650	Re: Spitfire VHF Receiver Hi Tim, I remember the control box for the SCR 522, - I had a couple about 50 years ago!. It was the BC-602B, and had both American and British identification plates on it. What has amazed me is that the weight of complete SCR 522 assembly is 91 pounds. Kind regards Dave Last edited by Dave Moll; 18th Dec 2010 at 12:44 pm. Reason: unnecessary to quote preceding post in full