- This topic has 12 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 1 year, 7 months ago by
.
-
Posts
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Charles: Here’s the sketch someone provided to me for the lower mount:
Scarf this box up and add the 4th switch. It’s already punched and engraved.
There are two early metal ones on there as well, but one is stripped and the other is complete, but they want a hefty price for it, as it’s new in the box.
-
That’s my sketch of the panel, done many, many years ago. Without access to the proper tooling, the hardest part is making the mounting rings and doing it cleanly. Don Ayres made some beautiful repros of the panel assembly with rings, but it was a limited run of maybe 5 and I was very lucky to get one of them.
The aluminum 42D-5051 control switch boxes were used up to at least 42-99467 (photo evidence). I haven’t been able to pinpoint where it was replaced by the later Bakelite version, but it may have been used throughout the entire “observer” series. Some of the earliest boxes were bare aluminum, not black, by the way (again, photo evidence).
The E and G series definitely had the later style and maybe the B and C too. I’ll do some digging unless you know for sure. The parts manual doesn’t differentiate between the two, that I can see (same AAF part number). The G used 28-volt bulbs, of course.
-
Craig-
Appreciate the drawing, much appreciated.
Jim-
There may be a need for at least 5 of these recognition light panels here in the North Texas area. If you could put me in contact with Dan, would like to discuss having these reproduced.
Thanks,
Charles
-
-
I was able to find some info on the light control…. From TO 03-5-69, 20 June 1944, there was a change in the fabrication from metal to bakelite sometime prior to this. There was no effectivitey date for the changeover, but prior to the time of publication, both versions had been procured under the same drawing number, no dash number addition or indication as to a difference in materials. The book also says that the metal version procurement had been halted at some time prior to that publication date, and that both versions were direct interchange. Existing metal stock units would continue to be issued as needed until all stocks were exhausted, and after that, the bakelite ones would be the norm. By that, I would surmise that when stock was ordered for the production floor, you got what ever was on hand when the order was received at the GFE warehouse.
-
-
I know prices are going nuts on this stuff. I’ve got a couple of boxes and I think I paid 40$ for the most expensive one at the time. The set of lights is going berserk as well. I don’t think you can get a set of the bottom lights for under about 150$ and the top in clear ranges around 60-90$ and even more in blue. I managed to get a couple of the clears, NIB for about 50$ combined, recently. Had a chance to buy a huge box of fixtures that probably had a couple of dozen of the bases, for under 150$, but didn’t.
I’ve been careful shopping for bearings, rod ends, hardware and other parts for both my L-5 and Fairchild and it’s been very hit or miss on finding affordable prices on things.
Craig
-
I’ll try this again…
Charles: Here’s a 4 switch box that only needs the one switch to be added back:
There are a couple of early all metal boxes on there as well, but one is stripped and the other is New in the box and they want tall money for it.
Here’s the mount drawing someone sent to me a while back:
-
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.