HANDLEY PAGE HALIFAX VHF COCKPIT TUNER

HANDLEY PAGE HALIFAX VHF COCKPIT TUNER
HANDLEY PAGE HALIFAX VHF COCKPIT TUNER HANDLEY PAGE HALIFAX VHF COCKPIT TUNER HANDLEY PAGE HALIFAX VHF COCKPIT TUNER HANDLEY PAGE HALIFAX VHF COCKPIT TUNER
$920.00
Add PERSONALISED COLLECTABLE OPTION for just $90.00
Add 1/48 SCALE, DETAILED MODEL UPGRADE for just $80.00
In Stock SKU: 1894

Extremely rare WWII Air Ministry issued Handley Page Halifax VHF Cockpit Tuner

Mounted on the upper left hand side wall of the Halifax's cockpit, the Air Ministry and Crown stamped four channel (A,B,C,D) VHF Tuner worked with the bulky TR1143 VHF transceiver installed in all British fighters and heavy bombers.

The ‘A’ channel was used for 'air to ground’; ‘B’ for ‘air to air’; ‘C’ as an auxiliary channel for communication between fighters and bombers and ‘D’ as the emergency channel. All channels were crystal controlled and if a mission called for other frequencies, the airfield mechanics had to change the crystals prior to take off.

When America first entered the war in Europe and US aircraft began joint operations with the British, air to air and air to ground communications between US aircraft and their allies became problematic with the US operating on the HF band whilst the British used the VHF. The two incompatible radio setups made the coordination of flight formations extremely difficult 

The USAAF were very reluctant to convert their HF radios across to the British VHF but did agree to the installation of a rudimentary mechanical clock transmitting device, the Contactor BC 608 or 'Pip-Squeak'. 

The device had an electrical contact, which switched on a communication transmitter for 14 seconds every minute at a special frequency channel identifying the aircraft as 'friendly'. 

The only problem with the 'Pip-Squeak' was that pilots could not transmit or receive verbal communications when it was running.

Eventually the USAAF agreed to convert to the VHF band but under their terms, securing a production license to build their own miniaturised version of the British VHF Cockpit Tuner  - the SCR-522 and installing it in all US combat aircraft. 

This unit is in extremely good condition with all the channel buttons and switches working as they should would make a fantastic collectors piece for any aviation enthusiast. What a gift for a pilot!

This Handley Page Halifax Instrument comes complete with detailed Scale Model, Mango Wood Stand & Plaque plus Printed Fact Sheet featuring photo of instrument in aircraft cockpit.

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Your Handley Page Halifax VHF Cockpit Tuner, Original Recovery Curios Warbird Collectable includes:

  • Highly detailed hand-built and airbrushed 1/72 plastic scale model of the aircraft or opt for the larger and more detailed 1/48 scale*
  • Original Warbird instrument
  • Hand-crafted and beautifully finished 100yr, Far North Queensland Mango Wood display stand
  • Detailed, 2-sided, printed and laminated Instrument Fact Sheet detailing aircraft and instrument
  • Removable Magnetic Display Arm

* Both the standard 1/72 and the larger and more detailed 1/48 scale models are available with wheels & flaps up or down and bomb bays open or closed. Upon order placement you will receive an email asking for your preferred configuration.

To opt for the larger and mroe detailed 1/48 scale model at just $80, click on teh option at the top of the product page 

Your complete Recovery Curios Original Instrument Collectable is securely packed and delivery normally takes between 6 - 8 weeks approx.

Did you fly, crew or maintain a Halifax or have a friend, colleague or family member who did? Check out our PERSONALISED ORIGINAL INSTRUMENT COLLECTABLE OPTION here.