by Dave Gemmell ZS6AAW
and the Old Timers.
“ACTIVITIES” AT SWARTKOP
The new storm water drainage system at Swartkop AFB seems to be nearing completion.
At present we are busy checking the Wireless Section
Inventory which is a major event in itself !!! Many thanks to Pierre ZS6ROS who has done the most of the work. I still have another task which not only involves attaching tie-on labels but writing a short descriptive note as well. The contents of this “note” must be short yet convincing with a “reason” why the item is preserved. A few “exhibits” have been, in the past, used as a source of spares which has resulted in having two incomplete units which could be “re-cannibalized” to form a complete unit.
Thus you can understand why I always say that the storage section of a museum takes up the most space. Remember as well, that the items on display should be rotated with stored items to suit occasions.
WHEN DOES AN ITEM BECOME “HISTORIC” ?
Good question ! But I suppose, to large extent, like beauty, “its in the eye of the beholder”. Which every definition you decide to use all of us, the radio amateurs, should make an effort to preserve some item of radio equipment. Only a couple of resistors or a transistor or two have their place in history, an important place. I have a small collection of old but “still functioning components. With these I hope to put together a simple circuit or two representative of the same period as the components. I’ll try and do it as far back in ‘history’ as possible. Can I challenge you to do the same ?
This idea of constructing look-a-likes came home to me while sorting out some old aircraft books in my garage. It is surprising how many aircraft of the 1930’s and 1940’s were equipped with regenerative receivers. Any old timer will tell you that regen. receivers were not the easiest to operate !
What makes the fact above interesting is that usually on smaller aircraft, such as the Avro 652a Anson 1, the wireless operator was also expected to man the Lewis gun. To get the dorsal turret entailed cambering through a small door in the wall between the dorsal turret and the cabin shared with the navigator. Quite a feat !!
But let’s not forget the navigator who also doubled as the bomb-aimer!! Quite a change from maths, map and sextant. The bomb aimers position was setup in the aircraft’s nose. Dare say, the debate on who had the worst alternative job must have been something !
Next time any of you readers visit the SAAF Museum at Swartkop AFB go to the Macgregor Display Hall and have a look at the old Anson situated at he northern end of the hall. The fabric covering has deliberately been left off the aircraft in order to give a better view of the interior.
Please send any museum news or your ventures into the “old time world” and antique equipment to; dave@zs6mus.org.za and P.O.BOX 77, IRENE, 0062 and TEL: 012 – 6672153