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Replica of
Lancaster Wireless Operator's crew position February 2009
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| The real
Wireless
Operator's position in the IWM Duxford Lancaster |
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Lancaster
Wireless Operator's
Position (UK)
This
exhibit, located in Duxford Building 177, is a life-like
representation
of the section of the Avro Lancaster bomber fuselage which contains the
Wireless Operator's crew position.
A more complete version which
also contains the Navigator's position is located in the
Duxford Airspace building near the site entrance.
While the framework of this exhibit is constructed from modern
materials, the
main equipment units are original WWII issue (the bench seat shown is not an original Lancaster
fitment).
The exhibit features a
working R1155 HF receiver which enables visitors to
tune the airwaves and experience the 'feel' of a 1940s RAF airborne
communications receiver via either headphones or a loudspeaker.
Visitors can also practice
their Morse code using a key just as the Wireless Operator would have
done. Younger
visitors are able to obtain a Morse code
certificate after sending their name in Morse code.
A replica of the Fishpond radar warning indicator unit gives a rotating
blue trace which the Wireless Operator would have monitored to detect
approaching enemy fighters.
The station
consists of the following equipment units:-
Receiver
R1155 (working condition)
Transmitter
T1154
Crew Intercommunication Amplifier A1134
Aerial Switch Type J
Morse key Type F
Oxygen Flow Meter
Aerial Ammeter
Aerial Capacitor
Fishpond Indicator Unit Type 182A (modified)
Crystal Monitor (calibrator)
This
exhibit was
originally constructed by DRS member Phil Racher. For 8 years or
so it
was a major display item in the Radar & Communications
Museum section at
Bletchley Park, (along with the Winbolt collection) until that facility
was closed. It was then donated to DRS and has been in storage
until work started to rebuild it in late 2007.
The
refurbishment of this complete Wireless Operator's station has included
shortening, rebuilding and strengthening parts of the outer framework
and the
construction of a new wooden base
frame to carry the complete exhibit.
The individual items of electronic equipment have received
conservation treatment,
and
the R1155 communications receiver has been returned to working
condition. Mains
operated power supplies have been constructed which meet the modern
health and safety regulations.
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The original
exhibit as displayed
at Bletchley Park
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Close-up of
the lower deck containing various power supplies
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At Duxford
being appraised after removal of the main equipment-1
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At
Duxford
being appraised after removal of the main equipment-2 |
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The original
intention was to display this item to the public at IWM Duxford largely
as it was.
Although containing the Wireless Operator's equipment the exhibit was
found to be not long enough to mount the full complement of Navigator's
equipment and so the IWM asked DRS to help construct a larger replica
which could house both of these crew stations. The Bletchley
Park exhibit was then placed into storage for several years while the
IWM project was successfully implemented and installed in the new
Airspace
Hanger. See
link to IWM Lancaster replica page
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Duxford Building 177
already had an operational R1155 receiver and
Morse code practice oscillator and key available for the public to use,
and it was resolved to use the Bletchley Park replica to up-date and
improve that facility. After careful evaluation of the structure
of
the replica, it was clear that to be robust enough to be moved and
operated regularly by the public it would need to be significantly
strengthened. Certain changes were also dictated by a Health and
Safety evaluation.
It
was also concluded that to be most effective as an exhibit it would
need to be either rebuilt to be longer and include the Navigator's
equipment or shortened to only include the Wireless Operator's
position. Due to the small size of Duxford Buildings 177 and 178
the decision was taken to shorten and strengthen the item, and to
rebuild it to represent only the Wireless Operator's position.
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Preparing to shorten
and rebuild the exhibit in a Duxford WW2 Nissen Hut
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The first cut is the
deepest - shortening the exhibit body
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Evaluating the
progress
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Shortening nearly
complete
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new base support framework is being constructed with concealed castors
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The
shortened exhibit temporarily mounted on its new base plate |
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| Front
view of the revised assembly |
Just
getting things 'true' again |
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| Painting
the unit |
Using
the correct aircraft interior paint |
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| Evaluating
the results and planning the next stage |
Soon
be time to mount the the electronics |
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| Trial
fitting the equipment cases |
A
three quarter view of the exhibit |
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| Starting
to wire up the equipment |
The
dummy aircraft accumulator conceals a mains PSU |
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| Each
item of equipment has been carefully restored |
The
R1155 receiver being bench tested after restoration |
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| A
simulated rotating display on the Fishpond radar warning indicator
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Starting
to fit the main equipment units in |
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| Time
to test the complete station |
The
subdued lighting to simulate the dim interior of a bomber aircraft
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| The
simulation of the Fishpond Indicator Unit is now operational |
Close-up
of the Intercom Amplifier and Crystal Monitor (calibrator) |
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| The
final exhibit before leaving the workshop for public display |
A
new home in IWM Duxford Building 177 |
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