Good Morning Gentlemen,
I was recently fortunate enough to purchase a complete set of new old stock Learadios from a Museum in California. These are factory new and have never been installed complete with original power cords. These radios were factory installed by Piper in the 12 original O-59 aircraft that were sent to Ft. Bragg and assigned to the 13th FA Brigade Jan. 15th, 1942 (see attached photo of the Learadio on the rear shelf in the photo. I have no information as to the location and mounting of the transmitter. The radios were installed in conjunction with a RCA AVA-120 reel antenna.
I am looking for any reference material from Piper or from early AAF drawings that include installation information and drawings. It appears that the receiver was simply screwed to the thin plywood behind the rear pilot but it is difficult to tell for sure. The Ft. Bragg aircraft were also equipped with a wind driven generator.
I continue to search for a survivor of the original O-59 aircraft and would dearly love to find one to restore as original without the greenhouse and in Ft. Bragg livery circa Spring 1942.
I have included photos of the radios and Ft. Bragg aircraft. There were a total of 24 of these original O-59 aircraft but it is unknown if all had the learadios installed or if Piper simply used whatever existing stock of RCA and Learadio that was on hand at the time.
Both the RCA and Learadios that were installed in the early L-4s were all civilian radios including the famous AVA-120 reel antenna that was standard equipment on all L-4s from the factory.
Thanks for your help,
Best Regards,
Steve
I was recently fortunate enough to purchase a complete set of new old stock Learadios from a Museum in California. These are factory new and have never been installed complete with original power cords. These radios were factory installed by Piper in the 12 original O-59 aircraft that were sent to Ft. Bragg and assigned to the 13th FA Brigade Jan. 15th, 1942 (see attached photo of the Learadio on the rear shelf in the photo. I have no information as to the location and mounting of the transmitter. The radios were installed in conjunction with a RCA AVA-120 reel antenna.
I am looking for any reference material from Piper or from early AAF drawings that include installation information and drawings. It appears that the receiver was simply screwed to the thin plywood behind the rear pilot but it is difficult to tell for sure. The Ft. Bragg aircraft were also equipped with a wind driven generator.
I continue to search for a survivor of the original O-59 aircraft and would dearly love to find one to restore as original without the greenhouse and in Ft. Bragg livery circa Spring 1942.
I have included photos of the radios and Ft. Bragg aircraft. There were a total of 24 of these original O-59 aircraft but it is unknown if all had the learadios installed or if Piper simply used whatever existing stock of RCA and Learadio that was on hand at the time.
Both the RCA and Learadios that were installed in the early L-4s were all civilian radios including the famous AVA-120 reel antenna that was standard equipment on all L-4s from the factory.
Thanks for your help,
Best Regards,
Steve
