Undated project report
SUBJECT: AN/APQ-7, Fifteenth Air Force -- Report #5
1. Since the report of 20 April 1945 by the undersigned officers,
the following progress has been achieved.
2. A total of twenty-three B-24-M aircraft and one B-17-G aircraft
has been received. Three B-24-M planes, 442332, 442345, 442347, are assigned
to the 455th Bomb Group of the 304 Bomb Wing. Three B-24-M planes,
442417, 442354, 442359, are sassigned to the 459 Bomb Group of the 304 Bomb
Wing. The remainder of the planes will not be used in this theater and
are awaiting disposition elsewhere.
3. A preliminary examination of all twenty-four planes indicates
that none of the antenna vanes suffered damage during landings made in this
theater. The troubles noted in paragraph 7 of the 20 April 1945 report are
frequent however.
a. All twenty-four PU-7/AP inverter installations evidence
dents in the housing over the end cooling fan.
b. Four of the B-24-M installations exhibit broken fairing
of vane mounting struts. This condition, noted on aircraft 2326, 2342,
2349, 2360, is found only at the leading edge lower flare where the strut
fairing mates with the vane structure.
4. Fifteenth Air Force has elected to keep six B-24-M Eagle planes
solely for the purpose of obtaining comparative data on the performance
of Eagle and Mickey (APS-15A) equipments under field conditions. It will
probably be impossibleto use AN/APQ-7 for any combat missions due to curtailed
stategic demands. An extension of orders for the undersigned has
been requested by Air Force for the purpose of assisting in this field
test program. In addition to giving additional maintenance instruction to
personnel of the Radar Section of the 459 Bomb Group, it will be necessary
to aid in the instruction of Navigators who will operate the APQ-7 equipment.
Any data obtained during the test which may be valuable from a
maintenance or design standpoint will be carefully noted and submitted
as it becomes available.
5. It is very unfortunate that the standard APQ-7 camera installation
is not available for these tests. However, an attempt will be made
to utilize the 16mm Fairchild cameras now used with the APS-15A and a
modified K-20 camera. The importance of recorded scope presentation cannot
be over-emphasized. Future program establishments contemplated for AN/APQ-7
should definitely incorporate cameras with initial equipments.
6. Since no B-17 Eagle planes will be used by the Fifteenth Air
Force, the bench set and test equipment previously installed at the 2d
Bomb Group of the 5th Bomb Wing have been moved to the 459 Bomb Group to
enable maintenance of the Eagle planes currently assigned there.
-1-
AN/APQ-7 Fifteenth Air Force -- Report #5 (Cont'd)
7. Owing to the limited program, it will not be necessary to keep
all the APQ-7 equipment now in the theater. It has been decided to retain
all ten antenna vane assemblies plus five complete "A" and "B" part groups.
The other eight sets of "B" parts and any equipment which may be in transit
-- except PU-7/AP Inverters, Nosmeagle, and camera equipment -- will be released
for shipment elsewhere.
8. A copy of letter ATSC 413.44 (25 APR 45), subject "Maintenance
Program for Radio Set AN/APQ-7 in XV Air Force" was received 6 May 1945.
The projected maintenance program detailed therein is exceedingly well
developed. The careful planning is greatly appreciated by all concerned
and, had the strategic demands continued, would definitely have provided
an adequate foundation for Fifteenth Air Force Eagle operations. As suggested
in reference letter, extensive use will be made of Radar Report
Forms 38, 38A, 38B, 38C during the Field Test programs.
9. With the continued cooperation of all concerned, it is believed
possible to complete the Firld Test program and all maintenance training
within the next 30 days. Detaild reports will continue to be forthcoming.
-----> Joe G. Badger
JOE G. BADGER,
Captain, Signal Corps
Project Officer, AN/APQ-7
George F. Butterfield
GEORGE F. BUTTERFIELD,
1st Lt., Signal Corps,
Ass't Project Officer, AN/APQ-7.
