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Re: "Splashers" -vs- "Bunchers"

Posted:
By: Paul Bellamy
On: 03/30/2006
Thanks for your info Mr Mings,

It's always good to hear from those "in the know" on these things.
While I was looking into the Buncher/Splasher system the other day I found another report very similar to yours, regarding a wrong code, however on that instance it was the right beacon, but it was transmitting wrongly. 9L9 instead of 8L8 I think...
I'll have to see if I can find it again.

One thing that did come up was that the beacons could transmit on 4 or 5 different frequencies at once, although, as you say, on a fairly low range.

Just one last thing before I sign off... which you may be able to clarify. Or WWII RAF aircraft the D/F loop was controlled by the Wireless Operator, but as he was usually close to the Navigator readings were easily passed back and fortrh.
Now, on B-17s, the D/F loop seems to have been under the nose cabin, presumably controlled by the Navigator. Is that correct, or was the D/F loop controlled from the "Radio Shack"? After reading your account, it seems to have been used as a Navigator's instrument....

All the best,

Paul