AIRCRAFT KEYS.

045..... A French DYNA Aircraft key. Reputed to be from a Caravelle aircraft that first went into service in 1955.

  • Wyn Davies tells me: "Manitones morse code keys, there were four models - 29414T.29416T,29427T and 29418T". (Not sure yet which model this is).


     
     
     

    046..... A French SAREM key . Circa 1930's. Used with transmitter-receiver types 3-11 & 3-12C. (See MM29 page 25).

  • The following info courtesy of Herman / VK2IXV... "The French company S.A.R.A.M (Societe Anonyme, or Limited Company, of Radioelectric Applications to Aeronautics and Marine) was the designer of radio and electronics equipment manufactured under license by the following companies in France: S.I.P.L. (Industrial Company of Processes Loth) (S.I. = Societe Industriel) - BRONZAVIA S.A - OMERA ( company of Optics Mechanics Electricity and Radio).
    S.I.P.L. manufactured 3-10 & 3-11 radio sets and Morse keys in their workshops in Planquivon from 1938 to the end of WW2, that were originally intended for use in bombers. The equipment was in fact used by the German Army and Luftwaffe extensively throughout WW2. From 1948 into the 1950s, Bronzavia SA. in Courbevoie, also built the radio sets and keys under license as did Omera in the 1950s and 1960s. The radio sets and keys have also been used on Caravelle aircraft in the late 1950s and 1960s. Early keys were painted grey, and later in the 1960s, they were painted black crackle. (It is possible that the design of the keys goes back to about 1936 as someone has reported them being used for the 1936 Scout Jamboree of the Air (JOTA)".


    060..... American J-7 Aircraft key dated 1921, with winker light aimed back at the operator. A rare key.

  • A note from Valery Pakhomov / UA3AO:

    "These keys were made from 1918 through 1945 by L.S.Brach in Newark, NJ, and manufactured by General Radio Corp. As for J7 and J-7-A Aircraft Keys with a Winker Lamp, a radioman could see if his transmittion was on the air - the lamp had weak inductive connection with the antenna. 73 UA3AO".


     

    057-58..... Two RAF Type F Aircraft Keys. Commonly known as the Bathtub Key. One on display and one still in it's sealed box - Never Opened! These flameproof keys were used by the RAF in several aicraft - notably the Lancaster bombers of WW2.

  • Stop Press! I have just (June 2007) removed the key from its packaging dated May 1952. There was Brown paper outer / black tarry substance next / stiff cardboard box / brown corregated packing / the actual key in grease proof paper. What a packing job!
    One label on the inner box reads: "Packed By FORDHAM & Co. SUNDERLAND. Contract No. CONS/STORES/19221/C. 6 (c). MAY 1952".
    Another label reads: "10F/7741 KEYS MORSE TYPE F QTY. 1"


     

    047..... A piece of aviation history! A British Walters Key Type 5 KK Mk4 Serial No. 920. This actual key was fitted to the first jet airliner - construction No. G51 - the de Havilland Aircraft Co's prototype DH106 Comet "G-ALVG" belonging to BOAC (British Overseas Airways Corporation), first flight flown by Cunningham, Hatfield on the 27th July 1949. (See Morsum Magnificat magazine MM20, page 10).


     
     
     
     

    047..... On the left is a photograph of this very jet airliner. The De Havilland Comet Prototype G-ALVG.

  • This web site provides lots of info: BA MUSEUM.


     
     
     
     

    048-50-56..... A nice collection of keys. A Walters Type 5KK MkIV, two others and a smaller version in the model 7024. (See Morsum Magnificat magazine MM34, page 11).


     
     
     
     
     
     

    149..... The classic RAF D Type Key.
    These keys usually have damage to the bakelite cover, so un-damaged, great condition ones like this example are worth their weight in gold (Well - not quite).


     
     
     
     
     
     

    059.... .... RAF Aircraft Key Type AM-10F/94 circa 1925-35. Marconi made.


     
     
     
     
     
     

    062. .... Air Ministry Switch Box Identification. As fitted on the Spitfire Fighter Aircraft and others. 1940's.


     
     
     
     
     
     

    130..... British Brass RAF Morse Key. Type RAF No.1 Key. Circa 1924. Note the extra two smaller terminals and a bulb holder with bulb.


     
     
     
     
     
     

    147..... British Key RAF Type B mounted on a wooden base. Others were mounted on bakelite bases with a bakelite cover.


     
     
     
     
     
     

    109..... British Brass Key. Marked RAF 2533 (designation 10F/2533) circa 1920/30. Wyn Davies provides this info: "Once sold as WW I surplus by Dixon's of London. Some were plated brass with designation 10F/2533 and the RCAF had the exact key with a different knob designated 10A/556.


     
     
     
     

    "BK"