WW2 Gibson Girl Emergency / Dingy Radio Transmitter SCR 578 US Army Signal Corps
This WW2 Gibson Girl Emergency / Dingy Radio Transmitter SCR 578 US Army Signal Corps is in amazing unissued condition (NOS) in its original yellow waterproof sack and cardboard box!
Bright Yellow in colour it does have some surface scuffs/blemishes where the packing felt has stuck to the yellow coating. I haven't tried to clean it as I didn't want to damage / discolour the surface.
Manufactured for the RAF as a waterproof emergency transmitter for ditched air crews, it has a mixture of RAF stores numbers and the original Bendix manufacturing references.
It could transmit an emergency call via Radio / Morse Code, or via a signal lamp (not included) on a frequency of 500 kHz (and in some models also on short wave), used by international radio alarm. Power was provided via the hand crank on the rear of the transmitter. The aerial was raised via a kite or balloon (not included).
It comes with its original
- Transit cardboard box: 40D/1499 (where 40 is the RAF stores reference for packing containers and cases)
- Yellow transit waterproof sack 10A/1752S (where 10A = Misc. Radio Equipment)
- Canvas Webbing for strapping the radio between the legs...
- Aerial and reel in its own waterproof compartment
The instructions for transmitting are printed on the top of the transmitter.
Labelled:-
SCR 578
MOD
Signal Corps US Army
Radio Transmitter BC-788-D
Serial No. 2660 Order No. 1152-WF-42
Made by Bendix Aviation Limited, North Hollywood, California
Affectionally referred to as the 'Gibson Girl' as its shape was thought to resemble the fashion art drawings of narrow waisted models produced in the 1890s by Charles Gibson.
A lovely item to add to your militaria or military radio collections!
