Pre-WW2 USAAC T-20-B throat Microphone....

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Hi,

 

I have been looking for a WW2 USN throat microphone and came across this early AAC mic, it was only on Ebay for a short time when I accidently pushed 'BIN' wanting to see the cost of post to a friend on the forum!

 

Now I am really happy because I think I found something special......

 

Can anyone please give me any information on this microphone, I know of the common WW2 T-30 but this earlier T-20 has almost no information on the net about it. It looks to be in very good condition.

 

cheers, John

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Hi, I think I finally found some photos of the pre-WW2 AAC T-20 mic in use......

 

These very interesting colour photos show a group of test pilots at the Curtis-Wright P-40 plant in late 1941....

 

"Curtiss-Wright P-40BC Warhawk Tomahawk Kittyhawk Production in Buffalo, Kenmore Avenue Plant, winter 1941 Curtiss test pilots".....

 

Two of the pilots are wearing throat mics that have silver metal connectors on short leads as does the T-20, in one photo the throat mic of the pilot with the clipboard (Chief test pilot H. Lloyd Child) can be seen, it resembles the T-20 with it's cord in the centre of the microphone and has a silver metal connector like the JK-46-A. (thank goodness for Kodachrome).

 

I'm guessing that the T-20 mic was in use by test pilots flying Army aircraft before December 1941 and after the T-20 was phased out by the Air Corps in favour of the T-30. (still would like to know when the T-30 was approved for use and was issued).

 

I wish I could find higher resolution images.....

 

Other places I will search are photos of Flying Tiger pilots and other early AAC pilot photos, maybe others with acess to 1939-1940 pilot photos can check?

 

cheers, John

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I found this great newspaper photo of the Curtiss-Wright test pilots talking with Elenore Roosevelt, the chief test pilot H. Lloyd Child had a T-20 throat mic with an extension cord and what looks like a Navy 1092 helmet with TH-37 receivers.

 

The two pilots on the left both have throat mics with silver metal connectors and may also be using T-20 mics.

I find the mix of flying helmet, receivers and goggles of the test pilots interesting.

cheers, John