RADIO FITS FOR RCN AIRCRAFT CARRIERS


 
NAME PENDANT LAUNCHED COMMISSIONED  PAID OFF
Warrior R31/RML31 May 20/44 Jan 24/46 Mar 23/48
Magnificent  CVL21 Nov 16/44 Mar 21/48 Jun 14/57
Bonaventure RML22/CVL22  Feb 22/45 Jan 17/57 July 3/70

The data in the table below for Warrior was extracted from BR299, a Royal Navy publication dated 1947. Unfortunately the document is out of range for HMC Ships Magnificent and Bonaventure  Photos and specs for some of this equipment can be found in this document .  Any numeric suffixes which appear for American made equipment, denote the procurement contract number. A TBL-4 is identical to a TBL-12  but was made under a different contract number or even a different contractor.

HMCS WARRIOR (R31)
LOCATION  EQUIPMENT 
Transmitting Room 
No. 1
TAJ15 - HF Transmitter; CW and MCW; 175 to 600 KHz; 500 watts. TAJ photo here. (Courtesy USN) 
TBM9 -  HF transmitter. CW/AM. 500 watts max. 2 to 18 MHz Select this link for image 
2 x 89P -  A 250/350 watt, AM/CW transmitter which operated in the range of 2200 KHz to 20 MHz. Patterned after the  RCA type ET4336.  Type 89P schematichere. 
2 x 60FR  - HF Transmitter. British Admiralty
5 x TA - 8 inch unipole trunking
TC - 18 inch unipole trunking
4 x CDC - B-28 receiver
2 x CDF/ - B29 receiver
1 x RIS - Radar Interference Supressor (filter)
EF - Aerial Exchange Board for 10 aerials.
GJ - Wavemeter outfit , crystal type. Frequency range  1000 Khz to 24 MHz or  15 KHz to 2500 KHz depending on the plug-in. Photo here
GN - Wavemeter outfit , crystal type. Frequency range  100 KHz to 25 MHz. Photo here
GR - Wavemeter outfit GR is Royal Navy version of the RAF Crystal Monitor 2.
Transmitting Room 
No. 2
TAJ15 - HF Transmitter; CW and MCW; 175 to 600 KHz; 500 watts. A photo of the TAJ is here. (Courtesy USN)
TBM 9 - HF transmitter. CW/AM. 500 watts max. 2 to 18 MHz Select this link for image. (Courtesy USN) 
2 x 89P  - A 250/350 watt, AM/CW transmitter which operated in the range of 2200 KHz to 20 MHz and patterned after the American  built, RCA type ET4336.
60EQR - HF transmitter. British Admiralty
CDC - B28 receiver
4 x TA - 8 inch unipole trunking
TC - 18 inch unipole trunking
DWB - AC supply
BBz - Battery outfit  24 volts @144 amp/hours; 4 volts @  220 amp/hrs 
GJ - Wavemeter outfit , crystal type. Frequency range  1000 Khz to 24 MHz or  15 KHz to 2500 KHz depending on the plug-in. Photo here
GS - Wavemeter outfit. 
Briefing and Ready
Room (for pilot briefings)
TCS - Transmitter/receiver. !500 KHz to 12 MHz. 25 W on CW. 15 watts on Phone.  Photo here. (Courtesy United States Navy)
8 x CDC - B28 receiver
CDF - B29 receiver
5 x CDU plus two spares
FM12 - MFDF outfit
RIS - Radar Interference Supressor (filter) 
DWB - AC supply
DWE - AC supply
2 x BBn - Battery outfit. 24 volts @ 144 amp/hours
EK - Aerial Exchange Board  Positions? 
GN - Wavemeter outfit , crystal type. Frequency range  100 KHz to 25 MHz. Photo here
GR - Wavemeter outfit GR is Royal Navy version of the RAF Crystal Monitor 2.
TF - Aerial Trunk Outfit
Radio/Telephone  Office 2 x YE -  Beacon transmitter. Frequency range: 200 to 250 MHz. Mode: A2 ; 50 w; Frequency Control: MO. A  homing beacon designed primarily for use on aircraft carriers.  More detail on the YE can be found here.
5 x 87M  - VHF transmitter/receiver; MCW/Phone; 100 to 146 Mhz; 50 watts See photo here. (Courtesy British Admiralty)
2 x 86M - VHF transmitter/receiver; MCW/Phone; 100 to 156 Mhz; 50 watts. British version of American SCR-522 
2 x TBS7 - VHF radiotelephone ; 60 to 80 MHz
2 x BBn - Battery outfit. 24 volts@ 144 amps.
Aircraft Direction Room 4 x CDC - B28 receiver
3 x RIS - Radar Interference Supressor (filter)
EG - Aerial exchange board for 6 aerials 
GR - Wavemeter outfit GR is Royal Navy version of the RAF Crystal Monitor 2.
KFE  - R/T control system fitted in ships for fighter direction. KFE supplied 12 channels with 6 control positions and was the main fit in carriers and fighter direction ships.
2 x KGA - The series KGA to KGG were fitted in ships in conjunction with other Control Outfits.
Operations Room ZB/ARA  -  520 to 1500 KHz "Command Set" receiver along with the ZB adapter that allowed it to hear the YE.
BBd - Battery outfit. 24 volts @40 amp/hours
D/F Office FV5 - DF unit ;100 to 150 MHz coverage. Big and bulky, it is installed in aircraft carriers for VHF safety. FV5 photo is here. (Courtesy British Admiralty) 
Beacon Office 93 - A medium power Beam Approach Beacon System for aircraft.  Operaties between 200-250 MHz and consisted of the aerial outfit and a transmitter type 7BC.
DHD  - Motor alternator set. Input: 110/220 DC. Output 230 VAC 50 Hz, 800 watts 
Chart House DAS2 - Loran 'A' receiver
Aerial Outfits AOB - ?
2 x APU - For TBS radio
APZ - This was the aerial outfit  for the Type 93 Beacon Transmitter. It consisted of a dipole "design 63” , a phasing outfit and a reflector "design 5". 
6 x ARU - Aerial outfit
Miscellaneous. 52ERT - Transportable set; 150 to 1500 KHz.
2 x Type 66 - Portable radio; 6 to 9 MHz; 3 watts; CW or Phone. Equivalent to British Army WS18 set Mk II. Select this link for image.
2 x Type 67 - WS67 (AP W3217) is the Royal Navy version of the British Army WS27 set. There is just a minor difference in the circuit between the two versions. It is a short range transceiver with 3 switched transmit frequencies (22.5 MHz, 23.5 MHz and 24.5 MHz), and with a tunable  superregenerative receiver covering 22-25 MHz. 
TEA - Tools outfits
TOM - Testing outfit
OF - Deck  insulator for DAS Loran receiver
KBK - Controller for unidentified radio
KCQ - Controller for TBS set

 
 
There is no radio manifest available  for HMCS Magnificent at this time. 
HMCS BONAVENTURE (CVL22)

There is no radio equipment manifest available t for HMCS Bonaventure at this time.
 

ops_bonnie_ccr_bn4100.jpg
Teletype bays in the Communications and Control Room (CCR ) aboard the aircraft carrier HMCS Bonaventure. This may have actually been called   the Message Center.  (Photo #  BN-4100 courtesy DND, Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre provided via by Robert  Langille)
bonaventure barometer1.jpg
This barometer is believed to have been fitted in BONADVENTURE .(Photo submitted by Jonathathan Evans)
DECK NUMBERING

Darren Scannell provides an explanation for the numbering scheme of the decks in Bonaventure along with some deck plan extracts.

"Decks are usually referred to as Number 1 deck or Number 1 Level. Either is acceptable.
Number is shortened to No.

Historically, decks have names such as:
* Forecastle deck - Highest deck at the bow (used on ships that have a partial deck forward)
* Upper deck or Main deck is the first deck that goes from bow to stern. On smaller ships it could be No.1 or 2 decks. On carriers it's either the hangar deck or the one below the hangar deck. On Bonaventure the main deck is No.4
* Gallery deck - (No.2 deck) Only on carriers, This is the deck in between the flight deck and hangar deck. The hangar is usually 2 or more decks high.
* Hangar deck - The floor of the hangar. (No.3 deck) Only on carriers.
* Platform deck, It could consist of more than one deck and is usually below the main deck.
* The bottom deck is the hold.

For HMCS Magnificent, the decks were identified by names as above and letters for the Island. No.01 was A deck. 02 - B deck and 03 - C deck.
For HMCS Bonaventure, there are 6 decks below the flight deck. There are 7 decks including the flight deck. The Flight deck is No. 1 deck.

There are 4 decks in the Island. The lowest is No. 1 deck, which includes the flight deck, but obviously, inside the island, it's not a flight deck.

For the rest of the Island, it is important to include  the leading zero.  It's actually pronounced 'Oh one, oh two and oh three'  For the Island, the naming is: No. 1 deck, No. 01 deck, No. 02 deck and No. 03 deck."

/bonaventure_deck_numbering.jpg Deck numbering below the flight deck. Click on thumbnail to enlarge. Note the format of the deck numbering: N°1 top) through N° 7 (bottom)
bonaventure_deck_numbering_islamd.jpg Deck numbering inside the island. Click on thumbnail to enlarge. Note the format of the deck numbering: N°01bottom) through N° 04 (top)

RADIO ROOM LOCATIONS

RADIO ROOM ID DECK LOCATION FRAME COMMENT  or PURPOSE
1 As built Deck 2 , Port side  Frame 108 to 123  
2  As built Deck 2 , Stbd side  Frame 155 to 165  
3 As built Deck 1, Bottom of Island Frame 75 to 83  
4 As built  Deck 2 , Port side  Frame 123 to 128  
5  As built   Deck 1, Bottom of Island, Frame 88 to 92  
6  As built Deck 3 - Port side,  Frame 202 to 204  HF/DF 
7 (Unable to locate  it) -- --  --
8 As built  N°. O1 (Island)  Frame 87 to 92 MF/DF and MF/HF sets  located here. Radio state board here as well, 
9  As built Deck 1 - Bottom of Island Frame 81 to 87  
Message Center      

CONFIGURATION IN 1958 AFTER REFIT

RADIO ROOM ID
DECK LOCATION FRAME COMMENT  or PURPOSE
1 Deck 2 - Port side, Frame 108 to 123  
2 Removed ---   
3 Deck 1 - Bottom of Island, Frame 75 to 83  
4 Deck 2 - Port side Frame 123 to 137  
5 Deck 1 - Bottom of Island, Frame 88 to 92  
6 Deck 3 -Port side Frame 202 to 204  
7 (Unable to locate it)      
8 Removed ---  ---
Removed  ---  Replaced with JEZEBEL system 
Message Centre Next to Radio 1    
Crypto Office ? ?  
In his book on HMCS Bonaventure,  author Alan Snowie mentions that the aircraft carrier had NiNE radio rooms. This is assumed to be the  ""as built" configuration.

Other equipment included TACAN, a  homing beacon, six  AN/SRT-502 transmitters on the main deck, starboard, midships, ARC-552 transceivers near the bridge . The homing beacon transmitted BV im Morse.
 
 

ure as 150 aerials_v2 .jpg
Here, HMCS Swansea (R) is being replenished with fuel from HMCS Bonaventure. on May 18/59. In the middle of the photo is a whip antenna in the horizontal position. All the whip antennas  were stowed like this during air operations.  On the yard arms, there are at least 13  (maybe more) , vertically polarized dipole antennas . Some are very feint. These antennas are believed to be the model AT-150 which operated  in the military band  of 225 to 400 MHz. The arrows point to just two of the clusters. Click on image to enlarge. (RCN photo) 
bonaventure as150  antenna .jpg
The AT-150  is a  52 ohm balanced UHF antenna..  By 1959, Bonaventure had twenty four AN/ARC 552 UHF sets. .(USN image)
/bonaventure_antenna_array_top of mast v3.jpg
By 1969,. four model AS1018/URC antennas  have been fitted  atop  Bonaventure's mainmast to replace the older UHF antennas.  The TACAN is inside the dome in the centre of the UHF array.  (Portion of an RCN photo) 
ure_as1018 picture 3.jpg
The four vertical antennas attached to the outriggers atop the main mast have been identified as the AS-1018//URC. One of the antennas  is shown here in a disassembled state. The antenna itself is a 2 element collinear dipole enclosed in a fibreglass/polyester casing. Click on image to enlarge.  AS1018/URC  spec sheet here.  (Provided by Nick England)
as1018 internal view.jpg
AS1018/URC  internal view (From "Shipboard Antennas" 2nd Edition by Preston E. Law)
bonaventure_uhf_coupler group.jpg
Bonaventure's 24 UHF transmitters/receivers shared four AS1018 antennas, likely six transmitters to each antenna. This was achieved through the use of the AN/SRC-501 coupler group. Note that the transmission line from the SRA-501  is pressurized with dry  nitrogen to reduce line losses. Only seven of nine couplers are shown in this drawing.  (RCN drawing) 
/bonaventure_uhf_coupler_group2.jpg
At the top of the SRA-501 is a  TS 5035 RF power test set. Below it are just four out of nine couplers common to the test set and the common antenna .Frequency spacing had to be 2.25 MHz at the bottom of the military band and 4 MHz towards the high end. 
bonaventure_arc552.jpg
ARC-552 UHF set. used aboard Bonaventure. 

 
 
/bonaventure_antennas.jpg This image shows the placement of the radio and radar antennas on Bonaventure's foremast and main masts. Circa 1969 Chick on image to enlarge. More details are in the tables below.  (Provided Darren Scannell) 

 

RADAR FITS ON FOREMAST and MAIN MAST (circa 1969)

MODEL PHOTO LOCATION  DESCRIPTION
LW-03 e radar lw03.jpg Atop the foremast  LW-03 (LuchtWaarschuwingsradar) is a long-range air surveillance radar operating in the L-band. .Range is 230 NM. The LW-03 was developed in the late 1950s. (Photo courtesy Radartutorial.eu)
AN/SPS-10 /bonaventure_radar_sps10.jpg Main mast This is a a medium range, C-Band (5450 - 5825 MHz) surface search radar. Defined as Warning Surface with limited low air
capability. 

It was used for the detection, ranging and tracking of surface contacts and to a limited extent, air contacts as well. Vertical beam width was only 12-16 degrees

The original SPS-10 emitted 190 or 285 kW pulses

Sperry Mk 2  /bonaventure_radar_sperry_mk2.jpg Below the LW-03 Mod 2. Surface navigation radar. Range: 30 NM. Peak power  30 kilowatts. Operating frequency:  9375 MHz
Decca RM729  No photo available. Forward of the foremast X band navigation radar. Long persistence PPI display . Console was at the aft end of the bridge. No other data available
AN/SPN-35 naventure_radar_spn35.jpg Front of main mast The AN/SPN-35 is used to offer guidance to the aircraft pilot on final approach. It provides relative azimuth, range, and elevation information to the radar operator, who relays this as verbal guidance to the aircraft pilot on approach. Click on image to enlarge. (Image by Naval Education and Training Professional Development and Technology Center)
AN/UPN-7 /bonaventure_upn7.jpg Main mast S-Band beacon, TX frequency: 2820 MHz +/- 1 MHz
Rx frequency : 2850 to 2910 MHz
Peak output power: 1 KW
Range: 50 miles. 

Click on image to enlarge. 

AT-437 SPS-12 radar No photo available.  Main  mast  The AT-437 is an echo box for the SPS12 radar is noted on the drawing but no radar of this type was fitted. 

OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST ON THE MAIN MAST (circa 1969)

MODEL PHOTO LOCATION COMMENT 
UPD-501 SHF DF antenna  /bonaventure upd501_multi_ant.jpg Main mast front  The multiband antenna version  is shown.  Coverage was in the S, X and K radar bands. Fitted to the St Laurent, Annapolis, 280, and IRE class of ships. It was also found on  Mackenzie and Saskatchewan and Bonaventure.

For additional information on the UPD-501, go to: http://jproc.ca/rrp/rr4desc.html

SRA-17B
Control Box 
re sra17b.jpg
Main mast aft  Antenna Group AN/SRA-17B is a compact  VLF/LF  antenna system used where space for a conventional long wire antenna is not available, or where such antennae would interact with existing antenna installations. The antenna group has three components. Antenna AT-924A/SR consists of a stainless steel tubular whip (see image) and a steel mounting which forms part of the top of the radio frequency tuner. Although the whip is fixed in length, the length may be altered electrically for tuning purposes. Radio Frequency Tuner TN-334A/SRA-17A consists of a single chassis mounted within a housing. The circuits on this chassis tune the antenna and provide a noise source for use as a tuning aid. Antenna Control Unit C-26313B/SRA-17 (see image) is the control center of the antenna group. All operating controls are located on the front panel of the unit. The antenna control unit contains a power supply which energizes the selected antenna tuning circuit, the noise source, and the relays controlling the radio frequency tuner. (Images courtesy navy-radio.com)/
AS177  IFF
Antenna
bonaventure iffsys_as177_antenna2.jpg Main mast  It is presumed that Bonaventure was fitted with the UPX-1A IFF system. If that's the case, then more information can be found in the IFF section of: :  http://jproc.ca/haida/iffsys.html
AN/WRT-1
Transmitter
bonaventure_wrt_1.jpg Main mast aft A transmitter designed for installation aboard surface vessels. Frequency range: 300 to 1500 KHz , Modes: Telephony, FSK (neutral) teletype at 60 wpm and MCW (1 KHz tone)  for beacon applications. Machine telegraphy up to 600 wpm. Power output: 500 w. (180 w in MCW mode) Frequency Control: MO. Major Components: Transmitter Group OA2321A/WRT-1 .  Radio Frequency Tuner TN345/WRT-1 ); Antenna Coupler CU-760/WRT-1  Uses antenna type AS-5034.(Image courtesy navy-radio.com)/
Radiosonode
receiver antenna
No photo available of radiosonode equipment  Main mast aft Model number of the receiver is  unknown
VHF antenna No photo available of the VHF gear in use. Main mast aft  The model number of the VHF comm equipment is not known.
Loran 'A" ? ? Was it ever installed? 
28 foot whip  Don't know what  this whip connects to.  Attached to funnel.  Attached to funnel ( circa 1969) 
TACAN No photo available Main mast top  Model number unknown
Decca Navigator Photo is available if model number is known ? Need model designator. 
CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION (CCTV)

As a result of studying training material from David Semple, P2RN3, it was discovered that HMCS Bonaventure was fitted with CCTV around 1955/ 56.  The system was fitted in deck O1  to help support aircraft operations.  Three cameras were set up in total. Camera #1 was fitted in the Air Direction Room (ADR) and was pointed to the Main Air Direction Plot (MADP), Cameras 2 and 3 , installed in the OPs Room (OPS) , were pointed in such a way as to be able to read the plotting tables. It would appear then, that the purpose of the equipment was to distribute tactical  (plot) information to other compartments in the aircraft carrier in real time.

Click on image to enlarge
bonaventure_cctv_placement_s.jpg This diagram denotes the location of the areas where the CCTV system was installed.  It was hand drawn on 21-3-1956.
/bonaventure_cctv_wiring_left_s.jpg This is the left side of the CCTV system schematic. (Ttaining School Handout) 
bonaventure_cctv_wiring_right_s.jpg This is the right side of the CCTV system schematic. (Ttaining School Handout) 

The components in the CCTV system were purchased  from the Pye Radio Works in Cambridge , England. The model numbers were extracted from various drawings within the training handout. The system  used the NTSC standard (525 lines/30 frames per second)
 

MODEL TYPE DESCRIPTION / COMMENTS 
2014F Camera  (using 5820 image orthicon). H=18 in' W=15.5 in; Length=25 in; 
Weight = 109 lbs (Image courtesy Museum of the Broadcast Television Camera)
2309 Camera Control Unit
2356 Camera Power Unit for 2014 camera.
2785C Monitor -  14 inch.
2788C Monitor -  14 inch. NTSC standard
2553Z Sync Pulse Generator
2425 Video Mixing Unit. 5 + 1 input

Pat Barnhouse was the electronics maintenance officer in Bonaventure from 1968 to when she was paid off on  3 July 1970.  He  recalls, that the CCTV system was removed from deck O1  in the 1966-67 refit.  Apparently it had failed to deliver on its expectations.


Contributors and Credits:

1) Clive Kidd, Collingwood Heritage Museum <cjckidd(at)waitrose.com>
2) BR299  dated 1947, Royal Navy
3) http://www.rnmuseumradarandcommunications2006.org.uk/Transmitters%20Late%201920%20to%20Early%201950.pdf
4) Wavemeters http://www.rnmuseumradarandcommunications2006.org.uk/WAVEMETERS%20ETC%201938.pdf
5)  KC series  http://www.rnmuseumradarandcommunications2006.org.uk/THE_KC_AND_KF_CONTROL_SYSTEMS.html
6) Nomenclasure for outfits http://www.rnmuseumradarandcommunications2006.org.uk/1945%20March%20edition%20five.pdf
7) M651, Nomenclature of Radio Equipment September 1944 at amendment 6 3/1/49. The book was produced and distributed by Admiralty Signals Establishment
8) D. Semple. RCN (Ret'd)
9) Pat Barnhouse <pat.barnhouse(at)sympatico.ca>
10) Museum of the Broadcast Television Camera   http://www.tvcameramuseum.org/pye/pyethumb.htm
11) Darren Scannell
12) SPS-10 https://www.radartutorial.eu/19.kartei/11.ancient/karte075.en.html
13) SRA16B data via Google Books.
14) Nick England
15) Jonathan Evans

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Nov 4/24