US Army Signal Corps Collection Authentic and Original
General Patton’s Lucky Forward Movie Props provides a wide array of radios and signal corps items. We can set up a period communication center indoors, out doors or under canvas. We provide radio communications for the individual soldier, squad or battalion, regimental, division or army level communications from our collection.
The collection is original and is offered for your movie and multi-media needs. We are located in Texas. These are not cheap reproductions but original museum quality artifacts.
Many were used from WWII through Korea and into Vietnam. Third world counties used some of them even longer. Because they are original they are to be handled with some care. If you want high authenticity and historical correct props this is the place to come.
We provide expert technicians, on sight, for set up and take down to insure your recreation is historically accurate.
Recently we provided a complete communication regimental level set for a multimillion-dollar Hollywood production. When the movie is released we can give more information, including filming images.
The radios provided for the movie shoot scene were a complete SCR 499, SCR 177a and SCR 188a. Two BC 611’s, and BC 1000. Two BD 71 switch boards, correct period chairs tables and officers desk. This included correct period lighting and all associated paperwork. Props included correct wiring connections.
Correct desk props including hand grenades, wiring spools, telegraph keys and field phones. All original and correct for the period.
This is the duty officer’s station which allows instant commutations through the switch board, (BD 72 ) and a hard wired phone to command headquarters. It includes officer field desk and office supplies with adjustable black out light. Also included is a BC 611 hand held Walkee Talkee for short distant soldier to soldier radio communication.
Our Radio Communication list is as follows :
BC 611 Walkie Talkie
Six available
SCR 284 Radio
Two Complete sets available
The Signal Corps Radio set SCR: Used in in Africa during Operation Torch, The set by Merrill’s Marauders in the China-Burma-India. The SCR-284 saw use in the Guadalcanal Campaign for portable operation with a hand crank generator. More than 50,000 SCR-284s were produced and delivered in support of Operation Overlord, the D-Day invasion of Normandy. The complete SCR-284 transmitter, receiver, power unit and accessories weighed more than 100 pounds, but could be divided into sections for transport.
Radio Set BC-654-A SCR-284-A Receiver and Transmitter Radio set SCR-654-A is a combined Receiver and Transmitter, for operation in vehicle or on the ground. For use in vehicle, cotton-web straps, D-ring loops are mounting brackets are included for convenient installation. For ground operation, the necessary components may be grouped for a three man load. Remote Control Unit RM-29-A provides flexible control over a two wire telephone line in various combinations
SCR 300 BC 1000
1 available original and complete
In 1940, Motorola (then the Galvin Manufacturing Company) received a contract from the War Department to develop a portable, battery powered voice radio receiver/transmitter for field use by infantry units. This was a FM radio frequency radio.
Although a relatively large backpack-carried radio rather than a handheld model, the SCR-300 was described in War Department Technical Manual TM-11-242 as “primarily intended as a walkie-talkie for foot combat troops”, and so the term “walkie-talkie” first came into use.
The SCR-300 saw action in the Pacific Theater, beginning in New Georgia in August 1943. The SCR-300 saw heavy use in the Normandy invasion and the Italian campaign. It also became “key equipment” that helped deter confusion in the Battle of the Bulge. The radio saw service in Korea and into Vietnam.
Radio SCR-177-B
1 available
Army Manual TM 11 232 states:: The SCR 177b maybe used in two-way communication with the same set or other types of transmitting radio set provided all radio sets used are within the maximum distance range of the least powerful set.
This Radio system was used in both the pacific and European theaters of operation in WWII. It had a range of 30 miles for voice, and between 70 to 100 miles for telegraph use.
Radio set SCR-188-A
1 available
The Army manual of the period stated: This is a large but transportable unit of equipment intended primarily for semi-fixed use inside buildings where commercial a-c power and suitable operating tables are available. Under emergency conditions, the entire equipment can be operated by means of a separate gasoline engine driven generator. The transmitting units are provided with rugged operating chests and can be erected out-of-doors, but the receiving units must be installed under adequate shelter.
This radio set was used in both the Pacific and European theaters in WWII
SCR 399-499 Radio Set
1 available SCR 499 and 1 SCR 399 available soon
Recently we rented our SCR 499 to a major motion picture production company on a feature film to be released in 2021 (details at a later date)
The BC 610 transmitter was the largest transportable field radio set used in the field in WWII. It weighs 450 pounds.
Radio Set SCR- 399 & 499 are high power, vehicular or static radio stations providing voice or c-w communication over a range of more than 100 miles depending on conditions of atmosphere and terrain, either from a stationary position, or while moving at high speeds over rough roads. They were in service from 1943 through the Vietnam War, but modified many times from their first configuration.
Two operators may sit at the operating positions of the radio station inside a shelter.
Below the cushions are a complete set of tubes and replacement parts
The chests contain all the necessary coils and tuning units to make the SRR 399-499 highly versatile in the field
The SCR 399 traveled in a hut on the back of a 2 ½ ton truck.
From here it is possible by remote control to start or stop the Power Unit PE-95 in the Trailer K-n2-E. All receiving and transmitting controls, as well as tuning units, coils and crystals (when required for changing frequency are within reach of the operating positions Moderate temperatures can be maintained in the
the shelter through use of the electric heater in cold weather and the heater fan and ventilating blower in warm weather. Both are fan units providing circulation regardless of the shelter is stationary or in motion. Sleeping quarters for one person are provided by utilizing Chest CH-89-A (seat bench) which has four inch cushions mounted on each lid covering its spare parts compartments.
Radio Set SCR-499 includes all principal components of the Radio Set 399 except that none of the radio equipment is installed in the shelter and the power unit installed in a trailer. Canvas covers are provided as protection for the major radio components of the various units may be transported by other means to a desired destination when and may be quickly set up as a field radio either in a tent, shelter or vehicle.
Switchboards BD 71 and BD 72
BD 71 (1) available BD 72 (2) available
USE : Switchboards BD-71 and BD-72 are portable, monocord, magneto-trephine switchboards for use primarily in field wire systems. BD-71 has 6 lines and the BD 72 has 12 lines. is therefore longer and heavier. Except for the difference in the amount of line equipment, the switch-·boards are identical. Each switchboard contains all the equipment necessary for terminating and switching field telephone circuits, including a line terminal strip to which incoming lines may be connected directly, and an operator’s telephone set that includes head set and breast transmitter.
Recently we rented two of our BD 71 switchboards to set up a communications tent for a major motion picture being filmed.
The larger and much heavier BD 72 was available but not used.
BD 89 Switchboard
1 available
This switchboard was common in Corps and Army Headquarters and was transported in a 2 ½ truck. It was ideal for indoor switchboard activities where office phones were used. The caller would have the switchboard operator “patch” them through to the intended recipient on the line. In simple terms: Telephone lines from the different offices were run to the switchboard terminal and could be connected to each others by means of routing a jack phone line to the proper circuit. It required power to work.
BD-89 Switchboard (tech jargon)
Switchboard BD-89 is a complete, transportable, single-position telephone switchboard serving both magneto and common battery lines. Lamp signals are provided for the common battery lines and the cord circuits, and drop signals are provided for the magneto lines, with magneto recall lamps associated with each cord. This switchboard has a capacity of 37 common battery line cir 38 cuits, 20 magneto line circuits, 13 universal cord circuits, 2 trunk circuits for connection to a common battery manual central office, and one dial trunk circuit. Operation of this switchboard is comparable to operation of Switchboards BD-91 and BD-96. Detailed operating procedure for this switch board is explained in TM 11-340, Telephone Central Office Set TC-2.
Pictured is an Army WAC operating the BD switchboard (similar to the BD 89) at Supreme Headquarters, Allied Expeditionary Forces ( SHAEF). She would direct the incoming calls to the proper office secretary. In General Eisenhower’s office, WAC Kay Summersby would answer the phone and be told by the switchboard operator who was calling. She, in turn, would ask General Eisenhower if he wished to take the call or if she needed to take a message.
