pioneers_header.jpg

Reginald Denny and Walter H. Righter

Radioplane Electronics

The radio equipment for the Radioplane drones was principally designed by Kenneth 'Ken' Case a 'HAM' radio operator who late in the 1930s had developed an interest in radio control of model boats and model airplanes.

denny_man_091940_1_d2_250.jpg

Telphone Dial Controller

Model Airplane News, Sep., 1940 - Click Image to Enlarge

The first hand controllers were based around a telephone dial sending pulses via the transmitter to the flight surface control systems onboard the drone. Later on, as shown below, a far more suitable 'joystick' method was developed and is still in use today from moel airplanes, boats and cars to video games.

radioplane_rc_photoset_350.jpg

Photos of RC equipment, July 19, 1940

Photo : Righter Family Archives - Click on Image to Enlarge

'Joystick' Controller

radio_controller_1c_350.jpg

'Joystick' Controller

Photo : Righter Family Archives - Click on Image to Enlarge

radio_controller_2c_350.jpg

'Joystick' Controller

Photo : Righter Family Archives - Click on Image to Enlarge

radio_controller_3c_350.jpg

'Joystick' Controller

Photo : Righter Family Archives - Click on Image to Enlarge

righter_rc_rx_ama_350.jpg

'Joystick' Controller and Receiver

National Model Aviation Museum

Photo : Righter Family Archives - Click on Image to Enlarge

Transmitter

radio_tx1c_350.jpg

Transmitter

Photo : Righter Family Archives - Click on Image to Enlarge

radio_tx3c_350.jpg

Transmitter

Photo : Righter Family Archives - Click on Image to Enlarge

radio_tx4c_350.jpg

Photo : Righter Family Archives - Click on Image to Enlarge

radio_tx5c_350.jpg

Transmitter

Photo : Righter Family Archives - Click on Image to Enlarge

radio_tx6c_350.jpg

Transmitter

Photo : Righter Family Archives - Click on Image to Enlarge

righter_tx_ama_350.jpg

Transmitter

Photo : National Model Aviation Museum - Click on Image to Enlarge

Receiver

Stated to be : "Early Airborne Radio Receiver. July 19, 1940"

radio_rx3c_350.jpg

Early Airborne Radio Receiver, July 19, 1940

Photo : Righter Family Archives - Click on Image to Enlarge

radio_rx4c_350.jpg

Early Airborne Radio Receiver, July 19, 1940

Photo : Righter Family Archives - Click on Image to Enlarge

radio_rx7c_350.jpg

Early Airborne Radio Receiver, July 19, 1940

Photo : Righter Family Archives - Click on Image to Enlarge

radio_rx38c_350.jpg

Early Airborne Radio Receiver, July 19, 1940

Photo : Righter Family Archives - Click on Image to Enlarge

radio_rx9c_350.jpg

Early Airborne Radio Receiver, July 19, 1940

Photo : Righter Family Archives - Click on Image to Enlarge

Servo Mechanism

Stated to be : "Servo Control motor used to move flight control surfaces"

radio_servo_1c_350.jpg

Servomechanism

Photo : Righter Family Archives - Click on Image to Enlarge

radio_servo_2c_350.jpg

Servomechanism

Photo : Righter Family Archives - Click on Image to Enlarge

radio_servo_3c_350.jpg

Servomechanism

Photo : Righter Family Archives - Click on Image to Enlarge


Top | Reginald Denny - Walter Righter Home

HOME

© Copyright 1999-2005 CTIE - All Rights Reserved - Caution
Created and maintained by russell.naughton@eng.monash.edu.au
Last updated July 25, 2005