Headset
Item
Title
Headset
Description
U.S. Army Signal Corps HB-7 Headset R-14 Receiver. Black PL-54 jack which is attached to a black JK-26 extension which is then attached to a black PL-55 plug at the end of a 50 inch cord. Adjustable tan coloured headband with brown foam ear cups fitted with black bakelite R-14 receivers stamped in red ink with SC381.
Identifier
996.129.007
Format
Provenance
The headphones used in WWII American Aircraft are divided into two categories- SIgnal Corps and US Navy. Signal Corps versions provided to the AAC/AAF for "non helmet" use in WWII aircraft were either high impedance, HS-23 (4000 ohms) to low impedance, HS-33 (600 ohms) The HB-7 headband was the AAC standard before the war, the shift from high impedance to low impedance earphones was simply a change from R-14 to ANB-H-1 elements that clipped onto the headband. Unfortunately, so many high impedance headsets were already fielded that a plug -in transformer impedance adapter was introduced to make the transition. Low impedance headphones were more reliable and less expensive to make.
Abstract
Fair