Microphone, Respirator No. 1

[Chris Suslowicz]

Standard for the Wireless Set No.18 and similar. The operator puts his respirator on, plugs the mike in, but continues to control the transmit/receive with the hand microphone (since that switches the valve filament supply). The microphones are connected in parallel on most sets, with the possible exception of the WS18 Mk.IIIT

The other respirator microphone is for switchboard and similar applications (some remote control units, perhaps), and has a two pin plug moulded into the unit which matches the "Transmitter, Breast" connection. In use, you unplug the harness cable from the breast set and fit it to the respirator microphone.

The inserts are identical for both respirator microphones, and are a gas-tight version of the standard telephone/hand microphone insert. A rubber sealing ring is supplied with them to ensure an airtight seal between the front of the insert and the front portion of the housing that connects to the facepiece.

Chris.

***** Important Warning from the Elves who drink Safe Tea *****

Do Not, under any circumstances, put on any respirator made prior to approximately 1956.
Everything before that time used asbestos in the filter elements. The "Service" respirator with hose and flattened canister contains crocidolite (Blue Asbestos). The "Civilian Duty" (ARP and switchboard operators, etc.) and civilian respirators with the round canisters (no hose) contain chrysotile (white asbestos), and the upgrade "green can" Contex filter that can be fitted to the front of those (intended to protect against Arsine) also contains blue asbestos. Modern respirator filters are made from spun glass fibres and are fairly safe.

[Dean (Ajax)]

I have about 30 of those mics, yesterday I bought the proper Canadian Gas Mask with the mic installed

Dean

[B. Harris]

Dean, hey man post some pics please and thanks!
I've never seen a complete one!

Thanks again,
Cheers,
Bruce

[Dean (Ajax)]

Bruce I do not know how to post photos here, send me an email and I will send you photos of the proper gas mask with this mic installed, and you can post them.

Dean

[B. Harris]

Thanks to Dean for forwarding the pics of this rare gem. You never cease to amaze me with the "finds"
Lots of mics around but few masks!

Perhaps Simundson will part with some masks when he close his Beanery!

Harris

[Tim Bell]

An old ish thread I know... but seemed the best place to put this...

Thought you might be interested to see this Tannoy variation on the Microphone, Respirator No 1 I got recently.

Unsure when these were introduced (I assume WW2) and quite when used... have never seen one before, or photos or documentation about them (but perhaps I've not lifted the right rock yet).

If anyone has any info, would be greatly appreciated.

Microphone, Respirators, Power, No. 1, YA 2816:

Tannoy-Resp-Mic-No1.jpg

Cheers

Tim

[Chris Suslowicz]

Originally Posted by Tim Bell

An old ish thread I know... but seemed the best place to put this...

Thought you might be interested to see this Tannoy variation on the Microphone, Respirator No 1 I got recently.

Unsure when these were introduced (I assume WW2) and quite when used... have never seen one before, or photos or documentation about them (but perhaps I've not lifted the right rock yet).

If anyone has any info, would be greatly appreciated.

Microphone, Respirators, Power, No. 1, YA 2816:

Aha! That's got the 3-pin socket fitted, so is most likely for the Apparatus (or Telephone) Loudspeaking sets used by the artillery. It would also fit the ECC (Emergency Crew Communication) box fitted to tanks, but I'm not sure if they were issued with it - I suspect they would have been, later on, but it's tank intercom and not really part of the radio kit. (It might also require the commander to have two gasmasks, one with each microphone type, if he needed to use both systems on a regular basis, and I suspect the ECC procedure would be more like "take a very deep breath, lift mask, bellow into standard Tannoy mike, and replace mask" in the event of a gas attack combined with intercom failure.)

The Artillery would need the kit for prolonged use in case of gas attack, so it's most likely intended for use with the telephones L.S. and similar kit.

Either way, it's a very nice find, and the only one I've ever seen.

Chris.