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WWII Bendix / Pacific Division BC-778-E SCR-578 “Gibson Girl” Emergency Survival Radio Transmitter – Serial No. 5898 – With Original Carrying Bag, Antenna Reel / Accessories, Extensive Historical Reference Binder & Original 1954 Press Photograph
Offered here is a very interesting and unusually well-documented example of the famous WWII BC-778-E / SCR-578 “Gibson Girl” emergency radio transmitter, manufactured by the Pacific Division of Bendix Aviation Corporation, North Hollywood, California, for the U.S. Army Signal Corps.
The original data plate identifies the transmitter as:
Signal Corps U.S. Army
Radio Transmitter BC-778-E
Serial No. 5898
Order No. 1462-DAY-44
Pacific Division – Bendix Aviation Corporation
The SCR-578 was a hand-cranked emergency distress transmitter developed for use by military aircrews forced down at sea. Its distinctive narrow-waisted case allowed it to be held between the operator\'s legs while the generator was cranked, leading to the famous nickname “Gibson Girl,” after the hourglass-shaped female figures popularized by illustrator Charles Dana Gibson.
The transmitter could automatically transmit an SOS/distress signal on the 500 kHz international distress frequency and also provided for manual Morse-code keying. The antenna could be raised by balloon or kite from a life raft.
THIS IS MUCH MORE THAN JUST THE RADIO.
This particular example came from a serious collection and is accompanied by an unusually extensive collection of accessories and historical documentation assembled by its previous owner.
Included are:
• Bendix BC-778-E transmitter, Serial No. 5898
• Original yellow/orange carrying bag, marked Part No. AN7501 / W535-AC-32732
• Antenna reel RL-48 and attached wire/lead components as shown in the photographs
• Large collector-assembled reference binder devoted to this particular Gibson Girl radio and its history
• Reproduced Handbook of Maintenance Instructions for Radio Set SCR-578-A or SCR-578-B, dated August 19, 1943
• Detailed technical illustrations and operating information showing the BC-778-E, antenna reel, crank, antenna lead-in and related components
• Numerous photographs documenting this actual transmitter and its components
• Historical material explaining the origin of the “Gibson Girl” name, including period Gibson Girl postcard material and comparison illustrations
• Most importantly, an ORIGINAL OCTOBER 31, 1954 NEWSPAPER PRESS PHOTOGRAPH showing the Gibson Girl emergency radio apparatus actually being demonstrated with its balloon-supported aerial.
The original press photograph is particularly interesting. The reverse retains its period handwritten identification of the people pictured, a pasted newspaper caption, an October 31, 1954 date stamp, and other original press/archive markings.
The pasted caption reads:
“Attaching gas-filled balloon to aerial, Miss Hammack helps practice with Gibson Girl radio apparatus.”
The reverse also identifies U.S. Coast Guard personnel and airline stewardesses participating in the demonstration. The photograph was later handled and sold by Historic Images and retains its HistoricImages.com inventory/barcode label.
This is an actual vintage press photograph and not one of the reproduction photographs contained elsewhere in the binder.
The extensive binder appears to have been carefully assembled by the previous collector specifically to document this radio, its operation and the history behind the Gibson Girl name. It makes an outstanding companion to the transmitter and substantially enhances the display and historical interest of the set.
CONDITION
The BC-778-E is in very attractive original-appearing condition for an approximately 80-year-old piece of military equipment.
The bright yellow/orange exterior retains excellent visual presence with expected scratches, paint loss, edge wear and other evidence of military/storage use. The original instruction markings and control legends remain remarkably clear and readable.
The identification plate is present and clearly legible.
The antenna compartment opens properly and contains the antenna reel and wiring/components shown in the photographs.
The original carrying bag shows considerable age, staining, discoloration and general wear, but remains a particularly desirable part of the package because these accessories are frequently separated from the transmitters over the decades.
Please examine all photographs carefully, as they are an important part of the description and show exactly what is included.
The radio has not been electronically tested and is being sold as a historical/collectible military radio. No representation is being made that the transmitter is presently operational.
This would make an exceptional addition to a collection of WWII USAAF equipment, U.S. Army Signal Corps equipment, military aviation, survival equipment, vintage radio, Bendix equipment, or WWII militaria.
Gibson Girl transmitters themselves can still occasionally be found. Finding one accompanied by its original carrying bag and antenna equipment is considerably more difficult. Finding one together with an extensive research archive and an original dated period press photograph actually showing the Gibson Girl apparatus being demonstrated makes this a particularly interesting collection.
Everything pictured that pertains to the set, including the documentation binder and original press photograph, is included.
It will be carefully packed for shipment. The original press photograph and binder will be protected separately within the shipment so that the historical documentation is not damaged in transit.
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