Morse/Seinsleutel type 5C/372 - 1930-1940

This Morse/Seinsleutel type 5C/372 is not an ordinary Morse key like you see on radios, but a quite specific military application from World War II. It is so-called an “Identification Lamp Morse Key” of the British Royal Air Force (RAF). It is effectively a switchbox that allowed a pilot to send signals. With it, identification lamps (above/below the aircraft) could be switched on/off. This enabled aircraft to exchange Morse-like signals with each other. During WWII, radio silence was often observed to avoid being detected. In that case, this key offered an alternative means of communication:

• Works as a Morse key (on/off)
• Does not transmit radio signals, but light signals
• Usually built into the cockpit
• The pilot operated the key

The 5C/372 was included in, among others, well-known RAF aircraft such as:
• Lancaster bomber
• Spitfire
• Hurricane

Typical features:
• RAF Air Ministry designation: “5C/372”
• Compact round or square Bakelite or metal housing
• One push button as with a Morse key
• Diameter roughly 8–9 cm

The photos are part of the description.