[Learadio radio and navigation equipment]

Photograph of Learadio radio and navigation equipment, consisting of a transmitter, receiver, and direction finder, circa 1936-1939. The verso caption notes that this equipment was developed by "myself" (William P. Lear) and Reeder Nichols for the London to Melbourne Air Race.

Caption on verso: "S. This is the equipment that was built up in the 60 days in our organization at 123 W. 17th St. NYC, by myself and Reeder Nichols for the Robertson London-to-Melbourne race, which was won by the Dutch in a DC-3. Roscoe Turner, Clyde Pangborn and Reeder Nichols came in second. This equipment included a transmitter, a receiver, and some direction finding capability. Through the use of the direction finder and the alertness of Reeder Nichols, the flight was saved from catastrophe, which was threatened when they overflew Karachi. Roscoe Turner was at the controls while Pangborn slept. During this flight I received a message from Pangborn, Turner and Nichols, transmitted from Australia directly to me in New York on short waves, which was halfway around the world. Reeder Nichols, after this flight, went with the Australian CAA and is now connected with the IT&T subsidiary in Australia. (Circa 1936).”