Leach Data Recorder for North American Aviation Jet Engine Testing in 1965

A portable reel-to-reel data tape recorder, long before the Walkman 🙂

I was trying to figure out if it had any role to play in the version Leach developed for the Apollo Command Module in 1968.

From tags on the side, this unit has a 1965 date faintly stamped, and a NAA for North American Aviation. The front has Thermolab LCW-194-1 and 2 stamped on it; not sure what that was for.

The most telling clue is on the white sticker, front center, with “F-100 Engine Test” for the supersonic jet fighter and then “T-28 (something) Test”. These were aircraft built by NAA, and I am guessing this was Ground Support Equipment, given the portability feature.