Uploaded April 2022 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The Bathtub Morse key was used by the British Royal Air Force in WW2. It was a sealed key and this gave it its unusual bathtub shape which gave rise to its name.
The bathtub key was developed in the 1930s as a sealed Morse key for use in aircraft with open cockpits such as the Fairey Swordfish which disabled the Nazi ship Bismark.
However the Bathtub Morse key was widely used in the British heavy bombers like the Lancaster, Halifax, Stirling and the like. In these aircraft there was a real fear that the sparks from the key could ignite fumes of aviation fuel near the wireless operator. Within these bombers the bathtub key was used with the famous R1155 / T1154 receiver transmitter combination.
The Bathtub key is held together by a spring, and when unhitched the key hinges open to reveal the inside. The lever itself is upside down as a result of the key lever assembly being mounted to the top section. There is also a leather seal around the hole to connect the lever with the handle or knob.
The Bathtub Morse key has a heavy action resulting from the V based bearing used. It is not as easy to use as many other Morse keys sed for telegraphy and telecommunications. However as most airmen would be wearing thick gloves and there could be turbulence in the air, the heavy action was probably beneficial.
For more information about the RAF Bathtub Morse key check out our web page: electronics-notes.com/articles/basic_concepts/electronic-electrical-waveforms/sine-waveform.php
The development and history of the Morse key: electronics-notes.com/articles/history/morse-code-telegraph/morse-key-development.php
The British Post Office (Walters Patt 1056A) Morse key: electronics-notes.com/articles/history/morse-code-telegraph/walters-electrical-british-post-office-morse-key.php
Steel Lever Key: electronics-notes.com/articles/history/morse-code-telegraph/american-steel-lever-morse-telegraph-key.php
Clipsal Key: electronics-notes.com/articles/history/morse-code-telegraph/clipsal-australian-morse-key.php
Check out the Electronics Notes website: electronics-notes.com
Great Morse code mouse mat: electronics-notes-shop.fourthwall.com/products/morse-code-characters-mouse-mat
Great Morse code mug: electronics-notes-shop.fourthwall.com/products/morse-code-mug
Please don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel: youtube.com/electronicsnotes?sub_confirmation=1
The Bathtub Morse key was used by the British Royal Air Force in WW2. It was a sealed key and this gave it its unusual bathtub shape which gave rise to its name.
The bathtub key was developed in the 1930s as a sealed Morse key for use in aircraft with open cockpits such as the Fairey Swordfish which disabled the Nazi ship Bismark.
However the Bathtub Morse key was widely used in the British heavy bombers like the Lancaster, Halifax, Stirling and the like. In these aircraft there was a real fear that the sparks from the key could ignite fumes of aviation fuel near the wireless operator. Within these bombers the bathtub key was used with the famous R1155 / T1154 receiver transmitter combination.
The Bathtub key is held together by a spring, and when unhitched the key hinges open to reveal the inside. The lever itself is upside down as a result of the key lever assembly being mounted to the top section. There is also a leather seal around the hole to connect the lever with the handle or knob.
The Bathtub Morse key has a heavy action resulting from the V based bearing used. It is not as easy to use as many other Morse keys sed for telegraphy and telecommunications. However as most airmen would be wearing thick gloves and there could be turbulence in the air, the heavy action was probably beneficial.
For more information about the RAF Bathtub Morse key check out our web page: electronics-notes.com/articles/basic_concepts/electronic-electrical-waveforms/sine-waveform.php
The development and history of the Morse key: electronics-notes.com/articles/history/morse-code-telegraph/morse-key-development.php
The British Post Office (Walters Patt 1056A) Morse key: electronics-notes.com/articles/history/morse-code-telegraph/walters-electrical-british-post-office-morse-key.php
Steel Lever Key: electronics-notes.com/articles/history/morse-code-telegraph/american-steel-lever-morse-telegraph-key.php
Clipsal Key: electronics-notes.com/articles/history/morse-code-telegraph/clipsal-australian-morse-key.php
Check out the Electronics Notes website: electronics-notes.com
Great Morse code mouse mat: electronics-notes-shop.fourthwall.com/products/morse-code-characters-mouse-mat
Great Morse code mug: electronics-notes-shop.fourthwall.com/products/morse-code-mug
Please don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel: youtube.com/electronicsnotes?sub_confirmation=1
