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DATAMATH CALCULATOR MUSEUM

USMC AV-8C calculator by Texas Instruments

Date of introduction:	1980	Display technology:	LED-stick
New price:		Display size:	10 (8 + 2)
Size:	6.4" x 3.2" x 1.5" 162 x 81 x 37 mm³
Weight:	8.5 ounces, 240 grams	Serial No:	8209115
Batteries:	BP1A	Date of manufacture:	wk 46 year 1981
AC-Adapter:	AC9131	Origin of manufacture:	USA (ATA)
Precision:	13	Integrated circuits:	TMC0501E, TMC0582, TMC0583, TMC0571, 2*TMC0598 TMC0540 (CD5661)
Memories:	0-60
Program steps:	480-0	Courtesy of:	Joerg Woerner
		Download manual:	(US: 8.6M Bytes)

When McDonnell Douglas Aircraft modified the original AV-8A design of the Harrier to extend its operational life, it was renamed to AV-8C.

In the same timeframe Texas Instruments replaced the TI-58 used in the USMC Harrier calculator with the TI-58C and consequently this USMC AV-8C calculator was introduced.

The Harrier AV-8C model is a AV-8A model that received some AV-8B upgrades to lengthen its service life including a more powerful engine, more sophisticated electronic equipment, and aerodynamic improvements. It did not receive the larger wing, longer fuselage, raised cockpit or radar nose that distinguishes the AV-8B Harrier II from the AV-8A.

The innovative TI-58/TI-58C/TI-59 calculators were the perfect base for a lot of customized products. This one was used in the Eighties by the USMC (United States Marine Corps) to calculate Takeoff, Landing and Flight maneuvers. The idea behind these products was the novelty of the Solid State Software Modules™ with up to 5000 program steps. This software was written by the SW-engineers of the McDonnell Douglas Aircraft company and programmed into the modules by Texas Instruments.

The customized keyboard hides most functions available on the standard TI-58C and allows only access to the basic calculation functions and the programmed functions of the AV-8C module.

British Aerospace AV-8C Harrier
Most combat aircraft require long runways or an aircraft carrier's poerful catapults to get airborne. Britidh-designed Harrier "Jump Jet". It uses vectored-thrust technology to take off and land vertically. Smaller jet nozzles on the airframe control the aircraft while hovering.

The first Harrier GR Mark 1 flew on December 28, 1967. Commissioned by Britain’s Royal Air Force and Royal Navy, the Harrier has a top speed of 661 mph (1065 kph) and first saw combat during the Falklands War (1982).

The U.S. Marine Corps realized the Harrier’s potential and made an initial purchase of 110 AV-8A Harrier I planes from Britain in 1970–71. Later McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harriers were the first Marine Corps tactical strike aircraft to be utilized during Operation Desert Storm (1991), flying 3,342 sorties in over 4,300 flight hours.

The Harrier is on loan from the National Museum of the Marine Corps

© Copyright 2011 INTREPID Sea, Air & Space Museum.

If you have additions to the above article please email: joerg@datamath.org.