Berlin Airlift SCR-658 Radio Receiver This model SCR-658 Radio Receiver was installed at Tempelhof Central Airport in Berlin by U.S. occupation forces in 1945. During the Berlin Airlift, Air Force weather forecasters used it to track weather balloons, measure the wind's direction and speed, temperature, humidity and air pressure by using radio signals transmitted from the balloons. These measurements aided air traffic control as well as weather forecasting. The highest balloon altitude measurement this unit recorded at Tempelhof was approximately 140,000 feet. This SCR-658 served as backup receiver when more advanced equipment became available ,but it remained in use at Tempelhof until 1975. It was transferred to the museum in 1976 by the 1946th Communications Squadron. Click here to return to the Berlin Airlift Overview.