Product Overview
RCA RE18 Rad-Hard Transistor, TO-52 Metal Can, Gold Leads, Date Code 7611, Unused NOS
Condition
Unused NOS. Sourced from a government research facility. The unit is clean and pristine with no signs of use or wear. Photos show the specific unit you will receive: TO-52 metal can with stamped markings, three gold-plated leads, and a clean finish throughout. Date code 7611 is visible on the body.
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Product Overview
RCA RE18, part of the Radiation-Enhanced line - a military and aerospace component family processed to radiation-hardening specifications. This 3-lead variant is housed in a TO-52 / TO-18 metal can with an insulated gold header base, measuring approximately 5.5 mm in body diameter. Date code 7611 places manufacture in the 11th week of 1976. The gold header base and hermetically sealed metal can construction are defining features of this family, valued for corrosion resistance and long-term reliability in demanding environments.
Key Features
- RCA RE18, Radiation-Enhanced family - military and aerospace processing specification
- 3-lead TO-52 / TO-18 hermetic metal can package
- Insulated gold header base with three gold-plated leads
- Date code 7611 - manufactured 11th week of 1976
- Stamped body markings R18 and date code confirmed in photos
- Unused NOS condition - clean, pristine, no signs of handling or use
- Government research facility sourcing
Applications
- Technician restoring a legacy aerospace subassembly who needs a period-correct rad-hard component to match the original build spec
- Military electronics repair bench replacing a failed 3-lead metal can in a vintage avionics or communications system
- Collector or restorer sourcing original RCA radiation-enhanced components for a historically accurate rebuild
- Hobbyist or maker incorporating a gold-header hermetic can into a high-reliability DIY circuit where corrosion resistance and physical character both matter
- Engineer evaluating 1970s rad-hard component construction techniques for reference or materials research
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the internal function of this specific 3-lead RE18 variant?
The 3-lead configuration indicates this is a matched transistor or precision Zener voltage reference element from the RE18 family, rather than the multi-terminal operational amplifier configuration used in higher lead-count RE18 variants. RCA cross-stamped specialized sub-elements of larger military contract series under the master RE18 family number to indicate identical wafer processing and radiation testing compliance.
Is a datasheet or documentation included?
No documentation is included. This is a bare component only.
What makes the gold header base significant?
The insulated gold header base provides corrosion resistance superior to standard nickel or tin headers and contributes to the hermetic seal integrity of the metal can package - both critical for long service life in aerospace and military environments.
Does the TO-52 package footprint match TO-18?
TO-52 and TO-18 are closely related metal can packages with the same nominal body diameter. Lead spacing and pin assignments should be verified against your specific circuit before installation.
A gold-header rad-hard can from a government lab shelf, untouched since 1976 - the kind of part that spent decades waiting for exactly the right repair job. Now it can get back to work.
