Scimitar antenna
Apollo spacecraft VHF radio antenna / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A scimitar antenna is a radio antenna so named because its shape resembles a talon-shaped curved sword of the same name. It was invented in 1958 by Edwin M. and William P. Turner. It is essentially a flat metal plate in a semi-circular or semi-elliptical shape with a wide end at one side and a narrow point at the other. Its shape makes it suited for use on aircraft or space vehicles. It was used for VHF communication on the Apollo command and service module.
A U.S. patent was applied for on October 31, 1958, and granted on December 26, 1961.[1] The inventors assigned the patent to the U.S. government, as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force.