Hi All,
Who knows how DH Hornet Moths were used for Radar Calibration in WW2? Who knows how many airframes were used, by which Units, and from which airfields (or locations).
Similarly, Cierva Autogyros! This is, I suspect, a very under-researched topic (at least, I can’t track too much down on the subject of the net!! That may be, however, my inability rather than there being nowt out there!!).
Need ‘heads up(s)’ Chaps & Chapesses!!!!!!!!!!!!
TIA
Peter Davies
By: Resmoroh - 15th September 2008 at 14:06
Ian,
Thanks for that explanation. It was much as I thought. As a humble NSA Met Airman in the mid 1950’s (and infesting some of the less glamourous overseas Staging Posts) I well remember the panic upstairs in ATC when the a/c call-sign “IRIS” was heard over the r/t (for those of you who don’t know IRIS was the a/c call-sign of the RAF Inspectorate of Radio Services – the ATC policemen/trappers)
Tks
Resmoroh
By: RadarArchive - 15th September 2008 at 13:10
Hornet Moths would have been used in the same way as Blenheims were – they would fly towards a radar station at a set height and bearing and the coverage of the radar would be determined as a result, producing what were known as vertical polar diagrams (basically a drawing showing the areas in which the radar station would detect an aircraft). They would also fly away from the radar station, again at a pre-determined height and bearing, and plotted until they disappeared. This was the process of calibration which the aircraft from the Radio Servicing Sections, later Signals Wings Calibration Flights and eventually the Calibration Squadrons, carried out.
By: Resmoroh - 11th September 2008 at 10:14
Hi All,
Many thanks to all those who replied – and for the links/suggestions. Much appreciated
Rgds
Resmoroh
By: RAF Millom - 11th September 2008 at 07:14
No 8 Radio Servicing Section was stationed at Speke Airport, Liverpool. They were I think responsible for the construction, testing and calibrating radar on the West Coast, the oddest of which was built into Blackpool Tower.
They flew Blenhiems, Moths, Leopard Moths. I have some notes and a photo if I can find them
By: John Aeroclub - 10th September 2008 at 23:40
The Avro Rota at Duxford has a signboard with a bit of info. IIRC, there’s material on the C-30 Rotas’ use in the role in the IWM and RAFM archives.
You might PM Radar Archive; he doesn’t come very often these days, but can be contacted…
HTH
The Rota would be an excellent vehicle for Radar calibration because of it’s ability to loiter in one area and altitude. By obviously flying a pre set pattern sets could be very accurately calibrated. Similarly slow flying Hornets would serve as slow small weak (returns) targets with the advantage of comfortable communication for the calibration crew. Phillip Wills (of gliders and cigarette fame) flew a glider towed behind an Avro 504N for just such a purpose.
Just my tuppence.
John
By: T-21 - 10th September 2008 at 22:34
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cierva_C.30 this gives an overview of the autogyro’s.
By: T-21 - 10th September 2008 at 22:28
Nos 526, 527,528 and 529 RAF Squadron’s used Hornet Moths for calibrating radar stations. No 529 Squadron operated the Cierva Rota autogyro’s also from Halton and Henley-On-Thames.
By: JDK - 10th September 2008 at 17:02
The Avro Rota at Duxford has a signboard with a bit of info. IIRC, there’s material on the C-30 Rotas’ use in the role in the IWM and RAFM archives.
You might PM Radar Archive; he doesn’t come very often these days, but can be contacted…
HTH
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September 10, 2008 at 4:34 pm