[Lowfer] [Non VLF] RADAR History

[Peter Barick]

Re: On The Origins Of RADAR In Britain

I think it was Ed who mentioned Watson-Watt, a British RADAR developer,
and that started me to revisit "the origin of RADAR," this time on the
Web. I especially like WW II history and yarns from those once involved.
Recently I went to a EAA meeting where a featured speaker was a Spitfire
pilot in Africa. Wild Bill Scanlon started out as a runaway at 15 and
joined the U.S. Calvary where he learned to ride and shot from in the
saddle. This he claimed aided him years later when as a pilot and later
as a Brit and later a Yank waist gunner (a near-fatal crash ended his
pilot days). What an inspiration for all present to hear him. He has a
book out, co-authored by a writer. Ha, he's in his 80s, still smokes and
appears feisty as they come. I was even drilled on how the Spit's stick
operated. Gee.

Well, back on subject. Here's a link to a new site for one Alan
Blumlein, a "tech" who worked on early Brit Air RADAR under Watson-Watt.
I believe that system was using the new magnetron and was later named
H2S. Blumlein and about eight others were killed in early '42 when a new
issue, 4-eng. Halifax crashed on testing the devices. They changed to
that new craft for its 20,000+ ceiling.

http://www.doramusic.com/

One can follow the links to two chapters of a book that its author has
put up on the site. Haven't finished it all, but it appears the author
also uncovered the crash site.

Peter