Ken, I think there is an exception to what you say. Certainly true of centimetric radars and probably metric too.
A single reflector might return 15db above background. An adjacent reflector returning 10db might not be seen if outside the same beam. If closer however its effect would be added to the stronger reflector. Adding more reflectors would increase the db gain.
Add in structure height and you start to get a larger response.
I suggest that the metallic array on Victory would be satisfactory reflector.
Remember the Soviet' s Tall King radar is down in the metric band; it must have worked.