Ricky, reference the black bands, they were applied to the 757's (2 I think) that carried out the MLS trials into LHR in the mid-90's. That's the first I heard of them and the reason why they were there. I believe the MLS trials have now finished.. could be wrong on that one.
Radar range.. now I do know this one! Cough is correct above; the only aircraft in BA's inventory which I can definitely say "yes" to your different range and tilt question is the 737-436, the BA-spec -400 variant, not the ex-Dan or the -300's, -500's.
On other types it is possible, and indeed beneficial to set a different range across the flight deck (777, 757, 767, A320/319) but not tilt angle, the BA pre-privatisation 737-400 being unique in that. I cannot speak for the BA-fit 747 or 744 other than to say that unlike other operators BA have a seperate WX radar screen on some if not all of their 744 fleet; whether that is in addition to, or seperate from a superimposed wx-radar presentation on the ND I can't say. I haven't flown the 744 with BA, but the company I did fly it with had only ND presentation for wx radar, and only one tilt setting.
Speaking from my experience I found that very facility to have a different tilt and range very useful. It was generated by seperating the sweep on the same system, one for the left, next for the right. The "Auto" gain range on the 73 could be a bit insensitive at times, but manual gain set close to the auto setting took care of anything missed under auto, normally.
Hope this helps,
£6
Edit for spelling, and to credit Cough, whos post I missed first time..sorry mate!
[This message has been edited by Sick Squid (edited 16 June 2001).]