Victor SR.2 radar recce fit

[redsetter]

Can anyone confirm the radar recce fit of the Victor SR.2 ? I'm assuming it had H2S Mk 9 with radial and sidescan modes, a PPI camera for recording radial scans, and the RPDU for sidescan recording. Did the fit stay the same over the aircraft's service ?
Thanks

[TimL]

It's nearly 60 years since I joined 543 as a Nav Rad, but from what I remember there was little difference in the radar fit between the B2 and the B(SR)2. One difference that I do remember was the PPI camera. In the standard NBS in the bomber version the camera took pictures through a mirror at 45 degrees to the radar screen. That allowed the Nav Rad a good view of the screen. In the recce version we had a camera (it might have been the R88) which looked directly at the screen to avoid distortion and had a canvas visor to keep out the light. That meant you had to peer at the screen through a flap at the side - rather trying after five hours on an MRR task!

The RPU (Rapid Processor Unit) for the sidescan was a temperamental beast. We experimented with both metal and plastic processor heads, which carried hot developer and fixer over the photographic paper; I can't remember which worked best. We carried spare heads in case they got blocked; changing one in flight usually resulted in chemicals all over your hands and quite a lot of the cabin. Results were pretty good. I remember being tasked with doing sidescan of the Wesrern English Channel to see how far the oil had spread from the wreck of the Torrey Canyon, and you could tell where the slick was.

By the way, if anyone wonders how I can talk about flying at the Tiger Club in another thread while being a nav, I'll just say that I did 125 hours on the Jet Provost before the powers that be decided I'd be better suited to sitting in the back.

-- Tim L

[redsetter]

Tim - thanks.

[Brewster Buffalo]

Out of interest did the SR2 ever have any ELINT equipment installed?

[BEagle]

The UK ELINT role was primarily met by the Comet 2R aircraft of 51 Sqn until 1975.

[denachtenmai]

Don't forget the Canberras of 51 as well, BEagle :ok:

[Brewster Buffalo]

I think I found the answer.

I presume that the SR2, like the B2, was fitted with the BLUE SAGA RWR which received signals in the S, C and X-Bands. An AEO could monitor the PRF audio tone between the four sets of antennae of the RWR to determine the quadrant from which the signal was coming. One of 543's aircrew recalled recording a Russian “Kresta” cruiser's various radar outputs presumably using this.

Interesting that 543 Sqn had 8 SR2s but 51 Sqn just had 3 Comets and a few Canberras. IIRC weren't the 51 Sqn Comets restricted in service ceiling?

[TimL]

I don't recall any ELINT tasks or training while I was on 543, but I don't know what might have happened in the six or so years that the squadron continued in service after I left. It's a very long time ago, but I think BB is right that we carried BLUE SAGA. We also had RED STEER tail warning and Window dispensers, but all the active ECM that the B2 carried had been removed..

-- TimL