Gaining An R.A.F Pilots Brevet In WW II
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Often in Jersey, but mainly in the past.
Age: 79
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FZ and Danny ... YAAAY, I got it right!
I was an LEO in both Area and Terminal, but never darkened the doors of the Central Air Traffic Control School or the ATC Examining Board. I understand I was deemed 'too tactical' or something like that.
Excuse me ... back to the real world of Aviation
I was an LEO in both Area and Terminal, but never darkened the doors of the Central Air Traffic Control School or the ATC Examining Board. I understand I was deemed 'too tactical' or something like that.
Excuse me ... back to the real world of Aviation
Re the talk above about GCAs
I was familiar with some aspects of the GCA at Biggin Hill in 1954-55 (Gilfillan AN/CPN 4 - I think). One of my mates was a ground radar fitter responsible for its upkeep and ISTR that operators and technical staff working in the caravan were given milk as a cure to any problems caused by microwave radiation in the vicinity of the GCA.
I had a collection of colour transparencies showing the GCA in action, with both inside and outside shots and with the talk-down operators working inside. Sadly they were lost in a 1970’s house move and are no longer to be found - a pity.
One of my recollections was how proud the operators were to have identified the new (in 1955) TV mast at Crystal Palace, about 15-miles to the north - it showed up clearly as a permanent echo on the search screen.
This is transparency shows the AN/CPN4 on Biggin's airfield not far from Biggin's CR/DF (the small building) which can also be seen. These bods are from Biggin's Aeromodellers club taking part in a competition.
I had a collection of colour transparencies showing the GCA in action, with both inside and outside shots and with the talk-down operators working inside. Sadly they were lost in a 1970’s house move and are no longer to be found - a pity.
One of my recollections was how proud the operators were to have identified the new (in 1955) TV mast at Crystal Palace, about 15-miles to the north - it showed up clearly as a permanent echo on the search screen.
This is transparency shows the AN/CPN4 on Biggin's airfield not far from Biggin's CR/DF (the small building) which can also be seen. These bods are from Biggin's Aeromodellers club taking part in a competition.
Danny & Warmtoast
There was an 'upside' to the dosimeter and milk situation ... putting a NAAFI meat pie into the wave guide of the azimuth aerial* kept the pie lovely and warm!!
* Access was through the little hatch used to wind the polarisers in/out.
There was an 'upside' to the dosimeter and milk situation ... putting a NAAFI meat pie into the wave guide of the azimuth aerial* kept the pie lovely and warm!!
* Access was through the little hatch used to wind the polarisers in/out.
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FantomZorbin,
Our waveguides in the old MPN-1 "Bendix" must've been hotter - our Radar techs made lovely toast that way !
Danny.
PS: This fascinating discussion is a wonderful example of our "CyberCrewRoom" working exactly as it should ! D.
PPS: 7,000 Posts coming up fast (Cliffnemo [RIP] builded better than he knew seven years ago). D.
Our waveguides in the old MPN-1 "Bendix" must've been hotter - our Radar techs made lovely toast that way !
Danny.
PS: This fascinating discussion is a wonderful example of our "CyberCrewRoom" working exactly as it should ! D.
PPS: 7,000 Posts coming up fast (Cliffnemo [RIP] builded better than he knew seven years ago). D.
The use (or abuse) of aircraft borne or ground based radar is an interesting subject. From personal experience at RAF Colerne in the early 1970's as a "singly", it was common practice for several of us to have a five minute stand in front of the CCWR scanner, being operated by an avionics tech. The purpose being to save us the cost of condoms over the weekend (in theory). Toast and reheating shepherds pie is one thing. after years of contemplating it, I came to the conclusion that all that happened was that the radar man merely wobbled the scanner, that being the case I am surprised I only have two children, that I know of 
Smudge
Smudge
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My late father who was involved with radar in WW2 told a similar story...chaps coming to the radar transmitter hoping for radiation induced temporary infertility. He said they used to get them to lay down by the mercury arc rectifiers, as they were pretty impressive when operating. Effect on birth rate in surrounding area, not known....(!)
The clock is ticking ...
There was a time when all this talk of radiation would have worried me, now it makes little odds 
However I have encountered a problem when donating a WW2 cockpit clock to an aviation museum. Its luminous markings are radioactive and this deadly timepiece is therefore classed as Controlled Waste which might imperil the visiting public, who are already at risk from tripping on steps, slipping on wet floors, walking into glass doors, falling over matchsticks and such hazards.
As far as I know the clock's previous owner, the Luftwaffe, was not worried by the green glow of radioactivity as such perils had yet to be invented, and far greater dangers would soon surround them as the Allied air forces gained strength.
However I have encountered a problem when donating a WW2 cockpit clock to an aviation museum. Its luminous markings are radioactive and this deadly timepiece is therefore classed as Controlled Waste which might imperil the visiting public, who are already at risk from tripping on steps, slipping on wet floors, walking into glass doors, falling over matchsticks and such hazards.As far as I know the clock's previous owner, the Luftwaffe, was not worried by the green glow of radioactivity as such perils had yet to be invented, and far greater dangers would soon surround them as the Allied air forces gained strength.
The Avro York at Duxford has a notice by the cockpit (which is also screened off with Perspex) warning of the radiation risk. Access can only be when a safety officer is present.....
mmitch.
mmitch.
Join Date: Mar 2010
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Well, I only had about 12-18 months of intensive irradiation in the Strubby Truck, and managed to eventually generate 2 sprogs (and a merciful bachelor mis-fire].
I could guess, in my massive ignorance on these matters, that the RAF was just playing safe?
[Oooh, Matron, the precursor of the nausea imposed these days
]
I could guess, in my massive ignorance on these matters, that the RAF was just playing safe?
[Oooh, Matron, the precursor of the nausea imposed these days
]
"radioactive" watches
Back in the days when politicians could be respected, there goes a story of a MP attempting to make party political points about luminous watches and asking a question of the SofS of Health. It was fairly rambling and probably not much to the point but he wanted to know what effect luminous paint on wrist watches would have on the Nation's birth rate or on the condition of any babies born.
The SofS merely replied "I cannot vouch for the honourable member but I, at least, wear my wristwatch on my wrist" and left it at that.
The SofS merely replied "I cannot vouch for the honourable member but I, at least, wear my wristwatch on my wrist" and left it at that.
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mmitch (et al),
What I'm hearing here beggars belief. In the case of the Duxford York, surely the passage of time would have reduced to insignificance any radiation from the luminous dials and switch tips (same applies to all our bedside clocks, wrist watches etc, as we all well know). And what would the Safety Officer actually do ? ("you've had your five minutes in the cockpit - that's your lot ! - out now ! - and be a Good Boy and drink your prophylatic glass of milk")
.
Geriaviator,
Your clock and the Politically Correct Museum are another good example !
Xercules,
A Secretary of State with common sense - now there's a thing !
That I should live so long and have to listen to this. We'll all be frightened of our own shadows soon !
Cheers to all, Danny.
What I'm hearing here beggars belief. In the case of the Duxford York, surely the passage of time would have reduced to insignificance any radiation from the luminous dials and switch tips (same applies to all our bedside clocks, wrist watches etc, as we all well know). And what would the Safety Officer actually do ? ("you've had your five minutes in the cockpit - that's your lot ! - out now ! - and be a Good Boy and drink your prophylatic glass of milk")
.
Geriaviator,
Your clock and the Politically Correct Museum are another good example !
Xercules,
A Secretary of State with common sense - now there's a thing !
That I should live so long and have to listen to this. We'll all be frightened of our own shadows soon !
Cheers to all, Danny.
Enough of this frivolity, the Safety Police act in our own best interests. One could fly in an Air Atlantique Dakota until a couple of years ago when EC regulations decreed that all public transport aircraft with exit heights above ground level must be fitted with escape slides. AirA worked wonders but even they baulked at the design and maintenance costs involved in this mod.
I would think those who travelled to Arnhem and such places would have been very relieved to jump from their Daks, knowing that an EC descent is a safe descent.
I would think those who travelled to Arnhem and such places would have been very relieved to jump from their Daks, knowing that an EC descent is a safe descent.