Radar Recollections - A Bournemouth University / CHiDE / HLF project
 
 

Dundee Interlude

As director of the Bawdsey Research Station in 1939, A.P.Rowe was convinced that as soon as war was declared, then Bawdsey would be a prime military target for the enemy. Watson Watt had visited his old University at Dundee and had obtained agreement to move the whole unit up to the campus. The civil aerodrome at Perth would be utilized for flying trials etc. 30 aircraft departed on the day war was declared but one of the Blenheims never arrived.

 
Bristol Blenheim IF No 25 Squdren, RAF, Martlesham (UK) in September 1940. (side view)
The Bristol Blenheim side view

 

 

 

 

 

The next 2 months were very frustrating for the team. Although Bowen remained in charge of airborne radar research, little innovative research was practical at Dundee and the whole arrangement was far from satisfactory. Nevertheless, the full production designs ASV Mk1 and the AI Mk2 were completed here.

The very first usage of polythene (developed by ICI) as a coaxial cable insulator for aerial leads also came about at this time.

In November, the airborne group was moved yet again. This time RAF St Athan near Swansea was the destination but the facilities here were even worse that at Dundee.

The main task was to fit AI and ASV units into Blenheims and Hudsons… and in the 8 months to July 1940, 209 planes were fitted out.
But in May, the team was told that they would have to move yet again…

Mr J. D. Lawson
Mr A. I. Llewelyn(1)
Mr A. I. Llewelyn(2)
     
Mr A. I. Llewelyn
Professor G. E. Bacon
Dr G. L. Hutchinson
     
 
Dr G. L. Hutchinson
  
 
 
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