The Type 271 Radar


The Type 271 Centrimetric surface - air radar was the first 10cm microwave radar to be tested by the Royal Navy. In 1941 the HMS Orchis, a Flower Class Corvette, was the first ship to trial the Type 271. The trials proved a success, with the radar being able to detect U-boats at 3500 meters, and a raised periscope at about 900 meters.

The use of the the 10cm microwave gave the Type 271 a finer, narrower beam, which allowed for greater detection. The improved accuraccy and consitency of the new type 271 meant that it was rushed into productation and so by 1943 nearly all Escort ships, especially the Corvette Class, had Type 271 radars installed.

The Type 271 was given the nickname 'The Cheese' due to the shape of its antenna. The cheese wedeged shape was neccessary so that the parabolic mirrors could focus the narrow beam onto the small antenna. To ensure its safety, the antenna unit was often encased within a perspex dome, this in turn led to the radar being nicknamed the 'Lighthouse' due to the rotation and reflection of the parabolic mirrors on the antennas mast.

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