Ah, yes, the LW/AW radar sets (Light Weight/Air Warning), super-secret at the time, and mostly destroyed rather than sold off at Govt auction when no longer required. Thankfully one set survived, and is now on display at the AWM in Bradbury Aircraft Hall. They were 'super secret' because of the cavity magnetron that was the 'heart' of the system. Old hat, now, of course: every microwave oven has one, but not so at the time.
The RLL scheme was interesting and the range of things Aust supplied to US forces is astounding, including all those radios and radar equipments you listed above. I seem to remember that Australia supplied 3/4 of the US$ value of Lend Lease items received, back to US Forces as RLL items: everything from clothing and food to small ships. The books were still in the USAs favour, of course, but not bad for such a small population with a relatively narrow - and small - manufacturing capacity.
Interesting thread, Mike.
Mike C
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21-04-12, 04:15
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