Canadian radar tracking - Fort Bliss 1947 set 1/2

[alamotex]

Jon.... As stated in earlier posts on this thread, your father's photo shows the Canadian designed MZPI. Microwave Zone Position Indicator sweep search mobile radar designated AA Radar No 4 Mk 6 by the British. I have not been able to locate any documentation covering the 1946 Fort Bliss, Tx trials, but have seen a document pertaining to trials on similar equipment carrried out in 1951. Later versions of this radar carried the NATO designation AN-MPS 501B.

[Jon McGrath]

Originally Posted by alamotex

Jon.... As stated in earlier posts on this thread, your father's photo shows the Canadian designed MZPI. Microwave Zone Position Indicator sweep search mobile radar designated AA Radar No 4 Mk 6 by the British. I have not been able to locate any documentation covering the 1946 Fort Bliss, Tx trials, but have seen a document pertaining to trials on similar equipment carrried out in 1951. Later versions of this radar carried the NATO designation AN-MPS 501B.

Brian, apparently, the 1946 testing and demonstration were quite secret, at the time, e.g., those involved were required to remain on the train with the equipment through the travel from Kingston to El Paso. They underwent radar training in Kingston prior to the testing / demonstration in Fort Bliss. The photos are definitely from before 1951 by which time my father had been stationed in Picton, ON and been transferred to Victoria, BC.

Out of curiosity, which units were you in during the 50's, as noted in your profile?

[alamotex]

Jon

I served my National Service commitment in the British Army 75th HAA Regt RA( 1950-52) based in Gravesend, Kent. It was one of several regiments in AA Command responsible for ADGB (Air Defence Great Britaim ) in the post WW 2 years. The three batteries were equipped with British made AA radars No 3 Mk 2 as fire control sets and Canadian made MZPI's ( aka AA radar No 4 Mk 6) as tactical control sets. I attended a short course at the School of AA artillery in Manorbier and qualified as an instructor of operators AA Radar No 4 Mk 6.
Many years later,after emigrating to Canada, I did some research into the role played by Canada in the development of AA radar and learned of the involvement of the Radio Branch of the NRC and Research Industries Ltd (REL) which led to the development of the MZPI. B

rian

[Jon McGrath]

Thanks Brian. My dad served in various RCA LAA and HAA units into the mid-50's before moving to RCHA. I was a young child when he was in the RCA and have only vague recollection of that time. I have a much better recollection of his time in the RCHA. As for me, the closest I ever got to the artillery was as a musician in a reserve RCA field battery.