Hi gang!
I was talking to my boss about the topic of radar during WW2. We both ended up wondering the same thing: Why is it that the radar ariels (sp?) on the sides of the P-61 were far less complex than the intricate antenna arials on the German night fighters? Did the German fighters have the same dish set-up in the nose as the Black Widow?
Thanks!
Eric
Totally different technology required different hardware.
Darwin, O.F. [alien]
The US SCR-720 and the British AI Mk X both used a cavity magnetron which could use a fairly small parabolic dish similar to what is now used for satellite TV antennae. The Germans lacked that technology and used a Yagi type antenna, similar in concept the the old rooftop TV antenna, and until very late in the war those antennas had to be too large to fit in the nose of the aircraft because of range and sensitivity issues.
This is an area I have very little knowledge in. I can tell you that the germans knew about radar early on but never developed the technology like the allies had (just like the A bomb). From what I know this was one area where the allies had an edge. The higher up’s didn’t see a use for it.
John and Phoenix,
Thank you for the great replies! Yardbird, could you expand on your statement?
Thanks,
Eric