New Radar Set To Be Tested On N.Z. Airfields

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27876, 26 January 1956, Page 12

New Radar Set To Be Tested On N.Z. Airfields

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, January 25. . A simple and mobile radar set which may become the standard model for New Zealand’s main trunk aerodromes will be demonstrated at Paraparaumu next week. Called the, Gilfillan ground control approach qu(idradar, it is the first

navigational aid capable of handling jet aircraft. No New Zealand aerodrome has yet been equipped with radar. Demonstrating the equipment will be Mr D. Callahan, vice-president of the American manufacturing company, and his two assistants—an engineer, Mr A. E. Dittman, and the radar operator, Mr J. Gretta. All are from California. They will visit Paraparaumu aerodrome next week, and the radar will be tried with DC3 planes, Tiger Moths, and other aircraft. The next week, the equipment will be moved to Ohakea, where it will be tried with Royal New Zealand Air Force jet fighters. The radar set weighs two tons, and is expected to cost about £25,000. The quadradar is actually four sets in one. It can determine the height of any aircraft within a 20-mile radius of the field. Also, using the surveillance system, it can locate any aircraft over the same radius. The sqt can provide a pilot with range, bearing, and altitude information, regardless of weather, and can also be used to show the position of planes taxi-ing on runways. Pilots do not need previous experience to make use of the radar information. The first quadradar was produced a year ago. The set may supersede the C.P.1T.4 radar, at present in use in 33 countries. The one firm has developed both types. Since 1942, the firm has been working exclusively for the United States armed services.