New Zealand Scientists Part In Radar Research

Northern Advocate, 19 December 1945, Page 2

New Zealand Scientists Part In Radar Research

Details of the part played by New Zealanders in the development of radar have now been released. Dr. M. A. F. Barnett, who later became director , of meteorological services in. New Zealand, and now holds the rarfk cf wing-commander in the R.N.Z.A.F. weather service;- was carrying out experiments with Sir Edward Appleton in Britain in 1924.- •* • - : Using a broadcasting station for investigation into the upper layers of the atmosphere, the two men discovered that waves sent out were being reflected and picked up again. By accident an aircraft crossed the path, the waves were deflected from it, and in. this way radar was born. PLANS BROUGHT BACK Mr. I. D. Stevenson, director of the Radio Development Laboratory, Wellington, who has recently referred to Dr. Barnett's work in this connection, mentioned that the member of the Air Ministry in Britain who had been responsible for the decision to develop the new discovery was the present j

<Special) AUCKLAND. This. Day.

* Governor-General of New Zealand (Sir Cyril Newall). When war appeared inevitable in 1939, the DominJbns were given the secrets of radar. New Zealand at once sent Dr. E. Marsden, of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, to England to collect the secret information and key parts for the sets.

War broke out while he was there but he brought the plans back safely and in a short time New Zealand had radar stations in action and was even supplying surplus equipment to the British Eastern Fleet. Whenever 'these parts were sent in ships or planes they were carried in perforated bags weighted so as to sink rapidly if necessary. In New Zealand, Government laboratories perfected the parts and these were then made in quantities in factories under close supervision. One Auckland firm set up a small laboratory and participated in the work. When war broke out Britain had radar stations erected all round her coasts and regularly plotted aircraft. The Germans became curious about mysterious signals emanating from these stations and sent Zeppelins to investigate.