Gunnery Course Officers

[Postwarden]

A nice group photo probably from the late 1950s/early 1960s (?) with the officer at the centre of the front row wearing the red hat band adopted by commissioned Gunnery Instructors and four Warrant Officer Gunnery Instructors with their white cap covers.

The two officers to the left and right of the centre front row officer are wearing the cap badge of the Irish Army, the central figure in the back row in blue BD as yet unidentified.

Can anyone identify the vehicle with dish aerial behind the group?

Thoughts please.

Jon

[grey_green_acorn]

Possibly Radar, Anti-Aircraft No. 3 Mk. 7 Blue Cedar ??

Tim

[mike_vee]

Originally Posted by grey_green_acorn

Possibly Radar, Anti-Aircraft No. 3 Mk. 7 Blue Cedar ??

Tim

While the size appears to be correct the radar dish is wrong , the dish is more like the one from the SCR-584.

The SCR-584 was a mobile gunlaying radar known as the GL Mark 3A in British service. The finest fire control set of the Second World War, it was equipped with a PPI display for detection mode and automatically tracked a target once acquired. It was capable of tracking moving vehicles and even troops and remained in use until 1996. It was very effective against aircraft when combined with the M-9 director. Once locked onto an aircraft, it could automatically aim and fire a remote power-controlled gun, whose crew needed only to keep reloading. The SCR-584 could even locate artillery from the shell trajectories, and it was capable of directing ground support aircraft.

NB: First photo shows American SCR-584 version , the GL Mark 3C in the second photo is possiby the one in the original post.


Edit : The article states it was in use until 1996 , I believe this is an error and should be 1966 as they definitely were not in use in the late 1970's.

.

[grey_green_acorn]

Another picture of the Radar No 3 Mark 7. Note the small size of the trailer, sloping section of roof behind the dish, which has a cover fitted and the rear door hinges.

Tim

[grey_green_acorn]

The rear of the equipment.

Tim

[mike_vee]

Thanks Tim , those photos seem to confirm your identification.

They were phased out before I trained in the 1970's.

.

[magpie]

From the size and shape of it behind the mens shoulders of it I'd say say it a daimler scout car, the radar wagons are much taller.

[mike_vee]

Originally Posted by magpie

From the size and shape of it behind the mens shoulders of it I'd say say it a daimler scout car, the radar wagons are much taller.

The rear rank are standing on something so difficult to judge actual size.

The unit was housed in an air-conditioned trailer that was significantly smaller and more portable than the World War II-era SCR-584 and GL Mk. III radars it replaced;

.

[mike_vee]

Originally Posted by magpie

From the size and shape of it behind the mens shoulders of it I'd say say it a daimler scout car, the radar wagons are much taller.

Found another photo showing that the operator could not stand up , the FV436 with cymbaline radar that I trained on was only about 7'6" (2.28m) high .

.

[magpie]

Mike, I was trying to guage the height of the trailer with the 5 foot dia of the dish so being 8-10 feet tall, I also got it into my head would you believe a dingo of all thingsfrom the shape behind the men and I know how small they are so couldn't possibly be one.