Radar Van for Corowa event

[Richard Farrant]

Here is a short history of this type of trailer that I put together for an article in a recent KVE News :

The history of the trailer

The trailer was one of two consigned to a GL3( c ) radar convoy built in Canada. GL3( c ) was an Anti-Aircraft Gun Laying Radar system, the first mobile microwave frequency radar to be mass produced anywhere in the world. It was originated and designed in the UK, but also developed in Canada and the USA simultaneously. The trailer that KVE have been given was the Zone Position Indicator, the other trailer of a different design was the Accurate Position Finder. The convoy sets consisted of one each of these trailers and two FWD HAR1 towing trucks fitted with Cummins powered generators, also a CMP Chevrolet C60L for carrying equipment.

The trailer was built by Truck Engineering of Canada, at Woodstock. The equipment was produced by Research Enterprises Ltd of Leaside, Toronto to a Supply Mech Contract no. 2828. By December 1942, 314 convoy sets had been delivered, much of these sent to the UK for AA gun sites. Due to manufacturing problems this system was not able to be built in time in the UK and they were reliant on Canada to produce them. By the end of 1943 a total of 667 radar convoy sets had been made by REL under the Lend Lease agreement.

[Jan Thompson]

Dutchy has continued work on the Radar Van found the following on a plate underneath the van:
Truck Engineering Limited
Trailers and Truck Equipment
Woodstock Ontario
Model 22FW
Serial number 759

He has put some rust converter on the bottom and the wheel arches. Parking break arm needs welding. One side has tyres on and he has taken the other tyres are off and will be back on next week.

[hrpearce]

Once all the tyres are on I need to know the height from the ground to the bottom of the door and the width of the door. The length of the van and centre of door from either end would also help thank you.

[Jan Thompson]

Dutchy phoned me today and mentioned the wheels are back on the Radar Van and Laurie Winnie donated 3 clamps. We are now up to Stage 2.