Canadian radar tracking - Fort Bliss 1947 set 1/2

[Jon McGrath]

Going through some of my father's photographs, I came upon these photos from about July 1947 when the RCA sent a contingent from Camp Picton, ON to Fort Bliss, TX apparently to experiment or practice radar tracking of missiles. I will be posting other photos that might be of interest. The first three of six. En route by train and at Fort Bliss or White Sands Proving Grounds, NM - not sure as the photos aren't labelled. Comments and information welcome.

[Jon McGrath]

Th photo of the V2 launch is one of a few that I have from my father's photos. I have no information on the tracked vehicle, I assume it is US.

[alamotex]

Photo on the left shows the Canadian developed MZPI sweep search radar ( aka AA radar No 4 Mk 6) It was the microwave version that succeeded the GL III (c) ZPI unit. The rotating "gate "antenna was referred to as a tuned slotted waveguide.

[alamotex]

Interesting that you have your father's photos dated 1947. I have a photocopy of a Library and Archives ( Ottawa) memorandum "Visit, Ft Bliss 17,18,July 1951 written by Lt Col J.A. Stairs which describes the trials on the Radar AA No 4 Mk 6/1. His para 2 states quote... The MZPI is performing extremely well and US officers are impressed... unquote. It was being directly compared to the US surveillance radar of the T-33 FCS, which was the forerunner of the M-33 FCS, which Canada later purchased for use with 90 mm AA guns.

[Jon McGrath]

Originally Posted by alamotex

Interesting that you have your father's photos dated 1947. I have a photocopy of a Library and Archives ( Ottawa) memorandum "Visit, Ft Bliss 17,18,July 1951 written by Lt Col J.A. Stairs which describes the trials on the Radar AA No 4 Mk 6/1. His para 2 states quote... The MZPI is performing extremely well and US officers are impressed... unquote. It was being directly compared to the US surveillance radar of the T-33 FCS, which was the forerunner of the M-33 FCS, which Canada later purchased for use with 90 mm AA guns.

I don't know about the 1951 contingent to Fort Bliss, but I know this contingent was definitely prior to 1948. There might well have been multiple testings and contingents. I'm out of town right now but, when I get home later this week, I will check a Ft. Bliss NCO club card that was issued to my dad. Jon

[Frank v R]

does the CCKW shop truck have CDN above the hood number?

[Alex van de Wetering]

Interesting pictures Jon. It´s always fascinating to see the post/war action of V2 rockets.

I have no information on the tracked vehicle, I assume it is US.

Interesting vehicle indeed. I seems to be based on Stuart bogies, tracks and sprockets, but uses 3 in stead of two bogies. The transmission cover/doors looks like M24 Chaffee.....and the overall look of the front and layout of the hatches also looks similar in design to the M24.
It almost looks like a mock-up or prototype which eventually led to the M19A1???

Alex

[Jon McGrath]

"Alamotex": I've checked my father's notes and the Fort Bliss NCO card fro his time there. It was 1946 not 1947. The contingent trained in Kingston prior to departure for Fort Bliss in March 1946, returning in September1946.

"Frank": The original photo is quite small and even with a magnifying glass, I can't make out the numbers on the hood. Interesting, the insignia / markings on the door appear to be painted over with a plain square.

"Alex": I have more photos of the V2's - on the launch pad and in flight. I can post, if you're interested, albeit those photos are not about CMP's or "post war" vehicles. As an aside, I note that you're interested in Abarths. Very cool! There are a few here in Vancouver that get displayed occasionally. I love Italian cars from the 40's to the 70's - Abarth, Lancia, Alfa, et al. As of me, no CMP's or 40's-70's Italian cars, but I do have a Ferrari 328GTS and had a Maserati 4200 Spyder GT (PM me about Italian cars, if you wish).

Jon

[maple_leaf_eh]

Originally Posted by Alex van de Wetering

...

Interesting vehicle indeed. I seems to be based on Stuart bogies, tracks and sprockets, but uses 3 in stead of two bogies. The transmission cover/doors looks like M24 Chaffee.....and the overall look of the front and layout of the hatches also looks similar in design to the M24.

It almost looks like a mock-up or prototype which eventually led to the M19A1???

Alex

I saw the same things, but without the model numbers. It is old and new technology at the same time. How about a T-65 self-propelled AA chassis, without the gun. http://ww2photo.se/tanks/usa/ligh/m5/m5.htm