Any Radar Tech's out there

or to any one in the know!

Does this look like a Precision Approach Radar (PAR) as used in the 80's. I've only found 2 photos to go from for a flight simulator model and they both don't show the full radar. From what I can find and what little bits of info I've been told the PAR rotates 180 on a track for whichever runway is in use.

I don't have a picture of a full one so there has been a bit of guess work involved. If anyone knows if it looks right or wrong please let me know.



I think the picture of REF's below at RAF Watton is one of the tracks and turntable and is what the PAR would have stood on.



Stevo

Having looked at the picture of your PAR only thing that looks wrong to me is the ladder to the top of the installation. I can remember ever seeing ladders to the top of the PAR, someone will no doubt say Im wrong but I cant ever recall seeing them.

Thanks Canberra.

The picture I was using for reference was the top half of a PAR which had the top ladder in the place I've put it, it seems to be there to access a set of double red collision lights which I haven't added to the model yet, so it could have be a later addition if you don't remember it like that.

cheers

stevo

The ladders on Stevo's model seems to have had an attack of 'elf & safety. I bet that when these PAR installations were made they never had those namby-pamby guards on the top of the ladders. In those days ground radar techies took the hazards of working at height in their stride! I'm sure that in more recent years the ladders were modified like that - wonder if all that steelwork affected how the radar worked?

Also Ive just remebered that in the early to mid eighties you could tell which runway was in use at the PAR was painted white at the front. When the RAF went tonedown crazy these were painted over, and yes of course there was a red obstruction light. Mind you even though I was ATC branch I only ever worked in three towers, and never had the delight of area radar so in a way Im not perhaps the right man to ask!!!!

Stevo,

Just been pointed to this thread by Forestfan2, there were no steps on front of cabin, it was purely an escape route in event of fire blocking exit to main door.

Also dont remember the fronts being painted white on the CR62 or the Par 3C.

Pete

Looking at your model it particularly represents the CR62. St Mawgan's was fitted in 1984/5 time. The CR62 would turn on a central pivot, whereas your model shows a CR62 sitting on the older turntable type of it's predecessor. I can't quite remember the ladders and how they appeared and where they were positioned, but I'm sure they were guarded by the rails as in your model. I do remember a pair of red obstruction lights on the top.