History records that the Battle of Britain was won because of the bravery of the RAF pilots and the effective use of radar to direct English fighters onto the incoming Luftwaffe raids. Many believe that the radar sites along the shores of the British Islands provided that early warning. What is not generally known is the ground radar sites (specifically the transmitting stations) were bombed early in the battle and were permanently put out of action. For propaganda reasons and to prevent panic, the stations were reported as repaired and back in action immediately. What the Germans did not know was the core of the Radar system was the receiving stations which were never attacked and remained online throughout the battle. Radar transmitters for the duration of the Battle of Britain were provided by 24 specially configured Bolton Paul Defiant fighters. Proven vulnerable in early battles, the air ministry started pulling these aircraft off the front lines for second line duties. A young RAF Lieutenant, temporarily assigned to a radar station in 1939, noted coverage might be increased 100 fold or more if the transmitter was actually flying at 5-8,000 feet. Based on that idea a transmitter was configured on a Miles Magister and tested successfully. With Dozens of Defiant aircraft available it was the quickest aircraft that could be loaded out and flown as a replacement transmitter. With the turret removed, there was a perfect spot to put the electronics. The Airborne Warning And Transmitting (AWAT) Composite Squadron 412 was quickly assembled with all members sworn to secrecy. Throughout the Battle of Britain, at least 5 defiant AWAT aircraft were always airborne and transmitting radio waves for the radar receiving stations to detect.The AWAT aircraft had their engines replaced with larger Merlin engines and props to help handle the weight. Under the wings were 4 electrical generators powered by wind turbines.The rear turret was removed (and the weight saved) and replaced with transmission equipment. Antennas located on the fuselage provided 360 degree radio wave transmissions. Two fuel tanks were plumbed inboard of the landing gear and they were used to extend loiter time. The aircraft flew extended figure 8 patterns in their assigned sectors - a long boring mission but vital for Britain's defense. With black undersides and PRU Blue upper surfaces, these aircraft carried no call letters or ID except roundels and a single number on the fuselage side - 101 to 124. The operation was so vital and yet so secret, AWAT Composite Squadron 412 was never officially recognized nor does it appear on any roster. As radar technology advanced in 1940, the "chain Home" stations were replaced with newer radar and the 22 remaining AWAT Defiants (2 were lost in accidents) were quietly destroyed and with them went their secret. At a special award ceremony each of the 24 pilots received the Victoria Cross for their bravery and dedication, but were not allowed to reveal their action and the medals themselves were taken back! At the ceremony, Churchill himself said to the pilots of the 412 composite squadron - "Never was so much owed by so many to so few...". Many of the men took comfort when they heard those same words repeated at a war time speech a few days later, for they knew who Churchill really spoke of in his comments...It is also not clear if the British Government finally released this secret project in the 1970's to help the United States develop the E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft.There is only one known reference drawing of the Defiant Mk III AWAT aircraft. Even that is not 100% accurate as some models had the antenna's on the sides of the fuselage only and not all aircraft had the extra drop tanks.
No info yet as to what show this came form, but it surely deserves a place here.I am filled with more envy than is humanly possible. ( Posted by a fellow named Bob Gibson on Facebook. )
There was only one "enigma" found , correct?
1/144 steampunk Schwere Geschütz Gerät prototypeIt's a Grille by definition - self-propelled artillery.This is a prototype, there will be some alterations to the etched components later.Model scale is 1:144, but I think it could work for various gaming and diorama scales between HO and N.In the designed scale, the main gun is a 20 inch, and 2 inch cannons on the small turrets.Footprint would be size of a tennis court and I estimated it would weight between 600 and 1,000t.
Wow!!
