Aircraft detection before radar, 1917-1940
Title : Aircraft detection before radar, 1917-1940
Link : Aircraft detection before radar, 1917-1940
As World War II neared, radar began to become a credible alternative to the sound location of aircraft. Britain never publicly admitted it was using radar until well into the war, and instead publicity was given to acoustic location, as in the USA. It has been suggested that the Germans remained wary of the possibility of acoustic location, and this is why the engines of their heavy bombers were run unsynchronized, instead of synchronized (as was the usual practice, to reduce vibration) in the hope that this would make detection more difficult.
For typical aircraft speeds of that time, sound location only gave a few minutes of warning. The acoustic location stations were left in operation as a backup to radar, as exemplified during the Battle of Britain. After World War II, sound ranging played no further role in anti-aircraft operations.
German sound location, 1917. The photograph shows a junior officer and a soldier from an unidentified Feldartillerie regiment wearing combined acoustic/optical locating apparatus. The small-aperture goggles were apparently set so that when the sound was located by turning the head, the aircraft would be visible.
For typical aircraft speeds of that time, sound location only gave a few minutes of warning. The acoustic location stations were left in operation as a backup to radar, as exemplified during the Battle of Britain. After World War II, sound ranging played no further role in anti-aircraft operations.
German sound location, 1917. The photograph shows a junior officer and a soldier from an unidentified Feldartillerie regiment wearing combined acoustic/optical locating apparatus. The small-aperture goggles were apparently set so that when the sound was located by turning the head, the aircraft would be visible.
The Dutch personal parabola, 1930s. This personal sound locator consists of two parabolic sections, presumably made from aluminium for lightness. They are mounted a fixed distance apart, but the size of the human head varies somewhat. To accommodate this, it appears that the instrument is fitted with inflatable ear-pads. According to a report dated 1935, this device was put into at least limited production.
Dutch personal horns: 1930s. This design no doubt had more gain, thanks to its greater area. It swivelled on the post behind the operator. On the right, a later version of the design on the left. Note the extra cross-bracing added at the top of the horns. There are two counter-weights sticking out towards the rear. Rubber rings cushioned the operator’s ears.
A Czech locator, 1920s. Scoop-shaped reflectors direct the sound into large-diameter tubes. Manufactured by Goerz. When tested at the Dutch military research station at Waalsdorp it was found it “contained fundamental deficiencies”.
Perrin acoustic locator on trial in France. 1930s. This machine was designed by French Nobel prizewinner Jean-Baptiste Perrin. Each of the four assemblies carries 36 small hexagonal horns, arranged in six groups of six. Presumably this arrangement was intended to increase the gain or directionality of the instrument.
German acoustic locator in use. This device was based on the researches of Erich von Hornbostel. With Max Wertheimer, he developed in 1915 a directional listening device that they referred to as the Wertbostel. This device seems to have had some success as they were still discussing licence fees with manufacturers as late as 1934.
Three Japanese acoustic locators, colloquially known as “war tubas”, mounted on four-wheel carriages, being inspected by Emperor Hirohito.
Japanese soldiers demonstrate the use of a “war tuba”. 1932.
An early radar system in operation at an aerodrome in the south of England. 1930s.
Dutch personal horns: 1930s. This design no doubt had more gain, thanks to its greater area. It swivelled on the post behind the operator. On the right, a later version of the design on the left. Note the extra cross-bracing added at the top of the horns. There are two counter-weights sticking out towards the rear. Rubber rings cushioned the operator’s ears.
A Czech locator, 1920s. Scoop-shaped reflectors direct the sound into large-diameter tubes. Manufactured by Goerz. When tested at the Dutch military research station at Waalsdorp it was found it “contained fundamental deficiencies”.
Perrin acoustic locator on trial in France. 1930s. This machine was designed by French Nobel prizewinner Jean-Baptiste Perrin. Each of the four assemblies carries 36 small hexagonal horns, arranged in six groups of six. Presumably this arrangement was intended to increase the gain or directionality of the instrument.
German acoustic locator in use. This device was based on the researches of Erich von Hornbostel. With Max Wertheimer, he developed in 1915 a directional listening device that they referred to as the Wertbostel. This device seems to have had some success as they were still discussing licence fees with manufacturers as late as 1934.
Three Japanese acoustic locators, colloquially known as “war tubas”, mounted on four-wheel carriages, being inspected by Emperor Hirohito.
Japanese soldiers demonstrate the use of a “war tuba”. 1932.
An early radar system in operation at an aerodrome in the south of England. 1930s.
German acoustic locator in use. This device was based on the researches of Erich von Hornbostel. With Max Wertheimer, he developed in 1915 a directional listening device that they referred to as the Wertbostel. This device seems to have had some success as they were still discussing licence fees with manufacturers as late as 1934.
Three Japanese acoustic locators, colloquially known as “war tubas”, mounted on four-wheel carriages, being inspected by Emperor Hirohito.
Japanese soldiers demonstrate the use of a “war tuba”. 1932.
An early radar system in operation at an aerodrome in the south of England. 1930s.
A pair of enormous amplifiers used by the U.S. Naval Air Service for locating and contacting aeroplanes by day and night. 1925.
A four-horn acoustic locator again, in England, 1930s. There are three operators, two with stethoscopes linked to pairs of horns for stereo listening.
Sound location equipment in Germany, 1939. It consists of four acoustic horns, a horizontal pair and a vertical pair, connected by rubber tubes to stethoscope type earphones worn by the two technicians left and right. The stereo earphones enabled one technician to determine the direction and the other the elevation of the aircraft.
The acoustic locator could detect targets at distances from 5 to 12 km, depending on weather conditions, operator skill, and the size of the target formation. It gave a directional accuracy of
about 2 degrees.
Swedish soldiers operating an acoustic locator in 1940.
Aircraft detection before radar, 1917-1940
Enough news articles Aircraft detection before radar, 1917-1940 this time, hopefully can benefit for you all. Well, see you in other article postings.
Aircraft detection before radar, 1917-1940
You are now reading the article Aircraft detection before radar, 1917-1940 with the link address https://randomfindtruth.blogspot.com/2017/12/aircraft-detection-before-radar-1917.html
Related Posts :
Bill Cosby found guilty on all charges in Andrea Constand sex assault retrial- Uncle and cousin of career criminal stabbed to death in botched Hither Green burglary are jailed for swindling a sick homeowner out of £6,000 after falsely claiming his loft was infested with maggots and rats
- The House Intelligence Committee Just Released Its Report On The Russia Investigation. Read It Here.
- 18 Really Fucking Funny Signs That Will Make You Crack Up Laughing
- A bromance blossoms as Kim and Moon hold hands during historic meeting and even listen to K-pop together at the end of an incredible day as they vow 'there will be no more war'
