Cossor Radar: The First 50 Years

In 1951 the success of Orange Putter led to a contract to develop "Red Garter," a higher performance tail warning radar intended for installation in the new generation of V-bombers then beginning flight trials. The story of Red Garter is not a happy one, however, for after the prototype had been built and tested on the ground the government decided to cancel the project. In parallel with Orange Putter Cossor developed the Mark III version of GEE, which entered service in 1952 and employed the latest types of miniaturised valve then in use. This version of the navigation aid was fitted with a clever system of control switching which simplified and speeded the process of taking a "fix". The receiver formed part of the equipment of several combat aircraft which served in the Royal Air Force during the 1950s and 1960s: the night fighter versions of the Meteor, Vampire and Venom; the Jave- lin; the Valiant, Vulcan and Victor V-bombers; and the Beverley transport. During the 1950s the A...