Radar Type 272

This page is a List of World War II British naval radar.

These sets were initially numbered as wireless telegraph (w/t) sets, but a distinguishing prefix of "2" was soon added. Metric sets were numbered in the 28x and 29x series. When centimetric sets arrived with the advent of the cavity magnetron, they were numbered by subtracting 10 from the metric type number they were based on (e.g. the metric Type 284 was replaced by the centimetric Type 274). This was not always possible however, as Types 271 - 274 were already in use for original centimetric sets, thus some metric sets in the Type 28x range had 20 subtracted (e.g. the metric Type 282 was replaced by the centimetric Type 262). Aerial outfits were given a three letter identifier that began with "A".

Suffixing letters indicated the following;

The first successful Air to Surface Vessel (ASV) radar. ASV II radar allowed RN Swordfish from the carriers Victorious and Ark Royal to locate and attack the German battleship Bismarck in May 1941.

The first successful airborne microwave radar. This radar was used on both the Swordfish and Barracuda aircraft. High resolution centimetric radar could detect even small objects, such as the periscope or snorkel of a submerged submarine, making it a highly efficient tool for ASW. The Mk XI was a further development exclusively for the Fleet Air Arm.

Based on the Type 79 w/t, first fitted to Sheffield then Rodney and later Curlew; (40 sets ordered)

Fore-runner to Type 286.

Centimetric fire-control set for 40 mm Bofors weapons. Fitted to Close Range Blind Fire (CRBF) director and STAAG weapon mount. Dish antenna spun off-centre at high speed to produce scanning cone, target lock and blind fire possible.

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