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el cid again -> RE: Any reason for radar facing Left and right? (4/12/2016 8:09:45 PM)
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In the case of historical German ships, such as Bismarck and Prinz Eugen,
the radar really did face "forward" and "aft." Because the forward radar
on Bismarck was up, and the forward radar on the Prinz was down, when
they sailed into their famous battle with Prince of Wales they were in
reverse order from normal - with Bismarck in lead - so they had forward
radar warning. Because the ships look almost identical, this was misunderstood
by the British, and both battleships fired on the Prince, while none were aiming
at the Bismarck herself. Anyway - sometimes radars do have "facings".
I often face fire control radars later in the war when they could not work in
all directions from their location. Also, some Japanese ships late in the
war had two large air search radars - only one (usually forward) could face
"all sides" - the after (lower)one needs to be facing "aft" - which also
covers the sides but not forward - because the forward mast and superstructure
prevents it seeing forward. This same effect sometimes applies to Allied
ships. FYI I served as a radar technician in USN and have some sense of
how radar antennas can "see" in various directions. Many are indeed NOT able
to see "all sides" because of where they are mounted.
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