The very first Air Corps (SCR-271) Radar, goes on the air
7 October, 1940

by Don Helgeson,


An SCR-271 fixed radar set. Photo from "Searching The Skies"

In response to a request by a "LTCol Davis" in April of 1937. The first SCR-271 radar (Fixed version of the SCR-270.) went to radiate on the Seventh of October, in 1940. "On its second day of operation, 8 October, the set picked up a commercial airliner flying down from Miami at a range of 118 miles and tracked it on its further flight. (Page 37, -Part III, of "Signal Corps Historical Project, A-3." Authored by another Davis, and dated November of 1945. The C&E Museum at Ft. Monmouth, has copy # of 5 copies.) The first installation at Ft. Sherman, CZ, was followed by the second on Taboga went to radiate in December, as I recall.

Sincerely, Don Helgeson, Gleaner & Scrounger