Electronic Fitters (Ground Radar) were needed by he Royal Air Force to service, repair and maintain the complex radar and electronic systems installed at airfields and early warning radar stations. The Apprenticeship trained selected 100th Entry members to become the best.
Hundreds of hours in the classroom taught the theory of valves, magnetrons, klystrons, transistors, waveguides, tuned circuits (one over two pi root LC equals the resonant frequency - we all remember that tune!!??). Detailed circuit analysis of selected radar equipments including British TACAN was also a priority. Ground Radar apprentices were split into two trade categories: C/R [Early warning radars] and NAV [airfield radars]. The main distinction between these was the major radar equipment that they would study and be examined on:-
C/R Type 80, FPS6 Types 13 14 and 54 and Radar Office equipment [this was the kit that was used to display the signals from the various radars] Also things like the large plotting table and MARS voice recording systems
NAV Cossor CR787 and Precision approach Radar (PAR) by Plessey.
The Ground Radar guys were allocated to these classes:
C/R Class 100GC1
Charlie Browne, Tony Dennett, Pete Dobing, Hairy Ellins, Chris Ferris, Mick Glover, Pete Hope, John Lockyer, Pete MacNaught, Keith Norton, Bill Ranson, Ken Weston.
Class 100GC2
Gary Bevan, Dave Bowman, Baz Hayman, Nobby Herbert, Keir Hudson, Derek Kraft, Al Laverty, Chas Lumb, Tom McGhie, Ted Reed, Geoff Walton.
NAV Class 100GN1
Kipper Cain, Keith Davies, Bob Furzer, Roy Heslop, John Jardine, Pete Larter, Paddy Manning, John Ormiston, Mick Pattenden, Vince Thomas, Dick Thompson, Bob Tonkin, Mick Trim.
Class 100GN2
Brian Cockayne, Bob Dobbs, Geoff Ellis, Johnny Holtham, Ernie Hosking, Paul Lucas, Pony MacPherson, Mick Palfrey, John Rogerson, Roger Taylor, Stumpy Tilling, Mick Trotman.
Theoretical, practical and oral examinations determined the success of each apprentice and contributed to the final graduation marks and rank which, for most, would be Junior Technician (JT), although a handful would fall short at senior aircraftman or exceed at corporal (or JT with accelerated promotion).
Radar exams included detailed fault finding where an instructor would replace a component with a dud item and the apprentice would have to employ fault diagnostic techniques to find the problem, demonstrating a logical approach, knowledge of the equipment and electronic theory.
The end result was..........................
BASIC TRADE QUALIFICATIONS
The graduate completed a course of formal training and by passing theoretical, practical and oral examinations reached the standard of skill required to be recognised as an Electronic Fitter (Ground Radar) capable of carrying out the following tasks.......
The undertaking of routine scheduled servicing, installation, calibration, repair, replacement and adjustment of ground radar equipments.
The embodiment of modifications and repair work entailing identification and insertion of detailed parts, and the fitting of assemblies involving; filing, drilling, tapping, countersinking, wiring, soldering, crimping, stripping, sleeving, bending and sawing, using either prefabricated parts or parts which need to be made in either metal or insulating materials.
The observance of safety precautions in calibration and maintenance workshops .
The servicing, care and use of specialist calibration test equipments and hand tools.
Later, through practical experience, defect investigation within the scope of special fault finding aids and the embodiment of modifications and repair work involving more intricate parts and affecting functional performance.
