ATTENDEES at MRATHS latest meeting arrived to see assorted Gee navigation equipment on stage provided by the Electronics Restoration Trust. Hugh Williams opened the meeting and reported the sad loss of Bob Embleton. Hugh described the 75yrs anniversary of the Tizzard mission to engage the USA in WW2 and displayed our customary mystery pictures that received helpful comments from the audience.
Dr. Mike Diprose, Mr. Richard Hankins, and Mr. Tony Waller provided the main presentations on Gee - The Radio Signpost in the Sky. We heard about the British intent to use Bomber Command to take WW2 to the Continent and the need for night bombing. Stories of the hazards and the demoralising fact that 5 per cent got anywhere near target including one mistaking the Thames estuary for that of the Rhine! The Gee navigation system was explained alongside its development intertwined with the political and intelligence background and including a demonstration of Gee operating. David Baker continued with a description of today's Galileo system and QinetiQs involvement seeing a light bulb half-way to the moon.
Refreshments accompanied the usual fond reminiscences and discussions that followed whilst discussing the exhibits with the speakers.
For further information visit: http://mraths.org.uk/.
DAVID WHITAKER
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