Radome partly dismantled

[Aircraftpaulcornwall]

Hi bouncyt,
Many thanks for the photo mate - top marks!!
I am not sure, but it is possible that this could be the rainfall radar for the Met. Office which is currently situated at Predannack??!! --Paul

[Aircraftpaulcornwall]

Hi bouncyt,
Yes, many thanks mate, - I seem to remember, that, in the mists of time, the Met. Office said that they were going to install a rainfall radar at Predannack,
- (the previous one was at Camborne (Kehelland) CRDF/Upper Air station) - if this is the case, then, this indeed may be the radar concerned!!
Whoa!! - Nothing to do with Culdrose approach (or indeed, their precision approach radars)!!! --Paul

[Aircraftpaulcornwall]

Hi bouncyt,
Yep, that's very similar to the one mate!! - Perhaps nothing really to do with CU after all!! However, if I was to introduce a thread, and I thought that this was related to Culdrose, (and not anything else), then I would definitely add this one as a matter of interest!! --Paul

[POL]

Nothing to do with PAR, which generally look something like this (note the two radars that rotate on different axis)

[EGDR]

I distinctly remember my brother refer to it as the radar for aircraft, when he told his kids, while he was in the Navy. Of course he might be mistaken.

Off to the side, does anyone know when it was built?

[Malfatron Malkovic]

The Radar in question does belong to Culdrose, it's a Watchman(allows ATC to detect and guide aircraft). The 'Golfball' has been removed because its (the Golfball's) protective coating has deteriorated over the years, the radar will remain as it is (without the golfball) for quite some time.

A complete non-story really though!

[buzzer]

There.. that puts that one to bed..!! thanks Malf
But on a different subject, I noted them doing work on the runway crash barrier the other day..looks like the nets been changed from a dark colour to a.... well even darker colour??!!!
Do we need to have a discussion on that to???

P.s. before anyone takes this to heart..it's all ment as light hearted humor!!!

[Victor5]

The Radar in question does belong to Culdrose, it's a Watchman(allows ATC to detect and guide aircraft). The 'Golfball' has been removed because its (the Golfball's) protective coating has deteriorated over the years, the radar will remain as it is (without the golfball) for quite some time.

Another question I wonder why the one at Culdrose is covered while the Watchman Radar that was really exposed to the elements at RAF St Mawgan wasn't similarly protected?

[POL]

Are you sure it's a Watchman? I thought they looked more like this (if you ignore the colour, it's not solid like the one at Culdrose)

[Malfatron Malkovic]

I can assure you, sonny, that the radar that is subject to this topic is a Watchman.

[bertieb]

What I take from all of the discussion above, and on some other threads under "Culdrose", is that there is a community of spotters in this locality who first and foremost want to see aircraft. Unfortunately, these days military aircraft are fewer and farther between rendering the hobby more frustrating (not seeing as much or indeed the variety) and challenging (in having to go further afield to see stuff). I remember being in C block at Helston School in the 70's and seeing 4 Lightnings roar through; being out on the football field and watching an overflight of a pair of Phantoms, 1 RN and 1 USN; and doing my Saturday/holiday milk-round job and seeing a load of ANG Thunderchiefs returning to America with accompanying tankers - I knew what they were because Chris (Chief Spotter) told me so! As Bob Hoskins used to say, "it's good to talk" in a communal sense, it's just a shame there hasn't been more aircraft of late to talk about. I work away from Helston and appreciate comments regarding what has been/is around, thereby catching some things I otherwise would have missed. Having also been away for a couple of weeks in September, it comes over that there has not been much in the way of visiting aircraft at Culdrose. When/what was the last visitor of any note? Also, I see from other airfields in the "Spotters Area" that a thread is created to log visitors/activity each month - I would suggest this would be good practice for "Culdrose" so that those who want to specifically focus on planes and serials know exactly where to go.

[Aircraftpaulcornwall]

Hi bertieb,
I must say that I agree entirely with all that you have written in your post.
It seems that long gone are the days when we were able to see all sorts of everything in the way of mil. aircraft/helos traversing the Cornish skies - as far as I personally am concerned, the best days were in the 60's & the 70's when you used to see a varied mixture both R.N. and R.A.F. & an occasional tankerage at high level too!
Today has been just the same - one Merlin going over in the early afternoon and that was the lot!!
If you are lucky, you may see an odd Hawk or two around 9A.M. weekdays, (sometimes also in the afternoon giving good flying conditions), an occasional 'Bagger' Sea King or a SAR Sea King and if you are really lucky, an Avenger or a Falcon.
The days of constant military movements seem to be very much a thing of the past, and I agree also, the 'spotters area' idea is a good one.
Meanwhile, whilst it is very quiet, an odd lateral discussion or two on all things aircraft/aerodrome wise doesn't really go too amiss!! --Paul

[Aircraftpaulcornwall]

Hi Buz41,
Very many thanks for all of the information, much appreciated - it is interesting to note how much flying you see in the Helston area in general as opposed to around here! It is a real shame that there does not to be so much flying activity around as years ago - the spotters must have real problems seeing anything much in the way of visitors to CU nowadays - however, I do keep a good look out for any new reports of any interesting aerial activity!! You never know when one is going to come across this way!!

Hi rig_pig also, - yes, thank you for your views too. Maybe some other good 'discussions' will ensue!! --Paul