Historic California Posts, Camps,
Stations and Airfields
Manhattan Beach Radar Site B-38
History
Tthis site was an Army Air Forces air
defense radar site was located on Mathattan Beach Boulvard in
the City of Manhattan Beach, Los Angeles County (33°53'5.47"N
118°24'36.41"W). The site was a replacement for
Santa Rosa Island Radar Site B-9. Assigned to the Los Angeles
Control Group, the 654th Signal Aircraft Warning Company operated
the radar systems identifield below:
Radar at
Manhattan Beach Radar Site B-38
SCR-270-D Mobile Long Wave
Aircraft Warning Set
Description:
Six-vehicle mobile, long wave early warning aircraft detector.
Azimuth and range supplied. Set is equipped with "A"
scope.
Uses:
To establish a screen of warning which provides information of
approaching aircraft as early as possible but with a sacrifice
of accuracy in range, azimuth and elevation. IFF equipment RC-150
is used.
Performance and Siting: Maximum range on a single bomber flying at indicated
heights, when set is on a flat sea level site:
Altitude,
feet
1,000
5,000
20,000
25,000
Range,
miles
20
50
100
110
Set should be sited at a height
between 100' and 1000' above an unobstructed reflecting surface.
Transportability:
Complete set is carried in 6 vehicles, the largest of which measures
30'4" x 9'10" x 8'. Total weight of shipment is 101,790
lbs; total volume 11,485 cu. ft.
Installation:
Operates from trucks in which mounted. Can be placed in operation
about 6 hours after arrival at site.
Personnel: Seven
men comprise operating crew. For 24 hour operation about 50 men
are required to run radar, communication radio, and camp.
Power: 15.3
KW, supplied by PE-74, 25 KVA gasoline-driven generator, having
fixed consumption of 4 gal. per hour, non-leaded gasoline.
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