Historic California Posts, Camps, Stations and Airfields

Mission Beach Radar Site L-6

 

 

US Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District History (1991)

The Army acquired a total of 23.081 acres as follows: 13.399 acres from the City of San Diego by 8 separate leases (0.024 acres by W-04-193-ENG-3309, 0.215 acre by W-04-193-ENG-3307, 8.61 acres by W-2972-ENG-904, 0.75 acres by W-04-193-ENG-1484, 0.91 acre by W-04-193-ENG-944, 2.59 acres by W-2972-ENG-884, 0.15 acre by W-2972-ENG-1030, and 0.15 acre by W-2972-ENG-881), 0.02 acre lessor interest from the City of San Diego, 7.24 lease acres from the City of San Diego and the Ryan Aeronautical Company, and 2.422 lease acres from the Mission Bay Lands, Inc. by a directive from the Office of the Under Secretary of War dated 10 April 1942.

The site was used by the Army's Los Angeles Control Group for radar operations and as a campsite. The site was equipped with the the SCR-270, SCR-271, SCR-516 and finally SCR-588 radar sets. The site was garrisoned by the 657th and later 658th Signal Aircraft Warning Companies.

The Army cancelled the leases as follows: 7.24 acres released 31 November 1947, 0.024 acre released 6 July 1947, 0.215 acre released 14 October 1946, 2.422 acres released 3 July 1946, 8.61 released 20 September 1947, 0.75 acre released 14 December 1946, 0.91 acre released 9 July 1947, 2.59 acres released 23 February 1948, 0.15 acre released 11/6/47, 0.15 acre released 25 July 1947. The 0.02 acre permit was cancelled effective 14 September 1948. The site is currently owned by the City of San Diego. Total disposal was 23.081 acres.

 

Location coordinates: 32°44'46.44"N 117°12'12.80"W (former Ryan Airport)

 

Radar Systems at the Mission Beach Radar Site:

 

 

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	1000	5000	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.

 

 

SCR-271-D and SCR-271-E Fixed Long Wave Aircraft Warning Set

 

Description: Fixed long wave early warning aircraft detector. Azimuth and range supplied on "A" scopes. 271-D has a 100' tower; 271-E, a 50' tower.

Uses: To establish a screen of warning which gives data on aircraft as early as possible, but with a sacrifice of accuracy in range, azimuth and elevation. IFF equipment RC-151 is used.

Performance and Siting: Maximum range on a single medium bomber flying at indicated altitudes, when set is on a flat sea level site:

 

Altitude, feet	1000	5000	20,000	25,000
SCR-271-E Range, miles	20	50	100	110
SCR-271-D Range, miles	25	60	120	135

Sets should be sited so that the mean antenna height is between 100 and 1000 ft. above an unobstructed flat surface. The 100' tower should be used when it is desired to get additional low coverage, or to insure clearance above surrounding trees or other obstructions.

Transportability: Sets are packed in 106 units, weighing a total of 42,279 lbs. Largest unit is 176" x 25" x 20". Total volume is 4008 cu. fit.

Installation: Requires a weatherproof building approx. 20' x 40' for housing radar components and a building approx. 20' x 20' for housing the power units and switchboard. A 100 foot tower on concrete footings is required for an SCR-271-D and a 50-ft. tower for an SCR-271-3. Buildings and tower are built by engineers in about 3 weeks. Radar can be installed by five men in about two weeks.

Personnel: 7 men are operating crew. For 24 hour operations, about 50 men are required for radar, communication radio, and camp.

Power: 15.3 KW supplied by PE 74, 25 KVA gasoline-driven generator. Consumption is 4 gal. per hour, non-leaded standard commercial gas.

 

 

SCR-588 Long Wave Aircraft Detector and Ground Control Intercept (GCI) Set

 

 

Description: Fixed medium-range, long wave aircraft detector and GCI. Provides azimuth, range, and altitude data. Type HR and PPI scopes.

Uses: To give continuous plan position and accurate relative height of enemy plane and friendly fighter plane for GCI. Set can also be used for early warning and to give increased coverage at low angles of search. IFF equipment RC-188 is used. When operating as GCI, VHF equipment SCR-624 is required.

Performance and Siting: Maximum range on a single medium bomber flying at indicated altitudes, when set is on a flat sea level site:

 

Altitude, feet	1000	5000	20,000	25,000
Range, miles	20	50	95	105

Range of PPI limits GCI operation to about 45 miles.

When operating as GCI, set must be sited so that a flat unobstructed surface extends at least 1/4th mile in the height-finding sector. Good GCI sites are extremely rare. For early warning, sets should be sited between 100 and 1,000 feet above an unobstructed surface.

Transportability: Set is packaged for shipment in 55 units, weighing a total of 54,000 lbs. Largest unit measures 15.3' x 3.8' x 1.8'. Total shipping space is 3500 cu. ft.

Installation: Requires a weatherproof building approximately 20' x 40' for housing radar components and a building approximately 20' x 20' for power units and switchboard. A 25' tower on concrete footing is required for support of antenna. Buildings and tower can be built by Engineers in about 3 weeks. Radar can be installed by 5 men in 2 weeks.

Personnel: 8 men are operating crew. For 24-hour operation about 54 men are required to run radar, communication radio, and camp.

Power: 4 KW at 230 volts and 1 KW at 115 volts, from three PE-198 electric diesel units, supplied with set. (Two units operate simultaneously). Fuel consumption is 21/2 gals. of Diesel fuel oil per hour.

 

 

 

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Updated 8 February 2016