
When my log book was eventually given to me I was surprised to read, as a prologue, the following statement:-

"
Trained as a GD Pilot, Fg.Off. Senar became operational as a Fighter/Ground
attack Pilot (Vampires MK V & IX) and later as a High Level day
Interception Pilot (Sabre
Mk IV) serving on No.93 Squadron 2ATAF.
After 18 months service with his Squadron he became medically unfit for full
Aircrew duties and became Flying Wing Adjutant at Royal Air Force Jever. After 6
months he was posted to No.57 Fighter Controllers Course at Royal Air Force
Middle Wallop. On passing this course he was posted to Royal Air Force Borgentreich
No.537 Signals Unit on the 9th December 1955.
D.A. Crocker Flt.Lt.
Operations Officer
Royal Air Force
Borgentreich."

My qualifying assessment read:-

"
Throughout his training Fg.Off. Senar has shown all the keenness and aptitude
required of a Controller. His reactions are quick, his R/T procedure & practice excellent
and he has no difficulty in meeting changing situations. With
further practice he will
become an above average intercept controller."

This was signed by the Station Commander, Sqn.Ldr. Ryan.

During my qualifying period, in which I had to complete at least 100
PIs, I controlled Meteor NF11s, Venoms,
F86s, F84s, and
Hunters. Control heights varied from 18,000 to 40,000 feet. The longest recorded time during which I had fighters
under my control was 48 minutes, the shortest was just 8 minutes.
On qualifying I was transferred to 'B' Flight.


A vehicle mounted centimetric
Type 14 upper radar.
This has a parabolic reflector as opposed to

the regularly curved reflector of a
Type 14 lower.
(The photo was taken at the RAF Air Defence

Radar Museum at Neatishead.)
171