RADAR Chain

Discover the secret WW2 radar sites around the UK coastline and see how the world's first operational radar station at Bawdsey in Suffolk has been restored.

The RADAR Chain app provides a unique oversight of the development of RADAR in the UK during the period 1936 onwards. With war imminent, the development genius of Robert Watson Watt and Arnold Wilkins experimented with the visionary concept of detecting aircraft by the reflection of radio waves. Following successful trials at Bawdsey on the Suffolk coast, a chain of RADAR sites (Chain Home) was built around the UK.

This app shows all of the early sites and provides a satellite view of each location as it exists today plus details and photographs from those early years. The development of RADAR is explained together with full details of Bawdsey where so much of the early work was carried out and where today the Bawdsey Experience provides visitors with a truly memorable day out.

RAF fighter airfields active during the Battle of Britain are also shown with brief details of their role and operational dates.