MAPS AND RADAR [Main Title]

Film demonstrating a method of combining radar patterns with special Ordnance Survey maps.

The benefits of using radar with moving map images have already been established, as has the importance of the quality and detail of maps used. Work is carried out to adapt ordinary Ordnance Survey maps to emphasise features which are detectable by radar, such as hills, rivers, power lines and airfields. Superfluous information such as the names of towns and villages is omitted, and the contours of the land are highlighted. Most of the work is done by hand. A completed adapted map is shown alongside an ordinary Ordnance Survey map of the same area, and the modifications are clear to see. A sortie is made over the South Wales Coast and Bristol Channel in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the specially adapted map. The Plan Position Indicator (PPI) signals are recorded during the flight, and are then combined with a moving map display to demonstrate the improvements which result from a combined display.

16mm