90th Anniversary of Daventry Experiment

On 26 February 2025, the 90th anniversary of the Daventry Experiment will be commemorated, marking a pivotal moment in the development of British radar technology. In 1935, scientists Robert Watson-Watt and Arnold Wilkins conducted a ground-breaking test near Daventry, demonstrating that radio waves could detect aircraft, laying the foundation for radar systems that would later prove crucial during World War II, in particular the Chain Home network that was in use during the Battle of Britain.

To honour this milestone, the Bawdsey Radar Museum in Suffolk will be hosting a special amateur radio station, GB2BRS (Bawdsey Radar Station), in the hope of linking up with similar radar related establishments around the UK. It is hoped to contact GB9ORE (Radar Experiment) near Daventry and GB9OCH (Chain Home) operated by Chelmsford ARS at Great Baddow in Essex, where one of the original Chain Home masts is still standing.

The 90th anniversary celebrations underscore the enduring legacy of the Daventry Experiment, highlighting its critical role in the evolution of radar technology and its lasting impact on both military strategy and civilian applications.

Unfortunately, the museum will not be open to the public for this event.