Evening star., 1941-06-19
u. ). Plane Detectors
Declared Superior
To Any Abroad
Britain Seeks $1,000
Americans to Man
New 'RudioIocutor'
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
The United States, already cred
tied with possessing aircraft detec-
ton apparatus superior to any in
use abroad, was invited today to
contribute volunteers to help man
Britain's similar "radio-locator" de-
vice.
The American apparatus, accord
ing to Brig. Gen. George V. Strong,
former chief of war plans, appar-
emily is far in advance of any sim
liar equipment available to any Of
the belligerents abroad" The air
craft spotting devices adopted by
the Army, members of Congress
have been told, are effective at well
over 100 miles, piercing fog and
darkness to give defending fighters
at least Is minutes warning of the
approach of hostile aircraft.
With such devices already in large
scale production, the War Depart
ment has started construction of
string of fixed and mobile warning
stations in both the United States
and defense outposts.
First deliveries were scheduled to
the Navy this summer of a new
super-sensitive apparatus to enable
ships of the feet to detect the ap-
proach of both warplanes and en-
emy surface ships even when they
are far out of sight over the horizon.
Full details of the British device,
which has played prominent role
IN diScouraging Nazi raids on Eng
land, have been turned over to the
United States long since. American
technical and military experts have
made reciprocal contributions.
Announcing the start of the Brit
ish drive to enlist "at least" 10000
skilled American civilians for a
technical corps, Air Commodore
George C. Pirie yesterday disclosed
some of the details of the weapon
against night fighters.
Congress included Sc, 1928, 900 in de-
fense funds for detectors to be in
stalled In warning stations on the
Atlantic, Gulf and Pacific Coasts,
and in Hawaii. Alaska, Puerto Rico
and the Canal Zone. Plans also
provided for five mobile Signal Corps
companies in addition. The detec-
tors cost s54,700 each.
The first OF the mobile stations
already is in operation, and received
an initial service test last January
in anti-aircraft war games in the
New York area.
On the plea of Rear Admiral
Samuel M. Robinson, chief of the
Bureau of Ships, Congress added
s20,650,000 to previous $1,000 900
appropriations to equip the Navy
with secret warning apparatus of
two types
In announcing the drive to recruit
American volunteers to make and
man the English devices, Commo-
dore Pirie said the personnel most
desired at present included radio
mechanics, skilled engine filters and
metal workers, electrical technicians,
instrument makers and repairers,
machine tool settlers and operators.
motor mechanics and engine room
repairmer.
Volunteers to Be Paid.
Such volunteers will be paid" he
said. 'in addition to free board and
lodging, at the rate of $500 a year
C$38.65 per week. for chief foremen
and at the rate Of f6 $2412} per
week for basic workers. During
short period of training required
for certain trades, workers will re-
ceive, in addition to free board and
lodging, probationary rate of
$3.50 (s2l.1D per week"
He announced that executive
Offices of the Civilian Technical
Corps, as the volunteers will be
called as group, were at Is Broad
street, New York, and that further
information and application blanks
could be obtained there.
The men will be housed and fed
with British technical workers, he
continued, and will be supplied with
distinctive blue uniform, and wear
insignia designating the corps. They
will not. he emphasized repeatedly,
be subject to combatant duty.