HMS Tuna on June 28, 1943, was involved in trials off the Outer Hebrides. I understand these were to do with the testing of MAD, the magnetic airborne detector. The aircraft involved was Catalina FP258G belonging to the Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment. Can anyone confirm that HMS Tuna was the submarine involved?
Dates don't quite match and by no means conclusive but from U-Boat.net: 23 Jun 1943 HMS Tuna (Lt. D.S.R. Martin, DSO, RN) departed from Holy Loch for exercises with aircraft off the west coast of Scotland. She was escorted by HMS Ambuscade (Lt.Cdr. D.E. Mansfield, RN) and HMS Kingfisher (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) G.H. Gandy, RN). 28 Jun 1943 HMS Tuna (Lt. D.S.R. Martin, DSO, RN) returns to Holy Loch. More information might be available in ADM 173/18309 Log of HM S/M Tuna June 1943 or AIR 20/1155 Anti-submarine warfare: trials of magnetic airborne detectors and magnetic airborne bomb sights Oct 1942-Aug 1943. Tim
I concur with you Mike, however the title of AIR 20/1155 is definitely Magnetic Airborne Detection. I suspect a name change along the way. Tim
Robin I assume you laready have these?? Magnetic Airborne Detection against U-Boats | The National Archives Reference: AIR 15/452 Description: Magnetic Airborne Detection against U-Boats Date: 1944 Aug - 1945 July Held by: The National Archives, Kew Former reference in its original department: AHB Reference and Coastal Command Reference S17091 Legal status: Public Record(s) Closure status: Open Document, Open Description M.A.D. (Magnetic Airborne Detection) equipment: operational use | The National Archives Reference: AIR 20/1276 Description: M.A.D. (Magnetic Airborne Detection) equipment: operational use Date: 1945 Jan.-July Held by: The National Archives, Kew Former reference in its original department: IIK/85/105 Legal status: Public Record(s) Closure status: Open Document, Open Description I realise they are not 1943 but the reports may note findings from earlier experiments TD
More fuel to the fire, thanks, so that also means files below might come into play, if not already acquired SHIPS AND SHIPPING: General (Code B, 73/1): Detection of U-boats: Magnetic Anomaly... | The National Archives Reference: AIR 2/8580 Description: SHIPS AND SHIPPING: General (Code B, 73/1): Detection of U-boats: Magnetic Anomaly Detector equipment Date: 1943-1944 Held by: The National Archives, Kew Former reference in its original department: C92853/57 Legal status: Public Record(s) Closure status: Open Document, Open Description U.S. magnetic anomaly detector Mk IVB2 for submarine detection | The National Archives Reference: AVIA 6/12607 Description: U.S. magnetic anomaly detector Mk IVB2 for submarine detection Date: 1943 Held by: The National Archives, Kew Former reference in its original department: TN Inst 745 Legal status: Public Record(s) Closure status: Open Document, Open Description TD
MAD was initially known as Magnetic Airborne Detector, then known as magnetic anomaly detector. I note from the feedback that Tuna was involved in exercises with aircraft off the west coast of Scotland between June 23/28 1943, which are the dates I have for the MAD trials conducted by MAEE some hundred and fifty miles west off the Outer Hebrides. I think too that Tuna was testing radar and after the exercise was surveyed at Rosneath on its magnetic condition.. A Cat (Catalina FP258/G) hunting a tin fish of Tuna.
