Avro Rota Mk I

The Avro Rota played an important role in the Dowding System during the Battle of Britain, being used to calibrate radar stations.

The Rota was an autogiro based on a design by Juan de la Cierva. The RAF tried using it as an experimental airborne observation post, but it would have been vulnerable to anti-aircraft fire. It was found to be ideal, however, for calibrating Chain Home radar receivers, and remained in use throughout the Second World War.