Study: A Radar Operator at a Planned Position Indication Tube by Walter Thomas Monnington, pastel on paper

In this study for a watercolour (Imperial War Museums collection), Thomas Monnington depicts radar operators charting the position of enemy aircraft on a cathode ray tube (CRT).

Monnington was an untypical Official War Artist who had experienced over 600 airborne hours before he was commissioned through the War Artists’ Advisory Committee in 1943. The Air Ministry considered his experience and knowledge of RAF stations to be a 'great asset', describing him as 'the type of person who will get on well with RAF personnel wherever he goes.' Besides painting authentic aerial perspectives, Monnington also produced radar-themed works. Displaying signals received, CRTs measured the bearings of enemy aircraft relative to the radar station, calculating positions for Fighter Command’s intervention. Purchased in 1993. Artist copyright: the artist's estate. Image copyright: RAF Museum.