The Microwave Fuze Project
In 1951(?) it was decided by DND to develop an air-to-air missile (subsequently called Velvet Glove) for the CF 105 (the Avro Arrow). The responsibility for development, as far as DRB was concerned, was given to CARDE with the responsibility for the fuzing system given to DRTE. (Photos of the Velvet Glove can be found here).
Irvine Paghis was in charge of the project, with Frank Smith, John Matthies, Des Gibson, and Don Page as early members of the group, with Smith and Matthies spending some six months at Quebec in connection with the project. Roy Dohoo joined the group on his arrival from England in 1952. In the early days, we knew nothing of the design of fuzes, or even of the problems of fuzing; but with help from the UK and the USA progress was rapid. Early in the project, Canadian Westinghouse was chosen as contractor and close contact was maintained with the company, largely through Jack Humbert.
Those who worked on Montreal Road in those days will remember the enormous amount of waveguide strung round the corridors and the efforts of Al Stapley to fabricate waveguide bends in the "Dog House" behind our building. (They may also remember the jurisdictional dispute as to who could do such plumbing.)
In 1954, we began to carry out fuzing trials over the Great Lakes. It was at this time that Irvine Paghis left the project and Roy Dohoo took over as project leader (Irvine Paghis was there for the first and successful trial). These trials continued into 1955 and showed that the fuze operated successfully when fired against the water surface as a target.
In this year it was decided to transfer to CARDE the responsibility for the fuze development. Shortly afterwards, with the cancellation of the Arrow project, the development of the missile was abandoned
The continuing effect in industry was the establishment of Varian Associates of Canada Ltd. The company was set up to manufacture the transmitting tube for the fuze Although this particular demand was short- lived, the company continues to operate in Georgetown, Ont.
Roy Dohoo, with notes in italics by Irvine Paghis, 1973.
The following timeline was provided by Frank Smith, 1973:
| 1951 (Aug.?) |
- DRTE -CARDE Agreement for DRTE to design and develop a microwave fuze for the Velvet Glove Air-to-Air Missile. - DRTE Microwave Fuze Section formed. Section Leader - Dr. I. Paghis. |
| Nov. 1951 |
- J. Matthies, D. Henderson and F.E. Smith on loan to CARDE to obtain background information on the Velvet Glove Missile. |
| Feb. 1952 |
- Background research on modulation systems for fuzing systems. |
| June 1952 |
- First basic range system breadboarded and used to check the expected theoretical results for various modulation schemes. |
| Nov. 1952 |
- R.M. Dohoo joins group, (Deputy Section Leader) |
| Jan. 1953 |
- Engineering development for various portions of the fuze assigned to members of the section. a) Firing Circuitry - R.M. Dohoo. b) Servo Amplifier, Timing Circuitry using Radar Guidance Data and Telemetry - D. Gibson. c) Antennas - NRC and Canadian Westinghouse. d) Modulator, R.F. Power Supply - D. Page e) Microwave Circuitry - J. Matthies. f) Receiver Circuitry - D, Page. h) Laboratory Testing Facility - F.E. Smith. i) DRTE Project Officer with Canadian Industry (Canadian Westinghouse, Hamilton, Ont.) - F.E. Smith. |
| June 1953 |
- First printed circuits and potted compound circuit boards produced in DRTE (F. Simpson's Group) |
| Aug. 1953 |
- First printed circuitry received from Canadian industry. |
| Jan 1954 |
- Prototype of Model 10A/1 microwave fuze received and tested at DRTE. |
| March 1954 |
- Manual of detailed test methods and procedures for the Model 10A/1 Fuze produced by DRTE. |
| 1954 |
- Page departs for Imperial College. |
| Jan. 1955 |
- Specifications for Model 10A/2 Fuze produced. |
| March 1955 |
- Model 10A/2 Fuzes delivered to DRTE. |
| June (?) 1955 |
- DRTE begins to brief CARDE group on the Velvet Glove Fuze. |
| Aug.(?) 1955 |
- Fuze development at DRTE considered completed and responsibility for the Velvet Glove Fuze transferred to the CARDE Group. - Most members of the DRTE Fuze Section commence Radio Warfare Work |
