The number of destroyers reported under PPI control appears larger than the number officially fitted with compatible radar. PPI needed a rotating fixed-frequency radar, a fit some of those ships were not supposed to have. Shipboard engineers adapted existing sets by substituting components and obtaining spare parts from other crews. These conversions lacked the finish expected from specialist dockyard technicians. The preference was for an immediate imperfect capability over waiting for a complete installation during a later refit. The stated 80 or 90 percent performance illustrates that tradeoff, without supplying measured trials. The account of Ushant connects this improvisation with the destroyers' ability to fight effectively at night.
Notable Point · 1:57:28-1:59:21
Destroyer crews modified radar rather than wait for refits
Naval technicians adapted existing sets to work with PPI displays, accepting an imperfect immediate capability instead of waiting for new radar installations.