The Bright Display system presented a fused, scan-converted (or 'television')
picture comprising basic radar returns and a map which allowed the controllers
to relate the position of an aircraft's return to various ground features. This
photo shows a typical Melbourne Approach display (the yellow text has been added
giving the names of Melbourne's major airports as a reference).
This photograph dates from the 1970s after the addition of a basic SSR function. Aircraft without a transponder are shown as a series of simple 'slash' marks (e.g. the returns to the south of Moorabbin). The brightest slash was the aircraft's present position and the fading slashes represented previous positions - the length and direction of the 'trail' indicating the speed and direction of the aircraft's travel.
The target symbols shown as circles and squares are IFR aircraft squawking a non-discrete code. Discrete codes were not usable in this system. Note the lack of labels attached to the tracks.
The graticle at the outer edge of the screen is a compass rose referenced to magnetic north.
(Photo: CAHS collection)
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