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Copyright
> RAF Bases
Interactive map
Full list of locations
on site
Alma Park
Anwick
Bardney
Barkston
Heath
Belton Park
Binbrook
Blankney Hall
Blyton
Boston Wyberton Fen
Bottesford
Bracebridge Heath
Braceby
Buckminster
Bucknall
Caistor
Cockthorne
Coleby Grange
Coningsby
Cranwell
Cuxwold
Digby
Donna Nook
Dunholme Lodge
East Halton
East Kirkby
Elsham Wolds
Faldingworth
Fiskerton
Folkingham
Freiston
Fulbeck
Gosberton
Goxhill
Grantham
Great Limber
Greenland Top
Grimsby
Grimsthorpe Park
Harlaxton
Hemswell
Hibaldstow
Holbeach
Humberston
Immingham
Ingham
Ingoldmels
Kelstern
Killingholme
Kirmington
Kirton in Lindsey
Langtoft
Leadenham
Lincoln West Common
Ludford Magna
Manby
Market Deeping
Market Stainton
Mere
Metheringham
Moorby
Morton Hall
New Holland
Nocton Hall
Normanby
North Coates
North Killingholme
North Witham
Norton Disney
Orby
Rauceby
Saltby
Sandtoft
Scampton
Scopwick
Sibsey
Skegness
Skellingthorpe
Skendleby
South Carlton
South Elkington
South Witham
Spilsby
Spitalgate
Stenigot
Strubby
Sturgate
Sutton Bridge
Swinderby
Swinstead
Theddlethorpe
Tydd St Mary
Waddington
Wainfleet
Waltham (Grimsby)
Wellingore
Wickenby
Wigsley
Winterton
Woodhall Spa
Updated: 15 Jan 12
Opened: ??
Closed: 1973
Units based here:
RAF Theddlethorpe was a bombing and gunnery range for RAF Manby with a small emergency landing ground. It was closed in the 1970s due to its proximity to a natural gas terminal. It was the scene of early 20 mm air cannon trials.
Used as an Airweapons Range in the 1970's, Theddlethorpe consisted of two large wooden structures mounting large Radar Reflecting Targets at the North and South ends of the beachfront. A retard bomb target consisting of a derelict Comet Mk IV Tank, a derelict 3 tonner laden with oil drums constituted the SNEB Rocket Target and 16x16ft scaffolding and Hessian Screens made up the 30mm Aden Gun Strafe Targets. There was a small ATC 'Tower' emplaced on the edge of the dunes to coordinate and control Air Traffic and firing sorties.
Due to the proximity of the Mablethorpe Resort, typical ordnance used on the range was restricted to 4lb Retard Bombs (fibreglass), 25 pounders, 30mm Aden and at times a civilian munitions company British Market Research (BMARCo) brought landbased mobile weaponry to demonstrate to potential customers. Some initial tests were done with the Rapier Ground to Air Missile System operated by elements of the British Army.
The Callsign was "Saltfleet Target".
The Unit was self-contained and was an admin satellite of RAF
Manby and then RAF
Binbrook, having
limited accommodation for single airmen. It
had a combined ranks mess, local Unit HQ and limited entertainment
(disco/bar) that extended to the local populace and youth. A small
MT Section and Workshops
Area existed and a limited number of Civillian Employees provided Labour,
telephone services and other duties as required. A complement of approximately
35-40 was the usual muster of military personnel and six civillians
at any one time was usual.
View some historical photographs of Theddlethorpe in 1956 in the gallery.
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