Hatfield area airfields

Does anybody know where the attached map came from? It appears to be dated 1940 and shows Hatfield Aerodrome, the RLG at Sandridge (Hillend Farm) and a mystery airfield "RSS Sandridge " near the radio station at Woodcock Hill. What does "RSS" stand for? Does anyone have any information on this strip? My feeling is that it may have been used by communications aircraft visiting the 'Y' station but I believe that decoded messages were usually couriered to Bletchley Park by motorcycle. Any information would be appreciated.

Looks like the map may be from here. www.ukairfieldguide.net/airfields/Sandridge

Radio Security Service (RSS)?

netcompsys wrote:

peerlessg wrote:

Does anybody know where the attached map came from? It appears to be dated 1940 and shows Hatfield Aerodrome, the RLG at Sandridge (Hillend Farm) and a mystery airfield "RSS Sandridge " near the radio station at Woodcock Hill. What does "RSS" stand for? Does anyone have any information on this strip? My feeling is that it may have been used by communications aircraft visiting the 'Y' station but I believe that decoded messages were usually couriered to Bletchley Park by motorcycle. Any information would be appreciated.

Perhaps although the alignment of Hatfields runway looks correct, the other two lines are not runways but links between the labels and the locations ?

Yes, I thought this, particularly as the Sandridge runway looks quite long and strangely aligned. Also the Hillend Farm strip is not quite in the correct position and again the alignment does not look right.

netcompsys wrote:

Looks like the site is still functioning, nice double fence with sterile area



And it looks like a plan of the H shaped building is here
ystations.webs.com/

Isn't the net amazing....

Yes, it is still active but scheduled to close within the next few years and be dispersed to other GCHQ sites.

kebecker wrote:

Looks like the map may be from here. www.ukairfieldguide.net/airfields/Sandridge

Radio Security Service (RSS)?

Thanks, yes the map can be found on Dick Flute's UK Airfields web site but I would be interested to know where it originated.

Mystery solved - there was no airfield near the radio station at Woodcock Hill, Sandridge. The lines on the map are not runways but pointers to other features, except in the case of Hatfield Aerodrome which does show the actual main runway (in a much thicker line). This explains the slightly wrong location of Hillend Farm RLG and it's incorrect runway alignment. The map, which appears on the UK Airfield Guide website has been amended accordingly. Thanks to all who responded for their helpful information.