Strange Structure needs Identifying...

Decided to post this message in General Airfield Discussion because I feel that this structure might have featured on other sites.

I’m trying to ID a structure (non-building) located North of Hangar One and West of Hangar Four at RAF Driffield on the airfield. I remember the structure (seen in the mid 1970s) as being made from concrete and fenced off (permanent security fence – not temporary post-use fencing). Not sure if the structure was once part of the Thor Missile site, though it was the other wide of main runway. Check out: www.driffieldaerodrome.co.uk/his ... ffield.jpg

No photographs – trying to recall what the structure looked like from memory – possibly just a concrete column – perhaps for a radar – but why so close to the hangars? Why the security fence?

Any suggestions?

Best Wishes

Phil Rhodes

From your description of the location it would appear to have been within the THOR site area in which case it may have been the Theodolite Pillar which was a vertical square section concrete column with a square 'table' on top.

the photograph is very interesting, there would appear be launch equipment in place, cant see any missles; the runways are marked not for use but there is what I think is a globemaster in front of the hangers, Driffield was the airhead for the Squadrons in this part of Yorkshire. I would hazard a guess but this shot was taken before or during deployment of Thors at Driffield since once deployed the runway(s) would have been made sterile.

This is the second image of this type we have available here, the other being Carnaby. the question is are there any others?

The photograph was taken in May 1960 when the site was already home to three Thor Missiles, one of which might be visible coming out of Hangar 2. The Theodolite Pillar sounds interesting. Does anyone have a photograph? The Theodolite Pillar at Driffield was positioned far from the fenced-off Thor site and was near the hangars.

Phillip wrote:

The Theodolite Pillar sounds interesting. Does anyone have a photograph?

Try this

Graham

OK! A vertical round section concrete column with a 'square' table on top!