2014

TF9543 : The Peddars Way past the Whirlygig

taken 10 years ago, near to Stiffkey, Norfolk, England

The Peddars Way past the Whirlygig
The Peddars Way past the Whirlygig
The metalled path seen in the foreground is part of the circular track surrounding the "whirlygig".
The Stiffkey "Whirlygig"

Beside the Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path between Stiffkey and Warham, leading along the Warham salt marshes, there is an overgrown circular area which measures 91.5 metres (300 feet) in diameter and is surrounded by a metalled track. At its centre there is a metal pole, known locally as "The Whirlygig". This was a Cold War rotary launcher installed in the early 1950s by the USAAF and used to launch RCATs (Radio Controlled Aircraft Targets) for the practice firing of anti-aircraft guns. Examples are known from the United States but this may well be the only one known and extant in the UK.

The aircraft used was a Radioplane 19, a monoplane with a wing span of almost 12 feet (3.60 metres), of metal/wood construction, weighing about 145 kilograms, and capable of flying at more than 200 miles per hour. It was fitted with a 4-cylinder 2-stroke engine of about 72 horsepower, a radio receiver and control system and basic flying controls. It had no undercarriage or wheels and therefore had to be catapult-launched and returned to earth by parachute when the fuel was used up or it was shot down. Almost 50 000 RP19 aircraft were built in 20 years from 1945 onwards. (Source: Fred Butcher, 2006; NHER Number 12747)


Creative Commons Licence [Some Rights Reserved]   © Copyright Evelyn Simak and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
Geographical Context: Derelict, Disused Defence, Military
This photo is linked from: Automatic Clusters: · Peddars Way [11] · Circular Track [4] · Seen [3] · Peddars Way Past [2] ·
1:50,000 Modern Day Landranger(TM) Map © Crown Copyright
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1:50,000 Modern Day Landranger(TM) Map © Crown Copyright
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TF9543, 75 images   (more nearby 🔍)
Photographer
Evelyn Simak   (more nearby)
Date Taken
Wednesday, 23 April, 2014   (more nearby)
Submitted
Wednesday, 23 April, 2014
Subject Location
OSGB36: geotagged! TF 9563 4382 [10m precision]
WGS84: 52:57.3640N 0:54.6542E
Camera Location
OSGB36: geotagged! TF 9565 4383
View Direction
West-southwest (about 247 degrees)
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Image classification(about): Geograph
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