2016
SU3234 : WWII Hampshire - airfield bombing decoy control bunker, Houghton, Test Valley (1)
taken 8 years ago, near to Broughton, Hampshire, England
WWII Hampshire - airfield bombing decoy control bunker, Houghton, Test Valley (1)
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Airfield Bombing Decoy (Q and K sites): DoB ID: e18509
Starfish Bombing Decoy (SF Series): DoB ID: e19112
Hidden in woodland, this wartime underground bombing decoy control bunker operated both a day and night time decoy site in open countryside in the Houghton area. It would have been used to lure enemy aircraft away from the airfield at RAF Middle Wallop. In the summer of 1941 the site was the first to trial a new decoy airfield approach and landing lighting system called 'Drem Q' that became operational on 15 September 1941. This 'Q' site also operated alongside a 'Starfish SF' decoy (imitating fire from the after effects of bombing) [
Link] and a 'K' site's dummy airfield complete with film set constructed aircraft. [
Link].
The late summer of 1942 brought this decoy site into the limelight once again when it was chosen to trial a new lighting apparatus that simulated an aircraft landing and taxiing. Known as 'Hares and rabbits' it utilised trolley mounted lighting suspended from pulley-strung cables to simulate an aircraft landing and gradually coming to a stop. The site at Houghton became something of a test-bed it seems for Q sites in general during this period.
SU3234 : WWII Hampshire - airfield bombing decoy control bunker, Houghton, Test Valley (2)
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