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Essex Wartime Chain Home Tower Listed

Discussion in 'WWII Today' started by GRW, Sep 13, 2020.

  1. GRW

    GRW Pillboxologist WW2|ORG Editor

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    Some good news, even if it's not in it's original location.
    "A radar tower that helped win World War Two's Battle of Britain by providing early warning of Luftwaffe attacks has been given protected status.
    The Chain Home Tower at Great Baddow in Essex has been Grade II listed by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).
    It is the only complete tower of its kind surviving in the British Isles.
    Tony Calladine from Historic England said it was "a testament to the men and women who developed the technology".
    It has been listed to mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, which took place between July and October 1940.
    The tower, one of five Chain Home masts built, was originally erected at RAF Canewdon in south-east Essex in 1937 and relocated to Great Baddow in 1956...
    ..When the tower, which is 109m (358ft) high, was relocated in 1956 it was used in defence research and communications during the Cold War.
    It was particularly crucial in the development of the radio guidance system for the British 'Blue Streak' Intercontinental ballistic missile.
    Daniel Black, who campaigned for the tower to be listed, said: "This tower represents not only the innovation and brilliance of pre-war engineers and scientists but also the heritage of the local area."
    www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-54117382
     
    Kai-Petri likes this.
  2. ARWR

    ARWR Active Member

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    Blue Streak was not an Intercontinenal missile (ICBM) - it was a Intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM). We still had some when I was at Rolls Royce
    Sorry BBC but you don't always get everything right.
     
    Last edited: Sep 14, 2020
  3. GRW

    GRW Pillboxologist WW2|ORG Editor

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    And this isn't the only surviving tower either, since there's also one at RAF Stenigot. Only realised that after I'd posted it.
     

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