Control Tower btw Lancaster & Preston

[Vee One...Rotate]

Evening everybody,

I've just been emailed a quick question by my mum and thought I'd pass it on to you - I have a Southern England chart that stops just South of the area of interest you see :(

Apparently an airfield control tower is visible from the train between Lancaster and Preston. It is closer to Lancaster and is just South of the University (Lancaster) campus. My parents have just moved to the area and were curious as to which airfield it belonged to?

Anyone have an idea of which aerodrome this is likely to be?

Cheers for any info,

V1R :ok:

[squibbler]

Have seen said object many times. Don't know what it is for sure, but it's definately NOT a control tower!

[Flap40]

Forton services on the M6????

http://www.djclark.com/2000/days/forton/080.24.jpg

[Vee One...Rotate]

Oh I hope so...that'd be very amusing :D

I'll get mum to have a peak at that photo.

V1R

[Thirty06]

It's a distinct possibility.

From the train, you'd only see the top bit.

It's definitely control tower shaped. Wonder why they built it like that ?

Yankee two wun fower Delta Bravo Delta, you are clear to pass up the M6 not above 0ft reamin clear of coned roadspace.

[squibbler]

It probably is the old observation tower at Forton services, about 7 miles south of Lancaster.

It's no longer used and has fallen into considerable disrepair.

http://www.cbrd.co.uk/motorway/photos/m6/06.jpg

From a fast (ha!) moving train at a distance I guess it certainly could be believed to be a control tower.

Quite what the point of building an observation tower on a motorway service station was I'll never know :}

[pilotwolf]

Can't remember which services it is but many years ago one had a 'truckers cafe' in a tower like this... Its been at least 15 years since I was there... but still recall it serving proper food instead of the normal motorway crap.

PW

[Kolibear]

While you've all got your Northern England charts out, my road map shows an airfield just to the north of Formby, next to the A565, between Formby & Southport. Its not listed in my Flight Guide, and my southern England charts don't go that far north. Any one got a name for it and any details?

[McFunkletrumpet]

Yes, I'm looking at it right now. It's RAF Woodvale. A joint user field which houses the Grobs of Manchester UAS and Liverpool UAS. About a dozen private aircraft housed there in their OWN private hangar which they bought and built when the MOD one became derelict several years ago. The airfield is very well maintained indeed. I think it is in Pooleys. That help?

[Squadgy]

Here's a picture from the side of the train track looking towards Forton Services - you can just make out the observation tower :

http://www.twoof.freeserve.co.uk/81%20Galgate%20786Htxt.jpg

[Vee One...Rotate]

I've forwarded the link to this thread to mumsy - she's very appreciative of the feedback!

Cheers,

V1R :ok:

[jayteeto]

Woodvale...... you forgot us.... thats us in the shiney Eurocopter 135. You know, the local heros........ :p

[McFunkletrumpet]

OOH yes ! Sorry plod. Can you come back quietly at night please or at least via Formby point from the sea. Ta.

[Small Rodent Driver]

Ah yes. Woodvale. About 300 mtrs from my house. Very frustrating. Especially as I have to drive about 50 miles to extract the old Cub from hangar. Any leads for available hangarage there greatly appreciated.

SRD :sad: