What are those towers on RAF airfields for [Archive]

18greens

11th Dec 2002, 17:55

I've noticed at many ex RAF airfields there is a tower (not the air traffic one )about 20-30 ft square and about 100ft high but apparently empty.

Cranfield has one, Kemble has one just through the gatehouse and I know I've seen them elsewhere.

Anyone know what they are for?

dmdrewitt

11th Dec 2002, 18:17

I believe there is also one at Elvington. North Yorkshire.

Dunno what they are for!

oxford blue

12th Dec 2002, 07:35

It's a bit difficult to tell from your description but they might be towers for hanging wet fire-hoses out to dry.

tharper

12th Dec 2002, 08:10

I suspect the towers your refer to are those for hanging parachutes for airing. Most flying stations had these when they were active flying units - not inferring the Kemble isn't still active of course!

breakscrew

12th Dec 2002, 08:33

Judging by the description, it is the station water tower. All RAF airfields (wartime vintage) had their own self contained water supply and system. It was encased in a concrete shell.

18greens

12th Dec 2002, 14:40

I think Tharper may be the closest so far.

They are definately not watertowers. Watertowers are more robust than these. The ones I'm talking about are more gracious. They are made of brick and have an almost cathederal tower presence. They also have windows running the full height of them which you can see through but they are empty.

You'll notice one the next time you see one.

Anyone else.....

WebPilot

12th Dec 2002, 15:20

18greens - they are water towers, from your description.

Some examples which may clear this up for you:

West Raynham: http://www.argweb.f9.co.uk/west-raynham/water%20tower%20and%20jets.jpg

Llandow: http://www.soffa.dabsol.co.uk/sub/ww2/llandow/images/tower.jpg

SuperOwl

12th Dec 2002, 15:25

My Grandad was in the RAF and he says they sound like the old water towers to him.:p

Whalerider

12th Dec 2002, 16:33

The Towers you are referring to - most RAF airfield have RVR (Runway Visual Range) Towers. These are made of wood and are usually near the touchdown point. In poor vis a member of ATC climbs into the tower, counts the number of lights which can be seen. A chart is referred to which gives a Runway Visual Range.

18greens

12th Dec 2002, 18:02

I take it all back, they are water towers.

Webpilot, your pictures are the towers I was talking about.

Thanks everyone for your replies.

18

hobie

12th Dec 2002, 22:33

if you want to see a really smart water tower (just like the photo's above) have a look at the one at the RAF base in Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset ......

cheers .....

ps. I mean "RAF Locking" of course ...... just been told its been sold to a development company???

Volume

13th Dec 2002, 06:13

Very interesting tread indeed, last week I´ve been to Cranfield and was wondering about the towers and what they are made for. Our first idea was also, they are for drying water hoses, but this week I find the answer at pprune without even asking the question.
Excellent forum !

BDiONU

13th Dec 2002, 06:49

You'll also find (on aerodromes which were in wartime use) that they have EWS (Emergency Water Supply) tanks, they look like small swimming pools. In case the main tank got taken out but also for fire fighting.

HTH

Wycombe

13th Dec 2002, 07:26

There's one at the RAF's flying museum in Oxfordshire - near the Sgts Mess - that definately is/was a water tower.

WebPilot

13th Dec 2002, 15:55

<RAF's flying museum in Oxfordshire >

? The nearest thing I know of to an RAF "flying museum" is the BBMF, based in Lincs.

Wycombe

13th Dec 2002, 16:08

....one thinks thou dost not get my Mil banter :D (and you an
ex "Oggy" aswell - which unit, PM me if you like?)

Give you a clue, the majority of the aeroplanes that are based there should be in a museum!!

WebPilot

13th Dec 2002, 16:16

Aha-ha, thought it might be tongue in cheek!

Ex No 1 MHU, Northolt...

Wycombe

13th Dec 2002, 22:45

....just thought I'd ask as ex-RAuxAF myself

Apologies for temp. thread hijack

atb1943

14th Dec 2002, 02:00

How about 'Duxfordshire'........? (I know, RAF, etc).

....but it vos RAF ven I visited............

G-NY: Duxford G-NY on finals, alright for a run and break?
Duxford: G-NY full display please, but mind ze vater tower near ze Sergeant's mess

tongue in cheek, of course!

Bear 555

14th Dec 2002, 03:31

Water Towers - for sure. In a previous life I used to hang radio aerials on top of them.

Bear 555

Busta

15th Dec 2002, 22:12

I could tell you, but then I'd have to shoot you.

nothing matters very much, most things don't matter at all.

knobbygb

16th Dec 2002, 16:51

www.controltowers.co.uk (http://www.controltowers.co.uk) is an excellent site for anyone interested in the history of old buildings on military airfields. Apologies if you've all seen it already.