WW2 RAF Aerodromes
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Harrington: Thor launch site manned by 218 Sqn, one of 5 squadrons under the control of a main complex command centre at North Luffenham, with 3 missile/launch pads. The others being 144 Sqn North Luffenham, 130 Sqn at Polebrook, 223 at Folkingham and 254 at Melton Mowbray. There were a total of 4 complexes x 5 sqns for a total of 60 missiles. The North Luffenham complex and subordinate sites were the last decommissioned. Non-op 15 Aug 63, disbanded 23 Aug 63.
The Thor force had 59 out of 60 missiles on 15 minutes alert during the Cuban missile crisis in Oct 62 - the other being used for training at the Strategic Missile School at Feltwell.
The force was disbanded as a result of a decision taken in April 62 and announced in Parliament on 1st August 62.
The Thor force had 59 out of 60 missiles on 15 minutes alert during the Cuban missile crisis in Oct 62 - the other being used for training at the Strategic Missile School at Feltwell.
The force was disbanded as a result of a decision taken in April 62 and announced in Parliament on 1st August 62.
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Not a great deal left at Harrington now - a
few sheds, the bases for the Thor missile
pads and the firing butts which used to be a
great source of spent bullets when I were but
a lad. There is a museum of sorts which uses
the old Ops block (I think) but as far as I remember its only open on high days and holy
days. I used to do some very silly flying
over Harrington many years ago before I grew
up and scared myself ****less - happy days !
few sheds, the bases for the Thor missile
pads and the firing butts which used to be a
great source of spent bullets when I were but
a lad. There is a museum of sorts which uses
the old Ops block (I think) but as far as I remember its only open on high days and holy
days. I used to do some very silly flying
over Harrington many years ago before I grew
up and scared myself ****less - happy days !
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The launch pads at Harrington are in pretty good condition. I wonder why all the others are gone?
Few years ago I was flying the local plod helo over Harrington when the NATs (New Age Travellers) moved in. Much persuasion and threats failed to convince them to move on until a bright spark let it be known that the base had once been home to filthy nuke missiles. They cleared off pretty quickly!
Few years ago I was flying the local plod helo over Harrington when the NATs (New Age Travellers) moved in. Much persuasion and threats failed to convince them to move on until a bright spark let it be known that the base had once been home to filthy nuke missiles. They cleared off pretty quickly!
