Chivenor's Search Radar Location
 

I need some help from any ex-RAF Chivenor personnel, please.

Where on the airfield was the Surveillance Radar (Watchman or AR1) located? I’ve had a close look on Google Earth and can’t see anything positive that would fit the bill. However, the hard-stand at 51º 05’ 09.27”N 4º 09’ 41.53”W looks promising; can anyone confirm or correct, please?

Yes, I have tried to contact RMB Chivenor but answering the ‘phone seems to be a lost art there (if they are deployed to the Sandpit – many apologies and Good Luck). Although the SAR det were as helpful as they could be, but they didn’t have the corporate historical knowledge.

No, I can’t tell why I want to know but it is not anything underhand and could be of benefit to the MoD’s coffers in the long term.

I worked at the GCA radar site at Chivenor from 1973 to 1975, at that time there was an MPN-11 and a mobile AR1 which belonged to 38 GP TCW and which occasionally deployed elsewhere. Is that the era you are interested in, or do you mean after it re-opened?

Thanks for the quick response wub, but its the more recent times that I'm interested in, ie after it re-opened, presumably with the standard AR-1/SLA 3C or Watchman/CR-62 fit.

If, indeed, permanent 'fits' were ever installed - you've got me thinking now, were only 'expeditionary' equipments ever provided......?

Sorry then, I can't help. Good luck

I can confirm that Chivenor received a permanent AR-15 installation in late 1979/early 1980, I was one of the team who put the thing in :\

IIRC it was on the River Taw side of the field, but it was 30 years ago so my memory may not be accurate. I have some old 110 photos somewhere, but I don't know if they will help with the exact location.

TTFN

If you Google Earth Chivenor then click on the historic photo icon you only go back to 2001 but there is more gear laying about than in the later pic.

Not sure if this helps but take a look at this site.

RAF Chivenor Air Day 1993 (?)

Scroll down and lots of 1993 shots of a radar head.

Also

RAF Chivenor 1980's - Britmodeller.com

Scroll down to the Dominie 1981. Same radar head?

If this is what you are looking for the site is further east possibly:

51°05'07.21" N 4°09'00.38" W

I believe the site you are suggesting is/was the Fire Section burning area

Being from Barnstaple and having flown from Chivenor for around 10 years from the mid 90's, I believe it was located at 51'5'7.35N 4'91.06W. It is indeed on the Taw side of the airfield south of the perry track, east of the Watersports Centre and West of RW34 TH.

Hope that helps :ok:

O&G

Spot on with your location O & G :D:ok:

Many Thanks
 

Much obliged to everyone who participated in 'Pin the Tail on the AR-15'.

That's been most useful, guys. I found the 'correlate the photies' to the airfield game most interesting but not a little frustrating and I am indebted to O & G forcoming up with the goods.

Once again, many thanks.

DM-L