Lookout

Chain Home
at Craster
By Senior Aircraftman W Smith
One spring morning, the School of Aerospace Battle
Management Simulator & Support flight (SSF)
embarked on a quest to further our knowledge of the
British Air Defence network that was put in place for operation
during World War II. The plan for the day was to visit the
Chain Home radar site in Craster village, about 10 km up the
beautiful Northumberland coastline from RAF Boulmer.
The Chain Home radar sites across the United Kingdom played a
crucial part in Britain’s Air Defence during the Battle of Britain. A
Radio Detection and Ranging (RADAR) unit once stood proudly 50
metres above sea level just north of Craster village, giving Britain
protection from enemies both air- and sea-borne. Craster featured
the Air Ministry’s experimental Type 2 radar systems that were
designed for detecting enemy aircraft at low level. The previous
Type 1 radar was restricted to high level detection, but it did have
an extended range for airborne early warning capabilities. Once
the air threat from the Luftwaffe was eliminated the Chain Home
systems were used for detection against Germany’s latest long
range ballistic missile, the V2 rocket. Furthermore, post-war it was
again reactivated and used against the threat from the Soviet
Union and searched for long range bombers. Today there are a few
remaining hard standing buildings and a plaque to honour the
work of those who worked on the site over the years in the defence
of Britain.
We are very spoilt to have the remains of one of the first of its
kind just a short walk up the coast from RAF Boulmer; this was an
excellent opportunity to learn about the radar systems once used.
This particular Force Development day couldn’t have been more
relevant to the work done to this day at RAF Boulmer. SSF took great
interest in, and inspiration from, the contribution to Air Defence of
men and women from up to 70 years ago.
Get involved with
CHALLENGE EVENTS
Are you looking for a new challenge, an incentive to get into
shape or just a fundraising opportunity with a difference? The
Royal Air Forces Association has plenty lined up in 2016 no
matter what your fitness level. Challenges including skydiving and
Snowdon multi-activity weekend, as well as overseas challenges
such as climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and trekking the Great Wall of
China to name a couple.
Whether it is running in Edinburgh, Liverpool or the Great North
Run or you want to test your skills in our Snowdon multi-activity
weekend, where you will be cycling, running and canoeing through
the beautiful Welsh countryside of the Snowdonia National Park. For
thrill seekers we run a range of skydiving challenges in collaboration
with the RAF Falcons at various locations throughout the UK.
There will be something for everyone with our fundraising
challenges and the money you raise helps us to support members
of the RAF family in need. The spread of events throughout the year
means that there is no excuse not to sign up to something!
Each challenge event comes with a minimum fundraising target,
which we realistically expect you to hit within a few months
after the event and our challenge events team will give you all of
the support they can for this. Whether you want to set yourself
a personal goal, or join as a group for some team building, the
Association has lots of challenges to offer. For more details, contact
Baz or Amanda on challenge-events@rafa.org.uk to see what your
challenge will be in 2016.
The section on
their investigative
walk to Craster.
10 THE LOOKOUT