RAF Kilchiaran | |
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Kilchiaran, Isle of Islay, Argyll and Bute, in Scotland | |
![]() Control buildings for Cold War-era RAF ROTOR radar installation at site of RAF Kilchiaran with Second World War Chain Home Low radar control buildings behind | |
Coordinates | 55°45′58″N6°27′19″W / 55.766009°N 6.455266°W |
Type | Radar station |
Site information | |
Owner | Ministry of Defence |
Controlled by | Royal Air Force |
Site history | |
Built | unknown |
In use | unknown |
Battles/wars | European theatre of World War II, Cold War |
RAF Kilchiaran was a Royal Air Force radar station situated on the Isle of Islay in Scotland. [1] It was originally active from 1940-1945. In 1954 the base was refurbished to accommodate the RAF Kilchiaran Chain Home Extra Low (CHEL) radar station, which was obsolete by 1958. Since 1958 RAF has not used any of the facilities and BT Group has acquired a few buildings that are now microwave transmission stations.
Royal Air Force Bishopscourt or more simply RAF Bishopscourt is a former Royal Air Force airfield, radar control and reporting station located on the south east coast of Northern Ireland, approximately 5.8 miles (9.3 km) from Downpatrick, County Down, Northern Ireland and 24.7 miles (39.8 km) from Belfast, Northern Ireland. A Marconi AMES Type 84 radar was located on the airfield and an AMES Type 80 radar was located at Killard Point, Ballyhornan. An AMES Type 93 mobile radar was also located on the airfield from 1989 until the station closed.
ROTOR was an elaborate air defence radar system built by the British Government in the early 1950s to counter possible attack by Soviet bombers. To get it operational as quickly as possible, it was initially made up primarily of WWII-era systems, notably the original Chain Home radars for the early warning role, and the AMES Type 7 for plotting and interception control. Data from these stations was sent to a network of control stations, mostly built underground, using an extensive telephone and telex network.
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Islay is the southernmost island of the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. Known as "The Queen of the Hebrides", it lies in Argyll just south west of Jura and around 40 kilometres north of the Northern Irish coast. The island's capital is Bowmore where the distinctive round Kilarrow Parish Church and a distillery are located. Port Ellen is the main port.
No. 165 Squadron RAF was a unit of the Royal Air Force that was formed during World War I and served during World War II. The squadron has been formed twice.
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Royal Air Force Aird Uig was a Royal Air Force radar station located on the western edge of the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland. The main masts and operations room were located north of the village of Aird Uig on Gallan Head, with a separate domestic site nearer to the village, five-eighths mile further south.