RAF Lindholme, JATCRU Northern Radar

38 Comments

RAF Lindholme 1

LIND 0

lindholmeLIND1

RAF Lindholme near Doncaster. Former Bloodhound command and  control station with a Type 82 radar. Converted to a military area radar unit and augmented with a civil section providing a high level radar service over northern England.

Tony Mannion  sent the photo below. taken at the Air Defence Museum http://www.radarmuseum.co.uk/ shows an ops room very representative of Northern, Eastern and Midland radars.

EASTERN RADARLIND2

Before Northern was at Lindholme it was based at Hack Green and after it closed the task moved to Watton.

Hack Green           Watton

mapsLIND3

gee lindholme eastern

LIND 4   My thanks to Peter Wilde and Malcolm Hemming for confirming this is JATCRU Northern Radar at Lindholme, possibly in 1970, and that this is Ron Gee on the left. Ron was the senior civil atco at Northern. We’d still like to know the name and rank of the officer on the right, presumably the OC Northern radar. We will be adding this to the Northern posting shortly.

ZZZ Northern Radar

LIND4a a forlorn Type 82 tower with no radar head any longer. Looks more like a medieval castle keep now.

RAF Lindholme 3

LIND 5

Phil Holt tells us that “I arrived from Preston Airways in February 1975 and departed for Liverpool airport in September 1977. I instructed on 643 GS from August 75 to September 77. My accommodation was the Sergeant’s Mess. Other colleagues staying there that I can remember were Colin Smith, Mike McKenzie and Tony McGhee. Colin, Robin O’Ven & I got cadetships in 1978, joining 35 cadet course”.

LH12[4]

LIND 6 – Our North West facing launch point (towards the radar unit). This photo shows the edge of the Lindholme Marshes where the famous “Lindholme Willie” ‘s crew crashed their Wellington bomber. “Willie” bailed out – too low and was killed on the airfield. His ghost roamed the base looking for his crew until ATCO Ray Selkirk found the remains of a Wellington pushed up out of the peat as it was being drained. The crew could then have their funeral. “Willie” was not seen again.

LH17[9]

LIND 7 – Norther Radar from Slingsby Sedbergh WG497. This was just after cable release. The 2 Eagle winches can be seen to the left of the NW / SE runway. This would have been on a weekend – so the car park is quite empty. Shifts were often split.

LH13[6]

LIND 8 – A closer view clearly showing that the unit was built using some of the dispersals on the other side of the Bawtry Road

LH25[11]

LIND 9 – the unit taken from across the airfield

LH24[11]

LIND 10 – The “mount” for the aerial shots. Sedbergh WG497 with the schools hangar in the background

Mike Sargent has sent in a copy of the unit training instructions. I have split them in two.

Part 1 is a general document that includes the history and role of Northern Radar. The descriptions are in many aspects going to be true for all the JATCRUs.

Part 2 includes a description of how to use the edge lit board data displays used by controllers and maintained and updated by assistants. Many of those of us who used it found it superior to flight progress strips and on reflection its display techniques reflect the kind of data presentation now achieved through digital displays. There are pictures of  an edge lit board and a Type 82 Radar on the Eastern Radar post

lindholme part 1

lindholme part 2

Sent to us by Chris Stock but originating with Andy Rackham is this final day postal cover for Northern Radar.

Northern Radar cover

NR2

Northern Radar logo designed, like the last day cover by Andy Power & Steve Hobbs

Northern Radar Mug and Ties from Pete Clark 

38 thoughts on “RAF Lindholme, JATCRU Northern Radar”

  1. I have a Northern Radar dish that matches the mug pictured if anyone would like it. It belonged to my dad Ted Doley who died whilst an ATC working at Lindholme in 1976.

    (If you’re interested in Bernadette’s dish use the comment reply and I’l put you in touch via email – atchistory)

    Like

    Reply

    1. I remember Ted at Lindholme when I did my Area Radar training there in 1973; myself, Bob Peacock and Ted would prop up the bar in the officers mess every night after which Ted would lead us off to the kitchen in search of the cheeseboard at closing time.

      Like

      Reply

  2. Hi Barry Aston here, I was detached from Hack Green ATCRU in May 1963 for a 6 week detachment to start operating the radar unit on a trial basis to control the Vulcans climbing out and descending fro Finningley, Scampton and Waddington. There were 6 assistants and 2 controller’s all detached working a 2 watch system. Assistants operated the switchboard, tracker and height finder, with the controller in the centre console. Callsign was Humber Radar operating times 12noon till 11pm or whenever flying finished if sooner Mon to Fri and changeofshift at 5.30 pm. We assistants had to go in to keep the place clean and sparkling Tuesday to Friday 9 am till 12 noon. We had to listen out for free calls and be on had for the full shift. We used to play crib or bridge which a controller called Pete Best detached from ATCRU Sopley Southern Radar. In late 1963 it was decided to expand the unit to take on the Binbrook climb out and let downs. This was followed by the unit opening up to be a full Radar Unit. I was very close to Pete Duce and know him well, and my time there, we had a great lot of guys and this lasted till the end of 1965 when the unit closed for refurbishment. My 6 week detachment ended in Jan 1966 when for my punishment ended up in El Adem.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Hi, we have purchased the wireless transmission station located close to RAF lindholme at Hatfield Woodhouse Doncaster. We are led to believe it was used to aid and record planes landing at Lindholme. On site other than the original long building with brick external pillars is a blast wall and a smaller electrical building. Can you shed light what purpose it really served and also if there is a bunker? Many thanks John Gelder

      Like

      Reply

  3. SAC JOHN CALPIN.
    Ground Radio Mechanic.
    Worked in the control tower 1958/59, ended with 3 months working at the transmitting station in the local village at Hatfield. Great days, lovely memories.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Hi John. We have purchased the wireless transmission site in Hatfield Woodhouse. Is this the one you ended the 3 months working at? Cheers John Gelder

      Like

      Reply

  4. There was an RAF presence at Lindholme until the early nineties. This was 845 (I may have got the number wrong) Signals Unit. They Rudloe Manor and Boddington were the RAF signals switching centres in the UK.

    Like

    Reply

  5. Really enjoyed my cadet training at Lindholme in 1973. My mentor (who will remain nameless) would disappear occasionally and when I looked round into the gloom, I would see the glow of his fag in the darkness behind the filing cabinets!
    It was great during the periods Eastern were closed and we would take over the whole of the North Sea airspace as far as BLUFIR; you would get departures from Amsterdam climbing westbound through about FL100 and easily identify them using that wonderful Type 82 radar and later, when they switched feeds from the Patrington T80 to the Staxton Wold T84 or 85, you could see traffic up near the Copenhagen FIR boundary.
    Whilst crossing the North Sea there were often fighters operating in the UIR in which case we had to read out a pre-prepared ‘script’ saying ‘there is air defence traffic manouevring in your X o’clock range Z miles; continue on your present heading, it WILL be kept clear’ at which point you kept you fingers tightly crossed!!

    Like

    Reply

    1. I was there for my cadet area radar training in ’69 before Eastern’s civil cell was open and when Border was closed for rewiring etc. We worked civil UAS traffic in the area from just south of DCS across to DANDI, down to BLUFIR and then to just north of REDFIR across to HON and then the IOM. Just two sectors, to the west and east of the Type 82 overhead. We also provided the civil radar advisory service (the RASA service, normally a Border civil task) across the Vale of York for traffic from POL to Newcastle and what was then simply Teesside.

      Like

      Reply

    2. Hi Gerry you old scallywag, yes still alive and kicking. Did you go back to the West Country in the end? A small group, including Marcus, are hoping to have a reunion of sorts at the UJ club in 2022 if you are interested.

      Like

      Reply

  7. In 1977 the blocks and messes here were re-opened to house the support party for the Royal Review at Finningley.

    In 79 the airfield re-opened for a few months as an RLG for the Jetstreams at Finningley. But the problem is that Lindholme sits under the extended centre line of Finningleys runway 20 so aircraft at Lindholme were limited to a max circuit height of 500ft.

    As I said in the Leeming article, why did they move the Jetstreams to Finningley?

    Like

    Reply

    1. Something I forgot to mention was did anyone ever meet Lindholme Willie? We had a Master Nav in ops at Leuchars who was an instructor at the Bombing School here in the late fifties, he was awarded an AFM for his service here. I mentioned Willie to him and he was very sceptical about such things.

      Like

      Reply

      1. Legend was that Willie managed to make his way back to the airfield where he finally died on the steps of the Sergeants Mess some 300 yards away from the Officers Mess.
        I was living in the Officers Mess in ’73 and had a ‘strange’ experience. I wandered along the corridor and saw the door of the billiards room was open; I observed the lights were on and heard the balls ‘clicking’ on the snooker table, so I stuck my head round the door to see who was playing in case they wanted a partner.
        But there was no-one there; the snooker balls were still moving, 2 cues were on the table; I looked under the table, there was no other door there; the windows were all closed but otherwise the room was empty of humans.
        So I repaired to the bar where I mentioned what I had ‘not’ seen to one of the occupants, a Singapore Defence Force officer on a course at STCBS and he said he’d had a similar experience!

        Like

      2. I had a colleague in ATC called Martin Brown, who was at Aldergrove with me. He later went to Gatwick I believe. If I recall this correctly Martin was a former RAF Navigator and had been an instructor at the Advanced Bombing School at Lindholme. I seem to remember him telling me that he had seen an apparition in fog at Lindholme, presumable Lindholme Willy. This would possibly have been in the early to mid 60s. Sadly I think Martin may have passed, if not I’d be delighted to hear from him and get confirmation or otherwise of his story.

        Like

  8. Re the pic of Ron Gee and (presumably) the CO, was the latter Wg Cdr Noyce, or Voyce, or similar? Whether he kept very much to his office, or the fact I was on the shift rota I don’t know, but I very rarely saw him in the 4 years I was there!

    Like

    Reply

  9. My father (Enoch Mayer) was the civilian manager of this radar station for 11 years with Airwork Services from August 1962 to November 1973. He sadly passed away last year. I have some photos of him here with RAF staff that I would like to share. I am also interested in hearing from anybody that worked with him! Please do get in touch.(email: andy@yoomee.com)

    Like

    Reply

    1. HI Andy, I was there 64/65/66 as RAF. I can`t recall your father ( sorry to read of his passing ) but knew several of the Airworks people. I would be very interested to see photographs

      Like

      Reply

  11. Hi Malcolm, I too have the same photo somewhere. ‘Chirpy’ is one of a number of Nicknames I have had over the years. I did bump into Ron Handy in the 70’s when he was doing gas conversion work in the East Riding but I haven’t spoken to him in decades. Are you still in the North Notts area? We must meet up sometime. Sorry I haven’t responded sooner, I didn’t realise that you had replied. I will try to check more often.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Hi Steve, thank for for your reply, I moved to Hertfordshire in 1980, having left the RAF in 1975. As is the way of the services, although having Air Traffic as a trade, I never served in a tower, Muharraq being the closest I got. Northern & Midland Radars, then demobbed from HQ 1Gp Ops, Bawtry.

      Like

      Reply

      3. I am there from 24th to 26th May (checking out on 27th). I am meeting up with Philip Peppiatt on 25th, He is a former MCU crewman and Twyneham 255 resident also! We are meeting at 11:00 in the club.

        Like

      4. I did 23 years as an AATC and spent 7 of those years in towers, believe me you didnt miss anything!

        Like

  12. Very interesting articles. I was stationed at Northern Radar from July 1966 to August 1970, straight from trade training at RAF Shawbury, with the rank of LAC. I therefore spent many hours at both ‘Tracker’ and (the much more boring!) Height Finder consoles.

    Just one sort of correction, the reference in the “Lindholme part 1” to the ‘automatically updating’ of the Tote board when aircraft moved between flight levels. This may have been intended, but in practice, the FL was changed manually by an unfortunate airman sitting alongside the floor to ceiling Tote board, receiving instructions via a small loudspeaker from the master controller.

    Elsewhere online is a photograph of the Ops room, taken in 1968, which shows the Tote board operator at his table.

    Theoretically we were only allowed to man a console for about an hour, but at busier times, this was inevitably exceeded. On the other hand, on foggy February days, we were queuing up to get into the Ops room, as there were so few aircraft movements!

    Northern, unlike the sister unit Midland Radar (where I was stationed a couple of years later) operated 24 hours. Many long nights of watching an almost blank screen.

    It is very sad to see recent photos of the now abandoned Type 82 sites, I think I’d rather hang onto my memories of 50 plus years ago.

    Like

    Reply

    1. I was there from 64 – 66 following it`s change from air defence role to Air Traffic Control. In those days it seemed the screens were full of Jet Provest aircraft flying over the Vale Of York, also remember the speed of the Lightenings climbing out of RAF Binbrook on there way over the North Sea. I did a 3 month detachment to Midland Radar and Eastern Radar , prob 1965 and I think that`s when they were converting Northern for joint civilian use. Happy days !

      Like

      Reply

    2. Hi Malcolm,
      I too served at NR from Oct ’66 to Mar ’68 when I bugged out to Muharraq. It would be good to reminisce. I agree that the Tote Board was a real switch off job and it may have been there that I wrote out my app to serve overseas.

      Like

      Reply

      1. Hi Steve, I followed you to Muharraq a couple of years later!

        I have a photograph of you and me, along with Ron Handy, Colin Scott, and “Dave” from Lindholme Air Traffic, all suited and booted, and each nursing a pint. Do I recall that one of us was known as ‘Chirpy’?

        Unfortunately (or is it fortunately?) I don’t know how to post a pic on here…..

        Like

    3. When I joined up (78) we were told we couldnt be posted to an ATCRU as first posting. A few years down the line and I met people who joined up after me who got ATCRUs as first posting!

      Like

      Reply

      1. I’m confused Richard, we’re you at Northern in 1966 or 1978? If it’s the former I would have served with you. If it is the latter I couldn’t have.

        Like

      2. I have got it now Richard. The comments were those of Malcolm Lindley but were not too clear in my addled mind.

        Like

      3. And I have worked out why people who joined up after me got area as a first tour. In 79 the strength of the RAF went up by 4000 personnel, those people had to be posted somewhere so it was decided to post first tourists to area.

        Like

    4. I left there in Aug 1966 ! I now live quite close by. It is privately owned now and the Ops room is still intack. I was driving by a couple of years ago and noticed the gates were open and so drove in. The owners son allowed me to drive up to building but no access. Brought back many memories

      Like

      Reply

      1. No one, to my knowledge, even knew of someone who saw Willie let alone had a personal encounter. Despite some serious attempts in the RAOB Lodge to conjure him up!

        Like

      2. Pete,
        You left just before I was posted in from Shawbury but a few of us ex Norad types are meeting up at the Union Jack Club 25/26 March if you are free?

        Like

Leave a comment