RAF Chicksands, Shefford, Bedfordshire, UK
Posted by: Groundspeak Regular Member vulture1957
N 52° 02.134 W 000° 21.566
30U E 681117 N 5768285
RAF Chicksands "Lower Gate" to Shefford.
Waymark Code: WMFWVY
Location: Eastern England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 12/09/2012
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member snaik
Views: 4
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A really strange "air base" as it had no runway, this was a US Air Force radio receiving site until 1995. It's main claim to fame was the AN/FLR-9 radio system. Best known for the 40 acre antenna field, affectionately known as the "Elephant Cage". The antenna was located on a hill (for better reception) and could be seen for miles. The outer set of antennas were on cylindrical risers with conical caps (to let rain and snow fall off) and many unknowing folks thought they were small missiles. This site was controlled by the (then) Electronic Security Command (previous named US Air Force Security Service), now called Air Intelligence Command. As such, all that went on here was classified. We can tell you about it, but then we'd have to kill you. (hahaha)
Era: Post WW II

General Comments:
the funny round rings at 52' 21.566, -00' 23.349 is the remnants of the antenna, the foundations that held all the antenna parts. In the middle was a building that housed a lot of reception equipment. The wooden framework that held the inside 2 sets of antenna units were something like 40 foot tall. Believe me, the thing was HUGE.

Related web site: Not listed
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Recent Visits/Logs:
Date Logged Log User Rating  
Merlin3408 visited RAF Chicksands, Shefford, Bedfordshire, UK 10/05/2013 Merlin3408 visited it
Cordova Dave visited RAF Chicksands, Shefford, Bedfordshire, UK 02/20/1989 Cordova Dave visited it
vulture1957 visited RAF Chicksands, Shefford, Bedfordshire, UK 04/10/1982 vulture1957 visited it

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