Airfield Bombing Decoy Q16b |
| Hob Uid: 1464287 | |
Location :
Lincolnshire
West Lindsey
Toft Newton
|
| Grid Ref : TF0330086900 |
| Summary : A Second World War bombing decoy located on farmland at Toft Grange. It was constructed in February 1940 to deflect enemy bombing from Royal Air Force Hemswell airfield. The site operated as a 'K-type' day decoy consisting of a replica airfield equipped with dummy Whitley bombers. It was operational from March 1940 until its closure on 31st October 1941, due to the development of nearby Royal Air Force Faldingworth. In June 1940 the 'K-type' decoy at Toft Grange was used experimentally to develop a new type of fire decoy, which later became the 'QF' decoys. The Toft Grange site also operated as a 'Q-type' night decoy by displaying lights simulating an active airfield. This was operational between March 1940 and August 1942. The 'Q-type' decoy continued to operate after the 'K-type' had closed down, but ceased after the new aerodrome at Faldingworth was nearing completion. By the 1970s the site had been given over to agricultural use and no features of the bombing decoys survive. A further bombing decoy for Royal Air Force Hemswell was located at Glentham. |
More information : A Second World War bombing decoy located at Toft Grange (TF 033 869). The site of both 'Q-type' and 'K-type' decoys constructed to deflect enemy bombing from RAF Hemswell. The 'Q-type' decoy was in operation between 13-MAR-1940 and 12-AUG-1942. The 'K-type' decoy was in operation between 13-MAR-1940 and 31-OCT-1941. There was a further bombing decoy for RAF Hemswell located at Glentham (TF 011 893) and possibly a third decoy located at Caenby, though no trace of it has been detected through aerial photography and a more specific location cannot be found. (1)
By 1972 this site at Toft Grange had been given over to agricultural use and no features of the decoys survive. (2)
NGR concords with that given in source 1. The 'K-type' site at Toft Grange was equipped with dummy Whitley bombers developed by North-Eastern Aircraft Components. The 'K-type' decoy was used experimentally in June 1940 to develop a new type of fire decoy, which comprised of burning creosote in tins under roofing felt. It was lit on 21-JUN-1940 to be assessed on its authenticity from the air. These experiments later led to the development of 'QF' sites in July 1940. (3)
Aerial photograph referenced in source 2 showing agricultural use of site. (4)
The decoy was built in February 1941 on farmland in Toft Grange, six miles south east of RAF Hemswell. The 'K-type' decoy closed down to allow the construction of the nearby aerodrome, RAF Faldingworth. The 'Q-type' decoy continued to operate until the new aerodrome was nearing completion. The station became the base of 300 (Polish) Squadron from 1 March 1944. The decoy crew moved to a new 'Q-type' site in Glenham. (5) |