Site Records

Site Name: RAF Boulmer ('EZS') GCI R3 ROTOR Radar Station & Control and Reporting Centre in the UK Air Surveillance and Control System

B1339 Lesbury
Northumberland
OS Grid Ref: NU240125

Sub Brit site visit 14th March 2005

In order to provide communication between the controllers in the R3 bunker at RAF Boulmer and the intercepting aircraft, two VHF/UHF multi-channel radio transmitter and receiver blocks were built at remote sites. Transmitter and receiver blocks come in two sizes, designated 'small' and 'large'; those at Boulmer were 'large'. As built, each block would have had a 90' wooden aerial tower alongside. Post Linesman there was a requirement for three of the remaining radar stations to have extended communications which involved doubling the size of the transmitter and receiver buildings. The original buildings were rectangular with the later extensions added at right angles at one end. The three stations with extended communications were Holmpton, Boulmer and Neatishead. At Holmpton and Neatishead both the transmitter and receiver buildings were extend but at Boulmer, only the transmitter building was extended.

Each site consisted of two buildings, the operations building and a standby set house (power house). As built, the transmitter building comprised the transmitter hall, mechanical and electrical room, store, workshop, staff room and toilet. The transmitter building is still extant and is located at High Buston (NU216097), 1 mile south from the technical site; it still retains some of its green paint and metal window shutters. The building is currently is still in use for its original purpose.

The smaller receiver building (NU222094) comprised a receiver room, mechanical and electrical room, store, workshop, staff room and toilet. This building is also still in use.

Click here for RAF Boulmer GCI technical site

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