Runway Markings

New thread - spin off from REF's Long Newnton which went off topic.

I have just mapped (digitised) RAF Long Newnton from the RAF vertical photographs, thanks REF and Richard for your ground shots, they proved very useful for identifying the different buildings. Here's a couple of cropped vertical images....

Photo Source: English Heritage (NMR) RAF Photography

Attached files [IMG]/community/43445=1766-Long Newnton NMR RAF-106G-UK-1721 4157 06-SEP-1946 .jpg[/img] [IMG]/community/43445=1767-NMR RAF-CPE-UK-2110 3078 28-MAY-1947.jpg[/img]

I have never seen Xs used to denote a closed grass runway before. Is this unique? (even if its painted on peritrack rather than grass.) And why only one runway so marked? Are those cubes stored bombs?

Thought you guys might like that one

I have seen a few X's denoting closed runways on some airfields i've came across. I think one was Moreton Valence, and am sure it was placed on the peri track as well. (i'll check that one). Yup i suspected the small 'cubes' were some sort of ammo/explosive storage, being well spaced apart.

One question I was going to ask. Does a circular 'o' within a signal square denote 'explosives stored at airfield'? i know there's meant to be some sort of signal for that, just can't remember.

I remember having to learn the ground signals as part of my PPL. The same ones are still used today although the context has changed slightly.

In WWII terms, in the signals square (near the tower) a red square with a yellow cross denoted a total landing prohibition at the airfield. However a white cross at the end of a grass or asphalt runway meant that the runway was disused and you should only land in an emergency. A white cross in the middle of a grass airfield denotes that the entire landing area was disused.

A cross with a white underline denotes that the airfield has been abandoned but that the landing areas/runways had been inspected within the last 6 months and deemed safe for emergency landings.

If explosives were stored on the runway it was marked as an underlined EX.

I've never come across and "O" marking on a runway but a hollow square in the signals board mean the airfield was being used for bombing practice and although the standard was a yellow cross, I've seen a large C used to denote a cable dropping area for glider tugs.

Thanks, here's a close up. Guess it could be a square not a circle

Also note the 'T' at the top, it looks as though it has been moved from the signal square??

Photo Source: English Heritage (NMR) RAF Photography

Attached files [IMG]/community/43452=1769-LN Signal NMR RAF-106G-UK-1721 4157 06-SEP-1946crop .jpg[/img]

manda;43425 wrote:

). One question I was going to ask. Does a circular 'o' within a signal square denote 'explosives stored at airfield'? i know there's meant to be some sort of signal for that, just can't remember.

Haven't heard that one, Manda - maybe correct?

From my notes:
[FONT=&quot]... in October 1945 when a DH Dominie en route from Stretton to Halesworth landed at Attlebridge amongst piles of bombs stored on the runway. The pilot, a Naval officer, had failed to notice the white 'landing prohibited' crosses painted at the ends of the runways.[/FONT]

I believe Llandwrog had 'EX' on the end of its runways post war. This would make sense relating to either 'EXplosives', or Explosives + 'X' for 'landing prohibited'. (Except in this case it was chemical weapons, not explosives - nothing is simple) .

The 1953 Naval 'Air Traffic Control Regulations (BR1899') states: abandoned airfields will a show a white cross consisting of two bars 5' by 60' at the end of each runway. The signals square is to be obliterated.

In October 1946 Long Newton stored 6,000 tons of weapons. A Class 'A' airfield was storing up to 10,000 tons at that time. It had been hoped to store 15 kt per airfield but this figure had proved optimistic, and the stocks had to be stored less densely to allow frequent maintenance and inspection.

Graham

And why only one runway so marked?

Its not clear on the attached AP but both are marked with 'X's