Signal square

Hi, anybody know what signals were used in these squares, how they were laid out, and what the signals actually meant?
cheers
Hornet

Oh blimey now your asking, I last had to use a signals square in 1985. The t designated the runway in use, the red square indicated whether or not the airfield was open or not, and no airfiled I knew of ever closed the airfield in the signal square! IIRC a yellow diagonal line meant airfield open and if it was closed then there was a st andrews cross in the red square. A right hand circuit was indicated by a red and white striped right angled board at the bottom right hand side of the square. A white dumbbell indicated that you could only land on the marked runways, an L on the dumbbell showed there was a light aircraft landing area. And a black dot above the t showing the runway in use meant more than 1 runway in use.

As I said 1985 was the last time I had the pleasure of using a signals square.

Was the two letter airfield identity code part of - or separate to the signals square?

mitrovitchp wrote:

Was the two letter airfield identity code part of - or separate to the signals square?

Generally they are on two seperate (though adjacent) squares, however East Kirkbys' are combined.

From Bryan Lockyears "Farm Strips" 4th ed (hope he doesen't mind) not sure
how many more there are.

Hugo.

I've an aerial of Northleach somewhere where you can actually see the "gliding in progress" sign in the signals square.

I understand the ground square signals were also replicated on the adjacent signal mast?

The cross shows the Landing Prohibited/Airfield Closed diagonals hinged over to display the Care on Landing symbol instead.
These would be painted red on the underside (as seem above) and yellow on the topside.

All the best,
PB

I'm looking for details on signal square construction.

From bits and pieces I've skimmed on the internet, I've read that they were 50 feet square, painted black with a white border. Is this correct?

I'm trying to put together a proposal for a museum to rebuild their signal sqaure which is currently sixteen foot square (for cost purposes my guess) and is bare concrete (ditto).

Any source material concerning signal squares would be much appreciated!

Paul, is that in your book? I've not gotten all the way through it yet and I left it at my post at the museum! (I'll get it back though)...

Tommy

Yes that sounds about right for the dimensions, silly question were they unique to Britain? I know the RAF had them overseas but did the Americans have them?