Leigh Light test pit

Anyone seen or heard of one of these? On 18 November 1946, the undercarriage of Wellington PF940 on charge to No 18 MU is recorded as having broken through a Leigh Light test pit while on tow at RAF Dumfries.

The Leigh Light anti-submarine searchlight when mounted in the Wellington aircraft was in a hydaulically retractable 'dustbin' so, I guess that on the ground there was insufficient clearance to extend it for testing and maintenance and that a simple lined pit was constructed over which the aircraft could be positioned. The pit would be covered when not in use.

The Catalina version was in an under-wing nacelle and the same problem did not arise in fact, the maintenance men needed ladders.

Sounds like a good summing up, Peter. The cover obviously wasn't strong enough!

I know that 214 Squadron at Oulton used a pit similar to an MT inspection pit to load and remove their special radio kit from their B17's . There is at least one photograph out there showing this but I can't finds it at present !

I've found it ! It is in 'Secret Squadrons of the Eighth' , Carty , Ian Allan , 1990 on page 87 . Referring to the Jostle radio transmitter the caption reads ; 'When at the dispersal it was lowered into a specially dug pit. The aircraft was then brought over the pit and the jammer winched up into the bomb bay' . Photo credit is RSRE ; Royal Signals & Radar Establishment .

Looking on-line for a photo of an installed Leigh Light on a Wellington, I found this which shows all:

www.uboat.net/allies/technical/leigh_light.htm

But not the pit.........!