Great Britain's countryside Nuclear deterrent - Thor Missile - How close we came to extinction.
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 30 янв 2020
- If you found this video interesting please be kind and give this a thumbs up.
I love exploring our history, whether it be just a few years ago or many hundreds of years ago, I feel this is so worth the effort to preserve the memories and facts as long as we can.
Thor Missile History and Facts
The Thor missile site is located south-east of the position of the runway of former RAF Harrington.The pyrotechnic store and classified storage building lie to the west of the three emplacements.
National Grid Reference: SP7739678108
Reasons for Designation:
The Thor missile site, pyrotechnic store and classified storage building at the former RAF Harrington, Northamptonshire, constructed in 1959, are designated at Grade II, for the following principal reasons:
Historic Interest: the Thor missile site has international historic significance because of its association with world events of the Cold War period; most notably the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962.
Only 20 Thor sites were established in England, of which the Harrington base is one of the most intact The functional and tactical association with the main Thor missile station at North Luffenham contributes to the special interest of the Harrington base.
History
RAF Harrington found a new military purpose in 1959, when it became a satellite Thor missile site under the control of RAF North Luffenham in Leicestershire. Thor missiles were the first operational Intermediate-range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) system deployed by the West during the Cold War. With a range of 1,500 nautical miles, Thor missiles were approximately 20m (65ft) long and 2.5m (8ft) in diameter powered by propellant rocket fuel controlled by two motors. Developed by the United States (US) Government between 1955-1959, the proposal to deploy Thor in Britain as well as the US was put before the British Government in 1957. At the time Britain was developing its own IRBM, Blue Streak, which would not be operational for some time. Final agreement to locate Thor in Britain was reached between the Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan, and President Eisenhower at the Bermuda Conference in 1957. The rockets were to be British property, manned by the RAF who would be trained for the task by the USAF, but the nuclear warheads would remain under US control. Macmillan reported to Parliament that the decision to use Thor against the Communist East would be made jointly by the two countries.
A total of 60 missiles were deployed at 20 sites in the East of England from 1958 under the codename 'Project Emily'. There were four main bases located on pre-war permanent airfields; RAF Feltwell, RAF North Luffenham, RAF Hemswell and RAF Driffield. At each base an adapted hangar was used to receive the missiles, store the servicing equipment and conduct inspection and maintenance. Usually located on the opposite side of the airfield, the Thor compounds at the main bases had a Surveillance and Inspection Building and a Classified Storage Building, partly surrounded by earthwork berms, where the warheads were inspected and stored. Every main base had four satellite stations, each with their own Squadron. The launch areas at the main and satellite stations were almost identical, although at the latter a smaller Classified Storage Building and Pyrotechnic Store was placed 200m away from the nearest emplacement, protected by earthwork banks. These remain at Harrington. The buildings and emplacements lay in an irregularly shaped compound surrounded by a pair of fences. Inside were crew huts, a squadron office and telephone exchange. Close to the main gate was the launch control area, an area of concrete on which the control trailer, generators and an oil tank were placed. The concrete pad of the launch control area remains at Harrington.
Thor missiles could be brought to operational readiness in 15 minutes after receiving the authorised and authenticated order to launch. Strict understandings about the operational control of the missile included an agreed British and US launch through a dual key system and a veto for each Government. Although Thor deployment in Britain was an interim measure, their presence played an important part in the Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962, the most tense period of the Cold War, when fifty-nine of the sixty missiles were made ready, including the three at Harrington. Thor was phased out in England between April and August 1963, just short of their anticipated 4 year life-span, North Luffenham being the last site to close.
I live just a few miles from Harrington. I knew that the missiles were housed there but this documentary has shed new light on the subject for me. Great job, well done 👍
Thank you so much for your kind comments and support. Glad you found the video interesting. I never drive by now without a different thought of this site...interesting history. Have a super week. 😉👍👍👍👍👍
I live no less than 5 minutes from a former Nike missile site on the Eastern coast of the US. The base is long gone and replaced with an industrial park and shopping mall.
1959 was the year I was born. I remember the cold war being a hot topic as a kid growing up in the 1960's.. But I never knew about these missiles in the UK. This video was well done, and I really enjoyed it. Great information, and I loved your edit. Thanks for sharing Kim.
Cheers Ron. So glad you enjoyed this short documentary. Thank you so much for the kind and interesting comments and support. Up until 2 years ago, I never knew they existed. I was shocked that they were only a couple of miles from where I live. Have a super weekend Ron. 😉👍👍👍👍👍
I was stationed at RAF Feltwell 1960-63 and remember the Cuban crisis very well.All the "birds" were erected and readied for launch,frightening thought now but we just got on with it then.I recommend John Boyes' book about Thor in the UK.
Thank you for your kind response and information. As a child I do remember going by our local site and seeing just the canopies and lots of personal through the wire fencing but at the time never knew what it was all about.
Delighted to hear that there is a preservation order on the site now, i went over there in the early eighties to test a racing motorcycle down the runways which were still complete then and was amazed to find holes down through the concrete with red writing on the floor saying danger retro rockets, i then found out a few days later from a local that i was working with about the Thor missiles, its amazing how many people had no idea.
Thank you so much for your kind and very interesting comment. Fascinating information I must say. I would have loved to have seen this site in all it glory. I would have only been 5 when this site was to close so far to young to understand. Glad you enjoyed the video. Best wishes. Kim 👍😉
As interesting as this video was. Growing up in the Cold War era under the threat of nuclear war, must have had a major psychological impact on a whole generation. You did an excellent job filming and narrating, I found it very interesting and enjoyable.
Thank you my friend. Glad you enjoyed the video. I think I was about 1 year old when this site was built so totally unaware of the implications this could have brought. So much to discover that not many people knew about. Thank you so much for the kind comments and support. Take care and have a super weekend. 😉👍👍👍👍👍👍
This was EPIC! I'm sure there were many times we were close to annihilation. It's a crazy world..
Hey there my friend. Thanks for watching and your kind comments. Indeed it is remarkable how this all ended up. A constant reminder of how close we came to it though. Best wishes and have a super weekend. 😉👍👍👍👍
Thanks again Kim, really good stuff. 1959 to 1959 I was riding US Submarines. My last one carried 16 Polaris missiles.
Hey there Stan. Thank you for the kind and interesting comments. Wow, You served on a submarine..! Oh yes, the Polaris missiles... I remember those.. that changed everything if I remember. Its scary stuff Stan but so interesting if that makes sense. Best wishes to you and the family and have a super weekend.😉👍👍👍👍👍
I have recently been identifying all the former RAF bases around England on Google Earth and through that I came across the 20 RAF sites that mounted Thor and the whole story of Project Emily. Thank you for such an informative and interesting exploration of the Harrington launch sites. I plan to visit there myself at some point soon.
Hi there and thank you for the kind and interesting comments. I do hope you get the chance to visit this site, summer is a good time without getting covered in mud crossing the field. I have personally visited this site many times and still find it fascinating to explore. Best wishes for 2023. Kim 😉😉👍👍👍
Wow! A real documentary! Very professional and really interesting showing how dangerous our leaders are. In my RAF days we occasionally talked about MAD (mutually assured destruction) and that the Americans planned for the possibility of a 'limited exchange' which simply meant an exchange of nuclear weapons between Eastern bloc European countries and Western bloc European countries which would leave Europe devastated but the USA and Russia relatively unscathed - frightening stuff. Great video Kim.
Thank you John for the interesting and kind comments. Indeed it doesn't bear thinking how close we came to being wiped out. Yes I heard the word "MAD" and it would have been..! Great to hear from you my friend and thank you for the support. Take care and have a super weekend. 😉👍👍👍👍👍
Thumbs up ere' Kim, one of your best videos - very interesting and informative of what it looked like during that time. Britain has many military sites dotted around the country with their hidden secrets. Great drone shots. Many thanks for sharing this part of our history - Shaun :)
Thank you Shaun for your support and kind interesting comments. I was only 2 Years old when they built these sites, thank goodness I was too young to know lol. Think I would have gone into panic mode lol. Thanks for watching and have a super weekend.😉👍👍👍👍
We had a holiday caravan at Flamborough from 1956 to 1967. We used to drive past RAF Driffield where they were based from 1959 to 63 as well as Carnaby near Bridlington. What a sight they were when erected for maintenance or practice countdowns in full view from passing traffic. They normally lurked out of site in their shelters. Three white rockets pointing to the sky. I'm glad there have been a couple of books published in the last few years and that two sites survive as well as input on RUclips. Few people nowadays realise missiles were based here or that the RAF also had over 100 nuclear V Bombers at the time.
Thank you so much for popping by and watching my video. Your info was very interesting indeed and so glad you have shared those memories. I do appropriate your input to add to my own knowledge and history. Thank you. Best wishes. Kim 😊
Incredible history Kim ! Well done ! Thank you so much for sharing !
Hey Bill, great to hear from you my friend. Glad you enjoyed my little documentary. Bit of Drone work and ground all seems blend nicely to bring some interesting history, and I thoroughly enjoy making them, Best wishes to you and your lovely family. Have an awesome weekend. 😉👍👍👍👍👍
I loved every minute of this mate, Like you said in the video gives off so much power and destruction, I liked how you did the drone flying over the base to give us an areal view of it. Great narration as well.
Thank you Chris for the kind comments and support my friend. Glad you enjoyed the video. Have a super week buddy. 😉👍👍👍👍👍
I was 7 when they were installed, living in Sibbertoft. At night, from the high ground between Sibbertoft and Clipston, you could see the lights from the Harrington site.
If the base had had a nuclear accident, or been targeted by Soviet missiles our little village would have been simply blown off its hilltop perch, little wonder that I grew up with a “live for today” attitude. Thanks for bringing this dark part of our history back into the light.
Hi Ian and thank you for the kind comments and your interesting life in Sibbertoft. I know your village well and yes indeed I can understand the feelings by villagers knowing this site was not far away. One can only thank our lucky stars that this was never used to launch these missiles or indeed an accident. It is very much a dark part of our history and strange it may seem not many folk knew of this complex back in the day. Best wishes and take care. Kim 😉👍👍👍👍👍
Not very imaginative are you! Your little hill would have been obliterated, along with your little village! I live just down the road from HMNB on The Clyde, Faslane and i don’t have any complaints!!!
An absolutely excellent presentation Kim. Born in 1959, I remember as young lad of around 7 years old I was standing in a queue in a local shop when a deafening noise was heard overhead and the shop building and ground began to shake. The queue of people rushed outside and looked to the skies to see something very similiar to a Thor missile at around 3000ft high, heading over Nothamptonshire in a straight line. The tail area of whatever we saw had a flame about a third as long as the object itself. It wasn't going very fast but it was clearly rocket powered. There was a small article in the local newspaper the following day but no sources of information as to what it was. I often wonder whether it could have been a Thor rocket burning off fuel. However, as they were never deployed in anger could this possibly have been a test launch? Who knows?
They did indeed do a test launch into the North Sea but this was never admitted..I have photo's of the launch but not sure it was from Harrington or one of the other sites near in Northamptonshire or Rutland as its called now. Glad you enjoyed the video and thank you so much for the kind comments. Now I have my work cut out lol..Have a super week.😉👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
@@KimDiscoveringHistory Looking on the map from where I saw the missile trajectory, it certainly would have been travelling in a straight line, in a north-easterly direction towards the Wash. Therefore, the launch would have been from the south-west from Buckinghamshire or even Wiltshire area. The local newspaper The Evening Telegraph reported sightings by locals as far as Chelveston I recall and contacted the MOD. Their response was 'No knowledge of anything in the area'.
Excellent production! Kim. Enjoyed immensely!!!
Hey there. So please you popped along. Thank you for the kind comments my friend. Take care and have a wonderful Weekend. 😉👍👍👍👍👍
Nice sharing 💓💓💓🌹👍
Thank you for your kind comments. Glad you enjoyed the video. 😉👍👍👍👍
Nice channel and very good video on the subject. I'm fascinated by the 50's early 60's missiles and nuclear technology and having heard and read that there were Thor missiles in England I never knew what an actual site looked like as I'm from Eastern Europe. Fascinating! Beautiful missiles they were, love the design!
My Late Dad was on 107 Sqn THOR at RAF Tuddenham St Mary in Suffolk. They were up fuelled and ready during the Cuban Missile crisis. One story he told, and verified by others is that the launch control had a key, especially designed not to be copied. However as a prank, one of his staff put a key from an old Austin 7 in ....it turned!!...The design was changed
Hi there and thank you so much for your kind and very interesting comments. Wow an old Austin 7 key eh. Who would have guessed eh.. so much for security. I bet your dad held so many memories of his life based at Tuddenham. Its those memories that we need to keep and your dad's are so important to document for all to see, including the funny ones. I thank you again for your time in watching my video. Its very much appreciated. Best wishes. Kim 😉👍👍👍👍
Great content and production, Kim. Well done buddy!
Hey there buddy.. so pleased you enjoyed this short documentary. Big thank you for your continued support and as always your kind comments. Have a super weekend my friend. 😉👍👍👍👍👍
Thank you for the detailed info in your video and the description. 👍👍👍
Glad you enjoyed the video my friend. Thank you for your continued support. Take care and have a super week. 😉👍👍👍👍👍
I love this video it is put together so well. I love the info you have giving. Great work. the music goes great. awesome video cant wait for another one.
Hey there Beach Bum, so good to hear from you. Hope your well. Thank you so much for the kind comments and support. Glad you enjoyed my little documentary. Have a super weekend bud. Best Wishes. 😉👍👍👍👍👍
Brilliant Kim, as kids growing up we didn't realise the dangerous nature of these sites local to us. I can remember F1-11's flying quite low over my parents house heading back to RAF Upper Heyford, we even had a drop tank in our garden which had either fallen off or had been ejected overly Dads back field....
As always a brilliant watch, thanks for sharing :)
Hey there Shane, hope you and yours are well. Thanks for the great comments and support my friend. Many years ago we had low flying jets around my old town but now we never see any combat air traffic whats so ever. I guess back in the day over this missile site there must have been loads. Its hard to believe that such a site existed in this quiet peaceful countryside. It was kept very hush hush until the locals found out. Best wishes to you and Kim and have a super weekend. Oh and by the way, did your parents keep the tank?... that would have been a prize to keep lol. 😉👍👍👍👍👍
Kim - Discovering History My dad sold it for scrap many years later I think. I think it was made from titanium. 👍🏻😊
Very well done. I really enjoy your video / history lessons. Thank you for sharing this video.
Thank you so much for your support and kind comments. So pleased you enjoyed this short documentary. Take care and have a wonderful weekend.😉👍👍👍👍👍
My god, this video is awesome...! I had no idea these were sitting only a couple of miles away. I would have been very worried indeed. Thank goodness we are still here to reflect on this historic site. Well done Kim. Superb documentary. Massive thumbs up from me.👍👍👍👍👍
Thanks Clare for the kind comments and support. Very much appreciated. Have a super weekend. 😉👍👍👍👍👍
Just discovered this video - thanks for the awesome drone footage, it really helps to get an idea of the scale of the installation. The best news is the preservation order on the site, so many cold war era sites have been lost forever. For anyone interested in Cold War structures in the UK I can heartily recommend a book called "Cold War - Building for Nuclear Confrontation 1946-1989" published by English Heritage.
Hi Andy and thank for your kind and informative comments. Very interesting indeed. Glad you enjoyed the video and aerial flights. I am sure many of my subscribers as well as myself will take note of the book "Cold War". Best wishes. Kim 😉👍👍👍👍👍
Hello dear Kim, what a sobering thought, we wouldn't be here if those had been deployed... As always fantastic music, history and drone work truly awesome thank you for sharing felt like we were there having a nosey around with you... All the best mr and Mrs stytch and Renee the campervan
Cheers Stytch, glad you enjoyed the video. Perhaps one day if you ever come this way I can give you all a tour of these sites I have filmed. Great live show last night by the way. Take care and have a super weekend buddy. 😉👍👍👍👍👍
Thank you for the Video. My parents both worked for Douglas Aircraft and met in England while
working on Project Emily. My mother, Vernita Sallee Laws, was the first woman
and second person "allocated" on the project.
Thank you so much for popping by and showing your support and very interesting comments. Wow, to hear from someone who relatives were directly connected to this project. this is awesome information. Thank you. 😉👍👍👍👍👍
Very interesting, and you never always know what’s in your area. Great film, and well researched and presented 👌
Thank you so much for popping by. Glad you enjoyed this short documentary. Indeed our country is full of hidden surprises. Wishing a super weekend to you both. 😉👍👍👍👍👍
Excellent production!!! Love it!
Hey Alex. Glad you enjoyed the video buddy. Thanks for the support. All the best. Kim 😀👍👍👍👍
@@KimDiscoveringHistory thanks a lot!
A wry interesting video Kim after all these 75 years the remains are still left as a reminder of what was. Cheers mate 🇦🇺👍🍷🍷
Hey there Andy. Glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for the kind comments and support. Indeed this site is the only site that is relatively intact. The other 19 have been demolished by the land owners which is sad. Have a super weekend bud. 😉👍👍👍👍👍
@@KimDiscoveringHistory 60 years. If it had been 75, I would've seen them.
I love learning about where I am its so dull day to day but can only imagine what it was like in full swing.
Thank you so much for your kind comments. Glad you enjoyed the video my friend. Take care and stay safe. 😉👍👍👍👍
Great vid keep up the good work :-)
Thank you Shadow Turtle for your kind comments and support. Have a super weekend. Best Wishes. 😉👍👍👍👍👍
Great vidéo ! Very important job !
Thank you my friend for popping by and watching my video. Many thanks for the kind comments. Glad you enjoyed it. Best wishes. Kim😀👍👍👍👍👍
Great video mate.. Just subbed to your channel.
Cheers for the sub and glad you enjoyed the video. Take care and stay safe.😉👍👍👍👍👍
@@KimDiscoveringHistory you stay safe too mate
Very cool place, thanks for sharing some history.
Thank you for the kind comments and support. Means a great deal. Have a super week.😀👍👍👍👍👍
Another super video. Awesome watch. Thank you. :-) :-)
Thank you Finja for watching. Glad you enjoyed the video. Have a super fun weekend. 😉👍👍👍👍👍
Love the vid 👍
Thank you Harry, that was very kind of you. Have a super week ahead.😉👍👍👍👍👍
As a kid I knew of the cold war and the Cuba Missile Crisis, it was scary. We had drills in elementary school to learn how to take cover. Being so close to DC we would have been gonners soon after a bomb hit DC. I was very young then and did not realize that the UK was involved in the cold war with all these other countries. Thanks for educating me. I think you did an excellent job on your video, narrating and editing, awesome job :-))
Well Kathy, Let you into a little secret. I didn't know this place existed until 2 years ago lol. I was shocked how close it was to our town. Another secret, I was only 1 year old when they built this place...now I am feeling very old lol. I guess where ever we had these sites it made us enemy targets eh. Glad they have all gone and now just monuments of memories. Glad you enjoyed the video Kathy. Take care and best wishes to you and your family. 😉👍👍👍👍👍👍
Taught to take cover to spare you panic, and seeing your own death coming
Great video & greetings from Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey USA.
Thank you for your kind comments. Very much appreciated. Best wishes. Kim 😉👍👍👍👍👍
Hello my friend! I saw it very interesting! It made me think of the peace now!
Thank you so much my friend for watching my video and also for the kind comment. Peace on Earth.. have a super week. 😉👍👍👍👍👍
Let me start by saying this is a fantastic video. Defienly up there with the best on here. It's almost like watching tv. Well done my friend. I no the effort u have put into this video. I hope it achieves many views......spot on Kim
Hey there fellow adventurer. Glad you enjoyed the video Jay. It did take a few visits to make this video. Either it was freezing cold or raining lol. This site fascinates me every time I visit it. So many little things to explore. You would love it down here Jay.. Thank you so much for the kind and inspiring comments and support. Really means a lot to me. Take care and best wishes to you and Irish. 😉👍👍👍👍👍
I'm late seeing this but really enjoyed it 👍
Thank you so much for watching my video and leaving the kind comment. Glad you enjoyed watching. Check out some of my other videos. Best wishes. Kim 😃👍👍👍👍
As a kid in the late 70s I spent many an hour playing here.
FYI during the war a fully laden bomber came down in a field next to the A43 by the Walgrave turn, my gran said she remembered it as ornaments jumped off of the mantle piece. I used to scoured the field picking up the business end of 50 cals
The Cuban missile crisis could have turned bad very quickly, and this shows a small part of a world crisis! Thanks for sharing Kim, I've learned a lot more than I was taught in History class of this scary time! Hope you're doing well and having an amazing weekend my friend!! Cheers!
Hi there buddy. So pleased you enjoyed this short documentary. Thank you for the interesting and kind comments. Indeed I too have learnt so much more than school history lessons this last 2 years or so. Quite scary how close we came to turning those keys. Wishing you a wonderful weekend my friend. 😉👍👍👍👍👍
MacMillan offered the Thor sites as bargaining tools during the CMC, but Kruschev wasn't bothered by Thor. They knew where they were and realistically were not an offensive weapon, and easily dealt with by a Russian spy and a .22 rifle.
The vulcan is such a nice looking aircraft.. Great channel matey with some awesome content! new subscriber.:-)
Thank you so much for your subscription my friend. Of course I will warmly send you my subscription too. Glad you enjoyed the comments and always welcome comments and thank you for yours. I had so many video's to cover this year but as we know this has been put on hold temporarily. Stay safe and take care. Best wishes. Kim 😎👍👍👍👍👍
Excelente texto explicativo que nos sitúa en el lugar. Creo que estuvimos cerca de la extinción y aún lo estamos. Buen vuelo con excelentes imágenes. Buen trabajo, Kim. Saludos.
Gracias amigo por visitar mi canal. Me alegra que hayas disfrutado el video. Gracias por los amables comentarios. Mis mejores deseos y que tengan un súper fin de semana. 😉👍👍👍👍👍
Great Kim! This was interesting. Thanks for sharing and wishing you a nice weekend! // Bertil.
Glad you enjoyed the video Bertil. It was bitterly cold that day and taking off my gloves to operate the controller was painful lol. Thank goodness for hand warmers lol. The second day of filming was quite the opposite. Best Wishes to you and Mrs Lundin. Have a super weekend. 😉👍👍👍👍👍
@@KimDiscoveringHistory
Thanks Kim!
Very informative video. Thank you so much for sharing.👍🔔
Thank you so much for your kind comments and support. Have a super weekend my friend. 😉👍👍👍👍👍
Great stuff Kim! Thank you for keeping history alive. Sadly we haven't learned our lesson as Russia, China, the US and who knows who else are now developing ultra sonic missiles to deliver even more deadly weapons.
Hey there fellow Drone Seekers. Glad you enjoyed the video. Yes indeed we still have that fear of someone pressing the button. Now they have weapons that are so secret and years ahead of our time it doesn't bear thinking about.. scary stuff... but on a light note my friend.. Have a super weekend and lets not worry eh..😉👍👍👍👍👍
@@KimDiscoveringHistory Ha! I hear you Kim! 😀
I never knew of the THOR system till seeing this , yes I knew of the USAF bases during WW2 , I stayed down in Rattlesden in Suffolk near one of them ..but never heard of this till now , this site should be cleared of all the undergrowth an guide signs put up..a very interesting Vid.
Hello and welcome to my channel. Thank you for the kind comments and your support. Infact, strange as it is, they have now started clearing the launch area which now looks pretty good. There is still old barb wire from the parameter fence coiled up in the old trenches. I was shocked at the number of local people who didn't know this site existed. Thanks again for watching my video. Perhaps I may do a follow up. Best wishes. Kim 😉👍👍👍👍👍
Very good mate nice one don 🤠🇬🇧👍👍
Hey there Don, Glad you enjoyed the video.Thanks for the kind comments and support. Best wishes and have a super weekend.😉👍👍👍👍👍
Very lucid and concise presentation.
Thank you so much for the kind comments and support. Glad you enjoyed the video. Best wishes. Kim 😉👍👍👍👍👍
Thank God those Thor missiles were taken out of service!
@@philipprice3993 I agree entirely.. 😉👍
They were bloody unstable once launched and would have come down on East Anglia. It doesnt bear thinking about !
Very very interesting!!
Thank you so much for the kind comment and support. Glad you found this video interesting. Best Wishes and have a super weekend. 😉👍👍👍👍👍
Considering that more Thors blew up rather than launching successfully, they were only a threat to ourselves.
Interesting 🤔
Totally untrue, Thor in various forms were used by the US both militarily and for space exploration in various forms until the end of the 20th century.
Great video.. my daughter is learning about the cold war at school.. this site isn't far from me so paid a visit today.. I have driven down the adjacent road many many times and never knew these sites were here.. thanks again great work
Thank you so much for popping by. Glad you enjoyed the video on this historic site. I do hope this video helped your daughter with her school topic on this subject. Indeed you are not alone with regard knowing about this site. There are many out there who had no idea of its importance. Have a super weekend my friend.😉👍👍👍👍👍
Very interesting
Hello fellow You Tuber. Glad you found my video interesting. We seem to follow the same path with our channels but slightly different angles. Been watching your video's and they are amazing. Great to hear from you. Take care and stay safe. Kim 😉👍👍👍👍👍
Excellent and informative. Nothing more to say really 😀
Thank you Steve for your kind comment my friend. Glad you enjoyed the video. Best wishes to you and your family. Have a super weekend. 😉👍👍👍👍👍
There’s Thor missile sites all over Lincolnshire
The British tested a CenturionTank using an atomic bomb in the South Australia outback and it survived no problemo the motor only stopped when it ran out of fuel.
Only the paint was blasted off the tank and it was resprayed and deployed to Vietnam to fight the NVA by the Australian defence force where it served with distinction before being brought back to Australia where it rests now in a museum. Bit of trivia. My dad was at Maralinga and Montebello islands
Hi Samuel and thank you for the kind and very interesting comments. Amazing stuff you have mentioned and of which I had no idea. These comments I find so interesting and it provides education not only to me but also my audience. Fascinating read Samuel and thank you very much for adding these facts to my comments section. Best wishes. Kim 😉👍👍👍👍👍
Great video, location and information. I may see if I can have a Drone Adventure there.
Hi there, Glad you enjoyed the video. It certainly is a good place to fly. Vast open space, no air restrictions what so ever. Just fly and be free and of course interesting footage to capture. Thanks for the kind comment and support my friend. If you ever want to meet up around this area, let me know. Would be than happy to join you. Have a super weekend. 😉👍👍👍👍👍
And of course you need to get permission from the land owner, and tenant...good luck with that!
Very atmospheric, and all the better for having bee there last weekend 😊 A Thor missile can be seen in the “National Space Centre” in Leicester.
Glad you liked the video Tim and yes, it was great to see you there exploring the old launch pads. Interesting place. 😉👍👍👍👍👍
Yes I lived at Hutton Cranswick not far from RAF Driffield and this was a Thor base with another ar RAF Catfoss or Lissette .A air defence Bloodhound battery was at RAF Carnaby protecting these sites.Remembber Globemaster transports bringing them in and several hundred large caravans close to Four winds restaurant housing the American airforce personal and the big V8 cars .We had several US children in our Driffield boys school and one 17 yr old who carried a Colt 1911 45. Cal pistol in his school bag .Our class comprised 12/13 yr olds so thy were 7-8 yrs older(lots of Playboy mags).Engine run up tests were pretty impressive esp. at night.Exciting times.
Thank you for your kind and fascinating comments. I really appreciate viewers input and information. I am no expert in this subject and reading viewers accounts such as yours of these sites is riveting stuff and very interesting. Thank you again. Best wishes. Kim 😉👍👍👍👍👍
Interesting historical facts. Thanks for the info.+ 78
Thank.you so much for your kind comments and support. 😀👍👍👍👍👍👍
Back then, Britain never had any controls over nuke weapons, The USA would not allow Britain to have the firing codes or detonation codes, We had no control over nukes until Wilson was PM, and called back all British nuke scientist from the USA, to put together our own nuke weapons
Hi there and thank you so much for taking the time to write your kind and very interesting comments. This what I enjoy by reading all this informative and helpful information and much of it is material I didn't know. So thank you again for your additional info. Best wishes. Kim 😉👍👍👍👍👍
Total Rubbish, the British had their own operational nuclear weapons from 1953 onwards (though didn't have an operational V-Bomber to drop it for another two years). Thor had no Codes on it at all. The only thing stopping the nuke on the Thor being armed was a War / Peace Key held by a US Officer on site.
@@richardvernon317 USA controlled all western nuclear bombs, they did not want any other country to have any control over them, it was under Wilson did we have our own Nuclear Bombs, when British and commonwealth Nuclear scientist and technicians returned home from the USA and all were force to sign the USA secret act, which was meaningless because they were not USA citizen and could not be held to a USA act.
There is a documentary that tells how the UK became a nuclear power, We were testing parts for an of nuclear bomb back in 52, the hardest part was the trigger
Ciao, bel video interessante e spiegato molto bene. :-)
Grazie mille per i tuoi gentili commenti e supporto. Buona settimana amico mio. 😉👍👍👍👍👍👍
Really enjoyed your video. So interesting and well presented. New friend and subscriber ☺💕👍🔔
Thank you for joining my channel. I hope you enjoy the flight and videography of our history. Thank you for the kind and supportive comments. I am honoured to also join your channel which I found very interesting. I am looking forward to more of your content. Well done on reaching 150 subscribers and beyond. 😀👍👍👍👍👍
@@KimDiscoveringHistory you're welcome, we are looking forward to watching more of your videos. Thank you also for your lovely kind comment. We are really happy you liked our channel and have subscribed. We really appreciate your support 🤗💕☺💖
Emily
She must have beeeen a real heartbreaker to whoever named the project lol
Ha..ha.. yes, never thought as to how they came across the code name...hoped you enjoyed the video. thanks for watching. 😉👍👍👍👍👍
Was at the Memorial today. Museum closed until further notice. See FB For info. Great video this well done!
Thank you for popping by and showing your support and kind comments. Yes, miss visiting the Museum...hope it opens next year. Take care and have a wonderful Christmas 😉
My Dad was stationed on one of the air bases on security. I think I still have some photos of the missiles. I remember the American planes coming to replace missiles; I think the planes were named, 'Globemasters'. I'm sure I also remember them on transporters.
Thank you for popping by and giving me some great news about your dad being based at one the airbases. I would have loved to see this place in its hey day. Glad you enjoyed the video and thanks for watching. 😉👍👍👍👍👍
If you have the photos, please share at:
facebook.com/HarringtonThorMissile/
I'd love to see them.
There are some good photos in the book Cold War East Anglia if you can find a copy. I think it’s pretty hard to find now.
@@Mishima505 Jim Wilson's book is an interesting read, but John Boyes' two books on the topic seem to be a better account.
@@YellowPinkie have to look out for those then.
These misses were liquid fuelled which meant they took a fair while to ready for launch 🚀 the Americans developed solid fuelled missiles to eventually be launched from submarines. Minute man i beliieve was of this type ready at at minutes notice BTW taking its name after the militia men of the American Independence movement ready in a minute to fight the British red coats.
Thank you for your kind comments and very interesting info into these type missiles. 😉👍👍👍👍
Polaris on the Subs, Minuteman was the USAF Land based ICBM in the US that replaced Thor in the UK.
Kim, I hate to break it to you but the RN has a fleet of SSBNs with an order of magnitude more "destructive power".
Hi there, guess we learn something new every day. Interesting 🤔
It did not take long to find another one in similar or better condition just west of Peterborough at RAF North Luffenham. There were many of them.
I never liked the Americans basing their nukes in the UK, because we knew it made us a prime target. It was beyond our own control whether war would break out, but we would get hit all the same and be one of the first places nuked due to all those US bases in the UK.
It really heated up in the early 80s when the Americans began basing the Pershing and cruise missiles in the UK and Germany. Making it to the year 2000 did not seem like a sure thing. We just tried to get on with every day life and hope for the best.
The nearest base to us in Milton Keynes was RAF Upper Heyford where the USAF based nuclear capable tactical bombers called F-111. Constantly interrupting our classes because MK was in the flight path. After those nuke films on TV in the early 1980s we were discussing where the nearest targets were and if we would be in the blast zone etc.
I remember a couple of times hearing jets racing off at night sounding far more urgent than usual and wondering if it had all kicked off. I lay there waiting for the flash and it still gives me the chills thinking about it now. Not how kids should grow up. We should having been chasing girls, riding our BMXs, drinking cider underage, and fighting over football etc.
Then we moved to NZ for the last few years of the Cold War. NZ had banned the US military and gone nuclear free, but was punished for it. It felt miles safer than back home.
I remember the Cold War ending. Hey, we are not getting nuked after all. Now the big wigs want another cold war and are screaming that the Russians are coming again. Madness if you ask me. Lucky to survive the first one.
Hi there and thank you so much for your comments about your life in the UK back then. I have to say if I could jump on a plane to NZ I would. I don't feel safe here and I always share the same thoughts as you. It's scary and I fear for my own children's future. These sites should act as a reminder of how close we came to nuclear war. Best wishes. Kim 😉👍👍👍👍👍
"It really heated up in the 1980's when the Americans begab basing Pershing and Cruise in the UK and Germany"
No, you are wrong! It kicked off a few years prior to that when the Russians deployed hundreds of SS-20 mobile nuclear warheaded missiles (1,000 total warheads) targeted against Western European cities and bases.
In response the European NATO members requested the US to counter it with something similar. The US supplied Cruise and Pershing in bases throughout Europe.
If there had been no SS-20 deployment by the Russians, there would have been no Cruise or Pershing in Europe.
When the SS-20's were removed, so were the Cruise and Pershings!
@@Hattonbank True, but the Soviets would argue that they did that in response to NATO deployments like ALBMs on B-52s and thousands of other preprogrammed nukes NATO had targeted at the USSR etc. A chicken and egg thing I guess.
@@aquilarossa5191 Again, I would take issue with that.
B-52's were a strategic strike force of the USAF and were only based in the continental US, not in Europe, in the same way that Russian air force Tupolev Bear, Blackjack and backfire bombers armed with their own ALCM's were never based in Eastern Europe.
The end of the Cold War saw most of these Russian and US theatre weapons dismantled. Unfortunately, the ensuing 30 years without these types of weapons has ended with the Russian deployment of Isklander nuclear armed missiles to Kaliningrad, right on the European front.
I suppose if NATO responds in similar fashion then they, once again, will be the villains.
From 1949 SAC deployed several nuclear armed bomber types in the UK, from B-50s thru to B-52s and then F-111s which were based near where I grew up (RAF Upper Heyford).
When the USSR developed effective SAMs, NATO switched its aircraft to using stand off weapons and low altitude infiltration to attack both tactical and strategic targets with nuclear weapons in the USSR. For decades NATO flew daily nuclear armed patrols to the USSR borders, e.g., Chrome Dome etc.
To this day the USA refuses to abandon its right to strike first policy, i.e., a pre-emptive strike, while the USSR made no first use of nuclear weapons its policy and its law (Russia does too). Whether they would have obeyed their own law is another matter of course.
My point was not about who is the bad guys, it's about the dangers of continual escalation of forces in tit for tat deployments, which is happening again now.
Loved the slight exaggeration part of 1000 missiles back, then said more like a hundred. In fact it wasn't that much of an exaggeration especially when we got to the 80s, as Russia would of had around 25000 warheads in that decade.
Hi Jase, thank you for the kind and interesting comments and so pleased you enjoyed my video. Yeah, when I filmed that particular part regarding the number of returning missiles I really should have researched more on the Russian missile count. Having said that, I see you have assisted me already and I do appreciate the help. Best wishes to you. Kim 😉👍👍👍👍👍
My dad's USAF Air Training Comman d detachment began the training of RAF personnel on Thor missiles at RAF Hemswell 1957 to 1960. Missiles were just arriving fom USA When we left. I was 4-to-7 YO at that time. This video appears over dramaticized. Nuclear threat was real and mostly northern hemisphere. The Royal Navy has ballistic missile subs with Trident missiles with MIRV nuclear weapons. Land based missiles are not needed by Britian. The Thor missiles were sold-back to the US and were expended for NASA and commercial space launches.
Thor's didn't belong to the RAF, USAF pretty much paid for most of the project. British got the RAF involved to get a load of experience and Knowledge that would allow the RAF to operate their own IRBM in the shape of Blue Streak which was under development at the time. Of course the Government also made it look like the RAF were at the cutting edge of Missile Tech and it made it look like the British were a superpower in the newsreels.
Couple of those stills were Feltwell
Visitiing disused airfields and missile sites by air and ground exploration over the last 9 years. Over 200 sites so far and a lot of flying, gliding , driving and recording. Lot more to do. Onwards and upwards!
very well done - but lose the music. It's too loud, annoying and distracts from your film.
Looks like the ground around the site is fertile, and can be used for effective agriculture which is a better utilisation of land than dedicating it to sites that remind us of the destructive weapons that could have been launched from it.
Ha ha, how adolescent! The crops that grow there are stunted and patchy. A few square metres of land dedicated to history (if we forget history, we are doomed to repeat it!) is of no consequence.
My Brother in laws dad was base commander at RAF Feltwell whilst the Thor was there
I can have a look for the pics. If I find them I can send you copies?
Hi Dave, Sorry for the late reply... I would be more than grateful for any photo's you could send. That is very kind of you. Best wishes. Kim 😉👍👍👍👍👍
Kim,you could do to have a look round RAF Breighton East Yorkshire
Probably better preserved than Harrington
Hi there, thank you for your kind comments and support. There are so many places I am desperate to visit and once this Lock Down comes to an end a travelling I will venture. Thank you for the heads up on RAF Breighton. Sounds a good place to visit...Will put this on my to do list. Thank you. Best Wishes. Kim 😉👍👍👍👍
Breighton is nowhere near as interpretable as Harrington. That's why Harrington and North Luffenham were selected for listing, and the other sites not.
How were the rockets delivered to the site? By road, or air?
By all accounts, by road at this particular site. But flown in to the UK from USA. Hope this helps. Best Wishes. Kim
Hi mate your video is ready to be sent to you but I don't know where to send it.
Hi Chris, yep send it too auroradronephotography@gmail.com Is that what you normally do or do you send it to a drop box account.
@@KimDiscoveringHistory Hi mate sent it to your facebook account but can send it to that gmail address if you want.
@@PixiesChannel12345 will check my FB account. Just realised that email will only accept about 25mb which would be to small for video. How do you normally send it..?
@@KimDiscoveringHistory Look on Facebook I tell you how mate
Good morning... Thank you so much for sharing your video with us, I wish you a great week and let's go forward together!!! What's new on my channel? We share our unboxing video of the DJI Mavic Mini Combo. This new drone is by João Figueiredo (nickname JFig) who started to collaborate with our channel yesterday... You are always welcome!!!
Hey there my friend. Hope your well. Thank you for the kind comments and support. I will check out your latest video's tomorrow. Take care and have a super weekend. 😉👍👍👍👍👍
@@KimDiscoveringHistory thank you, cheers...
They took too long to fuel that was their flaw
Thank you for the kind and interesting comments. Indeed I can imagine time was crucial and these were slow to get off the ground.👍👍👍👍👍
The American tech was way behind Soviet technology at the time. When the Sputnik satellite was put into orbit, the Americans realised that the Soviets could put a warhead anywhere on the globe. Thor (and Jupiter) were a stop gap, the 1500 NM range was all they could muster in such a short space of time. Put a circle around Moscow of that radius and you have the east of the UK. Suddenly we're best buddies with the Americans again.
The free world's first nukes were on our doorstep, we must not let that fade from memory.
@@YellowPinkie I reckon this 40% rise will include some Tactical nukes for the Queen Elisabeth's
@@YellowPinkie Interesting comments Stephen... very interesting... thank you. 😉👍👍👍👍
@@KimDiscoveringHistory also, you state that all the pads point in the same direction; they don't. They're all a few minutes different to allow for a spread of targets. I've made a FOI request for what the targets would have been, but of course that information doesn't exist!
Lots of hyperbole in this video.
Hi Jim bo. Glad you found the time to watch my video. I did try to keep it as simplistic as possible and not delve into the political side of things. Nothing was exaggerated as all my info came from the home office and war records unless they were exaggerating. Who knows eh, but all the same I appreciate your input. 😉👍👍
There were 5 or 6 Thor bases in Lincolnshire. They closed down in 1959
Hi John, great to hear from you and I hope life is keeping you safe and well. Thank you for your kind comments and info. Indeed, these sites were spread all over the East Midlands and the East of England. Not many are left standing these days. Thank you for your support and hope you enjoyed the video. 😉👍👍👍👍
The Thor bases closed down in 1963.
1. It would not have annihilated mankind! It would’ve killed millions upon millions, but not wiped out mankind.
2. It’s not ‘karosene’. It’s ‘kerosene’, with an ‘e’. 😂