RAF-lincolnshire.info :: Missiles

home :: squadrons :: stations :: memorials :: aircraft :: forums :: books :: abbreviations :: search :: links :: about :: contact

The Bloodhound Surface-to-air Missile System in the RAF

Home
RAF Stations & Bases
Full list of locations
Squadrons and Units
A brief history
Aircraft types
Photographs
Memorials
Crashes
Sqn & Stn Associations
Museums
Maps
Oral History
Books
Search site
Links
Sitemap
Abbreviations
People Finder
Family history & research
About the site
FAQs
Contact us
Copyright
Updates
#RAFLincolnshire

> RAF Bases

Interactive map
Full list of locations

Alma Park
Anwick
Bardney
Barkston Heath
Belton Park
Binbrook
Blankney Hall
Blyton
Boston Wyberton Fen
Bottesford
Bracebridge Heath
Braceby
Buckminster
Bucknall
Caistor
Cockthorne
Coleby Grange
Coningsby
Cranwell
Cuxwold
Digby
Donna Nook
Dunholme Lodge
East Halton
East Kirkby
Elsham Wolds
Faldingworth
Fiskerton
Folkingham
Freiston
Fulbeck
Gosberton
Goxhill
Grantham
Greenland Top
Grimsby
Grimsthorpe Park
Harlaxton
Hemswell
Hibaldstow
Holbeach
Humberston
Immingham
Ingham
Ingoldmels
Kelstern
Killingholme
Kirmington
Kirton in Lindsey
Langtoft
Leadenham
Lincoln West Common
Ludford Magna
Manby
Market Deeping
Market Stainton
Mere
Metheringham
Moorby
Morton Hall
New Holland
Nocton Hall
Normanby
North Coates
North Killingholme
North Witham
Norton Disney
Orby
Rauceby
Saltby
Sandtoft
Scampton
Skegness
Skellingthorpe
Skendleby
South Carlton
South Elkington
South Witham
Spilsby
Spitalgate
Stenigot
Strubby
Sturgate
Sutton Bridge
Swinderby
Swinstead
Theddlethorpe
Tydd St Mary
Waddington
Wainfleet
Waltham (Grimsby)
Wellingore
Wickenby
Wigsley
Winterton
Woodhall Spa

Updated: 9 Dec 12

What it was

Bloodhound Mk1 was a point-defence surface-to-air missile system used to protect the V-bomber bases at home and overseas and was usually installed nearby. It had a range of 40 miles (64km), but its pulsed radar could be jammed and was vulnerable to ground 'clutter', thus degrading low-level capability.

Deployment of the Bloodhound Mkl began in 1958 following a ten-year fielding process begun by the Bristol Aeroplane Co and Ferranti Ltd. The short-comings of the Mk1 were quickly tackled, resulting in Bloodhound 2 joining the RAF in 1964.

Why we needed it

During the 1950's the threat to the UK was no longer from low flying aircraft but high flying jet bombers armed with nuclear bombs. In order to counter this threat a new system of defence was developed. Initially the proposal was for a new weapon designed to fit the mountings at the old anti aircraft gun sites but with the need to destroy incoming missiles before they crossed the coast and provide a constant deterrent against surprise attack these plans were quickly changed with a proposal to build a number of large missile sites along the east coast organised in 'fire units', each consisting of sixteen missiles further divided into two flights of eight missiles. This fielding plan was modified to a larger number of sites spread over a wider geographic area with two units at each site. RAF Dunholme Lodge was one of the ten operational sites selected, with an additional trial site at RAF North Coates. Each of these sites was equipped with the Bloodhound Mk 1 missile.

How and when it was fielded

The Bloodhound MkI entered service in December 1958 and the last MkII missile squadron stood down in July 1991.

After the Royal Navy assumed the strategic nuclear deterrent role in 1970 all Bloodhound within the UK were withdrawn and either stored or transferred to RAF Germany, where 25 Sqn had been moved for airfield defence. However, the growing low-level air threat led to a screen rather than point defence being required. 85 Sqn reformed at West Raynham in 1975, followed by a B Flt detachment at North Coates in Mar 1976. 25 Sqn moved from Germany to the UK from 1981 to 1983 to thicken the line following the deployment in Germany of Rapier, with its A Flight deployed to RAF Barkston Heath. When the 25 Sqn numberplate passed to the new F3 air defence squadron on 1 Oct 89 its bases chopped to an enlarged 85 Sqn - Barkston became D Flt of 85 Sqn.

How command and control worked

Bloodhound was part of an overall air defence system. Warning of an incoming raid would be relayed from one of the early warning radars to a tactical control centre. Four TCC's were built at RAF Lindholme, RAF North Coates, RAF North Luffenham and RAF Watton in Norfolk.