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#RAFLincolnshire
Updated: 12 Dec 12
K Site opened: 13 Mar 1940
Q site operational: 19 Jun 1940
K Site closed: 27 Jun 1941
Q site closed: >= 1 Aug 1941
Closed: listed as abandoned in Aug 1942
Airfield decoyed: RAF Cottesmore
English Heritage Site Reference: Q/K33A
Approximate location of site centre: BNG SK979218 (Streetmap)
Pastscape record: 1464679
The Swayfield K/Q site was a Second World War day and night-time bombing decoy that was built to deflect enemy bombing from RAF Cottesmore. The K site day decoy consisted of a replica airfield equipped with dummy Battle aircraft. The Q site night decoy displayed a series of lights at night to simulate an active airfield. The decoys were built in 1940; the K site ceased operating on 27 Jun 1941, as it had become an unconvincing decoy. During operation the K site was bombed twice in Jun 1940.
The Q site decoy is referenced as being active until at least August 1941. A control building survives in good condition on the site, with a reasonable amount of earthern covering still attached.
Q-sites operated at night and tried to lure the enemy with sets of lights arranged to look like a real operational airfield, set out over up to a mile and a half of countryside. Q sites generally had a night-time staff of two who would check lighting before dusk and await nightfall in a shelter.
K sites were daytime decoys for satellite airfields which were typically of no great size and with very limited numbers if any of buildings, as it was deemed unrealistic to build decoys for the substantial pre-war permanent airfields. Such sites normally had an area cleared of hedges, one entrance road and a concrete yard which was only occasionally occupied with aircraft. Suitable sites were selected 2 - 6 miles from the stations to be protected and wherever possible on the expected line of approach of enemy aircraft.
See further reading on dummy and decoy sites.
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