Monument record 8629/1 - Preston Capes bombing range

Site of Second World War bombing range tower at High Wood.This was built for taking bearings of bomb bursts on range used by 16 OUT RAF Upper Heyford. Extant remains comprise a two-storey, brick-built tower

{1} Bombing ranges were used by the RAF Operational Training Units (OUT's). They utilised the ranges established in open countryside including at night. "Known ranges were at Preston Capes (used by 16 OUT at Upper Heyford) ….. The actual target at each range was a white circle, and two observation towers overlooked the target area. From these towers, bearings were taken as the 4lb flash bombs exploded, enabling the position to be fixed. Results could be sent direct to the aircraft by means of a radio transmitter installed in one of the towers. On occasion the odd bomb did drop outside the range altogether…". Photo shows a tower photographed in 1980 standing near the Everdon to Preston Capes road. See also summary of Bombing Ranges.

{3} Short article about Defence of Britain project and its receipt of Lottery funding, with the claim that the Project wishes to list the tower. Photograph of the tower included.

{4} DS has recently visited and confirms that the tower extant but in poor condition. Located in an arable field. No public access. NGR as above.

{5} JM says his neighbour Denis Henson of North Farm, Little Preston "remembers in the past having encountered a thick copper cable when ploughing ……" presumed to be the line linking the two towers at this bombing range. Site of the second, long demolished tower identified by MacLaren as being approximately SP58105487.

{6} Two storey quadrant tower used to take bearings of bomb bursts on range used by 16 OUT RAF Upper Heyford. Brick built tower with concrete steps, lintel and roof. Cement facing to upper storey brickwork." Fair condition. Three colour photographs.

{7} BOMBING RANGE TOWER. SRF, with 3 photographs, location plan. For taking bearings of bomb bursts on range used by 16 OUT RAF Upper Heyford.
Recorder- A. Armishaw.

<1> Gibson M.L., 1982, Aviation In Northamptonshire: An Illustrated History, p.176 (unchecked) (Book). SNN100276.

<2> Armishaw A., 1995, Photographs, (unchecked) (Photographs). SNN52328.

<3> 1997, Chronicle & Echo, (unchecked) (Article). SNN39596.

<4> SMITH D, 1997, Oral Report to SMR, (unchecked) (Oral Report). SNN50493.

<5> MACLAREN J, 1997, Letters, (unchecked) (Letter). SNN39598.

<6> Armishaw A., 1995, Defence of Britain Recording Forms: preston Capes Quadrant Tower, (unchecked) (Recording Form (Not SMR)). SNN51412.

<7> Migrated Defence of Britain Project database record originally compiled from various sources (Database). SNN112922.

<8> Historic England, Undated, Defence of Britain, DEB01 (Archive). SNN112947.

Record last edited

Feb 10 2025 8:19PM