Building record 8136/1/1 - Mushroom FC Construction Pillbox, RAF Croughton

World War II 'Mushroom' pillbox, of brick and concrete, guarding the north east corner of the airfield on current MoD property at Croughton Airfield. While its condition was reported as fair in the 1990s, it has since been demolished.

{1} FC Construction Pillbox with 2 gun mounts in situ.

{2} A mushroom FC Construction pillbox. Guards the north-east corner of airfield on existing MOD land. Condition reported as fair. Constructed c. late 1941.

{6} 'Mushroom' pillbox, guarding NE corner of airfield on current MoD property alongside A43. Additional information on history of RAF Croughton on SRF.FC construction pillbox with 2 gun mounts in situ.

{8/9} The footing of a pillbox observed within Trench 33 was previously recorded in the Historic Environment Record as a ‘Mushroom’ type Ferro-Concrete (FC) pillbox featuring two-gun mounts. It was noted as being in ‘fair condition’ during a 1997 assessment. Historic building recording in 2026 confirmed that the structure was demolished during previous site works, with the resulting rubble earth banked at the location. The pillbox was most likely demolished on security grounds, given its position outside the current RAF perimeter fence, overlooking the base. The pillbox was constructed during “Phase 2" (June–September 1940). By 1942, defence policy had shifted away from these static perimeter fortifications towards mobile defence by the RAF Regiment.

<1> Dr M Osbourne, 1997, List of Northamptonshire Pillboxes, (unchecked) (Note). SNN101917.

<2> Ruddy A. J., 1997, Defence of Britain Project Site Recording Forms, (checked) (Recording Form (Not SMR)). SNN51426.

<3> Osborne, M., 2003, 20th Century Defences in Britain: The East Midlands (Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire & Rutland), pp.81, 88 (unchecked) (Book). SNN104545.

<4> MINISTRY OF DEFENCE, Croughton Airfield site plan, (unchecked) (Plan). SNN106648.

<5> WILLS H., 1985, Pillboxes, A Study of U.K. Defences in 1940, p.20 (unchecked) (Extract). SNN3321.

<6> Migrated Defence of Britain Project database record originally compiled from various sources (Database). SNN112922.

<7> Historic England, Undated, Defence of Britain, DEB01 (Archive). SNN112947.

<8> Stephanie Blues, 2026, RAF Croughton Main Gate, Brackley, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Evaluation (Report). SNN117118.

<9> David Williams and Stephanie Blues, 2026, Archaeological Services WYAS Report No. 4433 RAF Croughton Main Gate, Brackley (Report). SNN117122.

Record last edited

Jul 15 2026 10:16AM