| The old control tower of former RAF Coleby Grange, which sits behind the Nocton Heath truckstop on the A15, is a familiar sight with people travelling between Sleaford and Lincoln and is actually the building that triggered my interest in the RAF in Lincolnshire
The airfield was open between 1940-1963 and was originally built as a fighter station, having only grass runways. The site was redeveloped in the late 50’s as a Thor missile base, only to close in 63 after Thor missile’s where taken out of service. The site is located about 8 miles South of Lincoln, about 3 miles down the road from RAF Waddington. Apart from the control tower, there are very few other remains. The perimeter track, accessible from a gate on the South of the site along the B1202, is still mostly intact and the old fire tender shed next to the control tower remains in a derelict state. On Eastern side of the A15 a former T1 hanger remains, which is currently being used as farm storage. North Kesteven District Council had erected a marker panel and an information board, showing the airfield layout, in the adjacent truckstop car park at Nocton Heath. However, since these pictures were taken the information board has sadly been vandalised and the marker panel removed. If you wish to visit the site for yourself, please note that the control tower is on private property, and the land owners request that people don’t go any further than the truck stop car park. |
A familiar site from the A15, the former Coleby Grange watchtower 535x400 |
Nocton Heath truckstop, with watchtower on left behind trees. 535x400 |
North Kesteven District Council Marker Panel 535x400 |
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Airfield information Board (now sadly vandalised) 400x535 |
Former watchtower as taken from peri-track, with fire tender shed on left. 535x400 |
Former fire tender shed. 535x400 |
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Watch tower, another view 535x400 |
Watch tower, another view 535x400 |
Interior room 535x400 |
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The way to the toilet? 535x400 |
Upstairs front office, looking South-West accross airfield 535x400 |
Upstairs front office, looking West accross airfield 535x400 |
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Remains of peri-track, looking North 535x400 |
Remains of peri-track, looking South towards entrance on the B1202. 535x400 |
Former T1 hanger, on the East side of the A15 (now a farm stores) 535x400 |
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Former Nissen hut on the East side of the A15, now a worskhop for Nocton Heath Garage. 535x400 |
AWAC's in the skies over Coleby Grange 535x400 |
Former peritrack hardstanding South of the B1202, looking North-East towards Watchtower 535x400 |
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Coleby Grange Watchtower as viewed from the peri-track entrance on the B1202 535x400 |
