Post war the site also housed a Radar Bomb Score Unit (RBSU). I am surprised to see no mention of it in the Wiki. I shall do a little research and see what I can find.
Never even came across a reference to such a beast in the past, let alone heard of it
It will go in the Glossary at least now:
RBSU [UK] Radar Bomb Score Unit, for the evaluation of simulated bombing runs. 1960s.
For certain, all the info we have had passed to us has only been about the balloon site and operation, nothing later (if you don't count the civil developments).
I'm up to my ears in some programming I don't understand, but will look into it later, tomorrow, the day after, maybe next week, or...
Post war the site also housed a Radar Bomb Score Unit (RBSU). I am surprised to see no mention of it in the Wiki. I shall do a little research and see what I can find.
Pity - harder to tell, not having seen the item though.
I hadn't actually been looking for anything, but Photobucket raised the pics when I was in there for something else, so I had a look at the complete set.
Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately), the rest of the pics were all taken of the hangars and buildings that have been cleared, and didn't appear to capture any of the more substantial concreted-type items which still appear on the site, or the ground features.
I have had it confirmed that "Glasgow Bombplot", the RBSU at Bishopbriggs was not a figment of my imagination as I have contacted former users. I am still trying to ascertain the dates when it was active, but it did close before the end of the 1960s and it seems that the equipment may have been transferred to Gernish in the Outer Hedrides. I do recall using that range.
A brief description of the operation of an RBSU may be found in the Wikipedia entry for RAF Lindholme.
In the late 1960's and early 1970's, 721 Mobile Radar Bomb Score Signals Unit (721 MRBSSU) was lodged on a dispersal on the eastern side of the airfield. 721's role was to track strike aircraft (mainly from the V-force) during simulated bombing runs at high and low-level and score the accuracy of the simulated attacks against designated targets within a radius of approximately 50 miles of Lindholme. Radar operators on the ground had to pick up and then 'lock on' to the aircraft whose track was then printed onto a chart in the operations caravan. Prior to the simulated weapon release the aircraft would transmit a steady tone on the radio which ceased at the release point. Following the simulated release the aircraft would then transmit a coded message that provided the MRBSSU with the information necessary (wind velocity etc.) to 'score' the attack, the results (in terms of bearing and distance from the designated target) being passed to the aircraft in another coded message. The unit was capable of handling aircraft at 10-minute intervals.
I have only had the opportunity for a very brief skim over the internet for any info, and two things became apparent...
Confirmed by the above was an impression that this was related to the V-Force (which was not a surprise in context), and was gained from entries found in UK flight forums, which refer to the operation through ex-pilots, but did not describe any detail - apparently assuming everyone knew what they were talking about.
But from what did turn up, it looked as if one could (mistakenly, of course) gain the impression from the bulk of material that was an operation which was almost completely owned by the USAF.
This was not anything they said or claimed, rather it was simply that open references to this operation was on sites contributed to by USAF flyers.
It's a fascinating nugget to have, especially being local.
Now that we know of one, I wonder if more will surface, or sites that mobile units might have operated from?
Would the radar have been at Bishopbriggs? If so it might explain the sets of concrete stairs - they might have been for access to a roof mounted radar array.
Would the radar have been at Bishopbriggs? If so it might explain the sets of concrete stairs - they might have been for access to a roof mounted radar array.
The RBSUs were mobile units, all they required was a hardstanding, so it's highly unlikely that the concrete steps were associated with them. IIRC they were based upon an AA gunlaying radar.
Having started to look, I am a little surprised that there isn't a bit more information available about them. Granted they did not have the most glamorous role, but it was a necessary and useful one.
For the record, in addition to Glasgow there were RBSUs at Ouston, Haydock and Kenley. These closed and moved to Tumby near Coningsby, Lindholme and Dunkeswell. The Ouston unit was sometimes deployed to Sleep. There was further RBSU facility at West Freugh operated by the RAe, primarily in support of their operation on the Luce Bay Ranges. The only overseas RAF RBSU that I am aware of was in Germany, parented by RAF Gutersloh.
There was a further V-Force support unit located in Scotland, 112SU at Stornoway. This was used to monitor and report on the effectiveness of V-Force ECM equipment. This however was in a technical sense, not associated with tactical employment.
Brings back memories of ATC days. At one air display I remember a contest between a USAAF B29 and a RAF Lancaster both converted for air sea rescue; they were flying over between the balloon hangers and daring each other to fly pass lower; The RAF pilot won by evenually flying almost lower than the roofs and on one engine! Would certainly not be allowed these days but was typical of the daring that went on in the 1950's. I think it was at the same show that there was a demonstration of radar controlled AA against a jet;very comical as the jet circled the gun and as the gun rapidly transversed the crew had to hang on, feet off the deck as if on a speedy roundabout! The jet was either a Vampire or Hunter. I also remember RNFA Venoms flying along the causeway at Dyce Airport,( we had to dive into the ditch), and entering the airfield flying though the granite gateposts to attack parked RAF Meteors at one minute past the start time of an exercise and declared an overall win!
But from what did turn up, it looked as if one could (mistakenly, of course) gain the impression from the bulk of material that was an operation which was almost completely owned by the USAF.
This was not anything they said or claimed, rather it was simply that open references to this operation was on sites contributed to by USAF flyers.
I have now searched the usual nooks, crannies and dusty corners of the internet and have turned up little more about the RAF RBSUs. Maybe this was because theirs' was a rather unglamorous role and it was the sort of posting that could be the consequence of a significant gaffe; social or otherwise! I recall visiting the Coningsby unit; Tumby Bombplot; in the early 70s but the fact that I can remember little detail of it is probably quite telling.
There is reference to RAF Leuchars parenting an RBSU, but I suspect that this would have been the Bishopbriggs unit rather than another one. I shall continue to search and ask around and should I uncover further information will post it here.
I spoke with an ancient navigator (radar) this afternoon. He was able to provide a couple of additional snippets about the Bishopbriggs RBSU. Its radio callsign was Glen Run and he only remembers using it whilst on the Valiant which was withdrawn from service in 1965. Therefore the relocation probably occurred around this time. A factor in the decision to relocate was probably the fact that Bishopbriggs could only provide scoring for simulated high level attacks and with the medium bomber force changing to low level tactics there would have been little trade for Bishopbriggs.
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