Air 29/3582, 271 Signals Unit
Operations Record Book
RAF Neatishead, December 1956-58
Dave Clarke & Paul Fuller
This file contains an inspection report by No 12
Group Fighter Command for Neatishead following a visit in
December 1956. It reads as follows:
"RAF Neatishead is a G.C.I. [Ground Controlled Interception]
station having a primary interception role and a secondary
reporting role. It is equipped with AMES Type 7, a Type 14 Mark 8
and Type 14 Mark 9 search radars and five Type 13 height-finders.
A FPS-3 [AMES Type 80] search radar is being installed.
Operations staff include 30 officers, one warrant officer, ten
SNCO's, 31 corporals and 168 aircrew."
By JUNE 1957 Neatishead had 5 radar systems: AMES Type 7, Type 14
Mark 8, Type 14 Mark 9, Type 5 Mark 13, FPS 3 [Type 80].
JANUARY 1957: Exercise Fabulous: "On 12 occasions
unidentified responses were reported, but two of these faded
before interception could be made. 7 others were identified after
fighters were airborne and the remaining 3 were analysed as: 1
Canberra, I F-84F, 1 T-33."
MARCH 1957: "only once during the month was a scramble
called for, and on this occasion the target response faded before
an interception was achieved."
MAY 1957: During Exercise Vigilant there were 8 scrambles - all
identified by aircraft under control (QRA duties undertaken by
aircraft from Stradishall, Waterbeach and the 512th USAF Squadron
at RAF Woodbridge).
JANUARY 1958: During Exercise Halyard aircraft were scrambled for
2 X-raids. The first turned out to be a Vulcan..."the second
had an advantage in speed over both the Meteor and Javelin that
attempted to intercept it."
APRIL 1958: Surveillance was kept over 4 special balloons
released at RAF Cardington and these were successfully tracked up
to heights of 100,000 feet. During Exercise Halyard two X-raids
remained unidentified. There was a third scramble for an easterly
target but fighters were "unable to intercept it."
JULY 1958: Tension increased due to Middle Eastern situation.
SEPTEMBER 1958: Eight scrambles. One X-raid not identified.
OCTOBER 1958: An ornithologist was engaged observing starling
migrations from the continent.