Monument record TQ 85 NW 314 - Remains of airfield compass indicator ([Building No.40]), Detling Airfield
Summary
Location
| Grid reference | TQ 8119 5980 (point) |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | TQ85NW |
| County | KENT |
| District | MAIDSTONE, KENT |
| Civil Parish | THURNHAM, MAIDSTONE, KENT |
Map
Type and Period (1)
Full Description
The possible remains of the former compass indicator for Detling Airfield is located c. 125 m south of Aerodrome Estate. The indicator was a circular marker on the ground, c. 25 m in diameter, and was used to help guide pilots trying to land at the airfield. The marker is visible on 1946 aerial photographs and still visible in 2016.
A 2024 survey described it as "Compass Platform [Building No.40]. On farmland on the south side of and adjacent to the Detling Aerodrome Industrial Estate. Circular concrete platform used for the calibration of aircraft compass instruments. Fair condition for its age but with several ‘cracks’ in the concrete through which vegetation is growing. " (1)
2012, 2012 collection of vertical aerial photographs of Kent (Photograph). SKE31544.
<1> Kent Defence Research Group, 2024/5, Site recording form for the Maidstone 20th Century Defences Project, 46 (Digital archive). SKE56292.
Sources/Archives (2)
Finds (0)
Protected Status/Designation
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (1)
- Non-Intrusive Event: Survey of Maidstone's 20th Century Military and Civil Defence Sites (EKE23349)
Record last edited
Feb 24 2025 2:13PM