Monument record ORF 068 - The Field of Mirrors
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Summary
Location
| Grid reference | Centred TM 44535 49189 (16m by 15m) |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | TM44NW |
| Civil Parish | ORFORD, SUFFOLK COASTAL, SUFFOLK |
Map
Type and Period (2)
Full Description
A system of bomb ballistic test instrumentation that pre-dates World War II is visible on aerial photographs from 1941 onwards, centred on circa TM44534918 (S1, S2). The instrumentation, known as 'the field of mirrors', consists of six mirrors or lights arranged in a hexagon with a seventh centrally located. The instruments were part of a system of photographic equipment to record and time the release of test bombs dropped on the surrounding bombing range as part of the ballistics experiments that were coordinated from the Bomb Ballistics building immediatley to the north (see ORF 067, ORF 066). By 1945 one section of the instrumentation has been damaged by a stray bomb during a practice bombing run. (S3, S4).
Sources/Archives (4)
- <S1> SSF50005 Photograph: RAF. Air Photograph. RAF S/656 74-81, 80-81 06-OCT-1941.
- <S2> SSF50005 Photograph: RAF. Air Photograph. RAF 106G/UK/929 4374-5 16-OCT-1945.
- <S3> SXS50131 Bibliographic reference: Gordon Kinsey. 1981. Orfordness - Secret Site, A History of the Establishment 1915-1980. Kinsey, G. (1981).
- <S4> SXS50132 Verbal communication: Angus Wainwright. Angus Wainwright, Verbal Communication. Angus Wainwright, March 2003, National Trust.
Finds (0)
Protected Status/Designation
- None recorded
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (1)
Record last edited
Oct 21 2004 4:56PM