Got a little bored this avo so, I decided to go and have a look at the mushroom pillbox which would have been on the edge of Burnaston airfield when it was operational.
It made my heyfever almost unbearable as I had to walk through a rape field to get to it.
Heres a little about this type of pillbox from a website
The F.C. Construction Type are also variously termed "Mushroom" due to its shape or "Oakington" & "Fairlop" Pillboxes, probably because examples are present on both these airfields.The type seems to be confined to airfields apparently being found predominantly in the eastern counties of Britain. The design was intended to provide all-round visibilty and field of fire, with a `parasol` roof supported on a cruciform wall which stands in a sunken circular pit. The brick sides of the pit rise to meet the overhang of the roof leaving an uninterrupted 360-degree `embrasure`.
The silhouette is low and easily broken. In some examples the top of the roof is domed, in others it is flat. This is probably more to do with the pouring technique of the contractor than any military consideration.
Heres the pictures. enjoy
On approach to the pillbox
Another view
Entrance to pillbox
Me
View outside from inside. note willington powerstation in the distance
Its obviously used as i hide too
A few interior shots note the rail for the gun mount still in place.
Sorry about the smear in this one twas raining you see!
It made my heyfever almost unbearable as I had to walk through a rape field to get to it.
Heres a little about this type of pillbox from a website
The F.C. Construction Type are also variously termed "Mushroom" due to its shape or "Oakington" & "Fairlop" Pillboxes, probably because examples are present on both these airfields.The type seems to be confined to airfields apparently being found predominantly in the eastern counties of Britain. The design was intended to provide all-round visibilty and field of fire, with a `parasol` roof supported on a cruciform wall which stands in a sunken circular pit. The brick sides of the pit rise to meet the overhang of the roof leaving an uninterrupted 360-degree `embrasure`.
The silhouette is low and easily broken. In some examples the top of the roof is domed, in others it is flat. This is probably more to do with the pouring technique of the contractor than any military consideration.
Heres the pictures. enjoy
On approach to the pillbox
Another view
Entrance to pillbox
Me
View outside from inside. note willington powerstation in the distance
Its obviously used as i hide too
A few interior shots note the rail for the gun mount still in place.
Sorry about the smear in this one twas raining you see!
