Easton Down

**PNK** · 11-10-2009, 17:36

This is one of the many ranges in the Salisbury Plain area and very confusing it is too.
I believe this one is Easton Down and is a pre-war bombing range added to by Porton Down (the far left)

Map of the area

1947 aerial photo

Modern aerial of the bombing target - remarkable to survive

**PETERTHEEATER** · 12-10-2009, 09:12

Good find PNK. I didn't have this one although I have Porton Down.

The target looks like an RAF Apprentice wheel badge!

**Richard Drew** · 01-11-2009, 22:23

Porton still has a bombing wall as did Ashley Walk. And your 1947 has the bombing wall and the big circle seen here today.

**PNK** · 01-11-2009, 22:35

They are all on government property I suspect so must have been protected from development. Amazing after all these year.

Did anyone notice the similarity of the cartwheel shape in my third photo to the ones in the "What is it ?" thread?

**Richard Drew** · 01-11-2009, 22:48

I can get to most areas of Salisbury Plain BUT Porton Down is nearly impossible due to the research that goes on there. It also had several GS sheds as well. I have been hoping that Paul would come up with some original photos one day.

**PNK** · 30-10-2011, 14:17

By way of an update, the Easton Down range is in fact known as Porton Down in official documents. The reference to Easton Down is only to identify which bit of Porton is being referred to. The two white concentric circles on the 1947 aerial photo are not to do with bombing ranges but are in fact gas trenches used as part of the chemical warfere side.
The other item of interest (to me) is the elongated "X" just NE of the gas trenches. It is a shape that I have come across a few times but its true purpose still eludes me. On military maps that shape signifies a crossing but I doubt it would be transferred to the real world

**PETERTHEEATER** · 31-10-2011, 05:24

Thanks; that makes sense now, it is Porton Down but one site within the overall range.

Knowing the function of the concentric circles is unconnected with true 'range' use is useful since it can help resolve similar shapes on other former military areas.

Yes, that elongated X shape is irritating and we have discussed it in other range threads; seems to appear where the Army were involved.

**Carnaby** · 02-11-2011, 14:56

This is the area corresponding to the concentric circles in the 1947 aerial. Alas no trace of that fascinating 'X'.

Those circles are on the 1919 Crossley Report map in the HMSO book on Porton.