RAF Dry Tree
{{Short description|Former Royal Air Force early warning station in Cornwall, England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2018}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2018}}
{{more citations needed|date=May 2014}}
{{Infobox military installation
|name = RAF Dry Tree
|ensign = Ensign of the Royal Air Force.svg
|ensign_size = 90px
|native_name =
|partof =
|location = Goonhilly Downs
|nearest_town = Helston, Cornwall
|country = United Kingdom
|image = 250px
|image_size =
|alt =
|caption = View inside the receiver block at RAF Dry Tree.
|image2 =
|alt2 =
|caption2 =
|type = Chain Home radar station
|coordinates = {{coord|50|2|44.1|N|5|12|18.24|W|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
|pushpin_map = Cornwall
|pushpin_mapsize =
|pushpin_map_alt =
|pushpin_map_caption = Shown with Cornwall
|pushpin_relief =
|pushpin_image =
|pushpin_label = RAF Dry Tree
|pushpin_label_position =
|pushpin_mark =
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|ownership = Air Ministry
|operator = Royal Air Force
|controlledby =
|open_to_public = yes
|site_other_label =
|site_other =
|area =
|code =
|built = {{Start date|1940}}
|used = 1940-
|builder =
|materials =
|height = four {{convert|110|m|ft|disp=flip}} transmitter masts
|fate = demolished with the exception of ground level buildings and concrete hardstandings
|condition =
|battles = Second World War
|events =
|commander =
|commanders =
|garrison =
|occupants =
|website =
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}}
RAF Dry Tree was a Royal Air Force early warning radar station for detecting enemy aircraft during the Second World War. It was built in 1940 on Goonhilly Downs, on the Lizard peninsula in Cornwall, a short distance to the south-east of the Goonhilly Earth Station.{{cite web|last1=hydealfred|title=RAF Dry Tree Chain Home Radar Station|url=http://www.derelictplaces.co.uk/main/showthread.php?t=18472#.VHm3dGeuT-A|website=Derelict Places|accessdate=29 November 2014}}{{cite web|url=https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1678265|website=Geograph |title=Site of RAF Dry Tree|accessdate=31 May 2014}} It was named from the standing stone on the land known as the Dry Tree menhir.
Purpose
Its purpose was detecting aircraft approaching South Cornwall and the Western Approaches. It had four {{convert|110|m|ft|disp=flip}} transmitter masts and two {{convert|73|m|ft|disp=flip|abbr=on}} wooden receiver masts. Its existence was only revealed after the war had ended. Most of the station was destroyed in the early 1960s to make way for the satellite communication station. Some buildings and structures still exist and are located within a nature reserve. The nerve centre was the receiver block which now has public access to the roof, giving excellent views across the Downs. Other buildings and structures which were part of RAF Dry Tree can also be seen.
Dry Tree menhir
File:Dry Tree menhir 2.jpg is seen in the foreground]]
The Dry Tree menhir is a ten foot standing stone located on the ex-RAF Dry Tree site at Goonhilly,{{cite web |title=Dry Tree Menhir {{!}} HELSTON HISTORY |url=http://www.helstonhistory.co.uk/old-customs/dry-tree-menhir/ |access-date=11 October 2021}} from which the station takes its name. The menhir was seemingly named Dry Tree due its resemblance to a dry tree trunk.
The location of the menhir was where the boundaries for six parishes met in medieval times. It dates back around 3,500 years. It was dug out during the 19th century (by gold hunters) and was put back in its upward position in 1927, after World War I, but soldiers had cut one metre off its top.{{Cite web |date=2015-05-11 |title=Dry Tree, Goonhilly |url=https://www.cornwalls.co.uk/history/sites/dry_tree.htm |access-date=2025-02-01 |website=Cornwall Guide |language=en}}
Dry Tree is west of Traboe.[https://www.akademikernewek.org.uk/place-names/content/dry-tree Dry Tree/Gwedhen Sygh][https://www.geograph.org.uk/showmap.php?gridref=SW729209 OS map of Try Tree and Traboe]
See also
References
{{Portal|Cornwall}}
{{reflist}}
{{Royal Air Force}}
{{Royal Air Force radar stations}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Drytree}}
Category:Military units and formations established in 1940