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View Full Version : CHL/Coast Defence Radar Station - Swansea Bay - August 2010



TQexplorer
25-08-2010, 02:19 PM
I spotted this by accident driving down the M4, so after turning off the next exit and a reasonable climb up the mountain, here's my pic's...

Quick history HERE (http://www.coflein.gov.uk/en/site/308125/details/MARGAM+RADAR+STATION,+GROES,+MARGAM/)

The station at Margam was part of the World War II Chain Home Low radar network used to detect shipping and low flying aircraft in the Bristol Channel. Three concrete buildings and a platform remain, set on the edge of the scarp overlooking Groes village.

Chain Home Low Radar on WIKI (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chain_Home_Low)

Chain Home Low (CHL) was the name of a British radar early warning system, detecting enemy aircraft movement at lower altitudes than and summarily used with the fixed Chain Home system which was operated by the RAF during World War II...


The main operations building housing three rooms inside & the Radar array mounting on the roof...
http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af312/TQexplorer/Swansea%20Bay%20Radar%20Station%20-%20Margam%20Mountain/8.jpg

http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af312/TQexplorer/Swansea%20Bay%20Radar%20Station%20-%20Margam%20Mountain/1.jpg

Main entrance, rusted blast door...
http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af312/TQexplorer/Swansea%20Bay%20Radar%20Station%20-%20Margam%20Mountain/2.jpg

http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af312/TQexplorer/Swansea%20Bay%20Radar%20Station%20-%20Margam%20Mountain/3.jpg

View from window over Swansea Bay & Port Talbot Steelworks...
http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af312/TQexplorer/Swansea%20Bay%20Radar%20Station%20-%20Margam%20Mountain/4.jpg

http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af312/TQexplorer/Swansea%20Bay%20Radar%20Station%20-%20Margam%20Mountain/5.jpg

Concrete base for diesel generator in one of the 2 generator buildings...
http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af312/TQexplorer/Swansea%20Bay%20Radar%20Station%20-%20Margam%20Mountain/7.jpg

View from the roof...
http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af312/TQexplorer/Swansea%20Bay%20Radar%20Station%20-%20Margam%20Mountain/6.jpg

KingElvis
25-08-2010, 07:46 PM
I like that, nice one for posting it up :-)

TQexplorer
25-08-2010, 08:08 PM
I like that, nice one for posting it up :-)
Cheers King appreciate that, I admit not the biggest of sites but dramatic views and a barren feeling up there, just wish my mobile phone camera could've captured it better...upgrade one day when I'm rich! :D

boxfrenzy
25-08-2010, 09:05 PM
Nice one, and good views too :thumb

TQexplorer
25-08-2010, 11:12 PM
Nice one, and good views too :thumb

Cheers mate, afraid my pic's don't really show it, but looking SE (ish) from that rooftop, you see the South Wales coast and the cliffs of North Devon in the far distance...it's def worth the climb if you're ever that way on the M4 :smile