The fact that anti aircraft guns were sited in Carlton on one of the
farms during the Second World War is widely known, but to be able to see them
from the air makes such a big difference.
The images and information has been supplied to us by Ken Cothliff who is
the Archivist for Leeds Bradford Airport.
"Existing to the west of the Avro Factory site, north of the airport is a
rare relic of World War Two.
Often thought of as a "radar" site it is, in fact, a complete
anti-aircraft gun emplacement for four 3.7" guns and central predictor/control
bunker.
It is understood that few of these have survived so complete, according
to the archivist of the Royal Artillery Museum in London.
TOP: It can be seen from the aerial photograph, taken in the summer of 2011,
with the help of Capt. Chris Wood of Multiflight, four guns, with 3.7" (95mm)
bore barrels were mounted on circular mounts (See left hand gun pit), and in the
centre of the semi-circle of four guns was the 'Predictor unit' which helped
determine the range and height of the enemy
aircraft.
Middle: This photograph shows a 3.7" gun of the type used here now mounted
at Fort Paull, near Hull.
Also shown is a predictor unit of the type used being shown to Fl. Lt.
Bill Reid VC, who won his award flying a Yeadon-built Lancaster on 3 November
1943.
Bottom: Often these guns were manned by female gun crews, but the Yeadon guns
were manned by 1st/6th Battalion the Duke of Wellington's
Regiment."