| Summary : A Second World War bombing decoy at Bulphan that was built to deflect enemy bombing from Royal Air Force Hornchurch airfield. This was both a 'K-type' day decoy and a 'Q-type' night decoy. The 'K-type' decoy consisted of a replica airfield equipped with dummy Hurricane aircraft, and a simulated bomb dump. The 'Q-type' decoy displayed a series of lights, which when seen at night resembled two active runways. The site contained two control buildings: an underground bunker and a later, above-ground shelter, which housed the generators and provided crew shelter. Both of these buildings still stand on the site in good condition. The decoy site was operational from early 1940. The 'K-type' ceased operating on 27 June 1941 as it had been identified as a decoy by the German military, however, the 'Q-type' decoy continued operating until at least 1942. In July 1940 the site is referenced as being used as a 'QF' decoy, where controlled fires were lit to simulate an airfield targeted by bombs. By the 1980s the Balpham decoy site had been given over to agricultural use and, apart from the two standing structures, no other features of the decoy survive. |