RAF Danby Beacon

RAF Danby Beacon was an early warning radar station that formed part of the Chain Home network of radar (or Radio Direction Finding (RDF)) stations built by the Royal Air Force immediately prior to the Second World War.

Construction
The receiving masts were 240 ft high timber structures and the transmitting masts were 360 ft steel masts. The construction of these masts was the work of the RAF controlled, but civilian staffed, No 2 Installation Unit of No 1 Maintenance Unit (1 MU).

Second World War
During the first part of the war the station was under the control of 13 Group of Fighter Command. On 3 February 1940 it was a plot from Danby that led Hawker Hurricane aircraft from Blue section, 43 Squadron stationed at RAF Acklington to shoot down a Heinkel 111 bomber over Whitby. This was the first German aircraft shot down over England during the war, the British aircraft being under the command of (then) Flight Lieutenant Peter Townsend.

Soon after control of the station passed to the newly formed 60 Group but its information was passed to 13 Group headquarters in Kenton, Newcastle upon Tyne.

Cold War
In 1946 the station moved to the control of 90 Group and continued to function in the early warning role until 1954 when the station ceased operating. The masts and buildings were demolished in 1957.

Memorial
None of the structures remain but the site of the station is now marked by a memorial stone.