Project Emily

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Where were the Thor Missiles based in the UK?

Project Emily was the codename given to the deployment of 60 Thor Missiles that were deployed to 20 locations across the UK.  The project lasted 5 years, between August 1958 and August 1953 when the nuclear deterrent was passed to the V-Bomber force.  The 20 Thor locations were broken down into four wings, each wing controlling five bases. These are:

The Driffield Wing:

• Breighton, Yorkshire
• Carnaby, Yorkshire
• Catfoss, Yorkshire
• Driffield, Yorkshire
• Full Sutton, Yorkshire

The Feltwell Wing:

• Feltwell, Norfolk
• Mepal, Cambridgeshire
• North Pickenham, Norfolk
• Shepherds Grove, Suffolk
• Tuddenham, Suffolk

 
The Hemswell Wing:

• Bardney, Lincolnshire
• Caistor, Lincolnshire
• Coleby Grange, Lincolnshire
• Hemswell, Lincolnshire
• Ludford Magna, Lincolnshire

The North Luffenham Wing:

• Folkingham, Lincolnshire
• Harrington, Northamptonshire
• Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire
• North Luffenham, Rutland
• ​Polebrook, Northamptonshire

Outside the UK, the Thor Missile was tested at Vandenberg AFB, California.

Thor Missile on display at Cosford.

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ABOVE : Thore Missle Launch Pad at Harrington.

BELOW : The Blast Walls on a Launch Pad at Ludford Magna.