Great Britain's countryside Nuclear deterrent - Thor Missile - How close we came to extinction.

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Thor Missile History and Facts
The Thor missile site is located south-east of the position of the runway of former RAF Harrington.The pyrotechnic store and classified storage building lie to the west of the three emplacements.
National Grid Reference: SP7739678108
Reasons for Designation:
The Thor missile site, pyrotechnic store and classified storage building at the former RAF Harrington, Northamptonshire, constructed in 1959, are designated at Grade II, for the following principal reasons:

Historic Interest: the Thor missile site has international historic significance because of its association with world events of the Cold War period; most notably the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962.
Only 20 Thor sites were established in England, of which the Harrington base is one of the most intact The functional and tactical association with the main Thor missile station at North Luffenham contributes to the special interest of the Harrington base.
History
RAF Harrington found a new military purpose in 1959, when it became a satellite Thor missile site under the control of RAF North Luffenham in Leicestershire. Thor missiles were the first operational Intermediate-range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) system deployed by the West during the Cold War. With a range of 1,500 nautical miles, Thor missiles were approximately 20m (65ft) long and 2.5m (8ft) in diameter powered by propellant rocket fuel controlled by two motors. Developed by the United States (US) Government between 1955-1959, the proposal to deploy Thor in Britain as well as the US was put before the British Government in 1957. At the time Britain was developing its own IRBM, Blue Streak, which would not be operational for some time. Final agreement to locate Thor in Britain was reached between the Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan, and President Eisenhower at the Bermuda Conference in 1957. The rockets were to be British property, manned by the RAF who would be trained for the task by the USAF, but the nuclear warheads would remain under US control. Macmillan reported to Parliament that the decision to use Thor against the Communist East would be made jointly by the two countries.

A total of 60 missiles were deployed at 20 sites in the East of England from 1958 under the codename 'Project Emily'. There were four main bases located on pre-war permanent airfields; RAF Feltwell, RAF North Luffenham, RAF Hemswell and RAF Driffield. At each base an adapted hangar was used to receive the missiles, store the servicing equipment and conduct inspection and maintenance. Usually located on the opposite side of the airfield, the Thor compounds at the main bases had a Surveillance and Inspection Building and a Classified Storage Building, partly surrounded by earthwork berms, where the warheads were inspected and stored. Every main base had four satellite stations, each with their own Squadron. The launch areas at the main and satellite stations were almost identical, although at the latter a smaller Classified Storage Building and Pyrotechnic Store was placed 200m away from the nearest emplacement, protected by earthwork banks. These remain at Harrington. The buildings and emplacements lay in an irregularly shaped compound surrounded by a pair of fences. Inside were crew huts, a squadron office and telephone exchange. Close to the main gate was the launch control area, an area of concrete on which the control trailer, generators and an oil tank were placed. The concrete pad of the launch control area remains at Harrington.

Thor missiles could be brought to operational readiness in 15 minutes after receiving the authorised and authenticated order to launch. Strict understandings about the operational control of the missile included an agreed British and US launch through a dual key system and a veto for each Government. Although Thor deployment in Britain was an interim measure, their presence played an important part in the Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962, the most tense period of the Cold War, when fifty-nine of the sixty missiles were made ready, including the three at Harrington. Thor was phased out in England between April and August 1963, just short of their anticipated 4 year life-span, North Luffenham being the last site to close.