Red Signs for MOD sites

[Big Nick]

I've long associated the red bordered sign with military places like RAF Lossiemouth https://www.google.com/maps/@57.7104677 ... 312!8i6656 or Kendrew Barracks https://www.google.com/maps/@52.7137616 ... 312!8i6656

Vector Aerospace is a military contractor, their site in Gosport has a standard black sign https://www.google.com/maps/@50.830518, ... 312!8i6656

So why does their Perthshire site have a red sign? https://www.google.com/maps/@56.4092012 ... 312!8i6656

[novaecosse]

I'm sure the previous red bordered sign read "DARA Almondbank".
I don't know when it changed to Vector Aerospace, but weren't they bought over by Eurocopter?

[KeithW]

As I understand it red borders are used for MOD run sites while civilian contractors have standard signs even though they may be subject to entry restrictions under the terms of the Official Secrets Act.

Almondbank was originally a RNAS repair site before becoming a site operated by the Defence Aviation Repair Agency. In 2010 the site ceased to be under MOD control and was passed to Vector Aerospace who were in turn purchased by Eurocopter.

The site where I worked in the late 70's on nuclear submarine power systems had the standard road signs even though we were in an area subject to naval security measures. HMS Vulcan at Dounreay where the systems were tested on the other hand had red signs with white lettering. The Dounreay site like Almondbank is no longer a stone frigate as it is being decommissioned but still has the red signs. Probable reason is bureaucratic inertia.

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@58.57527 ... authuser=0

[Paul7755]

There are also advance signs for Fleetlands that are still red bordered though. I don't think it is consistent enough to see evidence of a rule change.

https://goo.gl/maps/v9uciXBnHgE2

https://goo.gl/maps/pcx7SbjYuDn

Paul

[Johnathan404]

DSTL has one sign (I think) in Fareham.

EDIT: A panel!

There are also advance signs for Fleetlands that are still red bordered though. I don't think it is consistent enough to see evidence of a rule change.

Worth stepping forward just to see another nice example.

A few more:
New sign for HMS Collingwood
Two new flag signs
A sign on a motorway! (Probably not the one you're thinking of.)

[Paul7755]

DSTL has one sign (I think) in Fareham.

AIUI (and in the context of the original question) DSTL is still an MOD organisation, the bits of the former research establishments that were not privatised (as QINETIC) as they were considered too sensitive?

Unless I'm out of date...

Paul

[Paul237]

I've never understood why they have to be red anyway, or what the rules are regarding how far away from the destination they should be used.

This sign for MOD Donnington has always confused me:
https://goo.gl/maps/maQs4vrEmAo

From there, it's a good 11 miles to MOD Donnington and yet there are no further signs for the site after this point until you're practically there.

[chaseracer]

This sign for MOD Donnington has always confused me:
https://goo.gl/maps/maQs4vrEmAo

Is that merely a retaining wall, or is there something interesting on the other side?

[BeenEverywhere]

I've never understood why they have to be red anyway, or what the rules are regarding how far away from the destination they should be used.

This sign for MOD Donnington has always confused me:
https://goo.gl/maps/maQs4vrEmAo

From there, it's a good 11 miles to MOD Donnington and yet there are no further signs for the site after this point until you're practically there.

Possibly there as a call for the co-driver to wake up and get his route sheet out?

[Johnathan404]

Nice MOD ADS here.

[Bryn666]

Has anyone ever seen a 1964 "fat red" border version then? I certainly haven't.

[Johnathan404]

Quick bump to share the unusual sight of a cycle path with MOD red signage.

[Berk]

Has anyone ever seen a 1964 "fat red" border version then? I certainly haven't.

Was the red border introduced with all the other Worboys signage, or later??

[Arcuarius]

Signs for RAF Syerston exist on the A46. Interestingly, RAF Waddington just up the road doesn't enjoy signing off the trunk road network.

[Chris Bertram]

Has anyone ever seen a 1964 "fat red" border version then? I certainly haven't.

Was the red border introduced with all the other Worboys signage, or later??

My (possibly faulty) memory suggests that red borders appeared along with all the other Worboys innovations. The best way to check would be to find a copy of the Highway Code from that time.

[Bryn666]

They appeared in 1964.

The red border was fat like the blue border on local signs.

[Berk]

I racked my brains back to my schooldays, trying to think of where I might’ve seen one. I’m pretty sure there was one here, that pointed to RAF Upwood. Which would now appear to be gone; is it on an earlier StreetView??

I thought I was confusing it with RAF Wyton, but I can’t remember if I actually saw Wyton; definitely saw Upwood though.

[doebag]

I racked my brains back to my schooldays, trying to think of where I might’ve seen one. I’m pretty sure there was one here, that pointed to RAF Upwood. Which would now appear to be gone; is it on an earlier StreetView??

I thought I was confusing it with RAF Wyton, but I can’t remember if I actually saw Wyton; definitely saw Upwood though.

There was one there, we had friends who lived in Bury. I guess they gradually get taken down or replaced where RAF stations become army camps.