As this is my first post I thought I should introduce myself. I live in Kent and my interest is Kintyre is its connection to aviation history, particularly the many bombing ranges which is the main focus of my research. I know the locations of the ranges at Skipness, Crossaig and the multiple ranges around the Rhunahaorine Point area (official name was Ballure after the farm) as there are remains are visible today.
One of the ranges that I have yet to confirm is Killean. This was a bombing range for the Fleet Air Arm based at Machrihanish and I believe it was on the land between Tayinloan and Killean (NR 69054 45347?). It was opened in 1944 and contemporary documents give a danger area around the target of 600 yards radius. The area inside this would be clear of any obstructions and any spotting towers would be just outside this radius. It was probably closed at the end of the war but was brought back into use in 1952 due to the Korean crisis. Its final closure is not known.
The problem I have is that I cannot confirm any location as the aerial photos I have seen are either before it opened or after it closed. I was wondering if there was any local information as to ehere the target was and what it looked like and if there were any quadrant shelters or other buildings constructed to enable the fall of bombs to be plotted. Also was there an arrow laid out anywhere pointing to the target? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I will be posting more queries at some point especially on another such range at Bellochantuy of which I have no location information.