Monument MPM1205 - Site of Pickett Hamilton Fort (demolished)

Pickett-Hamilton Fort (retractable pillbox) built c.1940-41 to defend Portsmouth Airport. It was demolished during development work in 1982. This type of fort was specially designed so that it's centre could be left flush with the ground until danger threatened, and then raised by means of compressed air or hydraulic pump to enable the fort's garrison to open fire on the enemy. The idea behind the design of a 'disappearing pillbox' was that it could be constructed on and around airfield runways and would not present a hazard to friendly aircraft. (1)

There were originally three forts positioned at the north-east, south-west, and south-east corners of the airport site. The fort to the south-west was moved from it's original location to it's present position outside the D-Day Museum, Southsea, in 1984 (see MPM1204). The fort to the north-east is the only one that remains in it's original position, and is a Scheduled Ancient Monument (see MPM208).

<1> Portsmouth Museum Service, 1980s, Portsmouth Museum Service Military History Collection Correspondance File (Unpublished document). SPM179.