Hawkinge Aerodrome Perimeter

Chaps,

As part of a slow burning Battle of Britain diorama build in 1/76th I’d like to incorporate my take on the well-known pillbox alongside
Gibraltar Lane that had a 20mm Hispano AA gun on its roof. I have seen quite a lot of variable quality photos in various places on the
web but despite studying them I can’t be sure if the said structure is a type 24, type 27 or an altogether different Air Ministry pattern pillbox. I’d be grateful if anyone with a knowledge of the Hawkinge defences could kindly assist with identification. Was the brick AA position on the roof built on a flat concrete slab or is there a sunken ‘pit’ in the centre as on the type 27? I’d also value any opinions as to the actual shape of the pillbox & AA position. How many sides? The pillbox itself seems to have few loopholes and seems partially buried. Can anyone please confirm the number of loopholes and whether the earth bank is a post war change in the landscape or something that was perhaps there at the time? It seem to make the pillbox itself of very limited defence value, being largely buried, although a single loophole does face the aerodrome flying field. How would the AA position have been accessed, via a ladder on the outside, or up through the pillbox roof?

This pillbox is on the far side of Gibraltar Lane from the aerodrome. The site plan in Battle of Britain – Then and Now shows the aerodrome perimeter to be in the fields beyond, but careful examination under a magnifier of the Fox photos of the 32 Squadron Hurricanes in the same book seems to show a tall perimeter fence along the lane on the aerodrome side. This would mean that the pillbox was outside the fence, although at least one photo seems to show a possible gate in the fence, opening onto the lane. I’m leaning towards a typical ministry fence of the period with angled top concrete posts, wire mess to 6ft or higher and triple strands of barbed wire along the top. I would be grateful for any confirmation or opinion regarding the fence type and the position of the pillbox outside the fence. I think the photos were taken in July 1940 but the site plan could be later?

Would the pillbox have had a barbed wire barricade around it? Would it likely have been camouflaged in some way?

Finally, Gibraltar Lane is presently narrow, lined by hedgerows and macadam surfaced. I’m assuming that the lane would have been just as narrow in 1940, with much less hedging, but does anyone know if it was macadam then, or unpaved?

I’m very grateful for any information, opinion or advice. Thanks for your time in advance, everyone,

Tim