RAF Ringstead March 2009
I have been to this site a number of times over the last few years but this is the only time i managed to get down there in daylight to get some ok'ish pictures and have not seen any posts on this yet so hope you enjoy!
RAF Ringstead was one of the westward additions to the radar chain along the South Coast of England, and entered service after the Battle of Britain had been won, but well before the Allies were assured of final victory. Work on the station commenced in January 1941 and the unit became operational in May of the following year with both Chain Home (CH) and Chain Home Low (CHL) trabsmitter/receivers.
Initially, the operational buildings were above ground and unhardened. Attempts to find a suitable site for a receiver station at either Bowleaze Cove Or Osmington Mills were unsuccessful due to problems with either large local buildings or topography, so in later years the main operational buildings were protected by earthworks alongside and over the top. Today the buildings are very well camouflage with trees and overgrown foliage.
In 1963 the station was handed over to the USAAF 2180th Communications Squadron, who operated a Tropospheric Scatter System until the station's closure in 1973. The controversial 150ft high aerial masts were dismantled and removed in 1974.
There are three of these bunkers two are readily accessible after a rummage through some brambles and the other is in the garden of a local house and it is secure. There are also a few more buildings dotted around the site like Sergeants Mess and pilbox.
What looks like just a hill.
Main entrance
Inside one of the bunkers
Inside one of the other bunkers
Back door.
Old picture of main entrance
The controversial 150ft high aerial masts removed in 1974.
I have a few more pictures of the other sites here but i didnt think they were worth posting due to poor'er quality.
Thanks for looking!
I have been to this site a number of times over the last few years but this is the only time i managed to get down there in daylight to get some ok'ish pictures and have not seen any posts on this yet so hope you enjoy!
RAF Ringstead was one of the westward additions to the radar chain along the South Coast of England, and entered service after the Battle of Britain had been won, but well before the Allies were assured of final victory. Work on the station commenced in January 1941 and the unit became operational in May of the following year with both Chain Home (CH) and Chain Home Low (CHL) trabsmitter/receivers.
Initially, the operational buildings were above ground and unhardened. Attempts to find a suitable site for a receiver station at either Bowleaze Cove Or Osmington Mills were unsuccessful due to problems with either large local buildings or topography, so in later years the main operational buildings were protected by earthworks alongside and over the top. Today the buildings are very well camouflage with trees and overgrown foliage.
In 1963 the station was handed over to the USAAF 2180th Communications Squadron, who operated a Tropospheric Scatter System until the station's closure in 1973. The controversial 150ft high aerial masts were dismantled and removed in 1974.
There are three of these bunkers two are readily accessible after a rummage through some brambles and the other is in the garden of a local house and it is secure. There are also a few more buildings dotted around the site like Sergeants Mess and pilbox.
What looks like just a hill.
Main entrance
Inside one of the bunkers
Inside one of the other bunkers
Back door.
Old picture of main entrance
The controversial 150ft high aerial masts removed in 1974.
I have a few more pictures of the other sites here but i didnt think they were worth posting due to poor'er quality.
Thanks for looking!
