It's been a while !! Have been really busy of late slowly putting together a flickr site - you don't realise just how many pic's you have until you try to re-edit and post them. Theres bloody thousands !! Anyway i am slowly plodding thru them. I thought that i would take a break and post on here before you all forget me, so here is my (rather conventional) take on Bawdsey. Yes, i know it's been done to death but apparently it is now well and truly sealed ! Even if no-one else is interested Krela should be, as the last time it was posted he replied "never tire of seeing this place" so this is for him !!
Bawdsey was chosen to join the ROTOR program back in 1950 and became operational in 1952 as a Ground Control Intercept Stn. It consisted of a two level underground bunker (designated R3) and ancillary top side buildings.It closed in 1975 and was placed on care and maintenance until re-opening in 1979 as a Bloodhound surface to air missile (SAM) site. At the end of the cold war it was stood down and closed its doors on March 31st 1991.
This was a holiday explore with Mrs F (the lucky woman !!) which also took in tons of military relics dotted around Norfolk and Suffolk.
The bunker and site are now owned by a local farmer, who has attempted to deter visitors - rather unsuccessfully judging by the number of reports. Apparantly he plans to "preserve" it. ?
After being on site for an hour or so wandering around the top site, we heard a car draw up and feared the worst. However it was two fellow explorers from Northampton (COBBLER's i hear you cry - but it's true !)They showed us the entry point which saved us a bit of searching. Anyway on with the pics.
This is the bungalow (the guard house and original entrance to what lies beneath !)
Bawdsey Rotor by fluffy5518, on Flickr
A type 87 Radar plinth.
Bawdsey Rotor by fluffy5518, on Flickr
Protected Dereliction.
Bawdsey Rotor by fluffy5518, on Flickr
Underground now - Here are the emergency exit stairwell (our entry point)
Bawdsey Rotor by fluffy5518, on Flickr
This is what remains of the main control room and shows the well where the Kelvin Hughes projector was located. Now just a hole in the ground !!
Bawdsey Rotor by fluffy5518, on Flickr
Underneath this has been modified too, with a new partition building erected and the removal of the ceiling, making one very high room.
Bawdsey Rotor by fluffy5518, on Flickr
A lot of equipment still remains below stairs although the effects of 25yrs of abandonment and vandalism has taken its toll.
This is the GPO apparatus room.
Bawdsey Rotor by fluffy5518, on Flickr
Bawdsey Rotor by fluffy5518, on Flickr
In another room a 1960's switchboard slowly moulders.
Bawdsey Rotor by fluffy5518, on Flickr
As do switch gear and many gauges ......
Bawdsey Rotor by fluffy5518, on Flickr
This is an RAF personnel rest room with a serving hatch through to the Kitchen area ...
Bawdsey Rotor by fluffy5518, on Flickr
...and this is the servery.
Bawdsey Rotor by fluffy5518, on Flickr
At the back of the Control room amongst the air conditioning runs lies the Minerva master unit for the fire detection system. The reason most of the flooring has been removed is that the boards were made of Teak.
Bawdsey Rotor by fluffy5518, on Flickr
Lastly, underground, is the remains of the air conditioning plant room.
Bawdsey Rotor by fluffy5518, on Flickr
Back up top again now with the emergency exit ...
Bawdsey Rotor by fluffy5518, on Flickr
...and some random others.
Generator building....
Bawdsey Rotor by fluffy5518, on Flickr
Roadway to the ready use stores.
Bawdsey Rotor by fluffy5518, on Flickr
A main vent for the underground bunker.
Bawdsey Rotor by fluffy5518, on Flickr
The Motor Transport Shed.
Bawdsey Rotor by fluffy5518, on Flickr
And lastly the Bungalow and main stores building.
Bawdsey Rotor by fluffy5518, on Flickr
Bawdsey Rotor by fluffy5518, on Flickr
Well, there you have it !! But there is so much else to see at Bawdsey from Martello towers to a Chain Home Stn.
Please head over to my Flickr account if you fancy some more abandonment ....
www.flickr.com/photos/141051585@N03/albums
Bawdsey was chosen to join the ROTOR program back in 1950 and became operational in 1952 as a Ground Control Intercept Stn. It consisted of a two level underground bunker (designated R3) and ancillary top side buildings.It closed in 1975 and was placed on care and maintenance until re-opening in 1979 as a Bloodhound surface to air missile (SAM) site. At the end of the cold war it was stood down and closed its doors on March 31st 1991.
This was a holiday explore with Mrs F (the lucky woman !!) which also took in tons of military relics dotted around Norfolk and Suffolk.
The bunker and site are now owned by a local farmer, who has attempted to deter visitors - rather unsuccessfully judging by the number of reports. Apparantly he plans to "preserve" it. ?
After being on site for an hour or so wandering around the top site, we heard a car draw up and feared the worst. However it was two fellow explorers from Northampton (COBBLER's i hear you cry - but it's true !)They showed us the entry point which saved us a bit of searching. Anyway on with the pics.
This is the bungalow (the guard house and original entrance to what lies beneath !)
Bawdsey Rotor by fluffy5518, on FlickrA type 87 Radar plinth.
Bawdsey Rotor by fluffy5518, on FlickrProtected Dereliction.
Bawdsey Rotor by fluffy5518, on FlickrUnderground now - Here are the emergency exit stairwell (our entry point)
Bawdsey Rotor by fluffy5518, on FlickrThis is what remains of the main control room and shows the well where the Kelvin Hughes projector was located. Now just a hole in the ground !!
Bawdsey Rotor by fluffy5518, on FlickrUnderneath this has been modified too, with a new partition building erected and the removal of the ceiling, making one very high room.
Bawdsey Rotor by fluffy5518, on FlickrA lot of equipment still remains below stairs although the effects of 25yrs of abandonment and vandalism has taken its toll.
This is the GPO apparatus room.
Bawdsey Rotor by fluffy5518, on Flickr
Bawdsey Rotor by fluffy5518, on FlickrIn another room a 1960's switchboard slowly moulders.
Bawdsey Rotor by fluffy5518, on FlickrAs do switch gear and many gauges ......
Bawdsey Rotor by fluffy5518, on FlickrThis is an RAF personnel rest room with a serving hatch through to the Kitchen area ...
Bawdsey Rotor by fluffy5518, on Flickr...and this is the servery.
Bawdsey Rotor by fluffy5518, on FlickrAt the back of the Control room amongst the air conditioning runs lies the Minerva master unit for the fire detection system. The reason most of the flooring has been removed is that the boards were made of Teak.
Bawdsey Rotor by fluffy5518, on FlickrLastly, underground, is the remains of the air conditioning plant room.
Bawdsey Rotor by fluffy5518, on FlickrBack up top again now with the emergency exit ...
Bawdsey Rotor by fluffy5518, on Flickr...and some random others.
Generator building....
Bawdsey Rotor by fluffy5518, on FlickrRoadway to the ready use stores.
Bawdsey Rotor by fluffy5518, on FlickrA main vent for the underground bunker.
Bawdsey Rotor by fluffy5518, on FlickrThe Motor Transport Shed.
Bawdsey Rotor by fluffy5518, on FlickrAnd lastly the Bungalow and main stores building.
Bawdsey Rotor by fluffy5518, on Flickr
Bawdsey Rotor by fluffy5518, on FlickrWell, there you have it !! But there is so much else to see at Bawdsey from Martello towers to a Chain Home Stn.
Please head over to my Flickr account if you fancy some more abandonment ....
www.flickr.com/photos/141051585@N03/albums
