derelict airbases

These people give the genuine people that really do take an interest in old airfields a bad name. I can’t believe that they were walking around the old hangars at Watton while they are being taken down. Someone was seriously hurt a few weeks ago there when they fell through the hangar roof they were working on, they are lucky that they are still alive from what i was told. It could have just as easily been one of them. I also saw one comment saying that he could get into the hangar which is locked. Hopefully that will change tomorrow.:)

I know that alot of buildings on airfields have been demolished because they are constantly getting broken into and vandalised and with the actions of these people who can blame the landowners for their actions. Something needs to be done about this kind of disrespect for peoples property.:mad:

Well said Chris,I agree completely. If you ask permission not only are you doing the right thing,but as you say you often hear a story or see a building/site which you otherwise wouldn’t have if tresspassing.

Garry.

airfields and access

An interesting thread and once again raises the issues of access to airfield sites. I have just come across the following on the 28 Days Later forums:

http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=15121

Scroll down the images (yes, they’re pretty good, although very few captions) until you reach the close up of the sign (second post) which says “B CLASS” and just read what he’s written. IMHO totally irresponsible! I’m referring of course to Gary (especially) and Peter’s posts from a few days ago who also seem to share the same sentiments.

It’s this sort of behaviour which will ruin it for the genuine airfield researcher – and I know from this forum there are plenty around who really know their beans! We (1 Group and myself) ALWAYS seek permission, either in advance or by prior permission (where the landowner is known). If we don’t, it means a lot of asking around and door knocking.

Sure, we’ve been questioned and only once turned away, which we duly did but due to asking around, we have met some truly wonderful people and been given access to buildings which otherwise would have been ‘out of bounds’, which has added to the photographic record of these sites. Just because there isn’t a “No Entry” sign doesn’t mean to say that there is a right of passage – see the disclaimer on my own website. It’s there for a reason.

And no, I’m not being selfish. It would be great if everyone with an interest could see these fast-decaying site (too often sold off by local authorities for that oh-so ever popular phrase ‘low-density housing’ or a new furniture superstore, et al).

Sorry to vent my spleen like this on the historic board but it makes me fume that some morons might spoil it for the people who really want to record, properly – and there are a lot of us – the historic remains of Britain’s wartime aviation heritage.

Chris

West raynham

Wasnt it also the base that had Blenheims and was also straffed by german planes hence the bullet holes in the hangar supports in the picture?

Looking at the other airfields listed there, does anyone know whats happening with West Raynham? it was apparently sold for auction last year, a shame to see it all demolished considering that its a complete base still. hangars and all

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&q=RAF+watton&ie=UTF8&msa=0&ll=52.789502,0.74235&spn=0.018997,0.040169&t=k&z=15&om=1&msid=102318272280041702763.000001131fefaf48db3c3

how much would something like this be worth?

Upwood

Exactly 60 yrs ago I was based there on Lancaster 1 bs. but as I look at those sad pics. there are very few places that I can recognise.
In those days preservation of the place was the last thing on our minds, but now it’s sad to see what has happened to it, perhaps it would have been best to have let loose the bulldozers on it & wipe it out completely, that way we would only have the pictures from our memory.
Dustyone

on his “explore” of Rougham hall he “Went through the woods to aviod going past the grounds keepers cottage”.

I don’t blame him one bit. I used to live in Rougham & the groundskeeper is a thoroughly unpleasent sort, even on the odd occassion he’s sober. I had at least 3 bouts of fisticuffs with the bloke in one of the local pubs.

Gaining entrance

Gary I agree with you as it seems so easy to just access a base without permission, but what they don’t realise is they might be causing the landowners to not allow anyone else access by their actions, However if the landowner is unknown and there are no homes etc nearby then as long as they are not causing damage or illegal access to buildings then there shouldnt be a problem.

I have explored an abandoned airbase here in canada and try to go there every year to document changes etc. Only once have I been stopped and questioned by one of the local farmers and when I explained what I was doing and my interest in old bases and currently workng on a ww2 aircraft, he was very welcoming and left me saying stay as long as you like but be careful in and around the buildings for safety reasons.

I agree it’s an interesting website,but like the UE people discussed in another thread it appears this chap doesn’t ask permission before going onto private land,for example on his “explore” of Rougham hall he “Went through the woods to aviod going past the grounds keepers cottage”. Why not just ask permission first? if the owners say no,which they have every right to do,just accept it.

I have been to many WW2 airbases and always contact the owners in advance and because of this I have met many interesting people and seen things that I wouldn’t have if I had been tresspassing.

Garry.

I have been there a couple of times as it is used as an ‘airsoft’ site, the buildings are in a pretty good condition but the biggest hazard there is either the sheep (and the tons of droppings they leave everywhere) or the head nurse from the RAF hospital next door.

All the main buildings are fully acessable but there has been a few things collapse recently.

The PT76 amphibious tanks at the bottom are just shells unfortunately.

curlyboy