A large abandoned RAF base in Norfolk with lots of buildings that remain in good condition. The station closed in 1994 and was held in reserve until 2006.
History of RAF West Raynham
Opening in May 1939, Royal Air Force West Raynham was used by RAF Bomber Command during the Second World War.
RAF West Raynham was an expansion scheme airfield with a grass landing strip and a Fort-type lookout tower. The lookout tower was replaced with a “Control Tower for Very Heavy Bomber Stations” later in the war. The headquarters and accommodation blocks were built to the west of the landing area and bomb stores to the south-east.
In 1943 two concrete runways were built to replace the grass landing strip. One runway was 1.8km and the other 1.3km in length. The housing on the base was also expanded at the same time, providing accommodation for 2,456 men and 658 women.
The station had a Rapier missile training dome, in which a 180 degree simulation could be projected onto the inside of the dome to simulate flight in a fighter jet.
Many of the facilities were similar to those provided by the stations sister base RAF Kirton in Lindsey in Lincolnshire, including the training dome.
The station closed in 1994 but was retained as a strategic resrve. The site laid derelict until the RAF decided it was surplus to requirements in 2006 and was sold to developers in 2007. Part of the site has been used as a new housing estate, and the land around the main runway is now a solar farm.
This is probably one of your best reports man, in terms of photos and coverage. Mega top job ya can’t
This looks like an amazing place. Well done Andy and thank you for sharing.
great pic’s i worked in shq 84-86; then after changing trades spent a month working in air traffic, on detachment from brize norton, i even abseiled of the tower with the ref reg’t. i can still see all my old buddies, esp pic of telephone exchange where i used to work, v spooky being alone in SHQ at night time, but great memories.
great pics I visited recently on a bad day but hope to get back there next year
Worked in the central registry Nov 79 to mid 80, then internally posted to 85 sqn eng registry, great camp
Dave Morley I went back yesterday and had a mooch around, what a sad end to what was a brilliant camp. I spent nearly 3 years there, from Nov. 66, to when the Sqds. moved out in 69. You could say I grew-up and became a man there age 18 to 21. The place is a wreck. The excuse they give, that it was sold because it was out of date and can’t be modified is total bollocks, My old accommodation block 103 was modified for the time as I assume were all the blocks! the 10 man rooms that I remember were converted to four seperate 2 man rooms. Everything is a mess, there are still sinks and toilets in place but there’ve been smashed, “Why” of course they will blame vandals, but vandals wouldn’t go to that extreme!! “Again Why”. My old Section “Safety Equipment Section” doesn’t look good, I couldn’t get in, the door was padlocked, The “Brake Chute Section” which was in a old wooden building alongside the peri-track to the right of the airfield, has gone, we had one room, the rest of the building was to do with Electronics “Scallees” ha ha sorry guys couldn’t resist it. I hate to say it but the place should be levelled, it would accomodate a lot of houses. If there is anyone outthere who would like to meet-up and go and have a mooch, especially guys that I knew, get in contact through this site. Great great memories
Dave Morley PS to last reply. I will check once a week for a month. Take care Dave Morley
Went to West Raynham as a first posting from Halton onto 85 Sqn Canberras. Enjoyed my time there I have some fond memories of the guys I served with. I re-visited it last year with my wife I could have cried at the state the station is in now. However I spoke to some of the people living in the refurbished married quarters and was made very welcome in their Hub Cafe.
When I read Chris Makinson’s reply I feit his pain!, they say you shouldn’t look back, but its our past that make us who we are!!. I hope they! decide what to do with the old place soon?. A sad end.
Can you tell can you tell me what state is the Dome at present?
I haven’t been back since this visit so I can’t provide an update on that, sorry
Hi
The Rapier Dome is still in reasonable condition.
If wish to know more you could get in touch with the owners, Norfolk Oak.
-Jon
Thanks for the update
It’s always good to see the buildings we visit getting a new lease of life, so it’s great the new owners are doing such a wonderful job of not only restoring the tower but preserving the history around it too.
Behind Closed Doors the technical site is now under new ownership and no longer in administration.
The noises from the new owner sound encouraging with renovations of the buildings planned.
Meanwhile, the site continues as a business park with the vast majority of technical buildings occupied.
Flying has now returned with the owner of Norfolk Oak owning all that remains airside (except the tower) to operate light aircraft.
-Jon
Hi. Who owns / responsible for this site now? Thanks
nice set. still need to se this place