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US Navy Lockheed Neptune patrol plane, ca. spring 1955, probably flying out of Kodiak Naval Station over international waters of the Bering Strait between Alaska and Siberia. See www.usnews.com/news/best-states/california/articles/2023-...
Color-adjusted and manipulated in Photoshop. Donated by Charles "Chuck" Shields, Jr.
Navy Medicine Historical Files - Biographical Series - Charles Shields Sr.
Laboratory 3 (National Trust building F2) built between 1955 and 1958, was the climatic testing lab comprising two elements, the laboratory itself and the Condense Pump House to the east. Its function was to either warm or chill a weapon to simulate the variations of temperature that it might face in service. It is constructed from reinforced concrete with a barrel vaulted roof and entered from its south side through a concrete canopy, and whose southern wall was revetted with shingle. To manoeuvre the heavy test objects into position there was a hoist mounted on a beam secured to the underside of the canopy and roof of the main chamber, traces of its fittings may still be seen. Entry into the chamber was originally through double wooden doors, in common with the other earlier Laboratories security was strengthened by the addition of crude welded steel doors with may be post-AWRE features. At the top of these doors is a slot for the overhead lifting beam indicating that the doors were added while the building was operational. The interior comprises a large central chamber, 24.50m (80ft 5ins) by 6.0m (19ft 6in), and is divided into two sections. To the south was the preparation area and on its walls are the remains of electric conduits and small bore pipes for electric cabling. To the north was a rear insulated chamber 13.5m (44ft 4in) in length, which was separated from the preparation area by a cement covered expandomesh wall and a metal clad sliding door carried on an overhead rail. This slid into a corridor to the west that also gives access to a small switch room. The working area of the rear chamber measured 9.14m (30ft) by 3m (10ft) by 3m (10ft) and its floor set on four dwarf concrete walls was capable of supporting 6 tons. The temperature range that could be achieved varied between plus 60° to minus 60° centigrade, and humidity 20° on either side of the ambient, while undergoing thermal tests an object might also be subject to vibration.
At a right angle bend in the hedgerow between two fields, 150 yards North of Furze Lane, There is some compound fencing remaining in place. All surface features remain intact, the ventilation louvres are mostly rotten. The hatch is open. Internally the post is strewn with rubbish and has been completely stripped. The internal door to the monitoring room is hanging off its hinges. An Orlit B stand in bushes within the compound. It is in fair condition but al the doors, shelves etc have been removed. Opened in 1958 and closed in 1968.