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Fairford, Gloucestershire, UK - July 14th, 2018: Swiss Air Force Mcdonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet performing its Aerobatic Display at Fairford International Air Tattoo RIAT 2018
Fairford, Gloucestershire, UK - July 14th, 2018: Swiss Air Force Mcdonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet performing its Aerobatic Display at Fairford International Air Tattoo RIAT 2018
RAF Horsham St Faith is a former station near Norwich, Norfolk, which was operational from 1939 to 1963. It was then developed as Norwich International Airport. The airfield was first developed in 1939 and officially opened on 1st June 1940 as a bomber station. It had been built pre-war and had five C-type hangars, permanent brick and tiled buildings with central-heating and a high standard of domestic accommodation.
The first aircraft there were Bristol Blenheim's dispersed from No. 21 Squadron RAF at RAF Watton in 1939 but the first operational aircraft there were fighters: Supermarine Spitfires of No. 19 and No. 66 Squadrons from RAF Duxford. Boulton Paul Defiants of A Flight, No. 264 Squadron RAF began sorties on 12th May 1940. The first operational bomber units were No. 139 Squadron RAF and No. 114 Squadron RAF of No. 2 Group of RAF Bomber Command with the Blenheim IV. No. 114 then moved onto RAF Oulton which was a new satellite station for RAF Horsham.
Two of the early visitors to the new airfield were the Right Honourable Neville Chamberlain and General Sir Alan Brooke. In August 1941, a Bristol Blenheim bomber from No. 18 Squadron RAF flying from RAF Horsham St Faith en route to attack a power station at Gosnay, re-routed over the airfield at Saint-Omer (Wizernes) where it delivered (by parachute) a pair of artificial legs for Wing Commander Douglas Bader who had been shot down over France and had lost his artificial limbs in the process. In December 1941 No. 105 Squadron RAF arrived from RAF Swanton Morley to begin training on the new de Havilland Mosquito fast bomber and from June 1942, the squadron carried out photographic and bombing missions over Germany.
▪︎No. 18 Squadron RAF (1941) Bristol Blenheim IV
▪︎No. 19 Squadron RAF (1940) Supermarine Spitfire I
▪︎No. 21 Squadron RAF detachment (1939–1940) Bristol Blenheim IV
▪︎No. 64 Squadron RAF (1945) North American Mustang III & IV, de Havilland Hornet F.1
▪︎No. 66 Squadron RAF (1940) Supermarine Spitfire I
▪︎No. 105 Squadron RAF (1941–1942) de Havilland Mosquito IV
▪︎No. 107 Squadron RAF detachment (1939–1941) Bristol Blenheim IV
▪︎No. 110 Squadron RAF detachment (1939–1942) Bristol Blenheim IV
▪︎No. 114 Squadron RAF (1940) Bristol Blenheim IV
▪︎No. 139 Squadron RAF (1941) Bristol Blenheim IV, (1942) de Havilland Mosquito IV
United States Army Air Forces use
In September 1942 Horsham St Faith was made available to the United States Army Air Forces for use by the Eighth Air Force. The USAAF designated the airfield as Station 123 (HF). USAAF Station Units assigned to RAF Horsham St Faith were:
▪︎469th Sub-Depot
▪︎18th Weather Squadron
▪︎60th Station Complement Squadron
▪︎Headquarters (96th Combat Bomb Wing)
Regular Army Station Units included:
▪︎1080th Signal Company
▪︎1105th Quartermaster Company
▪︎1119th Military Police Company
▪︎13th Special Services Company
▪︎1686th Ordnance Supply & Maintenance Company
▪︎858th Chemical Company
The first USAAF tenants at the airfield was the 319th Bombardment Group (Medium) arriving from RAF Shipdham on 4th October 1942. Flying the Martin B-26 Marauder medium bomber, the group stayed until 11th November when the group reassigned to Twelfth Air Force as part of the North African Campaign at Saint-Leu Airfield, Algeria.
The airfield then lay unused over the winter. With the departure of the Marauder's to North Africa, the next USAAF group to use RAF Horsham St Faith was the 56th Fighter Group, transferring from RAF Kings Cliffe on 6th April 1943. The group consisted of the following squadrons:
▪︎61st Fighter Squadron (HV)
▪︎62d Fighter Squadron (LM)
▪︎63d Fighter Squadron (UN)
The group entered combat with a fighter sweep in the area of St Omer on 13 April 1943, and flew numerous missions over France, the Low Countries, and Germany to escort bombers that attacked industrial establishments, V-weapon sites, submarine pens, and other targets on the Continent.
On 8 July, the group had to move to RAF Halesworth when work started on enlarging Horsham St Faith for use as a heavy bomber station with hard surface runways and concrete hardstands and a perimeter track. The move was not particularly popular with the men of the 56th who had to give up the comparative comfort of Horsham's barracks for the temporary hut (and muddy) accommodations at Halesworth.
With runway construction finished, The 458th Bombardment Group (Heavy), arrived at RAF Horsham St Faith late in January 1944 from Tonopah Army Airfield Nevada. The group flew its first mission on 24th February with Consolidated B-24 Liberators. On 2nd March a heavily loaded bomber taking off crashed on nearby Hellesdon which was under the flightpath. In September 1944, like other bomber groups in the area it participated in shipping fuel for American forces to France. The group flew its last combat mission on 25th April 1945, flying 240 missions losing 47 aircraft in combat along with another 18 in accidents before returning to Sioux Falls AAF South Dakota in July 1945.
The airfield was transferred to RAF Fighter Command on 10th July 1945 when it was occupied by four Gloster Meteor Squadrons one of which. No. 307, was entirely composed of Polish personnel. Meteor jet aircraft arrived during 1946–1948 and in June, an echo of the airfield's former occupants was provided by a visit by a Swedish North American P-51 Mustang squadron. RAF Horsham St Faith was a front-line RAF station for many years, and its squadrons participated in many post-war exercises:
▪︎No. 23 Squadron RAF (January – July 1952) de Havilland Mosquito NF.36, de Havilland Vampire NF10, (1955–1956) English Electric Canberra (1956–1957) de Havilland Venom NF3, (1958–1959 & 1960) Gloster Javelin FAW4 & FAW7
▪︎No. 34 Squadron RAF (1949–1951) various target and target towing aircraft
▪︎No. 65 Squadron RAF (1946) Supermarine Spitfire LF16E, de Havilland Hornet F1
▪︎No. 118 Squadron RAF (1945–1946) North American Mustang III
▪︎No. 141 Squadron RAF (1955–1956) de Havilland Venom NF3
▪︎No. 228 Squadron RAF detachment (1959–1964) Bristol Sycamore HR14 then Westland Whirlwind HAR2, HAR4 & HAR10
▪︎No. 275 Squadron RAF detachment (1957–1959) Bristol Sycamore HR14, Westland Whirlwind HAR2 & HAR4
▪︎No. 307 Polish Night Fighter Squadron (August 1945–1946) de Havilland Mosquito XXX
▪︎No. 695 Squadron RAF (1945–1949) various target and target towing aircraft
Horsham Wing:
▪︎No. 74 Squadron RAF (August 1946–1950) Gloster Meteor F.3 & F.4, Hawker Hunter F.4/6 (1957–1960)
▪︎No. 245 Squadron RAF (August 1946 – June 1955) Gloster Meteor F.3, F.4 & F.8
▪︎No. 257 Squadron RAF (April 1947–1950) Gloster Meteor F.3, F.4 & F.8
▪︎No. 263 Squadron RAF (September 1947–1950) Gloster Meteor F.3, F.4 & F.8
The station was deactivated on 1st August 1963. The following units were here at some point:
▪︎No. 8 Blind Approach Training Flight RAF
▪︎No. 8 Fighter Command Servicing Unit RAF
▪︎No. 11 Fighter Command Servicing Unit RAF
▪︎No. 12 (East Anglia) Sector RAF
▪︎No. 12 Group Communications Flight RAF
▪︎No. 12 Group Modification Centre RAF
▪︎No. 71 (Bomber) Wing RAF
▪︎No. 102 Gliding School RAF
▪︎No. 1508 (Beam Approach Training) Flight RAF
▪︎No. 4199 Anti-Aircraft Flight RAF Regiment
▪︎Eastern Sector HQ RAF
▪︎Ferry Training Flight RAF became No. 1444 (Ferry Training) Flight RAF
▪︎Fighter Command Modification Centre RAF
▪︎No. 1655 Mosquito Conversion Unit RAF
▪︎Norfolk Sector HQ RAF
▪︎Photographic Development Unit RAF
With the end of military control, RAF Horsham St Faith was redeveloped into Norwich International Airport. Most of the World War II buildings remain, although converted for a variety of purposes. Three of the five large pre-war hangars are still being used for aircraft maintenance. Two have been converted for commercial use. The control tower still exists although the top has been restored and a new tower has been built adjacent to the present main runway. Other wartime buildings now form part of the airport industrial estate (owned by the County and City Councils) and are intermingled with many newer structures.
The former RAF accommodation blocks situated towards Catton were until 1993 used by the University of East Anglia as accommodation for students. Known to students as ''Fifers Lane'' or ''Horsham'' halls, these have since been demolished and the site redeveloped as housing. The remaining MOD property, formerly airmen's quarters, has become married quarters for nearby RAF stations. Whilst most runways and taxi-tracks from the military airfield remain, only one runway is primarily used, east–west runway 09–27, which was extended eastwards by the RAF in 1956, to avoid take-offs and landings over built-up areas. A section of the old main runway is currently used for light aircraft.
Adjacent to the airport terminal building opened in 1988 there is a memorial display relating to the USAAF, consisting of photographs, paintings, and a plaque commemorating the American use of the airfield. Behind the modern control tower, and now on a section of the former airfield isolated by the Norwich Northern Distributor Road, is the City of Norwich Aviation Museum.
Information sourced from – en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Horsham_St_Faith
Fairford, Gloucestershire, UK - July 14th, 2018: Canadian Air Force Mcdonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet performing its Aerobatic Display at Fairford International Air Tattoo RIAT 2018
BUILDING 17 – R3 Underground Operations Block.
Gross ext. 20,820 sq.ft.
Lying beneath and accessed through the “Bungalow” above it. It has two floors. The bungalow above it is of brick and pantile, built in the 1980's. The complex was originally built in the 1950's, but substantially upgraded in the 1980's. Inside R3 Underground Operations Block (information below is based on information provided by the RAF).
▪︎Electricity – Power is brought to site at 11,000 V via a dual feed to an above ground intake switchboard near to the site entrance. Here the EDF Energy switch gear and transformers are located in a self contained cabin. From this intake switchboard, power is distributed in a single high voltage closed loop ring main to seven sub-stations, two of which feed the underground R3 Bunker. The distribution sub-stations then serve individual buildings in the vicinity with low voltage cabling. The sub-stations have closed loops with inter-link protection. The total site reserve capacity is 1,500 KVA (for all buildings) although this has apparently been temporarily reduced to 500 KVA for metering purposes. Regarding R3, there are two sub-stations serving it, one above ground and the other below ground, inside the bunker. The former is in an above ground brick building and contains some BVP17HV switchgear and 1,000 KVA transformer. The below ground one consists of BVP17HV switchgear and a 1,000 KVA transformer. LV cables enter the bunker from the sub-stations via an EMPF fluted plate and filters. The switchgear is GEC System 4.
▪︎R3 Power Capacity – The R3 Bunker is fed via two HV sub stations “N” and “M” both feeding 415V 3 phase at 630 DCB (amps) into the LV switch room via independent 1,600A TP&N ACB’s onto a common bus bar. An automatic mains failure ACB is also connected to the common bus bar to supply Generator power when both transformer supplies fail. Any one of these supplies can supply the bunker electrical loads. This feeds into SM/1 to supply the removed Buffer Sets, Lower ops, Computer Room, Uniter Room. The removed Buffer Set supplies via SM/U the main equipment distribution boards in Upper and Lower Ops. SM/U is still in place but the Buffer Sets and control equipment have been removed, some cabling remains in place. The standby Generators have been removed, but could be replaced and connected back into the system. Reinstatement could be achieved with a system matched to the new perceived load.
▪︎R3 Fresh Air Systems – The system provides fresh air to three environmental AHU and comprises of two air conditioning elements, with twin stage contra-rotating axial flow fans, located in the Gas Filter room. The fresh air plant serves the following AHU’s. Upper Ops environmental system, Lower Ops environmental system, General primary environmental system. The air is conveyed to the three AHU’s via duct-work, and fed into each AHU mixing chambers. The systems provide conditioned air, at a constant volume and variable temperature to the –
a) Upper Ops environmental system: The AHU draws in 0.476m3/s of fresh air via the fresh air supply system and 0.96m3/s of re-circulated air via a common return air plenum.
b) Lower Ops environmental system: The AHU draws in 0.55m3/2 of fresh air via the fresh air supply system and 0.704m3/s of re-circulated air via a common return air plenum.
c) General primary environmental system: The AHU draws in 1.971m3/s of fresh air via the fresh air supply system and 2.071m3/s of re-circulated air via a common return air plenum.
d) Upper / Lower Ops, and computer equipment cooling systems: The operational equipment in these locations are served by AHU’s which provides conditioned air at variable volumes from 4% to 100% off air discharged onto the equipment at a constant air temperature of 20°c.
▪︎R3 Standby Power – An annex to the R3 building was built in the early 1990's to provide protection to standby generators (3 x 750 KVA). These are no longer in place but the exhaust and fuel systems remain in place. The fuel system is still intact. There are five buried tanks of 60,000 litre capacity, each.
▪︎R3 Communications – The BT cabling came to site through the RAF Museum, being retained land by Defence Estates. This has been disconnected there, although it is still intact on the site. The data links enter the site at the north-west and south-west corners from Horning and Wroxham exchanges. These have been disconnected at the exchanges though we believe that the cables are intact within the site, laid within ducting. The R3 under-ground bunker data capacity is only limited by how much communications data BT can handle through the local Horning Exchange. Regarding the R3 building, two data cable entry points are located to both sides of the bunker above ground transformer building. The pit to the west is the most direct link to the outside world as cabling is all still in place. The communications tray work and M&E support equipment is also still in place.
▪︎R3 Computer – There is a local Cogent computer network racking cabling and data outlets with a designation of “NTHR000XX”. Numerous fibre optic cables, generally inside concrete
ducting, link various facilities.
▪︎R3 Water and Sewage – There is an incoming water main which feeds the site, via the main gate. There are separate storm and foul drains with storm water to soak-aways. The foul previously went to septic tanks but the foul system has now been consolidated into mixed gravity and pumping systems, ultimately draining to a building in the south-west corner of the site. The sewage is then pumped to the Anglian Water System in Horning Village. The system is inter-linked across the site between Defence Estates and the land for sale, and is maintained on a long term agreement by Aquastream (subsidiary of Severn Trent).
▪︎R3 Gas - None.
▪︎R3 Abstraction Licence – There is a ground-water abstraction for a private water supply on the site, at the R3 bunker, which is licenced to RAF Neatishead. However, this does not appear to be used as there is a mains supply, now in existence.
Information sourced from – RAFcomb2013.
P1740318
Black & White version also available:
www.flickr.com/photos/134774261@N07/51177211778/in/datepo...
BUILDING 17 – R3 Underground Operations Block.
Gross ext. 20,820 sq.ft.
Lying beneath and accessed through the “Bungalow” above it. It has two floors. The bungalow above it is of brick and pantile, built in the 1980's. The complex was originally built in the 1950's, but substantially upgraded in the 1980's. Inside R3 Underground Operations Block (information below is based on information provided by the RAF).
▪︎Electricity – Power is brought to site at 11,000 V via a dual feed to an above ground intake switchboard near to the site entrance. Here the EDF Energy switch gear and transformers are located in a self contained cabin. From this intake switchboard, power is distributed in a single high voltage closed loop ring main to seven sub-stations, two of which feed the underground R3 Bunker. The distribution sub-stations then serve individual buildings in the vicinity with low voltage cabling. The sub-stations have closed loops with inter-link protection. The total site reserve capacity is 1,500 KVA (for all buildings) although this has apparently been temporarily reduced to 500 KVA for metering purposes. Regarding R3, there are two sub-stations serving it, one above ground and the other below ground, inside the bunker. The former is in an above ground brick building and contains some BVP17HV switchgear and 1,000 KVA transformer. The below ground one consists of BVP17HV switchgear and a 1,000 KVA transformer. LV cables enter the bunker from the sub-stations via an EMPF fluted plate and filters. The switchgear is GEC System 4.
▪︎R3 Power Capacity – The R3 Bunker is fed via two HV sub stations “N” and “M” both feeding 415V 3 phase at 630 DCB (amps) into the LV switch room via independent 1,600A TP&N ACB’s onto a common bus bar. An automatic mains failure ACB is also connected to the common bus bar to supply Generator power when both transformer supplies fail. Any one of these supplies can supply the bunker electrical loads. This feeds into SM/1 to supply the removed Buffer Sets, Lower ops, Computer Room, Uniter Room. The removed Buffer Set supplies via SM/U the main equipment distribution boards in Upper and Lower Ops. SM/U is still in place but the Buffer Sets and control equipment have been removed, some cabling remains in place. The standby Generators have been removed, but could be replaced and connected back into the system. Reinstatement could be achieved with a system matched to the new perceived load.
▪︎R3 Fresh Air Systems – The system provides fresh air to three environmental AHU and comprises of two air conditioning elements, with twin stage contra-rotating axial flow fans, located in the Gas Filter room. The fresh air plant serves the following AHU’s. Upper Ops environmental system, Lower Ops environmental system, General primary environmental system. The air is conveyed to the three AHU’s via duct-work, and fed into each AHU mixing chambers. The systems provide conditioned air, at a constant volume and variable temperature to the –
a) Upper Ops environmental system: The AHU draws in 0.476m3/s of fresh air via the fresh air supply system and 0.96m3/s of re-circulated air via a common return air plenum.
b) Lower Ops environmental system: The AHU draws in 0.55m3/2 of fresh air via the fresh air supply system and 0.704m3/s of re-circulated air via a common return air plenum.
c) General primary environmental system: The AHU draws in 1.971m3/s of fresh air via the fresh air supply system and 2.071m3/s of re-circulated air via a common return air plenum.
d) Upper / Lower Ops, and computer equipment cooling systems: The operational equipment in these locations are served by AHU’s which provides conditioned air at variable volumes from 4% to 100% off air discharged onto the equipment at a constant air temperature of 20°c.
▪︎R3 Standby Power – An annex to the R3 building was built in the early 1990's to provide protection to standby generators (3 x 750 KVA). These are no longer in place but the exhaust and fuel systems remain in place. The fuel system is still intact. There are five buried tanks of 60,000 litre capacity, each.
▪︎R3 Communications – The BT cabling came to site through the RAF Museum, being retained land by Defence Estates. This has been disconnected there, although it is still intact on the site. The data links enter the site at the north-west and south-west corners from Horning and Wroxham exchanges. These have been disconnected at the exchanges though we believe that the cables are intact within the site, laid within ducting. The R3 under-ground bunker data capacity is only limited by how much communications data BT can handle through the local Horning Exchange. Regarding the R3 building, two data cable entry points are located to both sides of the bunker above ground transformer building. The pit to the west is the most direct link to the outside world as cabling is all still in place. The communications tray work and M&E support equipment is also still in place.
▪︎R3 Computer – There is a local Cogent computer network racking cabling and data outlets with a designation of “NTHR000XX”. Numerous fibre optic cables, generally inside concrete
ducting, link various facilities.
▪︎R3 Water and Sewage – There is an incoming water main which feeds the site, via the main gate. There are separate storm and foul drains with storm water to soak-aways. The foul previously went to septic tanks but the foul system has now been consolidated into mixed gravity and pumping systems, ultimately draining to a building in the south-west corner of the site. The sewage is then pumped to the Anglian Water System in Horning Village. The system is inter-linked across the site between Defence Estates and the land for sale, and is maintained on a long term agreement by Aquastream (subsidiary of Severn Trent).
▪︎R3 Gas - None.
▪︎R3 Abstraction Licence – There is a ground-water abstraction for a private water supply on the site, at the R3 bunker, which is licenced to RAF Neatishead. However, this does not appear to be used as there is a mains supply, now in existence.
Information sourced from – RAFcomb2013.
BUILDING 17 – R3 Underground Operations Block.
Gross ext. 20,820 sq.ft.
Lying beneath and accessed through the “Bungalow” above it. It has two floors. The bungalow above it is of brick and pantile, built in the 1980's. The complex was originally built in the 1950's, but substantially upgraded in the 1980's. Inside R3 Underground Operations Block (information below is based on information provided by the RAF).
▪︎Electricity – Power is brought to site at 11,000 V via a dual feed to an above ground intake switchboard near to the site entrance. Here the EDF Energy switch gear and transformers are located in a self contained cabin. From this intake switchboard, power is distributed in a single high voltage closed loop ring main to seven sub-stations, two of which feed the underground R3 Bunker. The distribution sub-stations then serve individual buildings in the vicinity with low voltage cabling. The sub-stations have closed loops with inter-link protection. The total site reserve capacity is 1,500 KVA (for all buildings) although this has apparently been temporarily reduced to 500 KVA for metering purposes. Regarding R3, there are two sub-stations serving it, one above ground and the other below ground, inside the bunker. The former is in an above ground brick building and contains some BVP17HV switchgear and 1,000 KVA transformer. The below ground one consists of BVP17HV switchgear and a 1,000 KVA transformer. LV cables enter the bunker from the sub-stations via an EMPF fluted plate and filters. The switchgear is GEC System 4.
▪︎R3 Power Capacity – The R3 Bunker is fed via two HV sub stations “N” and “M” both feeding 415V 3 phase at 630 DCB (amps) into the LV switch room via independent 1,600A TP&N ACB’s onto a common bus bar. An automatic mains failure ACB is also connected to the common bus bar to supply Generator power when both transformer supplies fail. Any one of these supplies can supply the bunker electrical loads. This feeds into SM/1 to supply the removed Buffer Sets, Lower ops, Computer Room, Uniter Room. The removed Buffer Set supplies via SM/U the main equipment distribution boards in Upper and Lower Ops. SM/U is still in place but the Buffer Sets and control equipment have been removed, some cabling remains in place. The standby Generators have been removed, but could be replaced and connected back into the system. Reinstatement could be achieved with a system matched to the new perceived load.
▪︎R3 Fresh Air Systems – The system provides fresh air to three environmental AHU and comprises of two air conditioning elements, with twin stage contra-rotating axial flow fans, located in the Gas Filter room. The fresh air plant serves the following AHU’s. Upper Ops environmental system, Lower Ops environmental system, General primary environmental system. The air is conveyed to the three AHU’s via duct-work, and fed into each AHU mixing chambers. The systems provide conditioned air, at a constant volume and variable temperature to the –
a) Upper Ops environmental system: The AHU draws in 0.476m3/s of fresh air via the fresh air supply system and 0.96m3/s of re-circulated air via a common return air plenum.
b) Lower Ops environmental system: The AHU draws in 0.55m3/2 of fresh air via the fresh air supply system and 0.704m3/s of re-circulated air via a common return air plenum.
c) General primary environmental system: The AHU draws in 1.971m3/s of fresh air via the fresh air supply system and 2.071m3/s of re-circulated air via a common return air plenum.
d) Upper / Lower Ops, and computer equipment cooling systems: The operational equipment in these locations are served by AHU’s which provides conditioned air at variable volumes from 4% to 100% off air discharged onto the equipment at a constant air temperature of 20°c.
▪︎R3 Standby Power – An annex to the R3 building was built in the early 1990's to provide protection to standby generators (3 x 750 KVA). These are no longer in place but the exhaust and fuel systems remain in place. The fuel system is still intact. There are five buried tanks of 60,000 litre capacity, each.
▪︎R3 Communications – The BT cabling came to site through the RAF Museum, being retained land by Defence Estates. This has been disconnected there, although it is still intact on the site. The data links enter the site at the north-west and south-west corners from Horning and Wroxham exchanges. These have been disconnected at the exchanges though we believe that the cables are intact within the site, laid within ducting. The R3 under-ground bunker data capacity is only limited by how much communications data BT can handle through the local Horning Exchange. Regarding the R3 building, two data cable entry points are located to both sides of the bunker above ground transformer building. The pit to the west is the most direct link to the outside world as cabling is all still in place. The communications tray work and M&E support equipment is also still in place.
▪︎R3 Computer – There is a local Cogent computer network racking cabling and data outlets with a designation of “NTHR000XX”. Numerous fibre optic cables, generally inside concrete
ducting, link various facilities.
▪︎R3 Water and Sewage – There is an incoming water main which feeds the site, via the main gate. There are separate storm and foul drains with storm water to soak-aways. The foul previously went to septic tanks but the foul system has now been consolidated into mixed gravity and pumping systems, ultimately draining to a building in the south-west corner of the site. The sewage is then pumped to the Anglian Water System in Horning Village. The system is inter-linked across the site between Defence Estates and the land for sale, and is maintained on a long term agreement by Aquastream (subsidiary of Severn Trent).
▪︎R3 Gas - None.
▪︎R3 Abstraction Licence – There is a ground-water abstraction for a private water supply on the site, at the R3 bunker, which is licenced to RAF Neatishead. However, this does not appear to be used as there is a mains supply, now in existence.
Information sourced from – RAFcomb2013.
On February 16th, 1966, a fire broke out in the R3 Underground Operations Block which served as the main Air Defence Operations building during the Cold War. The RAF station fire teams were unsuccessful in putting the fire out and so local civilian fire crews were called. Due to the secret nature of the location, the attending firefighters were unfamiliar with the site and initially thought they were attending a shed fire.
Three civilian firefighters died, and the fire burned for nine days before it was fully extinguished. Later that year, LAC Cheeseman was sentenced to seven years for starting the fire and causing the deaths. Three crew members entered the R3 Bunker to try to locate the source of the blaze but were overcome by smoke.
The firemen who died were Divisional Officer, Gordon Robert Dix, 52, from Holt; Leading Fireman Herbert James Durrant, 52; and Fireman John Stuart Holman, 23, both from Acle. The fire burned for nine days before it was finally extinguished. The Memorial Plaque and Norfolk Fire Brigade Poppy Wreath laid in memory of the three men has been moved from the R3 Bunker to the Neatishead Room at the RAF Defence Air Radar Museum.
The RAF Air Defence Radar Museum, which is next to the site of the tragedy, is marking its 30th anniversary and has created a new display that remembers the men killed fighting a blaze there more than 58 years ago.
The RAF Station was closed for eight years, re-opening in 1974 after a major rebuild of the R3 Bunker complex. The operational nature of the work undertaken at RAF Neatishead was transferred to the previously mothballed site at RAF Bawdsey in 1966, with RAF Bawdsey reverting to a care and maintenance programme when RAF Neatishead came back on line in 1974.
In November 1982, Group Captain Joan Hopkins took command of the station, becoming the first female RAF Officer to take command of an Operational Station. During July 1990 the Type 85 radar was decommissioned after 23 years of use, it was replaced by the Type 93.
In April 2004, the decision was taken to substantially reduce activities at RAF Neatishead, and by 2006, the base had been downgraded from an RAF Station to Remote Radar Head (RRH) status, but its adjacent museum remains open. Its former gate guardian, an F-4 Phantom previously based at RAF Wattisham, was cut up for scrap in 2005 despite interest from the Radar Museum.
In October 2006, local news media reported that a buyer had been found for the now disused section of the base. The 25½ acre site was advertised again in January 2010, with an asking price of £4,000,000. The site was subsequently purchased for an undisclosed amount by Zimbabwean-born British entrepreneur William Sachiti.
Information sourced from —
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Neatishead
www.edp24.co.uk/news/24190556.raf-neatishead-fire-memoria...
Fairford, Gloucestershire, UK - July 14th, 2018: Swiss Air Force Mcdonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet performing its Aerobatic Display at Fairford International Air Tattoo RIAT 2018
BUILDING 17 – R3 Underground Operations Block.
Gross ext. 20,820 sq.ft.
Lying beneath and accessed through the “Bungalow” above it. It has two floors. The bungalow above it is of brick and pantile, built in the 1980's. The complex was originally built in the 1950's, but substantially upgraded in the 1980's. Inside R3 Underground Operations Block (information below is based on information provided by the RAF).
▪︎Electricity – Power is brought to site at 11,000 V via a dual feed to an above ground intake switchboard near to the site entrance. Here the EDF Energy switch gear and transformers are located in a self contained cabin. From this intake switchboard, power is distributed in a single high voltage closed loop ring main to seven sub-stations, two of which feed the underground R3 Bunker. The distribution sub-stations then serve individual buildings in the vicinity with low voltage cabling. The sub-stations have closed loops with inter-link protection. The total site reserve capacity is 1,500 KVA (for all buildings) although this has apparently been temporarily reduced to 500 KVA for metering purposes. Regarding R3, there are two sub-stations serving it, one above ground and the other below ground, inside the bunker. The former is in an above ground brick building and contains some BVP17HV switchgear and 1,000 KVA transformer. The below ground one consists of BVP17HV switchgear and a 1,000 KVA transformer. LV cables enter the bunker from the sub-stations via an EMPF fluted plate and filters. The switchgear is GEC System 4.
▪︎R3 Power Capacity – The R3 Bunker is fed via two HV sub stations “N” and “M” both feeding 415V 3 phase at 630 DCB (amps) into the LV switch room via independent 1,600A TP&N ACB’s onto a common bus bar. An automatic mains failure ACB is also connected to the common bus bar to supply Generator power when both transformer supplies fail. Any one of these supplies can supply the bunker electrical loads. This feeds into SM/1 to supply the removed Buffer Sets, Lower ops, Computer Room, Uniter Room. The removed Buffer Set supplies via SM/U the main equipment distribution boards in Upper and Lower Ops. SM/U is still in place but the Buffer Sets and control equipment have been removed, some cabling remains in place. The standby Generators have been removed, but could be replaced and connected back into the system. Reinstatement could be achieved with a system matched to the new perceived load.
▪︎R3 Fresh Air Systems – The system provides fresh air to three environmental AHU and comprises of two air conditioning elements, with twin stage contra-rotating axial flow fans, located in the Gas Filter room. The fresh air plant serves the following AHU’s. Upper Ops environmental system, Lower Ops environmental system, General primary environmental system. The air is conveyed to the three AHU’s via duct-work, and fed into each AHU mixing chambers. The systems provide conditioned air, at a constant volume and variable temperature to the –
a) Upper Ops environmental system: The AHU draws in 0.476m3/s of fresh air via the fresh air supply system and 0.96m3/s of re-circulated air via a common return air plenum.
b) Lower Ops environmental system: The AHU draws in 0.55m3/2 of fresh air via the fresh air supply system and 0.704m3/s of re-circulated air via a common return air plenum.
c) General primary environmental system: The AHU draws in 1.971m3/s of fresh air via the fresh air supply system and 2.071m3/s of re-circulated air via a common return air plenum.
d) Upper / Lower Ops, and computer equipment cooling systems: The operational equipment in these locations are served by AHU’s which provides conditioned air at variable volumes from 4% to 100% off air discharged onto the equipment at a constant air temperature of 20°c.
▪︎R3 Standby Power – An annex to the R3 building was built in the early 1990's to provide protection to standby generators (3 x 750 KVA). These are no longer in place but the exhaust and fuel systems remain in place. The fuel system is still intact. There are five buried tanks of 60,000 litre capacity, each.
▪︎R3 Communications – The BT cabling came to site through the RAF Museum, being retained land by Defence Estates. This has been disconnected there, although it is still intact on the site. The data links enter the site at the north-west and south-west corners from Horning and Wroxham exchanges. These have been disconnected at the exchanges though we believe that the cables are intact within the site, laid within ducting. The R3 under-ground bunker data capacity is only limited by how much communications data BT can handle through the local Horning Exchange. Regarding the R3 building, two data cable entry points are located to both sides of the bunker above ground transformer building. The pit to the west is the most direct link to the outside world as cabling is all still in place. The communications tray work and M&E support equipment is also still in place.
▪︎R3 Computer – There is a local Cogent computer network racking cabling and data outlets with a designation of “NTHR000XX”. Numerous fibre optic cables, generally inside concrete
ducting, link various facilities.
▪︎R3 Water and Sewage – There is an incoming water main which feeds the site, via the main gate. There are separate storm and foul drains with storm water to soak-aways. The foul previously went to septic tanks but the foul system has now been consolidated into mixed gravity and pumping systems, ultimately draining to a building in the south-west corner of the site. The sewage is then pumped to the Anglian Water System in Horning Village. The system is inter-linked across the site between Defence Estates and the land for sale, and is maintained on a long term agreement by Aquastream (subsidiary of Severn Trent).
▪︎R3 Gas - None.
▪︎R3 Abstraction Licence – There is a ground-water abstraction for a private water supply on the site, at the R3 bunker, which is licenced to RAF Neatishead. However, this does not appear to be used as there is a mains supply, now in existence.
Information sourced from – RAFcomb2013.
BUILDING 17 – R3 Underground Operations Block.
Gross ext. 20,820 sq.ft.
Lying beneath and accessed through the “Bungalow” above it. It has two floors. The bungalow above it is of brick and pantile, built in the 1980's. The complex was originally built in the 1950's, but substantially upgraded in the 1980's. Inside R3 Underground Operations Block (information below is based on information provided by the RAF).
▪︎Electricity – Power is brought to site at 11,000 V via a dual feed to an above ground intake switchboard near to the site entrance. Here the EDF Energy switch gear and transformers are located in a self contained cabin. From this intake switchboard, power is distributed in a single high voltage closed loop ring main to seven sub-stations, two of which feed the underground R3 Bunker. The distribution sub-stations then serve individual buildings in the vicinity with low voltage cabling. The sub-stations have closed loops with inter-link protection. The total site reserve capacity is 1,500 KVA (for all buildings) although this has apparently been temporarily reduced to 500 KVA for metering purposes. Regarding R3, there are two sub-stations serving it, one above ground and the other below ground, inside the bunker. The former is in an above ground brick building and contains some BVP17HV switchgear and 1,000 KVA transformer. The below ground one consists of BVP17HV switchgear and a 1,000 KVA transformer. LV cables enter the bunker from the sub-stations via an EMPF fluted plate and filters. The switchgear is GEC System 4.
▪︎R3 Power Capacity – The R3 Bunker is fed via two HV sub stations “N” and “M” both feeding 415V 3 phase at 630 DCB (amps) into the LV switch room via independent 1,600A TP&N ACB’s onto a common bus bar. An automatic mains failure ACB is also connected to the common bus bar to supply Generator power when both transformer supplies fail. Any one of these supplies can supply the bunker electrical loads. This feeds into SM/1 to supply the removed Buffer Sets, Lower ops, Computer Room, Uniter Room. The removed Buffer Set supplies via SM/U the main equipment distribution boards in Upper and Lower Ops. SM/U is still in place but the Buffer Sets and control equipment have been removed, some cabling remains in place. The standby Generators have been removed, but could be replaced and connected back into the system. Reinstatement could be achieved with a system matched to the new perceived load.
▪︎R3 Fresh Air Systems – The system provides fresh air to three environmental AHU and comprises of two air conditioning elements, with twin stage contra-rotating axial flow fans, located in the Gas Filter room. The fresh air plant serves the following AHU’s. Upper Ops environmental system, Lower Ops environmental system, General primary environmental system. The air is conveyed to the three AHU’s via duct-work, and fed into each AHU mixing chambers. The systems provide conditioned air, at a constant volume and variable temperature to the –
a) Upper Ops environmental system: The AHU draws in 0.476m3/s of fresh air via the fresh air supply system and 0.96m3/s of re-circulated air via a common return air plenum.
b) Lower Ops environmental system: The AHU draws in 0.55m3/2 of fresh air via the fresh air supply system and 0.704m3/s of re-circulated air via a common return air plenum.
c) General primary environmental system: The AHU draws in 1.971m3/s of fresh air via the fresh air supply system and 2.071m3/s of re-circulated air via a common return air plenum.
d) Upper / Lower Ops, and computer equipment cooling systems: The operational equipment in these locations are served by AHU’s which provides conditioned air at variable volumes from 4% to 100% off air discharged onto the equipment at a constant air temperature of 20°c.
▪︎R3 Standby Power – An annex to the R3 building was built in the early 1990's to provide protection to standby generators (3 x 750 KVA). These are no longer in place but the exhaust and fuel systems remain in place. The fuel system is still intact. There are five buried tanks of 60,000 litre capacity, each.
▪︎R3 Communications – The BT cabling came to site through the RAF Museum, being retained land by Defence Estates. This has been disconnected there, although it is still intact on the site. The data links enter the site at the north-west and south-west corners from Horning and Wroxham exchanges. These have been disconnected at the exchanges though we believe that the cables are intact within the site, laid within ducting. The R3 under-ground bunker data capacity is only limited by how much communications data BT can handle through the local Horning Exchange. Regarding the R3 building, two data cable entry points are located to both sides of the bunker above ground transformer building. The pit to the west is the most direct link to the outside world as cabling is all still in place. The communications tray work and M&E support equipment is also still in place.
▪︎R3 Computer – There is a local Cogent computer network racking cabling and data outlets with a designation of “NTHR000XX”. Numerous fibre optic cables, generally inside concrete
ducting, link various facilities.
▪︎R3 Water and Sewage – There is an incoming water main which feeds the site, via the main gate. There are separate storm and foul drains with storm water to soak-aways. The foul previously went to septic tanks but the foul system has now been consolidated into mixed gravity and pumping systems, ultimately draining to a building in the south-west corner of the site. The sewage is then pumped to the Anglian Water System in Horning Village. The system is inter-linked across the site between Defence Estates and the land for sale, and is maintained on a long term agreement by Aquastream (subsidiary of Severn Trent).
▪︎R3 Gas - None.
▪︎R3 Abstraction Licence – There is a ground-water abstraction for a private water supply on the site, at the R3 bunker, which is licenced to RAF Neatishead. However, this does not appear to be used as there is a mains supply, now in existence.
Information sourced from – RAFcomb2013.