RAF Sculthorpe 20/11/13

[Seeker1701]

The plan was to get picked up by another explorer to go and look at a site just for a recon in the pouring rain with the idea of protecting our cameras with bags and umbrellas and then move on to the real goal which was one of two airbases. Once in the car we decided that RAF Sculthorpe was to be the one with the other maybe being done if we had the time and off we went.

For my fellow explorer who went by the name of Kubix_Uk this was to be his first visit to this base, I had been here twice before.

The last time had a couple of surprises for the group and today was to be no different!

These first two pictures are from my last excursion and i am sorry for the date in the first picture, different camera.

The first shows a Firetruck from RAF Mildenhall which was in mint condition.

http://s1332.photobucket.com/user/Seeker1979/media/RAF Sculthorpe MOD/SUNP0102_zps6290c517.jpg.html

And this thing which had found laying in the grass not far from the control tower

http://s1332.photobucket.com/user/Seeker1979/media/RAF Sculthorpe MOD/DSC_0259_zpsa8e60b87.jpg.html

This is just small piece about the start of RAF Sculthorpe with a link to the Wiki page that this came from.

RAF Sculthorpe was built as the second satellite airfield of RAF West Raynham a few miles to the south, the first being RAF Great Massingham. Work was begun in the spring of 1942 and the airfield was laid out as a standard RAF heavy bomber airfield with concrete runways, dispersals site, mess facilities and accommodation. Much of the construction work was completed by Irish labour working for the construction company Bovis.

And the link to the rest of the history

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Sculthorpe

we arrived at the gate that leads to the runway with the tower and a couple of buildings on the other side of the fence!

http://s1332.photobucket.com/user/Seeker1979/media/RAF Sculthorpe MOD/DSC_0166_zps095e2c80.jpg.html

It did not take us long to gear up and enter and we started to look in the buildings.

http://s1332.photobucket.com/user/Seeker1979/media/RAF Sculthorpe MOD/DSC_0073_zpsbc777702.jpg.html

I did not take many pictures of the inside of these building as we were busy looking around however Kubix_Uk decided to make a phone call on the phone we found in the middle of the floor!

http://s1332.photobucket.com/user/Seeker1979/media/RAF Sculthorpe MOD/DSC_0052_zpsf324cf5c.jpg.html

We moved on through the buildings we found this room which i found impressive

http://s1332.photobucket.com/user/Seeker1979/media/RAF Sculthorpe MOD/DSCF6001_zps2726b5ac.jpg.html

One thing that Kubix_Uk found interesting was the amount that was left behind like this wonderful switchboard.

http://s1332.photobucket.com/user/Seeker1979/media/RAF Sculthorpe MOD/DSCF6005_zpsa8766a19.jpg.html

Hidden in the corner was a smaller version.

http://s1332.photobucket.com/user/Seeker1979/media/RAF Sculthorpe MOD/DSCF6018_zpsc9aade2a.jpg.html

The floor was covered in paperwork and glass and who knows what else but we did find this really interesting.

http://s1332.photobucket.com/user/Seeker1979/media/RAF Sculthorpe MOD/DSCF6010_zps907ccc76.jpg.html

So after a good study of the map and a cig we decided to move back outside and see what else there was and head to see the firetruck by the tower,

we passed this section of the building hidden at the back so we decided to have a quick look.

http://s1332.photobucket.com/user/Seeker1979/media/RAF Sculthorpe MOD/DSC_0068_zpsbc56adc1.jpg.html

most of the space was taken by whatever this was so we got a couple of pictures before moving on

http://s1332.photobucket.com/user/Seeker1979/media/RAF Sculthorpe MOD/DSCF6026_zps1b313ab0.jpg.html

Kubix_Uk noticed this

http://s1332.photobucket.com/user/Seeker1979/media/RAF Sculthorpe MOD/DSCF6025_zps710959e0.jpg.html

And so we left these buildings and aimed for the control tower.

http://s1332.photobucket.com/user/Seeker1979/media/RAF Sculthorpe MOD/DSC_0077_zpsf4933c11.jpg.html

That is when we noticed movement outside and using the cameras zoom this is what i saw

http://s1332.photobucket.com/user/Seeker1979/media/RAF Sculthorpe MOD/DSC_0080_zps1e04b58b.jpg.html

as we walked closer i carried on using the zoom to confirm what i had feared when i first saw them.........MOD! in this case possibly the army! :errr:

http://s1332.photobucket.com/user/Seeker1979/media/RAF Sculthorpe MOD/DSC_0086_zps67257339.jpg.html

For some reason that i simply do not know, i just carried on walking closer and looking back on it i know we would be caught but i felt we might be able to slip under them as it seemed they had not seen us but on close inspection of this picture it is very possible that they were waiting for us to get closer before saying hello and clear off!

As we got close to the tower i was more concerned by how many cars were hidden behind the control building but i should have been more concerned by who was watching us. A Sergeant came out from some tree's and walked towards us, we were told that we should not be here as the area we were in was for training and that we would have to leave.

http://s1332.photobucket.com/user/Seeker1979/media/RAF Sculthorpe MOD/DSC_0088_zps06cd6789.jpg.html

After being told to move on and feeling fortunate we still had our cameras and SD cards we went to look at the accommodation blocks going with the idea that we were out of the area mentioned and as such should be ok. The strange thing about Sculthopre is that the whole base looks disused including the tower so it is easy to make the mistake we did!

Although i think these are two different buildings but they look the same both inside and out.

We were more interested in simply looking than taking pictures unless we saw something as the buildings we entered were trashed in a bad way!

looking out of the window gave a sense that i have felt many times while on excursions which is one sadness, these buildings were built to serve a use and now that they are no longer needed they are left forgotten for the most part.

After we had gone around a couple of the buildings we decided to start to think about making a move and having a look at the other airbase nearby but sadly i had to return and call it a day but i am sure that Kubix_Uk would be up for visiting the other airbase soon!

There was no red tea pot to be found this time so i thought i would finish this report with these two pictures

It was a great day even with our encounter with the MOD and certainly a laugh.

I hope you have enjoyed this report and again, if there is anything i could have done better then please let me know.

 

[Lara]

Brilliant write up, felt like i was there! Nice shots and good to see. Thanks for sharing

 

[Norfolk Explorer]

Nice 1 mate, good write up and photos, eliza saw on e photo and said ' I went there' so you obviously captured it well

 

[Timster1973]

Great report mate, glad you got away unscathed.

 

[Paulpowers]

I was busted here on my way out

Had a warning that the Americans are armed when training and have been known to fire off a warning shot

 

[skeleton key]

Looks like you guys covered the place really well regardless to the presence of the Guys in the tower.

Nice thread that thanks for the share



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[seaside_rambler]

Looks like you had a fine day's exploring despite the company! Interesting read and some good pics showing what the place is about, win!

 

[Nelly]

Great report, lesson to be learnt, do some detailed research, we don't want to be trespassing on MOD shit now!!

 

[Seeker1701]

They seemed to be only concerned with the Tower and the runway, even the MOD police building where the shot with the phone did not bother them. A local told us that the military are there often doing all sorts there and flying a good selection of aircraft, while we were there we saw a Tornado and possibly a couple of F15's were in the air above us while we were walking about!

 

[Stussy]

Couple pics out of focus but nothing to detract from a super read, looks like you had a great dat out. Cracking Share

 

[Wevsky]

Nice report that mate..army guys where quite friendly by the sounds of it.could have been much worse

 

[shaddam]

Looks like a very nice day out , cheers

 

[Judderman62]

nice report. Good to see MOD were pretty decent with you.

I'm sure I've read that This place, Sculthorpe and Coltishall have all been sold off by MOD and are owned by either council or private owners now. Guess there could have been a clause which allowed MOD to still practice there though.

 

[The_Raw]

Absolutely love this report, echo what Lara said about feeling like I was there with you, the running commentary works a treat! The control tower shots made me and then !! Hats off to you for getting that little bit closer