R10 in 2012

Just before the Mid Site was auctioned in Jun 2012 I was fortunate enough to make a quick tour of some of the buildings (unfortunately not the R101). In future sections I will publish some photos taken in both the Admiralty Building and in the Admiralty/Navy Annex. There was no power available during the tour and so the pictures had to be taken with flash and/or the little natural light available.

I was tempted to start naming the rooms but then realised that over the R10’s life each room had served numerous functions and that the layout for those who were there in the 50’s and 60’s would have been very different from that for later occupants. Indeed, after 1979 and the R101 becoming operational, the R10 was significantly altered by internal partitioning etc. Having said that; I am interested in the function of the rooms at any given period. If anyone can explain how they were used during their tour I would be pleased to hear from them.

I have repeated the last photo below but have marked a section of the entrance area in green. This part of the building was added on late in the life of the R10, possibly after 1990. If anyone can remember when it was built I would be very pleased if they would contact me.

CONTENTS LIST

http://ahistoryofrafsaxavord.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/contents-list.html

Admin Note re Contents list

It may not be hi-tech but I have added links to the Contents List:

http://ahistoryofrafsaxavord.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/contents-list.html

RAF News - 2 to 15 Oct 87

RAF Saxa Vord was the subject of a centre page spread in the RAF News during Oct 87. The double page format is a bit inconvenient as far as the blog format is concerned so I have compromised a bit with the layout below.

The first picture is the whole article in reasonably high resolution for those of you who wish to download it or have the ability to zoom in sufficiently. Below that I have reproduced the main parts of the article in segments, 3 strips in succession from left to right.

CONTENTS LIST

http://ahistoryofrafsaxavord.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/contents-list.html

Ops Site Questions Part 2

In July 2011 I put out a section called “Ops Site Questions” http://ahistoryofrafsaxavord.blogspot.co.uk/2011/07/ops-site-questions.html
 Some Answers to Ops Site Questions (July 2011)

I thought that I would provide some feedback on these questions.
Question 1 –Does anyone know when and why the windows (R10) were bricked-up?

I believe they were blocked up about 1986/7 as a security/defensive measure.

Question 2.  Does anyone know what these structures were for and when they were put in place? (masonry structures below R10 Windows).

It seems these structures were put in place in the 1986/7 period simply as platforms to stack sandbags on. The idea being to block-up the windows in a transition to war period, strengthening the defence of the building.

Question 3. Does anyone know when the Admiralty Building was erected?

Work was begun in 1955 and the first 2 storeys were complete (and usable) in early 1956.


Question4. Does anyone have any data to show that it (the Admiralty Building) was originally built with 2 storeys and a third storey subsequently added, if so when was the third storey constructed?

The Admiralty Building was originally constructed as a 2 storey building and was used for trials in 1956.A third storey was added at the end of the year, with decoration continuing into early ’57.

Question 5. What was the extension, when was it and the metal cladding added to the Admiralty Building?

The extension was an emergency stairwell. It and the metal cladding were added in the late 80’s, possibly as late as 88/9.

Question 6. When was the newer sub-station built?

I have been unable to get a definitive answer. I know it wasn’t there in 1991. I believe that this may be linked to the next question.

Question 7. When were the fuel tanks and Standby Power House removed?

They were in situ during the big storm at New Year 1991/2 but had been removed by an AOCs inspection in 1995. Therefore it was in the period 92 to 95 and it would seem possible that the new electricity sub- station was built at the same time.

I would like to thank all of you who have helped provide the answers to these questions – it all helps to provide an accurate history of RAF Saxa Vord. Rest assured – there will be many more questions in the future.

CONTENTS LIST

http://ahistoryofrafsaxavord.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/contents-list.html



Saxa Voice - Summer 1998

The second edition of the Saxa Voice Magazine was issued in the summer of 1998. It is reproduced below but, once again, I have had to reduce the resolution to keep the file to a manageable size. Should anyone have a particular interest in any of the articles I may be able to send them a better quality copy of the article  if they contact me by email.



 

CONTENTS LIST

http://ahistoryofrafsaxavord.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/contents-list.html