As a photographer, I am always on the lookout for interesting and unique locations to capture through my lens. Recently, I had the opportunity to visit RAF Neatishead, a former Royal Air Force station located in Norfolk, England.
RAF Neatishead has a rich history. When it was first established, its primary function was as a ‘Control and Reporting Centre’ (CRC) for the south of the United Kingdom1. The base was equipped with various types of radar equipment, including Type 7 GCI, AN/FPS-6 height finding radar, Type 80 ‘Green Garlic’ radar, Type 84 radar, Type 85 ‘Blue Yeoman’ radar, 3 Decca (later Plessey) HF200 height finding radars, and a R15 radar1.
A fire started on 16 February 1966 in the bunker. The RAF station fire crews were were not able to extinguish the fire and the local fire brigade were called in. The fire was eventually extinguished nine days later but not before taking the lives of three local firefighters. Subsequently Leading Aircraftman Cheeseman was sentenced to seven years for starting the fire and causing the firefighters deaths. Damage to the station was extensive and was closed for a period of eight years, re-opening in 1974.
Today, RAF Neatishead is home to the RAF Air Defence Radar Museum. The museum is located on the northern side of the Norfolk Broads and is easily accessible from Wroxham (10 minutes by car), Horning (an easy walk of 10 minutes), or Norwich (25 minutes by car). Unfortunately the bunker itself is no longer accessible as it's transferred ownership but the museum is certainly well worth a visit. The talks provided by the museum staff are highly recommended, at the time of my visit two of which were previously stationed there. In addition there is a nice collection of artefacts from RAF Coltishall and their Jaguar operations, including the cockpit of XX979 rebuilt to represent a model GR3.
During my visit to RAF Neatishead, I was able to capture some stunning images of the base and its surroundings. The history of the base added an extra layer of depth and meaning to my photographs.
I hope you enjoy these images as much as I enjoyed taking them.
