RAF Alconbury, Cambridgeshire

[Riskybex]

RAF Alconbury began as a satellite base for nearby RAF Wyton during the early days of World War II. The first American unit at Alconbury was the 93d Bombardment Group and its B-24 Liberators. The 93d BG flew Eighth Air Force's first operational B-24 mission to the continent, attacking the Lille Steelworks in Belgium.

In 1983, TR-1s (reconnaissance spy planes) were permanently based at Alconbury. This led to a large remodelling of the northern section of the airfield to accommodate these aircraft and their specialised mission.

Work included the construction of five prefabricated Ready Sheds, thirteen extra wide Hardened Aircraft Shelters, a Squadron Headquarters, a massive Avionics and Photography Interpretation Centre, and new concrete aprons and taxi ways.

The bunkers and site is now being demolished except one which is Grade II listed (Magic Mountain TR1 Facility) which is said to be the last ever bunker to be built.

This one was special in my opinion compared to other USAF bases and had unusual blast door handles compared to its sister site 'Heyford'.

(MAGIC MOUNTAIN TR1 BUNKER)

(BUNKER 199)

Lower Level unfortunately flooded

(TR1 HANGERS)

(HAS SHELTERS)

(WW2 RECREATION AREA)

(OFFICES)

(HARDENED STORES)

(DAYTIME PHOTOS EXTERIOR OF MAGIC (DRAGON) MOUNTAIN)

 

[The Young One]

Thank you for bringing this to my attention

 

[Riskybex]

Thank you for bringing this to my attention

No problem have you done it? I heard there is not much left as demolition is moving quick

 

[The Young One]

No problem have you done it? I heard there is not much left as demolition is moving quick

Nope not yet

 

[Riskybex]

Nope not yet

Command Bunker has been flattened on site as well some of the HAS hangars

 

[night crawler]

Awesome work there, shame it has been demolished it''s worth keeping as a historic monument. Still no doubt they will build house there we don't need

 

[BikinGlynn]

Nice work, despite being close Iv never attempted this one, it is / was a pretty active mod site.

 

[Riskybex]

It will not allow me edit this post but here is one i forgot to add taken inside the Command Bunker

 

[Riskybex]

Nice work, despite being close Iv never attempted this one, it is / was a pretty active mod site.

It has not been a MOD site or in use for sometime Alconbury Weald own the airfield and bunker site. The developers who are turning the site into a mini housing village similar to what they have done with RAF Upper Heyford. (Half of what was there and half of the airfield is already gone and now has homes built on its place. The only bunker/building being retained by the developers is Magic Mountain the TR1 Facility as its Grade II listed.

The only bit the USAF retained was the living quarters and there being used for RAF Molesworth.

 

[John_D]

I remember when that was an active base 30 years ago, used to take my kids to Megatron Services, outside the main gate for special treats.... https://www.huntspost.co.uk/news/22956333.remember-old-megatron-alconbury/ It was a very futuristic experience at the time with touch screens to order your food...

 

[Riskybex]

I remember when that was an active base 30 years ago, used to take my kids to Megatron Services, outside the main gate for special treats.... https://www.huntspost.co.uk/news/22956333.remember-old-megatron-alconbury/ It was a very futuristic experience at the time with touch screens to order your food...

Didn't it later become known as the famous UFO McDonald's

 

[John_D]

Didn't it later become known as the famous UFO McDonald's

The McDonalds wasn't a patch on the original.... Was quite a sight, at night, lit up, with flashing lights around it, as you travelled along the A14 towards the A1, high up on the embankment, you came around a bend in the road and there it was, looked like a UFO, must have startled a few people who didn't know about it...

 

[DanMoist]

Is there anything left that's worth a look (this week)?

 

[Big Duke 6]

Superb selection of photos there. always loved this base with its ultra wide HASs!

 

[Lizzieloves]

RAF Alconbury began as a satellite base for nearby RAF Wyton during the early days of World War II. The first American unit at Alconbury was the 93d Bombardment Group and its B-24 Liberators. The 93d BG flew Eighth Air Force's first operational B-24 mission to the continent, attacking the Lille Steelworks in Belgium.

In 1983, TR-1s (reconnaissance spy planes) were permanently based at Alconbury. This led to a large remodelling of the northern section of the airfield to accommodate these aircraft and their specialised mission.

Work included the construction of five prefabricated Ready Sheds, thirteen extra wide Hardened Aircraft Shelters, a Squadron Headquarters, a massive Avionics and Photography Interpretation Centre, and new concrete aprons and taxi ways.

The bunkers and site is now being demolished except one which is Grade II listed (Magic Mountain TR1 Facility) which is said to be the last ever bunker to be built.

This one was special in my opinion compared to other USAF bases and had unusual blast door handles compared to its sister site 'Heyford'.

(MAGIC MOUNTAIN TR1 BUNKER)
View attachment 527581
View attachment 527582
View attachment 527583
View attachment 527585
View attachment 527586
(BUNKER 199)
View attachment 527587
View attachment 527588
View attachment 527589
View attachment 527616
View attachment 527590
View attachment 527591
View attachment 527592
View attachment 527593
View attachment 527594
View attachment 527595
View attachment 527596
View attachment 527597
View attachment 527598
Lower Level unfortunately flooded
View attachment 527655
View attachment 527656
View attachment 527657
View attachment 527599
View attachment 527613
View attachment 527600
View attachment 527617
View attachment 527658

(TR1 HANGERS)
View attachment 527601
View attachment 527602
View attachment 527603
View attachment 527604
View attachment 527608

(HAS SHELTERS)
View attachment 527605
View attachment 527606
View attachment 527607

(WW2 RECREATION AREA)
View attachment 527609
View attachment 527610

(OFFICES)
View attachment 527611

(HARDENED STORES)
View attachment 527612

(DAYTIME PHOTOS EXTERIOR OF MAGIC (DRAGON) MOUNTAIN)
View attachment 527614
View attachment 527615

Thought I would reply as my husband works for RAFl LAKENHEATH and. Be careful there are going to be security and dogs there they have cameras up and MOD have seen people in the re the grounds. Just a heads up ok!

 

[Lizzieloves]

Oh would further. To say every UNFORTUNATELY. Every mid. Base and. Ground is being fitted with Allen’s and hidden canes plz be careful !

 

[Lizzieloves]

Oh would further. To say every UNFORTUNATELY. Every mid. Base and. Ground is being fitted with Allen’s and hidden canes plz be careful !

Sorry every raf base and ground is being upgraded and alarms and hidden camera fired to catch people out ! Plz be very careful

 

[The Young One]

I don't think many of us are going on active raf bases but cheers for the info anyway

 

[BikinGlynn]

I remember when that was an active base 30 years ago, used to take my kids to Megatron Services, outside the main gate for special treats.... https://www.huntspost.co.uk/news/22956333.remember-old-megatron-alconbury/ It was a very futuristic experience at the time with touch screens to order your food...

man that would of been a good explore if it was still tehre & abandoned lol

 

[BikinGlynn]

Thought I would reply as my husband works for RAFl LAKENHEATH and. Be careful there are going to be security and dogs there they have cameras up and MOD have seen people in the re the grounds. Just a heads up ok!

as the OP states its no longer owned by RAF so unlikely it will have military type security or consequences of trespass on a military base.
I have done several live military sites myself with no issues u just have to be sensible.

TBH my first comment I was getting this confused with molesworth, this too has some abandoned bunkers but is very much a live site