RAF Newton, Notts, May 2017

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HughieD

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1. The History
RAF Newton, 7 miles east of Nottingham, was used briefly as a bomber base and then as a flying training school during World War II. It was built in 1939, on the site of a pre-war civil airfield. A year later No 1 Group was assigned to the newly constructed base in June 1940. A month later No. 103 Squadron moved from RAF Honington with their Fairey Battles before changing to the Vickers Wellington in October 1940. Newton became a training base, and between July 1941 and December 1946 No. 16 (Polish) Service Flying Training School provided basic and advanced training for Polish airmen serving with the RAF.

The station became the headquarters of No 12 Group, Fighter Command from 1946 until 1958, when Technical Training Command took over the station for electronic fitters courses. Later the station became the home to both the RAF School of Education when they moved up from RAF Upwood in 1972 and then the RAF Police Training School who moved from RAF Debden in 1974. The station badge featured the Polish Eagle holding a flaming torch along with the motto "Docemus et Discimus" (We teach and we learn). The station also become the home of the newly formed Nottingham University College Air Squadron in 1941, providing newly trained pilots for the RAF until they left in November 1967.

Today the site is a private industrial estate and the buildings are being converted into offices and storage space. The old control tower is being renovated into offices and the grass airfield has been returned to agriculture use. Nottinghamshire Police have used parts of the site for public order, method of entry and police dog training. Also the abandoned houses on the base were used as fil sets for the film "This is England". In terms of future developments, proposals to build a large number of homes on-site are in an advanced stage with at least 550 new homes earmarked for the former base site.

2. The Explore
Easy access to this place and a relaxed mooch. Some of the buildings are sealed tight while many others (especially the former accommodation blocks) are relatively easy to access. Spent a good hour or so wandering around. Ironically as I was heading off the site security pulled up in their car and asked me what I was doing. When I replied "Just taking some pictures" they replied that it was private and photography wasn't allowed. Hence I made my apologies and left in full knowledge that I'd finished anyway!

3. The Pictures

34629138370_40cb3a8481_b.jpgimg0430 by HughieDW, on Flickr#

Bit of a mess inside:

34884386621_f26dce2384_b.jpgimg0432 by HughieDW, on Flickr

34852731272_82a41948ec_b.jpgimg0435 by HughieDW, on Flickr

An old paint store?

34976212416_df4c117f98_b.jpgimg0438 by HughieDW, on Flickr

34976153526_be1053c320_b.jpgimg0439 by HughieDW, on Flickr

34884094781_7751c70070_b.jpgimg0442 by HughieDW, on Flickr

This bit was sealed up tight:

34975933646_ebc1ba9924_b.jpgimg0444 by HughieDW, on Flickr

34886829931_f8b40dceb2_b.jpgimg0449 by HughieDW, on Flickr

34855447692_16589b298d_b.jpgimg0453 by HughieDW, on Flickr

34631582760_36a2bd41de_b.jpgimg0447 by HughieDW, on Flickr

34176206854_8a727971de_b.jpgimg0454 by HughieDW, on Flickr

34209135233_4dc04a1684_b.jpgimg0455 by HughieDW, on Flickr

34856012302_ee5efae274_b.jpgimg0465 by HughieDW, on Flickr

One of the many accommodation blocks:

34979918836_ee22bb50f1_b.jpgimg0456 by HughieDW, on Flickr

34176677354_8389d150fa_b.jpgimg0471 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Old circuit wiring diagram:

34208981223_38615c4458_b.jpgimg0463 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Evidence of police training in here:

34632361710_23c4276cb4_b.jpgimg0457 by HughieDW, on Flickr

34176619424_fb3e6f6fd7_b.jpgimg0477 by HughieDW, on Flickr

34209524493_6f7659ab57_b.jpgimg0481 by HughieDW, on Flickr

34632794610_e46b46ed90_b.jpgimg0487 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Another accommodation block:

34639217400_572b069c36_b.jpgimg0523 by HughieDW, on Flickr

34209414973_ca45e570a5_b.jpgimg0488 by HughieDW, on Flickr

34888152801_21a6af3326_b.jpgimg0489 by HughieDW, on Flickr

34639039510_abe276ed1e_b.jpgimg0541 by HughieDW, on Flickr

34639148850_3336cd3d98_b.jpgimg0531 by HughieDW, on Flickr

34639078060_73b85dc28f_b.jpgimg0537 by HughieDW, on Flickr

One for the peeling paint fans:

34639375230_cd0939f4a0_b.jpgimg0543 by HughieDW, on Flickr

A quick peek in a bunker:

34862836982_195be3b956_b.jpgimg0509 by HughieDW, on Flickr

34216061353_5c420d233b_b.jpgimg0513 by HughieDW, on Flickr

34862768742_c9317bdab4_b.jpgimg0520 by HughieDW, on Flickr
 
Great stuff hughie.another to the list when coming home from Scotland
 
That's nicely recorded Hughie. I see that the accommodation blocks still have glass on the windows, more that Upwood has. It looks like the MT section and the workshops is being used by other persons as new doors have been fitted.
 
Great stuff Hughie! I wouldn't mind a visit :)

Cheers Rubex. Well worth the journey up to the Midlands.

That's nicely recorded Hughie. I see that the accommodation blocks still have glass on the windows, more that Upwood has. It looks like the MT section and the workshops is being used by other persons as new doors have been fitted.

Cheers Hugh. And yes...think you are right.

Great shot of a pigeon in flight Hughie, it's bin knocked about but still interesting, Thanks

Ha ha....good spot Smiler. Cheers man.
 
did you go into the de con block ? behind the medical building its worth a look
also the one near the station headquarters was open a while back too
 
Some great shots there. The wiring diagram is a nice piece of history. Although to be pedantic (apologies) its a system diagram for what looks like hot fresh water. Useless info I know. Again great shots.
 
Some great shots there. The wiring diagram is a nice piece of history. Although to be pedantic (apologies) its a system diagram for what looks like hot fresh water. Useless info I know. Again great shots.

Ha ha...no worries and thank you. Blonde moment. You are very correct!
 
I seem to remember RAF Newton was the home of Robot Wars many years ago. Jim.
 
That 2nd shot was probably the officers mess, sorry HD:tongue-new:

Im a big peely paint fan, and one of broken windows and RAF staircases which tend to look similar and we all appreciate a bog shot so I'm happy now thanks HD!
 

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