simonix
19-02-2011, 08:46 PM
Went back to Weybourne camp last night with DJ OSKA, could not believe it when we got down to the gun wells as they have been almost completely cleaned out. Even all the Pillboxes have been cleaned and reserected with trenching and sand bags. The largest Pillbox even has its gun repositioned in it. The camp was established in 1935 as an Anti Aircraft training facility. The site is now part of the Muckleborough Collection Museum which is housed in the old nissan huts etc. During the war an Airfield was constructed which is still in use today. A little way up the road a dummy airfield was also set up to confuse the German aircrews as they crossed the coast line. The gun wells housed 3No 40mm Bofor AA guns, these were used in conjunction with the Queen Bee aircraft drones, it sounds like these were launched from the Stiffkey Whirlygig, during one training mission a whole crew of female gunners were killed in a tragic accident. In 1953 the US Army took over and replaced the 40mm guns with 3No 75mm Skysweeper guns these were used with RCATS radio controlled drones which were launched from Weybourne on a A7 launcher using rocket propulsion, these doubled up the fire power of the guns. The last guns were fired on site in 1960 although some records say 1958.
Here is an interesting link
ed-thelen.org/RCATS&WhirlygigV5.ppt
On with the photos, the first picture was of our first visit a couple of years ago before any clearing out had been done, this will give you some idea of how much work has been done.
http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo12/stiemer/Weybourne-Kelling022-1.jpg
http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo12/stiemer/Weybourne2003.jpg
The same gun well now.
http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo12/stiemer/Weybourne2004.jpg
http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo12/stiemer/Weybourne2007.jpg
http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo12/stiemer/Weybourne2008.jpg
http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo12/stiemer/Weybourne2010.jpg
http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo12/stiemer/Weybourne2013.jpg
http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo12/stiemer/Weybourne2021.jpg
http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo12/stiemer/Weybourne2023.jpg
http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo12/stiemer/Weybourne2024.jpg
http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo12/stiemer/Weybourne2026.jpg
http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo12/stiemer/Weybourne2031.jpg
http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo12/stiemer/Weybourne2033.jpg
http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo12/stiemer/Weybourne2039.jpg
This is the Gun rehoused in its pillbox.
This place is a must see if you are in the area.
Thanks :thumb
Here is an interesting link
ed-thelen.org/RCATS&WhirlygigV5.ppt
On with the photos, the first picture was of our first visit a couple of years ago before any clearing out had been done, this will give you some idea of how much work has been done.
http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo12/stiemer/Weybourne-Kelling022-1.jpg
http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo12/stiemer/Weybourne2003.jpg
The same gun well now.
http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo12/stiemer/Weybourne2004.jpg
http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo12/stiemer/Weybourne2007.jpg
http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo12/stiemer/Weybourne2008.jpg
http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo12/stiemer/Weybourne2010.jpg
http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo12/stiemer/Weybourne2013.jpg
http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo12/stiemer/Weybourne2021.jpg
http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo12/stiemer/Weybourne2023.jpg
http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo12/stiemer/Weybourne2024.jpg
http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo12/stiemer/Weybourne2026.jpg
http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo12/stiemer/Weybourne2031.jpg
http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo12/stiemer/Weybourne2033.jpg
http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo12/stiemer/Weybourne2039.jpg
This is the Gun rehoused in its pillbox.
This place is a must see if you are in the area.
Thanks :thumb