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View Full Version : Archived: RAF UPPER HEYFORD - SKYLINE RECREATION CENTER - PIC HEAVY - MARCH 2011



Tankman
13-03-2011, 08:12 PM
In most military bases there has to be the boring side to life! So when off duty, you have to have somewhere to go and have fun:thumb At UH the 5,000 base personnel had the "Skyline" a massive recreation complex that had 5 huge halls for dancing and events along with two stages and numerous bars and a casino/Slot machine hall! Oh and not forgetting the Burger Bars:thumb

This one complex was on one floor like a massive Bungalow type building. Since the Yanks pulled out in 1994 it has remained empty and abandoned:(
In places nature and time has not been good to the building, lack of maintenance, burst pipes etc have left the building in a sorry state. Its due for demolition like so many of the existing buildings that make up the former communal site to make way for a new housing complex.

The building dates back to the late 1960's and over the years has had numerous updates added on. Wandering around this building you can sense the presence of the base personnel haunting the corridors and halls and the hours of fun and enjoyment they must have had whilst based at UH.

On with the pics:

http://inlinethumb56.webshots.com/47735/2207213600033241453S600x600Q85.jpg (http://news.webshots.com/photo/2207213600033241453TmNslE)

Obscured by numerous bushes that have grown up over the years its hard to make out the entrance!

http://inlinethumb52.webshots.com/45235/2467922030033241453S600x600Q85.jpg (http://news.webshots.com/photo/2467922030033241453xzVnjf)

One of the numerous halls that was a disco! Note the stage that has a wire cage across it? It reminds me of the stage scene from the Blues Brothers where they are throwing bottles at the stage when singing rawhide:lol:

http://inlinethumb05.webshots.com/46404/2415433750033241453S600x600Q85.jpg (http://news.webshots.com/photo/2415433750033241453IvZqxa)

Dotted around in numerous side rooms are wall murals such as this one carved out of plaster! Very Retro:smile

http://inlinethumb23.webshots.com/47702/2568283010033241453S600x600Q85.jpg (http://news.webshots.com/photo/2568283010033241453eTDKJo)

Telephone booths that now stand still with silence:( that once echoed to base personnel ringing back home, stateside!

http://inlinethumb02.webshots.com/44993/2346339270033241453S600x600Q85.jpg (http://news.webshots.com/photo/2346339270033241453OAddnf)

Pano shot of the old Burger bar area, this is in a better condition than some of the other halls.

http://inlinethumb44.webshots.com/35243/2834436430033241453S600x600Q85.jpg (http://news.webshots.com/photo/2834436430033241453SMnKna)

"Hermie's Sandwich Shoppe" i'll have a Mexican Chilli Bap & Heavy on the Fries:lol:

http://inlinethumb43.webshots.com/14890/2977289950033241453S600x600Q85.jpg (http://news.webshots.com/photo/2977289950033241453ugVnSY)

Wall art literally! This is "John Bull" carved into the brickwork alongside is "Uncle Sam" also carved into the brickwork! The British and American presence together - "Cold War Brothers in Arms"

http://inlinethumb31.webshots.com/41246/2823254590033241453S600x600Q85.jpg (http://news.webshots.com/photo/2823254590033241453idnjJn)

http://inlinethumb43.webshots.com/47850/2115025300033241453S600x600Q85.jpg (http://news.webshots.com/photo/2115025300033241453ZDqqSU)

Inside the Slot machine room. Slugs are not allowed:D

http://inlinethumb25.webshots.com/47320/2748521970033241453S600x600Q85.jpg (http://news.webshots.com/photo/2748521970033241453eOUkRX)

The bar for visiting military personnel, it was a tradition that you left your marker in the form of your visiting squdron sticker on the bar top. Ther is some excellent memorys left atop:thumb

http://inlinethumb48.webshots.com/46831/2061285480033241453S600x600Q85.jpg (http://news.webshots.com/photo/2061285480033241453czrgpZ)

http://inlinethumb15.webshots.com/47118/2668081100033241453S600x600Q85.jpg (http://news.webshots.com/photo/2668081100033241453ZvozFI)

As I ventured further into the building the damage became worse, burst pipes have literally wrecked this area and what looks like a fire is in fact black fungus growing on the beams:eek:

http://inlinethumb24.webshots.com/44311/2027210580033241453S600x600Q85.jpg (http://news.webshots.com/photo/2027210580033241453XhbMmB)

Dance hall daze! I wonder what fun was had here on the dance floor all those years ago! You can cut the atmosphere in here with a knife? I felt as if I was being watched by all those base personnel who never quite left:panic

http://inlinethumb16.webshots.com/6223/2852828770033241453S600x600Q85.jpg (http://news.webshots.com/photo/2852828770033241453lOSeeD)

One of the numerous bars! I'll have a Bourbon & Soda - Mr Torance!

http://inlinethumb35.webshots.com/47842/2900664820033241453S600x600Q85.jpg (http://news.webshots.com/photo/2900664820033241453GwCVAM)

Finally! The RAF Rapier Regiment that protected the base during its operation left its Calling Card at the bar:thumb

Thanks for looking:D

Bunkerkid
13-03-2011, 08:49 PM
Dotted around in numerous side rooms are wall murals such as this one carved out of plaster! Very Retro:smile

http://inlinethumb05.webshots.com/46404/2415433750033241453S600x600Q85.jpg (http://news.webshots.com/photo/2415433750033241453IvZqxa)




Gasp you have found the pandorica from doctor who!

http://www.hypnogoria.com/images/reviews/DW-pandorica.jpg

:lol: