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View Full Version : Anti-Aircraft Gunnery Camp, Stiffkey, Norfolk, March 2011



DJ OSKA
19-03-2011, 08:55 PM
This Anti-Aircraft camp was a complimentary camp to the site at Weybourne, now occupied by the Muckleburgh Collection. The camp also had connections with RAF Langham airfield.
Today, the site is part campsite, part farm, and part boatyard.

http://i750.photobucket.com/albums/xx145/djoska/LineOfStiffkeyConifers.jpg

After a friendly chat with a "proper local boy" and a member of the campsite staff, I was allowed to have a look around to take some photos...

http://i750.photobucket.com/albums/xx145/djoska/GEDC3307.jpg

A number of lovely 1940s-style asbestos buildings still stand.

http://i750.photobucket.com/albums/xx145/djoska/GEDC3306.jpg

http://i750.photobucket.com/albums/xx145/djoska/GEDC3305.jpg

Some in very good condition, especially the Guardhouse, which has been restored, as it is used as the HQ for the camp site.

http://i750.photobucket.com/albums/xx145/djoska/GEDC3308.jpg

Unfortunately, some buildings have been demolished within the last few months, and some are to be knocked down VERY SOON, as I was informed...

This particular building, I believe, is to be flattened next:
http://i750.photobucket.com/albums/xx145/djoska/GEDC3311.jpg

The activities at Stiffkey Camp included target-towing exercises, where a line of bofor guns would fire at a target pulled by a DeHaviland Queen Bee aircraft (probably flown by some mad Polish bloke) but later in the Cold War, smaller radio-controlled target-drone aircraft were developed and launched from a metal pole surrounded by a circular track.

This unique launching site still remains on the nearby marshes and the metal pole is locally known as "The Whirligig":

http://i750.photobucket.com/albums/xx145/djoska/TheWhirlygig.jpg

simonix
19-03-2011, 09:42 PM
Cracking stuff there fella! There is something else down the road I need to show you, it looks like a gun emplacement.

blueink
19-03-2011, 10:57 PM
looks like a cool place and some nice flicks

Shadow_Ops
19-03-2011, 11:03 PM
them mad polish blokes get al the best jobs!

looked like a goodun chris, loved the second shot

BA
19-03-2011, 11:17 PM
Nice shots :thumb
Did you manage to get an internals?

DJ OSKA
19-03-2011, 11:26 PM
No internals as of yet.

3 of the sheds are used as boat-building workshops and are surrounded by boats and related junk, inside pretty much mirrors the outside!

the rest of them are used in the farm- one of them is even labelled "site office".

As for the camps old guardroom, it has been fully kitted out internally as it's now the HQ for the campsite.

KingElvis
20-03-2011, 09:23 AM
That's a very nice thread mate, excellent.

DJ OSKA
20-03-2011, 10:57 PM
Some more asbestos-clad gems for you all:

Rear of H-Block used for boat storage:
http://i750.photobucket.com/albums/xx145/djoska/GEDC3322.jpg

Front of H-Block used for boat storage:
http://i750.photobucket.com/albums/xx145/djoska/GEDC3326.jpg

Nissen Hut near the farmhouse:
http://i750.photobucket.com/albums/xx145/djoska/GEDC3314.jpg

This is the original guard building which has been renovated and used by the camp site:
(in the background is the large Gun Shed)
http://i750.photobucket.com/albums/xx145/djoska/GEDC3328.jpg

A lovely ROUND pillbox (unsure of age or type) overlooking the acres of mudflats:
http://i750.photobucket.com/albums/xx145/djoska/GEDC3315.jpg

Inside the said pillbox:
http://i750.photobucket.com/albums/xx145/djoska/GEDC3319.jpg


Just up the hill from the Bofor firing range is what appears to be some workshops:
http://i750.photobucket.com/albums/xx145/djoska/GEDC3329.jpg

And along the original firing range, I found THIS unusual relic- it's NOT a spigot mortar pedestal, so what is it exactly?? I'm told it's the base for an American Machine-gun cockpit simulator...
http://i750.photobucket.com/albums/xx145/djoska/GEDC3331.jpg

Any help on the above appreciated!
cheers.

SaltGeorge
21-03-2011, 06:15 PM
There are some photographs of the gunnery range at Snettisham on this AIx (http://www.airfieldinformationexchange.org/community/showthread.php?3516-AAF-Gunnery-School-Snettisham) thread, including some detail shots of USAAF pintle mounts and a shot of RAF turret simulators. Nothing quite matches the block you've found. The length of the bolts is interesting, and their diameter in relation to the diameter of the sleeves inserted into the block. Just the one?

DJ OSKA
22-03-2011, 10:47 AM
Yes, SaltGeorge. Just the one.
It is in situ alongside 2 6ft tall mounds of rubble, which contains bits of brick but are both heavily overgrown.
It is to the west of the firing range, just as the original track heads south up the hill towards them workshops in the 2nd-from-last pic in my last post.

Black Shuck
22-03-2011, 05:19 PM
Nice work Bor Oskia, I like this a lot, see you soon hopefully. Got summat lined up for us.

DJ OSKA
22-03-2011, 07:17 PM
Lavvvvly, shucky...

SaltGeorge
05-04-2011, 08:21 PM
More information for you.. link (http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1945/dec/11/practice-firing-norfolk#S5CV0417P0_19451211_HOC_117). Transcript of question raised in parliament:

Practice Firing, Norfolk
HC Deb 11 December 1945 vol 417 c197
Mr. Gooch asked the Secretary of State for War if he will order the discontinuance of the practice firing from ground artillery and anti-aircraft artillery range at Stiffkey over Wells, Norfolk, town, marshes and foreshore so that the townspeople, especially fishermen, worm diggers, cockelers and others can have free access to the marshes, foreshore and sea at all times.
Mr. Lawson Firing by ground artillery will finish at the end of this month, after which only anti-aircraft practice will take place from this range.

DJ OSKA
12-04-2011, 03:26 PM
Well, further to my report on here, I have completed the next installment:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Im3q8EmvkrU

Enjoy...