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View Full Version : Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE) Bedford - April 2011



nelly
24-04-2011, 09:16 PM
Starting in 1946, construction work began on the airfield to turn the site into what became known as the Royal Aeronautical Establishment, Bedford. The runway was extended in the post-war period to accommodate the Bristol Brabazon aircraft (which required a very long runway) that ultimately never went into production. One local road was dropped into a cutting so that it would not sit above the level of the runway.

It was the site of experimental aircraft development and was once described as “the finest research and development establishment outside the U.S.A."

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n630/nellyurbex2/RAE%20Bedford/img_18_16757_3.jpg

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This building is a "Kinetheodolite tower" (Cine Camera Tower) there was a further tower located elsewhere on the field. Two beams were projected up onto a taking off aircraft which would then lock the camera's on and follow it around ( hence the observatory dome)while trials were carried out over the field! the data being fed to computers for trajectory analysis
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A trip down memory lane here. There was and old rover abandoned near one of the buildings with these inside, I remember it being my job to lick and stick these when my Mum had been shopping ;)
http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n630/nellyurbex2/RAE%20Bedford/IMG_034022.jpg

Clough
24-04-2011, 09:30 PM
Thats a sweet site! Top stuff!

KingElvis
25-04-2011, 09:58 AM
That's just fantastic, I'm going to have a look at this next weekend.

Another excellent thread, thanks.

silverainbow
25-04-2011, 10:33 AM
Great report mate, fantastic looking site Its now on my Do do list

:thumb

scottj
28-04-2011, 06:57 PM
Great place this one looks;-) What day you thinking of King Elvis, fancy a newbie tagging along?