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Rochester
04-05-2009, 10:05 PM
Dropped on this place by accident today..

Carew Cheriton Control Tower.

Unique refurbished World War II RAF Control Tower.

Propel yourself back in time…….

………Experience the atmosphere of an authentic wartime control tower…..


Carew Cheriton Control Tower is run by volunteers. Its intention in restoring the World War II Control Tower (Watch Office) on Carew Cheriton airfield is to

• Show what life was like on a typical wartime airfield and its impact on the local village community.
• Provide a memorial (in addition to the nearby war graves cemetery) to over 100 airmen who lost their lives.

A Brief History. World War I (1914- 1918)

During World War I, The Royal Navy Air Station, known as Pembroke ( or sometimes Milton), was situated at Carew Cheriton.

The air station housed two types of airships which were non-rigid “blimps” used for patrolling the shipping lanes and coastal waters.

In 1917, three canvas hangars were erected on the Hazelbrook Farm side of the station to accommodate a number of Sopwith Strutters and DH6 aircraft. The Disposal Board took charge of the station in March 1920, ending RNAS Pembroke’s short operational life that began in August 1915.

A Brief History. World War II 1939 -1945

Construction of the new airfield commenced in 1938. It was named RAF Carew Cheriton.

The years 1939 – 1945 saw frantic activity in the skies over Carew. Many different squadrons and units used Carew Cheriton for a variety of tasks. Coastal Command squadrons were engaged on convoy and coastal patrol duties. Bombing raids were also carried out on targets along the French Coast.

The airfield transferred to Technical Training Command in October 1942, and the newly formed No.10 Radio School started its training programme. Hundreds of wireless operators were trained on the unit’s Oxfords and Ansons. The training continued until the Radio School disbanded in November 1945, and shortly afterwards the airfield closed.

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff74/silverstealth_bucket/album%20name/carew%20cheriton%20raf/carewcheritonhistory1sm.jpg

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff74/silverstealth_bucket/album%20name/carew%20cheriton%20raf/carewhistorysm.jpg

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff74/silverstealth_bucket/album%20name/carew%20cheriton%20raf/rafcheritonmegedsm.jpg

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff74/silverstealth_bucket/album%20name/carew%20cheriton%20raf/february2000sm.jpg

As it was back in Feb 2000

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff74/silverstealth_bucket/album%20name/carew%20cheriton%20raf/gasmaskbwsm.jpg

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff74/silverstealth_bucket/album%20name/carew%20cheriton%20raf/officersrestroomsm.jpg

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff74/silverstealth_bucket/album%20name/carew%20cheriton%20raf/waafsm.jpg

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff74/silverstealth_bucket/album%20name/carew%20cheriton%20raf/inglewoodsm.jpg

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff74/silverstealth_bucket/album%20name/carew%20cheriton%20raf/communicationcentresm.jpg

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff74/silverstealth_bucket/album%20name/carew%20cheriton%20raf/controlroombwsm.jpg

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff74/silverstealth_bucket/album%20name/carew%20cheriton%20raf/236squadronsm.jpg

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff74/silverstealth_bucket/album%20name/carew%20cheriton%20raf/aircraftsm.jpg

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff74/silverstealth_bucket/album%20name/carew%20cheriton%20raf/bulletbwsm.jpg

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff74/silverstealth_bucket/album%20name/carew%20cheriton%20raf/bikeshedbwsm.jpg

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff74/silverstealth_bucket/album%20name/carew%20cheriton%20raf/observationsm.jpg

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff74/silverstealth_bucket/album%20name/carew%20cheriton%20raf/controltowerduringwarsm.jpg

1945 map.

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff74/silverstealth_bucket/album%20name/carew%20cheriton%20raf/controlbwsm.jpg

Blober
04-05-2009, 10:21 PM
Nice place! great photos too.

Rochester
04-05-2009, 10:32 PM
Very nice shot's of a very unique Control Tower, never seen one like that before and very nicely restored. I fooking hate mannequins with a passion though they always spoil the feel of a place. How did you visit by accident? sort of trip over and fall through the door? :lol:

Nah popped into the car boot sale and saw the sign pointing down a side road..

KingElvis
05-05-2009, 07:41 AM
That's an excellent place, the control tower almost looks like s semi-sunken ROC HQ.

I want to see this when I visit the area.

Rochester
07-05-2009, 01:53 PM
Some more from today.

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff74/silverstealth_bucket/album%20name/carew%20cheriton%20raf/watchtowersm.jpg

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff74/silverstealth_bucket/album%20name/carew%20cheriton%20raf/watchtowercsm.jpg

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff74/silverstealth_bucket/album%20name/carew%20cheriton%20raf/wingsm-1.jpg

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff74/silverstealth_bucket/album%20name/carew%20cheriton%20raf/wing1sm-1.jpg

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff74/silverstealth_bucket/album%20name/carew%20cheriton%20raf/bikessm.jpg

converse1
07-05-2009, 02:01 PM
Yeah, like this. :) I hate the mannequins too, they make it look so false!

boxfrenzy
07-05-2009, 03:14 PM
Looks good. Is that an aeroplane wing?

Rochester
07-05-2009, 06:59 PM
Looks good. Is that an aeroplane wing?

sure is mate.

simonix
09-05-2009, 08:12 AM
What a unique tower, I am well into the old control towers, its great to see them preserved. Well done. :thumb

oneandsix
09-05-2009, 07:37 PM
great shots,good to see it in safe hands