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  1. #1
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    Arrow Atomic Weapons Research Establishment - Oct - 2011

    This was a great opportunity, to see one of England's most unusual man made nature reserves.

    Orford Ness has a military use ever since 1913 and has been bombed and tested so many times, there may never be a time when you will know where all the unexploded bombs lie.

    In it's heyday the island has been the proud site for the invention of Radar. They also stress tested both our Nuclear bombs to the point of destruction. The Pagoda's were built in a manner that if the bombs (minus the fissile material) did explode, the explosion would be funneled upwards and the shingle on top of the roof would collapse on to the area to contain any contamination.

    ALL the information you will ever need on this place can be found below,

    http://www.talkurbex.com/2010/10/a-v...lishment-awre/

    With thanks to Digital-Nomad from Talk Urbex & The National Trust for allowing us on site for 8 hours of enjoyment!!

    On with my pics (and there are a few!)...

    A Birds eye view of the site taken in 1965, you can see the bomb craters from many years of practice bombing...



    1. This is Lab 4 aka one of the 'Pagoda's' in the early morning sun...


    2. Lab 5


    3. One of the various tracks used to prevent the vehicles from sinking into the shingle...


    4. Lab 5


    5.


    6. Lab 6 to the right with Lab 5 just ahead


    7. Lab 4


    8. A room inside Lab 4


    9. Bomb testing chamber inside Lab 4


    10.


    11. Lab 4.


    12. Inside the centrifuge in Lab 6.


    13. Looking out from the Control Room to Labs 5 & 6


    14.


    15.


    16. A metal dump from scrap dealers who visited during the 90's, off limits now due to protected species and unknown whereabouts of sunken bombs (Lab 2 in the background)


    17. The Armoury


    18.


    19. I have a new love for shooting into the Sun! From Right to left, Lab 6, Lab 5, Lab 4 & Lab 2.


    Continued in the next post...
    UE Photos & Videos from 2002 to the present day: www.photoaddiction.co.uk

  2. #2
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    Default Re: Atomic Weapons Research Establishment - Oct - 2011

    20. Lab 2.


    21. Inside Lab 2


    22.


    23.


    24.


    25. Inside Lab 3 which was a thermal testing unit to put the bombs under extreme heat tests


    26.


    27.


    28. Looking out towards Lab 1.


    29. Lab 3, Lab 2 & Lab 4 in the distance.


    30. The rear of Lab 1


    31.


    32. Military Police HQ/Black Beacon


    33.


    34.


    35. This original watch tower was, along with the lighthouse, the first structures to be built on the island, dating back to 1925!


    36. Due to it's location, the lighthouse cannot be saved, the unexploded ordnance together with the marshland under the shingle mean it would not be worth attempting to 'slide it back' and save it. Therefor it will be swallowed up by the sea.


    37.


    38.


    39.


    40. I am not sure what this is for, maybe contacting another universe?



    D-UK
    UE Photos & Videos from 2002 to the present day: www.photoaddiction.co.uk

  3. #3
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    Default Re: Atomic Weapons Research Establishment - Oct - 2011

    Here is a video I have made of the trip...

    UE Photos & Videos from 2002 to the present day: www.photoaddiction.co.uk

  4. #4
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    Default Re: Atomic Weapons Research Establishment - Oct - 2011

    Thanks for the feedback people.

    They run tours around the non-nuclear side (nuclear side = the bits with bunkers/labs) during the Summer, however you need to book in advance to see the nuclear side. They said they don't usually do tours under 6 people at £60 per head for the Nuke side. I am not sure of the standard shortened tour cost.

    This was arranged nearly a year in advance.

    You need to get in touch with the National Trust at Orford Ness, they should be able to give you more info.

    -----------------


    I have also found an excellent English Heritage site survey, included is this picture of film stills from experiments carried out at AWRE Foulness, Essex, to prove the design
    for the Orford Ness Vibration Test Buildings...




    http://services.english-heritage.org...10_2009WEB.pdf
    Last edited by Derelict-UK; 19-10-2011 at 12:44 AM.
    UE Photos & Videos from 2002 to the present day: www.photoaddiction.co.uk

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