Atomic Weapons Research Establishment. Orford ... - English Heritage

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Ballistics Building and was able to communicate with the aircraft from an adjacent radio transmitter mast. For the trials work, three mobile, wartime American gun-laying SCR 584 radar trailers were set up, along with two mobile trackers equipped with cameras (Figure: 7) (TNA: PRO AVIA6/14752). Figure 7: Early 1950s radar station used during the bomb ballistics trials showing two SCR 584 type radars TNA:PRO AVIA 6/14752 One of the organisations that were sent a copy of the report on the radar station was ARE/HER (Armament Research Establishment/High Explosives Research), the cover name for the atomic bomb team. One drawback of this location was its vulnerability to flooding and the destruction of valuable equipment and records, which was demonstrated by the February 1953 floods that swept the east coast. Air photographs show that this facility was in operation in 1952, but by early 1955 no mobile radar equipment is shown in place, which may indicate that it was redundant by this date or that it was only occupied during trials work (RAF 58/877 (F14) 5163 21 May 52; RAF 58/1674 (F21) 0122 4 Mar 55). The trials were also recorded by cameras and kinetheodolites, a number of whose mounting plinths still survive; they were not visited during this survey (Figure 15). To further support the bomb ballistics work the RAE also operated a Model Ballistic Firing Range that was built at the southern end of the former RFC area (Figures 8 and 9). Air photographs allow the construction of this facility may be dated to early 1955 (RAF 58/1674 (F21) 0121 4 Mar 55). It comprised a control building with timing and measuring equipment, a platform for a 17-pounder gun and a 50 yard (45.72m) range, covered by a semi-circular corrugated steel sheet roof. In operation models were fired from the gun in a projectile known as a ‘sabot’ that then fell away to allow the model to travel down the range. Internally, were a series of spark photography stations spaced at 5 ft (1.5m) intervals and for stability mounted on 40 ft (12.2m) piles, which recorded the pitch and © ENGLISH HERITAGE 18 10 - 2009
Figure 8: Building C12, was 103, Model ballistics firing range in about 1958. TNA:PRO AVIA6/14752 Figure 9: Building C12, model ballistics firing range interior in about 1958 TNA: PRO AVIA6/14752 yaw of the models as they passed along the tunnel. A contemporary report reveals that bomb and re-entry head models were tested in the range, and one of its illustrations shows a Yellow Sun nuclear weapons casing model (PRO:TNA AVIA6/23833). © ENGLISH HERITAGE 19 10 - 2009
Page 1 and 2: RESEARCH DEPARTMENT REPORT SERIES n
Page 3: Research Department Report Series 1
Page 6 and 7: © ENGLISH HERITAGE 2009 10 -
Page 8 and 9: Sources 64 Primary sources 64 Secon
Page 10 and 11: Introduction The Atomic Weapons Res
Page 12 and 13: Topography and land use Orford Ness
Page 14 and 15: Previous archaeological and histori
Page 16 and 17: The First World War In 1915, the Ar
Page 18 and 19: Figure 4: Photograph taken during t
Page 20 and 21: sorties were flown from RAF Martles
Page 24 and 25: With the closure of the Ministry of
Page 26 and 27: Figure 11: Vibration Test Buildings
Page 28 and 29: Figure 12: WE177A freefall tactical
Page 30 and 31: Orford Ness formally passed from AW
Page 32 and 33: Figure 14: RAF Orford Ness in May 1
Page 34 and 35: Figure 16: The remains of the Model
Page 36 and 37: hostel. Adjacent to this is the sit
Page 38 and 39: Figure 21: First World War Magazine
Page 40 and 41: First phase AWRE buildings Air phot
Page 42 and 43: Figure 24: View of the area to the
Page 44 and 45: Figure 25: Laboratory 1 F3/123 show
Page 46 and 47: on its northeast side that gave acc
Page 48 and 49: To support the functions of this bu
Page 50 and 51: The centrifuge arm was 16ft (4.88m)
Page 52 and 53: Figure 32: The Control Room E4, sho
Page 54 and 55: Figure 34: Vibration Laboratory E2,
Page 56 and 57: was supported on concrete piers. Th
Page 58 and 59: Figure 38: The Impact Facility F5,
Page 60 and 61: uildings, are covered by a shingle
Page 62 and 63: for solitary sheep and cattle graze
Page 64 and 65: Figure 42: AWRE in July 1958, by th
Page 66 and 67: programme, the development of the W
Page 68 and 69: Sources Primary sources The Nationa
Page 70 and 71: Secondary sources Anon 1931 ‘Radi
Page 72 and 73:
Building list This list was compile
Page 74 and 75:
62 7 ton crane - quay 63 7 ton cran
Page 76 and 77:
125 F1 1956 Lab II & control room (
Page 78 and 79:
Magazine AREA/LOCATION: STRUCTURE N
Page 80 and 81:
Fuze Magazine AREA/LOCATION: STRUCT
Page 82 and 83:
Fuze Magazine AREA/LOCATION: STRUCT
Page 84 and 85:
a cruciform framework to support th
Page 86 and 87:
Vibration Test Building AREA/LOCATI
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are 3 large concrete machinery moun
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At the south end of the main plant
Page 92 and 93:
At the east end there is a slightly
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a similar sign on the south door re
Page 96 and 97:
Electrical Sub Station 2 AREA/LOCAT
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Laboratory 2 AREA/LOCATION: STRUCTU
Page 100 and 101:
Laboratory 3 AREA/LOCATION: STRUCTU
Page 102 and 103:
ing the shingle traverse and protec
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and running along the north wall. T
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cylinder. Roughly in the centre of
Page 108 and 109:
tion board/fuse box, and a single s
Page 110 and 111:
Impact Facility AREA/LOCATION: STRU
Page 112 and 113:
Plinth E AREA/LOCATION: STRUCTURE N
Page 114 and 115:
Black Beacon AREA/LOCATION: STRUCTU
Page 116 and 117:
Headquarters AREA/LOCATION: STRUCTU
Page 118 and 119:
Small Vibration Laboratory AREA/LOC
Page 120 and 121:
Office Annexe AREA/LOCATION: STRUCT
Page 122 and 123:
Compound AREA/LOCATION: G Area STRU
Page 124 and 125:
Electronics Workshop AREA/LOCATION:
Page 126 and 127:
Plinth G AREA/LOCATION: Lighthouse
Page 128 and 129:
Figure 44: Reference plan (1:10000
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Figure 46: West end of The Street (
Page 132 and 133:
Figure 48: AWRE headquarters area (
Page 134 and 135:
Figure 50: Laboratory F5 (1:1000 at
Page 136 and 137:
Figure 52: Pagodas and Control Room
Page 138:
ENGLISH HERITAGE RESEARCH DEPARTMEN
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