Subbrit:RSG:ROC: Equipment

POST CONTENTS:

EQUIPMENT

Most posts have not been completely stripped internally and many will contain some of the following artefacts:

FURNITURE

BEDS - Originally each post was equipped with twin metal bunks and a single bed but in later years only the twin bunks were used. The bunks were generally not removed from those posts closed in 1968 but they were generally removed from those posts closed in 1991. Mattresses were also supplied, these are often found still in their original packing and unused.
CUPBOARD Small cupboard approximately 3' by 3' 6" with two doors
INSTRUMENT SHELF (To the left of the cupboard) often with a small slot cut into it for the FSM
FOLDING TABLE (to the left of the shelf)
SMALL LOW TABLE (to the left of the folding table) For standing the battery on
CHAIRS Original chairs were folding wooden chairs with canvas back and seat.
Any other furniture, shelves etc. is non standard issue and fitted by the Observers.

BT EQUIPMENT

WB1401 Speech receiver - receives signals and spoken messages from the carrier control point via BT telephone line.
WB1410 Filter unit
SWITCHING BOX the above three items are usually mounted together on one board
TELE-TALK A blue hinged box containing the loudspeaker-telephone BT Junction box (grey)

TOOLS

CROWBAR Short 18" crowbar pointed at one end and bent over and flattened at the other end with a slit. (formerly used in Spitfires)
PICK-AXE
SPADE
BROOM

PAPERWORK

POST LOG - A diary of all exercises carried out in the post
VISITORS LOG - Signed by all visitors to the post including BT engineers who serviced their equipment before each exercise
POSTERS - Cloud and aircraft identification posters and first aid posters
MAPS - 1" Ordnance survey maps and post cluster maps (often laminated)
FORMS Various
PHOTOGRAPHIC PAPER for GZI
MAGAZINES Copies of ROC Journal are often found
NOTICES Often pinned to wall

OTHER ITEMS REGULARLY FOUND

SIREN BOX Slatted wooden box approximately 24" X 15" X 15"
MIRROR 12 VOLT STRIP LIGHT (usually above instrument shelf)
CHEMICAL TOILET (In recess)
BATTERY SWITCHING BOX - for switching to the charger
TIME SWITCH Just inside the monitoring room door to allow the light to be left on whilst exiting the post.
FIRE BLANKET IN RED METAL BOX - On wall usually next to the time switch
FIRST AID ITEMS Bandages etc, often in a bag or a box
COPPER EARTHING STRAPS Along the top of two walls (only master post's)
ENAMEL OR PLASTIC BUCKET
WASTE BIN
RUBBER GLOVES
BAFFLE PLATES - For BPI
GASKETS - For FSM Probe
BPI MOUNTING BOARD Circular board (10" diameter) mounted on wall above cupboard for fixing the BPI to.
TOOL RACK
METAL ROD Approx. 15" with two lugs in the center for removing the metal dome on the ventilation shaft which covers the aerial connection point.
SPLINT A full body splinted (folded) and a smaller metal splint.
WIRING 12 volt, wiring for lighting etc, BT wiring, and at master posts thick coaxial cable running up the ventilation shaft, usually with a plug on the end.
JERRY CANS - For fuel for the generator
ROPE & CARGO NET For hauling heavy items up the shaft
BATTERY Two large 6 volt lead acid batteries joined together to give 12 volts
SUMP GRILLE - covering sump at bottom of ladder
SUMP PUMP HANDLE - At bottom of ladder

DOMESTIC ITEMS

UTENSILS
CUTLERY
KETTLE
COOKER & PACKETS OF FUEL
SOAP
TOILET PAPER - Hard government issue

Many other artifacts, individual to a particular post, are often found still in place.

SURFACE ITEMS

THE HATCH

Hatch design has changed several times over the years. The hatch that was in use prior to the 1968 closures consisted of a metal plate approximately 2' by 2' hinged at one side with a concrete counter balanced weight on the underside. It could be locked internally by rotating a handle till it caught on the underside of the hatch frame preventing it from opening. This lock could also be operated externally using a special 'T' bar key through a hole in the top of the hatch. (In Scotland a different locking mechanism was used) In most of the posts closed in 1968 this bar has rusted and dropped off and it is unusual to find one that is still operable.

The external lock consisted of a flat metal bar that slotted into a metal bracket on one side of the hatch. The other end of the bar has a slot cut into it (like a padlock hasp) that slotted over a metal hoop allowing a padlock to be fitted. The padlocks were usually small and offered little protection and rarely survive. Those posts that remained open after 1968 had a new hatch fitted with the top of the shaft being re-constructed with fittings for two secure padlocks (usually Chubb's) one either side of the hatch. The internal locking bar was also retained but if these are not greased and used regularly they tend to seize up at exposed sites.

In 1989 some more vulnerable posts, and posts along the A1 corridor were fitted with a completely new design of hatch called a Torlift. This involved the complete reconstruction of the shaft top to take the bigger hatch. The Torlift is used at prisons etc. and instead of padlocks it uses a brass security plug which needs a special extractor to remove it. If the security plug is missing however, the hatch can be opened with a large screwdriver which will do the same job as a Torlift key (on the other end of the extractor) which is no more than a metal rod with a slot cut in it! A metal grille the same size and design as the sump grill was fitted below the Torlift at the top of the shaft.

GZI MOUNT

Consists of a metal dome, flat at the bottom and convex at the top which is usually mounted on top of the ventilation shaft next to the access shaft.

AERIAL CONNECTION

At master posts, the aerial cables come up the ventilation shaft at the opposite end to the access shaft and there is a connection block on the side of the ventilation shaft. When this is not in use this is covered by a screw on metal dome that requires a special tool (see above) to remove it.

[Source: Nick Catford ]

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