Nuclear bomb store for V-bombers, known as a ‘clutch’. All original V-bomber fields had clutches, except Wyton where a WWII store was adopted.
Nuclear bomb store for V-bombers, known as a ‘clutch’. All original V-bomber fields had clutches, except Wyton where a WWII store was adopted.
This is an active site (August 2024) I am unsure what is done at this site but from satellite pictures it is clear that there have been some major alterations to existing buildings and new ones added to the site. You can also note the vast amount of air conditioning units on the roof of one building.
Upon visiting the site it’s hard to spot due to a large amount of intentional tree and shrub cover, hiding it away. The inside of the base is well kept, also the security systems protecting this base seem to be very top end with cameras, razor wire, electric gates, alarm systems all in place.
There is one building that is outside the main perimeter fence and seems to be mostly disused except for the hum of some machinery inside, perhaps just a sub station. The buildings roof and other features are well maintained despite appearances.
The base has active private security patrols, having spoken to one of the security officers he informed me the land was still owned by the MoD but was leased to a private contractor. Further more he said he had maps going back to 1960 with tunnels and passages everywhere and with what’s been added on now he claimed the place is like a maze.
The site was redeveloped and opened in 2011 as the British Film Institute Master Film Store. Two of the original stores have been demolished to build the new structure and three remain. It has been extensively redeveloped at a cost of £12 million and is intended to offer long term preservation of original films. It can store 190,000 canisters of nitrate film and 240,000 acetate reels at -5 Celsius and with controlled humidity. This helps to prevent film deteriorating and reduce the risk of nitrate films catching fire.
Further information: Warwickshire Industrial Archaeology Society Archaeological Report prior to development British Film Institute
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