Site Name: RAF Patrington - WW2 GCI (Happidrome) Radar StationPatrington Haven Sub Brit site visit 24th July 2004 [Source:
Nick
Catford]
With the introduction of the rotor programme it was proposed to build a new protected GCI station in an underground R3 two level operations room at Patrington and a Chain Home Extra Low (CHEL) in an underground R2 single level operation room at Easington. Unfortunately the ground was too low lying at Patrington and was not suitable for a deep underground bunker. A compromise site was selected at Holmpton and at the same time the proposed R2 at Easington was deleted from the programme and the CHEL was incorporated into the new GCI.
The installation work at Holmpton was due to finish on 16th Feb 1953 but delays meant that the station wasn't handed over to the RAF until 2nd June 1954. 
Photo:The
two level reporting hall was located at the northern end of the happidrome.
Note the new entrance porch constructed when the building was divided
into self contained units.
Photo by Nick Catford Following the opening of the new station, RAF Patrington was surplus to requirements and subsequently closed finally ceasing all operations in 1955. The domestic camp at Patrington Haven was retained for the new ROTOR station and was later extended with the addition of a married quarters estate alongside. Following the closure of RAF Patrington, RAF Holmpton was re-named RAF Patrington in 1958. Towards the end of the ROTOR programme, there was a proposal to reuse extend versions of the SOC/GCI Happidromes like Patrington, where they were suitably sited. These operations blocks would have been designated R9. This would not, however, have involved the Happidrome at Patrington and the proposal was later dropped. RAF PATRINGTON TODAY The Happidrome and adjacent standby set house still stand on the north
side of a minor road running from Patrington to Sunk Island. The happidrome
has been divided into three self contained units. Two are currently
let out while the eastern end of the building is at present derelict.
This part of the building still retains most of its original room layout
including the central spine corridor. At some time it has been used
as animal pens and each of the rooms has an animal feeding trough. All
the rooms have been stripped of any original fixtures and fittings.
A new porch has been built on the west side to give access to this part
of the building. The original steel emergency exit hatch at the southern
end of the spine corridor is still in place. 
Map
shows the location of existing features
Two sets of large double steel doors have been installed at the north end of the building giving access to two large rooms. Most of the rooms in this part of the building were at a raised level with the intercept cabins and controllers overlooking the reporting hall located in a sunken well. All internal partition walls, stairs and the balcony have been stripped out and the two windows overlooking the reporting hall have been bricked up. 
Photo:The
reporting hall. The blocked window into the Fighter Marshalls office
can clearly be seen on the right as can the blocked high level corridor
to the rooms in the right hand side of the building.
Photo by Nick Catford
There is no evidence of any of the buildings associated with this phase and the land is now part of the same cultivated field. The VHF transmitter and receiver blocks have both survived. The receiver block stands at the rear of the Beaconsfield Farm yard. All three buildings still stand although one end wall of the receiver building (TA31102164) has been removed to give vehicle access. The standby set house still retains a concrete plinth for the generator and has electrical switchgear mounted on the wall. 
Photo:The
VHF receiver building (left) and rest room (right)
Photo by Nick Catford The transmitter building (TA31302200) stands in the middle of a cultivated field. There is some damage to one end of the building. The rest room and standby set house have been demolished although their concrete bases remain in the undergrowth as does one of the concrete pads that supported the aerial mast. The owner of Beaconsfield Farm is planning to demolish all the buildings as he has no use for them. The Patrington
Haven Leisure Park now stands on the site of the domestic camp (TA301212).
Although most of the buildings have been demolished a few have been
re-clad and incorporated into the park. The guardhouse is still standing
at the entrance acting as the gatehouse to the leisure park. The large
MT shed can be seen just inside the entrance, although altered it is
still clearly recognisable. In the middle of the park the Haven Tavern
entertainment centre is also an old camp building, perhaps the Station
Headquarters or mess rooms, A few other buildings also survive including
a sub station. The ROTOR
married quarters alongside are now in private occupation. For further photographs of RAF Patrington click here Sources:
[Source:
Nick Catford]
Home Page
|
