Site Name: RAF Ventnor Chain Home Radar StationSt. Boniface Down Sub Brit site visit 1st October 2004 [Source:
Nick
Catford]
RAF VENTNOR TODAY The ROTOR
station used a slightly smaller compound and the western end which included
the receiver block was sold to the GPO who erected a new mast on the
site. They didn't however use the receiver block and the two entrances
into the brick building were sealed. Following the closure of the ROTOR
station in the late 1950's the site was handed over to the Civil Aviation
Authority who still maintain a radio station there today. The transmitter
block was still standing until at least 1997 but this has now been removed
and the same fate awaits the remaining redundant CAA buildings and the
ROTOR
Type 80 modulator building. The two buried reserves close to the southern
boundary have been backfilled but the position of one of them is clearly
visible with a 'shadow' left by the four concrete feet of one of the
120' aerial towers. 
Photo:The
position of the four legs for the buried reserve mast is clearly visible
Photo by Nick Catford The BT compound at the western end of the site is now redundant and
was offered for sale in late 2003. (Click here
for sale particulars) The site is heavily overgrown but the bases of
the four receiver towers can still be found in the undergrowth. The
Chain Home receiver block is still intact as is a smaller mounded bunker
alongside between the legs of one of the receiver masts, this The 'A' type protected receiver building still stands in good condition
and is typical of those built for east coast Chain Home stations. The
receiver building itself is 60' X 27' (slightly shorter than the demolished
transmitter building) and of brick and concrete construction with earth
traverses around the building. There are two openings though the traverses
giving access to an open walkway around the building. There is a 5'
6" layer of shingle on the roof to disperse blast. 
Photo:The
receiver power distribution equipment
Photo by Nick Catford Both entrance doorways have been bricked up but a hole has been knocked through the brickwork to give access to the inside of the building. Internally the building is divided into a number of rooms comprising a lobby, air conditioning plant room, private branch exchange (PBX), latrine, transformer cubicle, sub-station, workshop and the main receiver room. The building was equipped with a duplicate pair of Chain Home RF8 (originally RF5) receivers. Surprisingly some of the equipment still remains in place. The PBX
and receiver room have been stripped but still retain electrical wiring
racks suspended from the ceiling. At the far end of the building the
receiver power distribution equipment is still in place this consists
of three floor standing electrical cabinets. Externally they appear
complete with dials and knobs still in place but much of the inside
has been ripped out. There is also a large floor standing battery charger.
The ventilation plant room is also largely intact with its filter unit,
fan and metal trunking running into each of the rooms. BT say it may
be possible to remove any of the remaining equipment for preservation
prior to sale. 
Photo:The
now demolished transmitter block was still standing in 1997. The Type
80 modulator building can be seen in the foreground
Photo by Keith Ward Most of the rooms have a solid floor although there is a deep slot in the floor of the receiver room. The wooden flooring in the spine corridor has been largely removed making progress through the bunker difficult. The domestic camp was on the opposite side of the road that passes to the north of the site. This is now open ground. Four small buildings still remain. One appears to be a non standard design pillbox; the purpose of the other buildings is unknown. Sources:
For RAF St. Lawrence
Chain Home Radar Station click here
[Source: Nick
Catford]
Home Page
|
