RAF West Raynham

After WWII West Raynham became the Central Fighter Establishment for the RAF. During 1956 eight Hawker Hunter jets left the base on training exercises but due to poor weather conditions diverted to RAF Marnham. Two landed safely, the third ran off the runway and a fourth crashed landed killing the pilot. The remaing four pilots ejected from their aircraft and landed safely but destroyed the planes in the process.

In 1975 85 Squadron, who had been based at West Raynham since the 1960s made their permanent headquarters at the base after being reformed as a Bristol Bloodhound MKII Surface to Air Missile unit.

Throught out the 1960s to 1982 West Raynham also housed the Royal Observer Corps summer training camps.

West Raynham remained a Bloodhound Missile site right up until May 1991 when the Squadron and program was disbanded. The base continued operating up until 1994 when the Ministry Of Defence closed West Raynham for good. Although closed the MOD retained West Raynham as part of a strategic reserve even though the base lay empty and falling into disrepair. In 2004 it was deemed West Raynham would no longer play a part in the defence of the country and was sold off.

West Raynham is the most preserved RAF base in the country with virtually every single building still in one piece albeit some already in use as small offices and the like.

Its size, completeness, unique control tower and Rapier Missile training dome have to be its key points, but the whole base is equally as impressive, the boiler rooms, hangars, water tower. The list goes on and on.

West Raynham is one of them sites you just cant help admiring, combined with its history and its virtually intact buildings its an instant winner as well as an amazing explore.