At Glacis, by the historic Verne Citadel on the isle of Portland. The story of one of the Royal Air Force's top secret Cold War radar installations, the last one of its type to survive in its near-original condition, despite fire damage. Constructed in utmost secrecy from 1950 to 1953. Unique footage, and the personal recollections of ex-National Serviceman Tony Baker.
This last-minute tour - in the dark - shows the safety work carried out before the MoD sold the site in 2001. Showing me around was (the late) Ivan 'Moose' Maley of the MoD.
In the 1960s the site became a USAF relay site linked to gigantic Tropscatter arrays at Ringstead, near Weymouth. The site is now the community Fancy's Farm, open to the public - but there is no access to the underground installations.
The historic value of this RAF Portland site to the nation is recognised by Historic England as a Scheduled Monument.
9 май 2023
