RAF Melton Mowbray or similar

[The Moose]

Hi there guys

I really need to find something like an abandoned airfield for a couple of hours this week.

I know there is a place in Melton Mowbray where companies like Ford do promos there, but I have no idea what it is called or how I could find the name of the company who run it!

If anyone has any ideas, that would be awesome, or if anyone has any ideas of where I could go to find an abandoned airfield or equivalent.

Cheers

The Moose

ETA: Sorry if its in wrong post mods - move to where you see fit please!!

Edited by The Moose on Sunday 14th December 12:13

[Sciroccology]

http://worldwar2airfields.fotopic.net/

That's a site I was browsing the other night which may be of some help, at least with locating old airfields. As for access etc, I dunno.

[thehappyotter]

I'm pretty sure that when the airfield down the road from me, RAF Newton, closed that the dog training section went to somewhere near Melton. I can't for the life of me remember the name of it though.

I'm not sure if you're intrested but I took my camera last time I was at Newton with the dogs. It's currently used by the police as the public order, method of entry and police dog training area as well as the hangers being industrial units.

Edited by thehappyotter on Sunday 14th December 12:48

[Sciroccology]

thehappyotter said:

I'm pretty sure that when the airfield down the road from me, RAF Newton, closed that the dog training section went to somewhere near Melton.

Crikey. I did my RAF Police training at Newton. It's quite sad to see it all run down.

[Promised Land]

thehappyotter said:

I'm pretty sure that when the airfield down the road from me, RAF Newton, closed that the dog training section went to somewhere near Melton. I can't for the life of me remember the name of it though.

I'm not sure if you're intrested but I took my camera last time I was at Newton with the dogs. It's currently used by the police as the public order, method of entry and police dog training area as well as the hangers being industrial units.

Could that place be on the A46 inbetween the A52 and A6097?

We go up past there every day and there is what looks like an old army housing estate there, completely empty and overgrown now and up for let I think. Around 40-50 semi detached houses.

To the OP, have you tried Prestwold Hall circuit & airfield, I know Ford do stuff there as i saw 30 odd Kuga's come from there earlier in the year.

Edited by Promised Land on Sunday 14th December 13:00

[thehappyotter]

That's the place Promised Land, there's Newton between Saxondale & Bingham islands and then a bit further up the 46 towards Newark you'll find Syerston. Syerston is still operational, although not much...

This is the housing estate you are thinking off:

Edited by thehappyotter on Sunday 14th December 13:05

[tegwin]

RAF West Raynham...

[thehappyotter]

It always amazes me how similar the places look, all the standard building designs they must use.

I think you have a few more photographic skills than me Tegwin! Very atmospheric.

[Promised Land]

Yes, that's the estate, we can't understand why no one has ever developed it, a lot of empty houses no doubt been vandalised by kids, pikeys. One quite close to the A46 looks like it was set on fire as the roof is all off it.

[Ferg]

tegwin said:

Bloody graffiti artists.

[thehappyotter]

Promised Land said:

Yes, that's the estate, we can't understand why no one has ever developed it, a lot of empty houses no doubt been vandalised by kids, pikeys. One quite close to the A46 looks like it was set on fire as the roof is all off it.

There's a far larger estate on the other side which is now all private housing and quite a nice place. The bit you can see, I guess, was never developed because of problems with access.

It was earmarked to be an asylum centre but that didn't go down to well in the heart of Conservative Rushcliffe so it was shelved. It's now goging to be turned into an 'eco-town' or some such bks political excuse to build on green belts...

[Nolar Dog]

The Moose said:

Hi there guys

I really need to find something like an abandoned airfield for a couple of hours this week.

What do you need it for and do you specifically need the "abandoned" look?

[Rob.]

RAF Newton brings back memories of cub scout parades on Rememberance sunday and fly-pasts by some great aircraft. You can see RAF Newton from my Mum`s place so when I was young got some good impromptu air displays over the house when it was operational.
Useless info for you all: Robot Wars used to be filmed in one of the hangars.

Towards Grantham on the A52 is a place called Bottesford and this too has a disused airfield - it is all industrial units and car storage now though.

The dog handling section for the RAF is near Melton and still operational.

[tuffer]

Wow:



Spent a few hours in there, that's the old Rapier training dome.

[Ferg]

Rob. said:

Useless info for you all: Robot Wars used to be filmed in one of the hangars.

I saw Robot Wars there. I'd completely forgotten where it was!!!

[The Moose]

Prestwold Hall - that's the one I was thinking of - cheers for that PL!!! Saw the Kugas going round there a while back too!

I need some large area of Tarmac to test out a race car. I figured abandoned airfield would be the most use?!?!

Will do see phone number recon later on.

Cheers

The Moose