This is not a radar dome. It was a training dome for the targeting and firing of the early marks of Rapier Air Defence Missiles. I went in it back in 1990 when it was in use. Targets were projected on the inside of the dome.
Posted 24 October 2006, 09:00 From Rick Leach
Yep, it is the dome that housed the Rapier Missile Training Simulator. I remember it being built in 1985/86 when I was serving with 66 Sqn RAF Regt in the adjacent No4 Hangar.
Posted 24 October 2006, 09:20 From DAB @ derelicte
Bobby / Rick - thanks for the correction That sounds a lot more interesting than a radar dome!
Posted 8 April 2008, 11:00 From Geoff Smith
Hi.
What is the round building in this picture. Was it part of the Bloodhound system?. I am doing some research on the North Cotes site for my own interest.
Thank you for this site, very interseting.
Geoff.
Posted 6 December 2008, 22:30 From DAVID HIRST
Hello,
I was in the air training corps based at RAF West Raynham ,ref the picture no 36 from what i can remember the building was something to do with the rapier missile system possibly a training room, the building was errected soon after the RAF Regiment moved to the base ,hope this helps Dave
Posted 7 December 2008, 11:40 From arthur paton
Further history on DFLS , CO on my arrival was W/Com Prosser Hanks, Battle of Britain hurricane pilot, was promoted and moved on. Another 'ace' was S/ L Bill Johnson sometimes known as Johney Johnson who served in Malta as a Sergeant Pilot and the UK with numerous 'Kills' to his name. Other unlts at W. Raynham were Naval Air Fighter Development Unit (navy) Air Fighter Development Unit (RAF) sharing No1 ? hanger, DFLS in the middle and Maintainance Unit in No3, the married quarters end. We had a aero model club and one Saturday afternoon Geoff Finch ? flew his 4ft wingspan ,engine powerd model 'Auster' on to the flat roof of the control tower much to the chagrin of those working there , no charges laid , there was no flying going on so we were allowed to use the grassed areas of the airfield but the Auster in free fligth flew better than expected.
Posted 21 June 2009, 00:30 From Frank Phillipson
The West Raynham Dome was made by GQ Defence Equipment Ltd.,(taken over by Ferranti in 1986) and was one of five supplied to the British Army/RAF Regt. for Rapier training (1 at Lossiemouth, 1 at Larkhill, 2 in Dortmund). Called the ADT3 (Air Defence Tactical Trainer Theater). Aircraft images projected via a moveable prism system controlled by computer onto inside of 18.3m diameter dome made of timber with polystyrene inner surface above lowest ring of panels.
Can supply interior images etc if required. This dome system was a very much upgraded equipment that had direct links to the concrete domes that appeared on RAF airfields such as Langham.
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Posted 11 September 2006, 23:30 From Bobby
This is not a radar dome. It was a training dome for the targeting and firing of the early marks of Rapier Air Defence Missiles. I went in it back in 1990 when it was in use. Targets were projected on the inside of the dome.
Posted 24 October 2006, 09:00 From Rick Leach
Yep, it is the dome that housed the Rapier Missile Training Simulator. I remember it being built in 1985/86 when I was serving with 66 Sqn RAF Regt in the adjacent No4 Hangar.
Posted 24 October 2006, 09:20 From DAB @ derelicte
Bobby / Rick - thanks for the correction
That sounds a lot more interesting than a radar dome!
Posted 8 April 2008, 11:00 From Geoff Smith
Hi.
What is the round building in this picture. Was it part of the Bloodhound system?. I am doing some research on the North Cotes site for my own interest.
Thank you for this site, very interseting.
Geoff.
Posted 6 December 2008, 22:30 From DAVID HIRST
Hello,
I was in the air training corps based at RAF West Raynham ,ref the picture no 36 from what i can remember the building was something to do with the rapier missile system possibly a training room, the building was errected soon after the RAF Regiment moved to the base ,hope this helps Dave
Posted 7 December 2008, 11:40 From arthur paton
Further history on DFLS , CO on my arrival was W/Com Prosser Hanks, Battle of Britain hurricane pilot, was promoted and moved on. Another 'ace' was S/ L Bill Johnson sometimes known as Johney Johnson who served in Malta as a Sergeant Pilot and the UK with numerous 'Kills' to his name. Other unlts at W. Raynham were Naval Air Fighter Development Unit (navy) Air Fighter Development Unit (RAF) sharing No1 ? hanger, DFLS in the middle and Maintainance Unit in No3, the married quarters end. We had a aero model club and one Saturday afternoon Geoff Finch ? flew his 4ft wingspan ,engine powerd model 'Auster' on to the flat roof of the control tower much to the chagrin of those working there , no charges laid , there was no flying going on so we were allowed to use the grassed areas of the airfield but the Auster in free fligth flew better than expected.
Posted 21 June 2009, 00:30 From Frank Phillipson
The West Raynham Dome was made by GQ Defence Equipment Ltd.,(taken over by Ferranti in 1986) and was one of five supplied to the British Army/RAF Regt. for Rapier training (1 at Lossiemouth, 1 at Larkhill, 2 in Dortmund). Called the ADT3 (Air Defence Tactical Trainer Theater). Aircraft images projected via a moveable prism system controlled by computer onto inside of 18.3m diameter dome made of timber with polystyrene inner surface above lowest ring of panels.
Can supply interior images etc if required. This dome system was a very much upgraded equipment that had direct links to the concrete domes that appeared on RAF airfields such as Langham.