RAF Upwood

Photos - 67.
Where - Huntingdonshire.
Visited - 5 May 2007.
Posted - 6 May 2007.
Categories - , .

RAF Upwood opened in 1917 as a satellite field for RAF Elmswell. Shortly after opening, a few hangars and buildings were built. It closed in 1919. During the RAF expansion period in the mid 1930s the airfield was expanded drastically. Five hangars were built, and around 100 other buildings of varying sizes. The base finally closed in 1995. Wikipedia has a lot more info about the base.

The last twelve years haven't been kind to the base. It has suffered badly at the hands of vandals. The hangars are in use by a turbine company and are inaccessible. The rest of the buildings are totally gutted, and used occassionally by "airsofters" (people with guns and small balls).

Guard House

This is the first thing you see when entering RAF Upwood. The Guard House. Inside is a little cell to detain people, a small shower block and some other rooms.

Head Quarters

Opposite the Guard House is the main base HQ. Compared to the rest of the site, this is in quite good condition - there are even curtains in some rooms! In one of the back rooms was a huge black-board type thing for aircraft assignments.

Community Centre

Next stop was the community centre. This is where the people stationed on the base would've come to relax sometimes. There was a bar inside and a sports court.

Water Tower

The water tower looks the same as West Raynham's. I would've climbed it but the ladders were covered in pigeon mess.

Gas Decontamination Buildings

This is one (two) of the most impressive things at Upwood - two "underground" (under-mound?) gas decontamination buildings. They were built as a precaution - the use of gas weapons had been outlawed in 1925.

Contaminated troops would've entered at one end, deposited their clothes in some chutes for washing/destroying; have a shower in the large line of cubicles; get new clothes from the store; and wait until the gas had gone outside. One of the bunkers was attatched to the hospital/sick quarters by a short passage.

Stores

Used for storing stuff.

Boiler House

Couldn't climb this one - the door was blocked with bricks and debris.

Officers Mess

This is where the officers would have lived and relaxed. There is a huge ballroom and a small cinema room.

Sergeants Mess

The Sergeants Mess is joined to the Officers Mess via a corridor. It's smaller and not as interesting. It is an E-shape.

Dining Room

No explanation is really needed for this - it's where the airmen would have eaten. In the back was an impressively-huge oven. And a mortuary tray.

The chefs and staff would have accessed the upstairs level by this crazy little staircase. It was *really* narrow - I could barely fit up it! Upstairs was totally gutted (not a surprise) and the windows sort-of boarded up - again presumably for the gun people.

Out the back was this little room - the back of the ovens.

Entertainment building

This seemed to be some sort of entertainment area. I am not sure exactly what it was.

Random Barrack Blocks

They all look the same, and it got a bit boring looking through them all.

Tanks

There are two tanks at Upwood, used as elaborate props for the airsofters. They're seriously cool...

Your Comments

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  1. Posted 4 June 2007, 18:30 From Sean Edwards

    All the pictures on your site will keep the memories alive for people who used to work at RAF Upwood. By the look of the base now, you would never of thought the Pathfinders were base there during World War Two. At lest the four hangars will be there for many years to come due to Turbine Motor Works using them to recon Jet engines. As for the rest of the site, before long will all be house iam sure. Great Pictures. Great Site. Thanks! Sean Edwards

  2. Posted 13 June 2007, 09:30 From Matt Buddle

    Hi great site!, i agree with Sean for such an airfeild which is packed with history ,it seems Upwood has just been left to die. All there is to remember the great Pathfinders is a very small plaque at the front ..... not big enough to pay any respects to at all, a great shame.

  3. Posted 13 June 2007, 23:10 From Mark Moughton

    I went to upwood on Sunday 10th June and was surprised by what I saw. I didn't realise that it had got into this state. It was a special place for me - the birth place of a long friendship so I am rather nostalgic about the whole thing. Does anyone know who owns the land? Is it still MOD?

  4. Posted 19 June 2007, 13:50 From gpj

    Mark, the land is privately-owned by a sheep farmer and I understand that he is looking to develop, (housing).

    It is sad the state of the buildings as I always feel the history when I visit there. What is worse is that having run out of windows to smash, the local kids have started burning the combustable bits. So very sad.

  5. Posted 27 August 2007, 17:40 From Mtt Thyfault

    I spent four years at Upwood and made some of the best friends of my life. It is a shame.

  6. Posted 28 August 2007, 21:40 From Pete Snook

    At least I have my memories from 1951-54 and working on heavies! Let's hope it stays for a while yet.

  7. Posted 6 November 2007, 14:00 From Steve Little

    • RAF Upwood photo thumbnail

    I believe this is the building while watching the World Series on Oct. 17, 1989 when the San Francisco earthquake struck. I was attending the USAF NCO Academy at the time. Wow, its hard to believe how the place looks now.

  8. Posted 13 November 2007, 15:50 From Paul Rainbow

    Hey Pete Snook, I was also there from about 1950 - 54. I was 10 years old in 1950. My father was posted there after we had spent about 3 years in Germany (RAF Wunstorf).He was a flight sergeant responsible for aircraft maintenance. At that time the RAF was flying Lincoln bombers out of Upwood but I can remember when we received the first Canberra in 1953. We were the first to move into the brand new (at that time) semi-detached houses on Lincoln st. I went to Bury school and later to Ramsey Abbey Grammer School. From Upwood we emigrated to Canada; first to Toronto and now Montreal. Regards

  9. Posted 23 November 2007, 23:50 From Tom McVie

    My father Tom McVie worked in the Officers Mess at Upwood from 1962 to 1968 and we stayed at 16 Lancaster Road. My dads 70 now and im 42. We stay scotland now and i took him down to Upwood a few months ago. It made him so happy to see all his old haunts but sad with the state of the place. He told me that we used to stay in one of the flats in the officers mess (for the duty mess steward)before moving to lancaster Road when i was born in 65. Great site.

    Tom

  10. Posted 26 November 2007, 09:10 From tw

    hi there great site i have visted upwood was astonished at the amount of history in the base but was very disheartened by the amount of damage and vandilisum caused to the base i am only 22 my self and would not even think and wrecking a buliding with thank much history iam very intrested in millarty history and thankful for the men and women who have served in of forces but please could some one enlighten me in respects to if you are allowed on the base or not as i would like to revist but go further than the road

  12. Posted 1 December 2007, 23:00 From Liz

    I grew up in warboys in the 80's and used to visit the camp with friends who were posted there from the usa, I now live in one of the old married quaurters houses on Liberator Road. I drive past the camp every day and can see the hangars from my window, it breaks my heart to see the state its in, it could be used for so much. I don't mind the sheep at the bottom of my garden though, they keep the children amused. Better than a big housing estate!!!

  13. Posted 11 December 2007, 17:20 From Pete Snook

    Hi Paul(Rainbow)

    I served on 148 sqdn from the beginning of 1952 until the middle of 1954.. I was in the instrument section although I also spent a lot of my time there towing the "Lincolns" about!! Great days! regards

    Pete Snook.

  14. Posted 12 December 2007, 11:40 From John Hancock

    I spent 3 years as a USAF NCO Academy instructor at Upwood - three of the best years of my career. We lived in Valiant Square across the street. It's really, really sad to see the buildings in such disrepair. I was literally the last USAF person on that base, handing the keys to our facilities over to PSA. I guess they were never occupied again, except by the vandals! It sure is sad to see how these buldings appear now.

  15. Posted 13 December 2007, 18:20 From jon jepson

    • RAF Upwood photo thumbnail

    I lived on Upwood from 1987-1989. I'm heartbroken to see it in such a state. SHAMEFUL.

  16. Posted 7 January 2008, 04:00 From Jill Mason

    My father was based at RAF Upwood in the early 50's and was a mid upper gunner in a bomber, I'm not sure what type of plane though. He crashed while we were at Upwood and was the only survivor in the crew. I went on your site to see if the family quarters were still there. It was sad to see all those empty buildings.

  17. Posted 7 February 2008, 07:40 From John Staworski

    I was stationed at Upwood from1985 to 1989. The years '88 and '89 have bittersweet memories. However, some of my more enjoyable memories are of going to Ramsey on Saturdays and going to the market, then picking up some scones. It's a shame to see such a historic place go to ruins that way. RAF Upwood deserves better.

  18. Posted 12 February 2008, 20:10 From Pete Snook

    Hi Jill Mason

    I wonder if your Dad was on 148 Sdn. They would have been Avro "Lincolns" at that time. I was on the sqdn from 1952 - 1954 so it would be good to find out.

    Bye for now

    Pete Snook.

  19. Posted 28 February 2008, 17:20 From Alan Bradbury

    I was a Snowdrop (RAFP) at Upwood from Feb.53 to Aug.53. I had the job of guarding two large silver cups in the entrance to the Airmens Mess one day. They were presented to the station by the makers of the film Appointment in London and by Rolls Royce in recognition of the flight crews who flew 400 hrs in 40 days to test the Avon engines on the Canberra. I had my first flight from Upwood in a 7 Sqdn Lincoln-on one of the practice flights for the Coronation Flypast at Odiham-and I was sick as a dog for the first of four hours we were up there-but enjoyed afterwards. It makes me wonder what makes these people tick who wrecked the place after it was closed-if they had half a brain they would be half-wits!! I hope to go to Upwood again for the Ramsey do later in the year.

  20. Posted 6 March 2008, 01:20 From Philip Sudron

    I have happy memories of RAF Upwood between 1967 and 1971 when I was between 10 and 13 years old. We lived at 36 Valiant Square. Back then it was all spick and span with carefully tended rose bushes, Ford Cortinas and Hillman motorcars. A Canberra jet bomber was on display at the main entrance to the base. For me the best thing was being able to ride my bike at full speed down each of the three runways and then explore all the perimeter tracks and aircraft pans. There was usually a Chipmunk from nearby Wyton flying overhead and occasionally the din from a pair of American Phantoms would break the sense of tranquility. Always one was aware of the enormity of events that had occured there only a quarter of a century earlier.

  21. Posted 16 March 2008, 18:30 From FRANK HODGES

    • RAF Upwood photo thumbnail

    Sad!!!! Spent 18 months here in HQ building as a teleprinter operator 1952/54

  22. Posted 26 March 2008, 23:30 From Allen Hawthorne

    Stationed at Upwood in 1974. Was due to arrive on my 21st birthday but got a little delayed. Was stationed with the RAF School of Education. Great place pity it has got into such a state. Left it in 1974 along with the School of Education on the move to RAF Newton.

  23. Posted 8 April 2008, 20:30 From Philip Sudron

    With one or two exceptions, eg the Officer's Mess (which would make a fine arts centre and live events venue) they should demolish what's left of the disused buildings, clear the site, and create a sort of park with playing fields. Maybe include an area that encourages some species of birds which are currently on the wane. Don't build loads of houses on it. It'd be good for young people to have the space to run around in. In my view this, or something similar would make a fitting tribute to all those who served and worked there in one way or another. Both this website and the other magnificent one created by Sean Edwards ensure that history and the memories are preserved.

  24. Posted 16 April 2008, 18:30 From Sean Edwards

    The main room in the Officer's Mess has now been burnt out. Like someone eles said "there's no more windows to smash so they start burning things" What a shame. The last thing we want is houses on the site, the roads cant cope with the amount of traffic now. Thanks for the kind works about my website Philip.

    www.rafupwood.co.uk

    Sean Edwards

  25. Posted 26 April 2008, 20:40 From Dave Rampling

    Just spent the day at Upwood as one of those 'airsofters with small balls!' I was amazed that having spent 30 years in the RAF, I never new of it's existance, so thought I'd do a little research and am amazed at it's history. Although derelicte it is being well used and while the 'airsofters' are still there the buildings will remain, we are assured that it will be a couple of years before anything happens.

  26. Posted 17 June 2008, 22:10 From Steve Chaney

    I lived at 7 Blenheim Road from 1979 until 1981. We had wonderful friends there, Ed and Dos Jarry, Jim and Brenad Cowen, and our english friends Nick and Wendi Oswald. Many great memories. I haven't been back to England since 1981. It is a shame to see RAF Upwood in this condition in this pictures.

  27. Posted 31 July 2008, 03:40 From Pam Hulyo

    My and husband I were stationed at Upwood from 1985-1988. Some of our best memories are while living there.. Our first home together was at 6 Lancaster Rd. and our first son was born while there. It is very sad to see what has become of it.

    BTW-If you happen to check this site John Staworski - HI!, hope all is well.

  28. Posted 6 August 2008, 16:20 From John Reardon

    I stumbled on your website quite by accident, but found it a fascinating addition to urban exploration documentation efforts taking place worldwide. BTW, does the Jill Mason who posted above hail from Ottawa, by any chance? If so, and you happen to read this, Hi Jill. Drop me a line in Toronto.

    John Reardon

  29. Posted 11 August 2008, 20:20 From John Brighton

    • RAF Upwood photo thumbnail

    seriously great photos mate,never been to Upwood before but am there this w/end with Debbie Curtis Radio Big Band (band for Saturday night) i re-enact a 1940`s copper,CPO ,Matelot and do bits on stage,if your about pop over and say hello,keep up the good work (love the bit about small balls!) all the best ,John.

  30. Posted 18 August 2008, 19:00 From Pete Snook

    • RAF Upwood photo thumbnail

    Hi John

    I saw your stand in hanger 4 on the Sunday at Upwood. I may possibly have seen you but would not have known. I

    saw the fashion show!! I have now been in 2006/7/8 as I served there from Feb '52-'54 on Avro "Lincolns" with 148sqdn.

    Cheers.

    Pete Snook

  31. Posted 24 August 2008, 17:20 From Lori Dawson

    It would be such a shame if loads of houses where built on the site, we had a look round at the 40's weekend. Whats going to happen to all those houses boarded up in Valiant Square, such a waste, they look like they were lovely houses at one time.

  32. Posted 26 August 2008, 00:40 From bobby

    after seeing your pictures i went and took a look i bet it would have been an amazing place at one time also i have taken pics at day and night two of the night ones show a figure at one of the windows with a bright light round it could this place be haunted ????

  33. Posted 1 September 2008, 20:00 From David Hodgson

    my dad bob hodgson served on 35 squadron at upwood from 1958 till dispandment approx 1961,we lived in quarters in farm close.

  34. Posted 22 September 2008, 19:30 From Anne Rickard [Kingswood]

    I lived at Upwood 1953 with parents Ron & Iris Kingswood, my brother Tony who was deaf. My sister Pauline was born at home on Liberator Rd. My father died in 2000. Does anyone remember us. It was very sad to se the state of the place, in the pictures. I found this site by accident. but I'm so glad that I did. Dad was in 7 squadron. We moved to Woodhall Spa when he started working for the AA.

  35. Posted 30 September 2008, 04:00 From Jennifer

    • RAF Upwood photo thumbnail

    This is crazy! My mom worked in this bar. We lived on this base for about three years I think. I had girl scouts in the library down the hall from the bar and when I was done I would sit on the side wall right as you walked in and drink cherry cokes. Memories! Thanks

  36. Posted 30 September 2008, 04:00 From Jennifer

    • RAF Upwood photo thumbnail

    If memory serves me right which it may not this was where we would get pizza and boy was it disgusting!

  37. Posted 30 September 2008, 04:00 From Jennifer

    • RAF Upwood photo thumbnail

    I walked past this building everyday to school and boy was it a lot nicer looking back then.

  38. Posted 6 October 2008, 00:50 From Dave Jackson

    I was stationed at RAF Alconbury from 05/1992 until being reassigned to RAF Mildenhall in 1995 when Alconbury was being drawn down. I lived at 32 Valiant Square (WWII officer housing) just outside RAF Upwood proper. My first tour to the UK was from 1979-1983. I guess we won the "cold" war, but it breaks my heart to see the state of the old bases. Thanks for positng the pictures.

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