RAF Wyton was home to the Strategic Reconnaissance Force after WW2. More information about the base’s history can be found on Wikipedia
The recon role of the base wound down in the 1990s and is now used for logistic purposes. This change in purpose meant that the photographic facilites were no longer needed.
The “photographic factory” now lies derelict outside of the base. It was sold in 2002 for redevelopment, but nothing seems to have happened since then.
Externals
The photographic factory at Wyton is a relatively simple one storey building. I say “one storey” – it is built on a slope so it’s about 1.5 stories. It is nearly the shape of a T, but a huge boiler/plant room adorns the west wing.
Internals
The last 10 years have not been kind on the building’s interior. The paint on the walls is peeling. The floors are sketchy in places. Ceilings are collapsing. Windows & toilets smashed. This amount of destruction is quite surprising considering the remote location!
Development areas
The main development room is, as per the rest of the building, pretty smashed up. There was evidence that sinks used to grace this room, but they’ve long-since gone. Six processing rooms were attached to the main room, each via a small blacked-out corridor (the doors have been smashed off – they now lie on the floor of the main room).
Random signage
A few signs remain, one would imply that the building was used for the last time during 1995. I’m not sure why there was a mattress store there either.
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Gosh, what a surprise to see the old photographic buildings at Wyton, I clearly remember visiting them on many occasions .On call , PR section 1954/5 having returned to the UK from RAF Deversoir ,Suez Canal zone. I can recall seeing the first Valiants arriving one evening and clearing the runway of snow . Happy days at Wyton.
I was in the factory as an SAC between late 1968 and my posting to Episkopi in early 1970. My first job was in the Titling section, then a spell in Hand Enlarging before being transferred to 543 sqn. and 58 sqn.
The runway at Wyton decided to disintegrate in late ’69/early’70, and both squadrons were detached to Honington while repairs were made, and I had to get transport back to Wyton to clear before my posting.
In early 1973 I was posted back to the factory, and I was demobbed from there later that year.
Happy days – in a funny sort of way!
Yes remember it. I was stationed at Brampton at JARIK. We used to be sent over
during exercises to help out. But used to spend Days just playing uckers with nothing to do. This was late 60′s early 70′s. Then posted to 2 MFPU in Germany at Gutersloh and then Laarbruch for 3 years. My time in Germany was thebest years of my life without a doubt. Weekends at RheinD. The nurses parties at Wegburg ( spelling ? )
Oh happy days!
Hello Yvonne Riley,
I was in the Factory from April 1962 to Jan 1963, re my posts 24 June 2008 and 25 Sept 2009. I think that I worked with Sue Lovejoy in the CPU room. Also I feel that I knew you.
Regards,
Robert Pilcher
Adelaide SA
Hello Bob,
Yes, I think I remember you too! I have a couple of silly photos of Sue and myself but I can’t see anywhere on this site that I can place them. Do you remember Cpl Phillips (WRAF)? The cleaners used to buff the corridors and the top step leading down to the Officers’ offices were like glass. One day I slipped on the step and landed outside of F/Lt Butler-Davis’s office. He came out of his office, jumped over me and shouted , “Corporal Phillips, one of your WRAF’s is lying outside of my office!!”. I had a sprained ankle and was carted off to Sick Bay.
I married a chap from 543 Squadron – been married 48 years next month!! How about you? Yvonne
Hi Yvonne,
Thanks for your reply. I am not sure if I remember Cpl Phillips, where did she work in The Factory. Also where did you work. I left there in Jan 1963 to commence my 6 month Photo 2 course at Wellesbourne Mountford. I was on the very last course and had a wonderful time there. After passing the course I was posted to West Raynham in Norfolk where I remained until my discharge in Dec 1966. I got married in Cambridge Oct 1972 and have lived in Australia since Dec 1972. 543 Squadron was detatched to Townsville Queensland Australia in 1962.
Kind regards,
Robert Pilcher
Adelaide
Hi Bob,
Greetings from England (from Devon)!! It’s been a beautiful day here – hope all is well in Oz!!
As far as the Factory is concerned, I have no idea where I worked – CPU? Do you have any photos? Irene Phillips was in charge of the WRAF’s so I’m not sure that she “worked” at all!! I was posted to RAF Akrotiri in October 1962 and didn’t keep in touch with any RAF Wyton pals.
Are you a member of RAFPA?
Best wishes, Yvonne
Thanks Yvonne,
My email is robbie007@adam.com.au
Robert Pilcher
Irene Phillips worked in control and used to keep the workflow board detailing sorties in and out.
I remember the name Sue Lovejoy, didn’t she marry Danny McVicar?
Yvonne, I haven’t seen Jim Masters since 1969 when I was on my PPA course (No 3). He was working as an instructor on the Air Photography Operator courses, as were Rick Guttery and Dave Edwards.
Mike
It’s not been demolished, I was there this morning (24th October 2011). Me and three friends drove down the new junction and decided to have a look around, it’s tricky to get in, but when you’re in there its amazing.
There is a lot of interior damage, and graffiti everywhere – some quite sick stuff – but I was considering contacting the MoD to see if they (a) still own the site, and (b) if I could have permission to take groups of people around on hallowe’en tours.
It’s great to know what it was actually used for, and such a shame that it’s all run down.
I was at Wyton from 1957 to 1959. I was a Photo GS but we often worked on the film magazines from 543Sqd. I must have worked in the ‘factory’ but I don’t remember if it was called that. I remember the fire was quite an event at the time.
I was RAF Police stationed at Wyton from 59 to 61 – On one occasion whilst on patrol I found ‘Photographic Block’ insecure – builders had been working there around the main door and had ‘propped’ timbers against the door to make it secure. A couple of hard shoves and the ‘security’ fell apart. I entered with my colleague and seized 32 photographs marked ‘secret’ as proof of my visit leaving a receipt for these on the OIC desk. – All hell broke forth the following morning when the OIC went to work, and my report landed on the Provost Officer’s desk.
Wyton – a fantastic station – even for Snowdrops.
I have recently paid a vist to the area – and was most surprised as to how Photo Block had fallen into disrepair – Of course the Dog Section was on this side of the roaf as well.