The Mrs and I are in Norfolk on holiday at the moment on holiday. One of the places we've visited is a cracking bit of history called the Langham Dome. Its a restored RAF Anti-aircraft Gunnery trainer that was sited at RAF Langham and one of only a very few that have survived since the 2nd world war. Its just been reopened to the public this year by a band of volunteers with some help from the national lottery. It was very professionally done and the folks there do need and deserve a bit of support if there's anyone here that's interested in these things.
Here's some pics -
Real history very well presented in a hands on way that does make it a 1st class must see exhibit if your in the area.
Many thanks, Gordon!
When I saw the solid exterior, I wondered what its history could have been.
The interior shots make perfect sense.
At the Boys and Girls Exhibition, about 1954, they had a dummy bomber gun turret set up, and enemy fighters were flashed across a screen, for kids to "fire at". The queue was that long, I didn't even try, but I've never forgotten it.
I never knew such things existed. It looks to be a very professional exhibit - well done to all concerned. Not too far from me either, so I may well take a drive up there.
To be honest I didn't know these things existed either. We came accross it two years ago while down on a previous holiday. It was in a delapidated state then, though there was a sign outside it explaining what it was an some info on the airfield too, which also has an interesting history. The sign had been placed there by the folks who set up the Friends of the Langham Dome, the group now running the site. I happened to look on the web for it early this year and found that they were planning to open it sometime this year so we popped past it one day last week and were astonished to find it both finished and open.
Mike, you'll be impressed to find that the gun on the plinth inside does work. By the Magic of modern digital technology and the help of one of the chaps who actually ran the trainer, the've recreated the system using some of the actual films they used inside but with digital projectors rather than the clever film projector and mirrors, which sadly doesn't exist any more.
TTFN, Gordon
"To err is human, but to ARR is most definitely Pirate... "
hobby wrote:Were there similar domes used for RAFRgt Rapier training?
From what I could see in the displays they have, yes I think so, the technique was developed after the war in various diverse branches. They use an up to date modern variation of the system today, using an advanced digital projection technology, to teach trainees how to use hand held portable SAM systems.
TTFN, Gordon
"To err is human, but to ARR is most definitely Pirate... "
A couple of you said you'd never heard of it before, well I was the same. Much of that reason was their existence was kept top secret till after the war in case the Germans decided to hunt them out and specifically target the trainer buildings. Most pupils probably didn't spend that much time in them anyway, quickly passing through to the next stage of training, so it was largely forgotten about after the war.
TTFN, Gordon
"To err is human, but to ARR is most definitely Pirate... "
