Military Vehicle Show 18th May 2008 at Kelvedon 'Secret' Nuclear Bunker

Discussion in 'Weapons, Technology & Equipment' started by AndyBaldEagle, Jun 4, 2008.

  1. AndyBaldEagle

    AndyBaldEagle Very Senior Member

    Just found these photographs I took of a few vehicles, and don't ask me what they are as I have no idea! This was at the MVT show at the 'secret' Nuclear Bunker at Kelvedon Essex, but please dont tell anyone as its a secret!

    Enjoy

    Andy
     

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  2. AndyBaldEagle

    AndyBaldEagle Very Senior Member

    shooting at the German reenactors at the bottom of the slope!
     

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  3. AndyBaldEagle

    AndyBaldEagle Very Senior Member

    It was nice to see them on the move and not just static
     

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  4. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    Good stuff Andy.
    The 'StuG' is a rather good conversion of an FV432, I believe it's for sale at the moment, or certainly was recently.
    Judging by it's roof panel that Sdkfz.251 is in fact an OT810, though to be honest when they're fully converted it's very hard to tell the difference.

    Did you go in the bunker?
    I've still not been and hear it's rather good.

    Cheers,
    Adam.
     
  5. AndyBaldEagle

    AndyBaldEagle Very Senior Member

    Adam
    I did indeed go into the bunker, only my second visit and I've lived in Essex for over 20 years! I started to take some pics inside until I found a sign saying I needed a permit which was £5!

    Its interesting to say the least but was busy, with kids etc. Would be prefereablt to go during the week when they are at school. Probably have the place to yourself.

    I have spoken to someone, can't remember who now, who reckons there are further corridors and rooms that are not accesible, and still ready!

    Anyway pictures of the entrance and tunnel for you

    Andy:D
     

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  6. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    Cheers Andy, very reminiscent of the Winchester ROC bunker I used to skulk in every Wednesday, and the occasional weekend.
    It always disturbed me slightly just how '1950' our 1980/90s nuclear defence infrastructure was... but then I suppose a massive concrete-lined hole in the ground is a massive concrete-lined hole in the ground whatever the period.

    A sensible recollection of what 'wands' might have been doesn't spring to mind... but then those posh government types must have had better gear ;).
     
  7. Bodston

    Bodston Little Willy

    Fascinating.. I seem to recollect from my old GCHQ days, that wands were stick like radiation detectors. I think they changed colour if something bad was about to happen. A quantum leap forward from a canary in a cage huh!
     
  8. Auditman

    Auditman Senior Member

    I visited the Bunker on MVT day. A very worthwhile look at recent history and a visit I recommend. The wands in question may be the Audio devices that you collect at the entrance. Each area in the bunker has a code number, key it into the wand and you get a detailed commentary of what took place in each zone. Some of the commentary was very honest as to what would have happened and there was a fair degree of dark humour as well. there are wands aimed at children too with an appropriate commentary (so the sign says!) The bunker is enormous once you pass through the entrance building, the subject of Andy's first pic.
     
  9. AndyBaldEagle

    AndyBaldEagle Very Senior Member

    The wands are indeed the audio commentary, I think they need a bit of updating as parts of the commentary seem dated. All in all, its a good reminder of what we faced, or even still do!
    What brought it home a bit was the part of the bunker where they showed the meters for measuring radiation doses and how low they were, also what to expect from varying doses!
    Reminded me of the early 1980's when I had training in the use of them, and no one took it seriously at all, expect for 'rontion ron' the instructor! and having had the training, did they tell us where to get one of these devices from ? Of course not, we probably didn't have any!
    If you haven't been give it a go, there are signposts for it (even though it's a secret!) and payment at the end of the tour rather than the beginning! in the honesty box! also a little cafe inside the bunker which does some nice food.
    (Maybe I should be on commission!)

    Regards to all

    Andy
     
  10. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    Have they got a 'Kill-o-meter'?
    We used to love these, like a circular slide rule on which you entered bomb yield, height, and distance from the blast to have 'estimated casualties' shown in a little window. I was too slow as they were the first things to get nicked when the ROC wound down.
    I remember getting a lecture on a radiation meter called a "fixed survey meter", rugged looking man-portable orange box that just after the instructor had described it as "virtually indestructable, it'll survive a truck running over it", he fumbled and dropped onto a carpeted floor.

    Broke dramatically into several pieces, batteries flew out... Knackered.

    Sometimes think we'd have just started boozing as soon as we locked the doors if the crunch had really come.
     

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