Langar

[stevie]

Thought some of you would like to see some pics i took at Langer this afternoon. Plenty to see here. Well worth stopping by for a peek both here and just down the road at the industrial estate and wild flower garden centre where several buildings have been restored. Thanks to Lee from the British Parachute School for his help and letting us wonder around the site.

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r172/spinback/SL370057.jpg

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r172/spinback/SL370059.jpg

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r172/spinback/SL370061.jpg

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r172/spinback/SL370063.jpg

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r172/spinback/SL370065.jpg

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r172/spinback/SL370066.jpg

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r172/spinback/SL370068.jpg


http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r172/spinback/SL370070.jpg

[stevie]

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r172/spinback/SL370072.jpg


This is supposed to be a shot of one of the two runways still in use by the British Parachute School but couldn't quite get the shot i wanted from the road outside. Still i thought i'd post it all the same :wink:

[CDP]

I'll turn on the <pedant>LanGAR not LanGER</pedant> :wink:

That said :) cheers for the photos. The parachute shcool can be found here (http://www.bpslangar.co.uk/index.htm). You can tell it's Lincolnshire with a Leakes of Louth memorial - very typical of the area: functional but very effective. Not surprised to see a derelict latrine block! Why do these seem to survive in varying states of decay when surrounding buildings have gone? Depending upon where it is located, the next to last photo looks like either a mess hall and kitchens or a crew locker and drying. I'm guessing here, as I don't have a site plan, so maybe NorwichPaul can expand ot but I would go for the former.

Cheers for posting!

Chris

[dangerousdave]

I parachuted from there a couple of years ago!

[CDP]

Hi Dave - Judging by the web site, that school seems to have been running for a number of years - not that I'm suggesting anything!

You're a braver soul than I am though. I get the cramps climbing a bl00dy ladder!!

Chris

[stevie]

Aaaghhh!! It's Langar not Langer!! Sorry guys. I knew that post seemed to be going to well when i posted it!! You'd think i'd spell it right considering ive been there several times and spent most of this afternoon there :evil:

Yes Dave rather you than me as well. I watched a freind of mine do a sponsered jump from Langer...oops sorry Langar a few years ago and that convinced me that ill NEVER attempt it myself!! Seeing the school in action today has done nothing to change my mind either!

Must take some pics of the factory buildings over the road from the airfield next time as i was informed today that they built lancasters in them.

[NJR]

I'll turn on the <pedant>LanGAR not LanGER</pedant> :wink:

That said :) cheers for the photos. The parachute shcool can be found here (http://www.bpslangar.co.uk/index.htm). You can tell it's Lincolnshire with a Leakes of Louth memorial - very typical of the area: functional but very effective. Not surprised to see a derelict latrine block! Why do these seem to survive in varying states of decay when surrounding buildings have gone? Depending upon where it is located, the next to last photo looks like either a mess hall and kitchens or a crew locker and drying. I'm guessing here, as I don't have a site plan, so maybe NorwichPaul can expand ot but I would go for the former.

Cheers for posting!


Chris

Just for the record Langar is just in Nottinghamshire :lol:

NJR

[stevie]

Actually yes, it's right on the borders of Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire. Anyway whatever...here's one more pic i forgot to post.

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r172/spinback/SL370064.jpg

[norwichpaul]

Richard, dont you have copies of my books? 15898/40 is the original watch office (brick hut), 7344/41 is the Type A version, 13079/41 is the observation room extension and 4702/43 is the control room extension. If you want a copy of my Airfield architecture book, our local military book store has one for £75 - just say and I will get it for you.

[REF]

I managed to delete the original post for some reason then, I was trying to edit it! Oh well, the original question was something like. Why Langar has 4 different drawing numbers, "15898/40, 7344/41, 13709/41 & 4702/43", when most seem to have one or two?

[REF]

Paul, I'd love a copy of your book and I am trying desperately to find one, but I can't justify £75 when I don't have that much spare cash!

Thanks for the explanation though, makes sense now

[Stevo]

Ha, £75 (no matter how good Pauls book is and it's my bible for RAF buildings) no book is worth that much, the robbing g*t's!!!

:D

[airfields man]

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e82/airfieldsman/window-154.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e82/airfieldsman/window0001-118.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e82/airfieldsman/window0002-103.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e82/airfieldsman/window0003-83.jpg
First photograph I took on 15-10-87, next three April 3rd 2008.

[airfields man]

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e82/airfieldsman/window0003-85.jpg

[PJH]

In between postings on AiX I find time to look at a motorsport history forum. :)
A question has just come up relating to a motor racing meeting being held at Langar in either 1948 or 1949, using the perimeter track as the circuit. It was organised by the Nottingham Sports Car Club.

Does anyone have any info on this and can you confirm its date? I believe it was a one-off.

Thanks,

Peter

[stevie]

I was back up at Langar again recently to 'tie up a few loose ends' picture wise! Thought i'd share a few pics from the visit -

Some of the Gymn and Squash Court-
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4038/4414473991_54860b53d8.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4057/4414478095_b4da0898c0.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4064/4415243520_71895fde4a.jpg

Runway still very much in use -
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4060/4415248040_a1e4910615.jpg

..and finally
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2784/4414478425_7c003a975c.jpg

Cheers,
Steve

[dangerousdave]

I went parachuting from there a few years back. Part of the old runway is used as an LGV driver training area too.

[Jerry]

A couple of mine following a "working" visit.

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc143/Gingie28/DSCF5983.jpg

A new hanger:

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc143/Gingie28/DSCF5989.jpg

The control tower:

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc143/Gingie28/DSCF5994.jpg

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc143/Gingie28/DSCF5993.jpg

And internal, with painting going on:

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc143/Gingie28/DSCF5992.jpg

[Peter]

Very nice.....good to see a Tower in such great shape!

[stevie]

Great pics mate,

I agree Peter although it was starting to look pretty drab a couple of years ago and the VCR had a few leaks as well by the look of it so it was great to see it looking back on form on the last visit.

Steve
:)

[Praesta]

Steve - Are the people there quite happy to see non parachuting visitors? I was up there at the weekend but kept out of the way, by the tyres at the pavement threshold! Some of us from Syerston had a poke around in the early 1980s, on a non-flying day. Was amazed to find a very empty and derelict swimming pool. I should think a throwback from the 29 AMB RCAF days. Don't think AVRO stretched to that level of recreational provision!

[TOB]

Was amazed to find a very empty and derelict swimming pool. I should think a throwback from the 29 AMB RCAF days. Don't think AVRO stretched to that level of recreational provision!

I keep hearing about the swimming pool from former Syerston personnel who often signed the key out to use it for ahmm...shall we say - private swimming parties.

Yes, you are right, I gather it was installed by the RCAF.

I even have a copy of a photo somewhere and features an East Midlands Wing ATC swimming gala held at the pool in the mid-70s. I think the building is now used for compost recycling by the council!

[Praesta]

Perhaps we should investigate, perhaps with a noted Harby resident?

[stevie]

Steve - Are the people there quite happy to see non parachuting visitors? I was up there at the weekend but kept out of the way, by the tyres at the pavement threshold! Some of us from Syerston had a poke around in the early 1980s, on a non-flying day. Was amazed to find a very empty and derelict swimming pool. I should think a throwback from the 29 AMB RCAF days. Don't think AVRO stretched to that level of recreational provision!

There's nearly always been plenty of non parachuting visitors up there watching most times i've visited. So it's no problem.
I did get questioned by one of the Parachute clubs staff just the once whilst we were having a look around the old tech buildings but as soon i told him what & why we were looking around he was more than happy about it even opening a couple of the buildings up for us to get some inside pics.
That swimming pool intrests me. Let me know when you plan an explore of it mate.

Cheers,
Steve

[stevie]

Nice addition to the Memorial area -
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r172/spinback/020-4.jpg

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r172/spinback/0232.jpg

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r172/spinback/026-3.jpg

Steve

[Aeronut]

Here's a drawing dated 1943 of AVRO's facility at Langar.6718
Its just one of many on this drawing. 6719

[REF]

Control Tower at Langar by Alan 'Bomber' Wood taken in the 1970's. Scanned from a slide.

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb198/Flyer719/ALL%20OTHER%20PHOTOS/Alan%20Wood/scan0003.jpg

[stevie]

Here's some really interesting photos i found over on UKAR of an Open Day/Air Show from 1955 whilst the RCAF were still stationed here. -

http://forums.airshows.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=40185&sid=8550c66e7dad29a298fb3f9a611a7fe8

Cheers
Steve
:)

[Bomber]

What brilliant pics Steve !:lol:

[PNK]

And what a good year that was :)

I like the entrace colour pic

[Praesta]

What brilliant pics Steve !:lol:

I agree but I think that the photographs were not (all) from 1955. Pictures 9 & 13 show Jet Provost T Mk 3 XN595 [47] which was not taken on charge by 2FTS at Syerston until 27 Jun 1961. This dates the photograps as somewhere between there and late 1962 when XN595 was recoded [17]. It remained at Syerston until, as part of the drawdown of 2FTS, it transferred to CFS at Little Rissington 17 Jul 1969.

[stevie]

T2 at Langar -
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r172/spinback/zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz/048.jpg
ASP-
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r172/spinback/zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz/050.jpg

[REF]

From the collection of Nigel Bailey-Underwood

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb198/Flyer719/NOTTINGHAMSHIRE/Langar/img276.jpg

[Langar207]

Just come back from langar and noticed a building i had not seen before.Its located just a bit further up from the recycling center on the left hand side and just before the road that leads to the former tech site.It looks its a rectangular building with a high opening on one end and could well be an addition by the Canadians in the 1950s.Any body know what it is or used for?

[NJR]

This one?

http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=52.901392&lon=-0.912598&z=19.1&r=0&src=msl

[kebecker]

looks like portacabin on street view?

[Langar207]

This one?

http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=52.901392&lon=-0.912598&z=19.1&r=0&src=msl

Sorry,my phone will not load adobe flash player to view the image.

[mawganmad]

Could it be either the Gym/Chancel or the Squash Courts just to the north of the pin pointed position?
Not sure about high openings, but the Gym as a taller section end and the Squash Courts is a tall building.

Just spent some time 'driving' around Langar on Google streetview, looks like an interesting site.

[kebecker]

Had a little drive myself, nice to see at least one of the original lamp standards on the edge of the site MM is looking at

[Langar207]

Could it be either the Gym/Chancel or the Squash Courts just to the north of the pin pointed position?
Not sure about high openings, but the Gym as a taller section end and the Squash Courts is a tall building.

Just spent some time 'driving' around Langar on Google streetview, looks like an interesting site.

Yes that will be it,not that good on airfield buildings yet! Thanks Alan

[mawganmad]

No probs Allen, the only other building I could think of with that description is a Fabric Stores, which I can't see in that area.


Had a little drive myself, nice to see at least one of the original lamp standards on the edge of the site MM is looking at

I noticed that lol.

[Bernard Anthony Morris]

I flew into Langar in our Varsity of Stn.Flt.St.Mawgan,must have been in 1960/1.Refuelled and went back home.This was a Comm.Flt.

[Bernard Anthony Morris]

Further to my post,when I was with St.Flt.St.Mawgan we used to get the RCAF Argus aircraft flying in from the Azores to Langar for a refuelling stop.

[Andybox]

I'm hoping some of you can help, or at least point me in the right direction. My grandfather, Thomas Taylor, worked for Avro at Langar Airfield during and after WW2, fixing Lancaster bombers. After the war, quite likely in the late 40s/early 50s, he was offered a job with Avro in Argentina, but declined and emigrated to Australia. He was a fitter, and if my memory serves me right, was either a leading hand of some description or hangar foreman. He died in 1992, but I remember his stories about Langar, and in particular the Lancasters they rebuilt. I followed in his footsteps, and have been in the aviation industry for over 25 years now, including managing an Airfield (Truscott) here in Australia.
I know it's a long shot, but i'd love to find records of his work with Avro. Considering they were RAF aircraft he worked on, i'm thinking maybe the British Ministry of Defence might have records? Thank you in advance, Andybox (Andy).

[Bomber]

Hi Andy yoou could try BEA Systems they are the decendents of AVROE & they might have records on their systems .
Regards ,
Bomber .