Living In An RAF Bomber Control Tower 🏠

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ธ.ค. 2024

ความคิดเห็น • 133

  • @philipmoores5202
    @philipmoores5202 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I was stationed at West Raynham 1972/73. I was a Telegraphist posted in from RAF Gan. I worked in the Commcen on the 1st floor of the ATC. On my first day my Sgt said “I don’t know why you’ve been posted here we have no establishment for a Telegraphist”. There was no Morse facilities just teleprinters. I thought I had landed on my feet, it was day manning with night flying on a Thursday evening, by 85 & 100 Sqn Canberras. Then they posted another Telegraphist in and alarm bells started to ring. Shortly after, we got our PV papers to go to 399SU at Digby.
    The worst day at work was when one of our Canberras crashed shortly after takeoff. Both crew were killed. RIP.

  • @davegoldsmith4020
    @davegoldsmith4020 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I served on the station from 1982-87, we called in on the way to kings Lynn in 2022, we parked outside our old house, where we had always parked when we lived there.. We walked around the old married quarters patch. we had walked around for about half an hour and not seen anybody. Walking up near the old NAAFI we saw a lady with a dog, so spoke to her, she told us the housing estate was alway quiet, as we headed back to the car she walked the same way. it turned out she owned and lived in the house we had lived in for five years.

  • @stevebroughton4787
    @stevebroughton4787 3 ปีที่แล้ว +61

    I would sooner see old airfields tastefully repurposed like this, than totally flattened and destroyed for housing.

    • @OffGridInvestor
      @OffGridInvestor 3 ปีที่แล้ว +12

      Crazy thing is that so many HAD housing already. There's bases in America FULL of empty houses. Literally a bunch of streets full of houses just left to rot. It's remarkable the amount of perfectly functional buildings just deserted in the USA. Particularly military cold war stuff.

    • @timorvet1
      @timorvet1 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Like some historic aerodromes used during the Battle of Britain, now replaced by housing estates......once places that defended the realm, and took the fight to the enemy. I guess im a conservative at heart.

    • @timorvet1
      @timorvet1 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@OffGridInvestor And with the high numbers of homeless people it would be perfect for them or even for the projected high numbers of fleeing asylum seekers from Afghanistan.

    • @buzzabuzza3494
      @buzzabuzza3494 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Couldn’t agree more so many of our airfields have been lost to housing or business units.Tragic really considering the role they all played in ww2.

    • @carolempluckrose4188
      @carolempluckrose4188 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      RAF West Drayton is now a housing estate. Travelling to Paddington by train, I watched my old base slowly be knocked down and replaced by houses. It wasn't a flying base, it wasn't particularly visually appealing, but it had a history and a place in the annals of protecting this country that is now lost.

  • @markwatters6875
    @markwatters6875 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Thank you, for what you are doing for/to the control tower. All the best for your future, from an RAAF veteran.

  • @Chris-Clark48
    @Chris-Clark48 3 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    I served here both at 66Sqn and the RTU! Always feel a little sad when these stations close or disband. Luckily for this one its used for commercial and living. I came here as a very young 18 year old in the mid 80's, fresh faced and all!

  • @apocalypticweasel9078
    @apocalypticweasel9078 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Wow just wow i served my apprenticeship at this base back in the 80's, i installed many floor coverings all over that base including in the tower, once i had passed my apprenticeship i serviced flooring repairs and installations to RAF West Raynham, Sculthorpe, and Swanton Morley, i remember the station commander did his office and house a very nice gentleman indeed thanks for sharing this brings back memories.

  • @jimmorris4579
    @jimmorris4579 3 ปีที่แล้ว +25

    I used to live at RAF West Raynham, back in the early 90's as a child with my father served on 85 sqn. Obviously the sites changed over the years, though can't mistake the control tower and the surrounding buildings/hangers. Its fantastic to hear and see that its going to be a home. Also the heritage of 66 & 85 sqn will be kept going.. Keep up the good work

  • @bulletproofguy5112
    @bulletproofguy5112 3 ปีที่แล้ว +34

    Shame we closed so many bases, we barely have any left!!

    • @theofarmmanager267
      @theofarmmanager267 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      I don’t know why they should be kept open. If there is a military need, then presumably, they would have remained open. If there was a civilian need for an airfield, then an entrepreneur would have bought it as such. There was obviously a time when it was seen that we needed that number of airfields but now? The UK can no longer have pretensions to being a major military power with a large standing army, Air Force and navy. We are what we are and, rightly I believe, our meagre defence budget should be spent on smaller numbers but highest technology.
      I suggest that the recent humiliation of the USA and NATO in Afghanistan will have focussed many minds on how much the USA can be relied upon. The answer for me was, and is, very, very little. The first priority of the USA is, correctly, the USA; the second priority should be to use the might that it has to be a rock for shared values. It is not a rock - it is shifting sand. That so-called special relationship must be laughed at behind closed doors in Washington. The UK hangs onto it as some sort of comfort blanket. The reality is that the special relationship has not existed since at least the mid-1950’s. At that point, in the Suez crisis, the USA made it very clear to the UK that it would effectively destroy the economy of the UK if it continued on its Suez adventure. If you remember the so-called golden age of the special relationship - Reagan and Thatcher, it was supposed to be almost a meeting of equals. The facts do not support this. The USA saw a change of power in Grenada and felt threatened by it (Cubans in Grenada! What a disaster; can’t have that - after all, Cuba itself is so much further way from America). So the USA decided unilaterally to invade Grenada. That is Grenada with a population of 111,000; which is one Grenadian for every 3,000 Americans;that is Grenada a member of the British Commonwealth. And yet, the USA invaded without telling the UK in advance. Couldn’t trust the UK?
      So now, after Afghanistan, how must Taiwan be feeling? What about South Korea? What about NATO? Surely, even dumb politicians might wake up to the reality now. To paraphrase Kissinger “to be an enemy of America can be dangerous but to be a friend can be fatal

    • @martinowl
      @martinowl 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      No point, we don’t have the planes or the manpower. And can’t afford anymore of either.

    • @lordbelvoir2543
      @lordbelvoir2543 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@theofarmmanager267 excellent post👍

  • @bigpete2378
    @bigpete2378 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    I lived there as a boy on Blicklin street I think it was. Out the front door….turn left and you were on the airfield. Turn right and you were at the play park. I was only about 4 and I fell off the slide and split my head open, 42 years later the scar remains. Was it the kestrel club that was on the camp? I visited a few years ago when the camp was empty, I spent most of the day wondering around and exploring. Sad to see the decay as it is with many an old RAF camp so great to see the tower get a new life.

  • @306champion
    @306champion 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Great to see history preserved.

  • @RJM1011
    @RJM1011 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    WELL DONE to them for doing this. There is a control tower in the New Forest like this from WW2 that would make a GREAT home. Thumbs up and thank you for the video.

  • @Grayman58
    @Grayman58 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    OMG . I Lived here in the mid 60s my father was with No 1 fighter sq and I rember riding my bike around the base with friends. I belive the planes that flew at that time were HAWKER HUNTERS AND ALSO THE HARRIER EARLY VERSIONS.

    • @JBinthesticks
      @JBinthesticks 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Yes, Hunter F6s, T7s and Fga9s of 1 and 54 Sqn. The Harrier predecessor was called the Kestrel. It was evaluated by the tri-national Kestrel Evaluation Squadron.

    • @buckolan
      @buckolan 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Stephan the owner said he found an old map of North Africa behind the wall and they were possibly doing some work there they were i was in the Army in the early 60s and we were in Libya North Africa on a big exercise following the tracks of the old 8th Army and we were attacked by Hawker Hunters from no 1 squadron 8 or 10 of them screamed in at about 40 or 50 ft they were absolutely amazing i will never forget them the best

    • @philipketchell8369
      @philipketchell8369 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Were the Aircraft in the Photos Javelins.

  • @sfoeric
    @sfoeric 3 ปีที่แล้ว +17

    I think it would be pretty cool living in a converted control tower.

  • @Parawingdelta2
    @Parawingdelta2 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    In 2017 on a visit from Australia I went to 'The Green Man' pub near Norwich in Norfolk, where my parents first met during the war. Just up the road, I walked around the old control tower at (formerly) RAF Little Snoring where my Dad worked as an air traffic controller in his last wartime posting. He went on to serve another twenty seven (total 35) years in the RAF.

    • @hawnyfox3411
      @hawnyfox3411 ปีที่แล้ว

      ^^^
      Funny you should say that, as back in 2018, I took FOUR 'Antipodeans' to visit Little Snoring & Gt.Massingham
      One of them (Kiwi, "Spinnaker John") has sadly since passed away (regrettably) but they all enjoyed the visit.
      I used to visit a Pub nr Norwich called "The Green Man" in Rackheath, near a former B.24 8th Air Force base
      Is that the same one you referred to, or, is it just another with the exact same name, by chance, coincidentally ?

  • @PaulComyn
    @PaulComyn 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    My first ATC Camp in 1977, all the way from Aberdeenshire.
    Fond memories!

    • @weemac4645
      @weemac4645 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you for your service. 🇬🇧 😜.

  • @simongee8928
    @simongee8928 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    I went round Raynham before it closed and again some years later. The second visit was very spooky seeing all the abandonment.

  • @buzzabuzza3494
    @buzzabuzza3494 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Well done to all concerned.Keeping this important piece of uk history is the best tribute to all the service men and women who did their duty for us all.👏👏👏👏🙏🙏🙏

  • @kathyf123
    @kathyf123 3 ปีที่แล้ว +16

    Writes a letter to Putin to tell him that the RAF base is gone and that he lives there now so maybe he can not point his nuke at his house anymore.

    • @goinge
      @goinge 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      He already know...

  • @irvan36mm
    @irvan36mm 3 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    6:02 You can see the old memories coming back when the F-35 flew over

    • @GeneralThargor
      @GeneralThargor 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I felt that he was thinking that he'd love to be able to fly these new jets.

    • @JBinthesticks
      @JBinthesticks 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Ed went on to become a Lightning pilot in-between his first tour at West Raynham on Javelins and later returning as Station Commander.
      He was the fastest man on the airfield that day!

    • @GeneralThargor
      @GeneralThargor 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@JBinthesticks wow, so he knows speed and high performance jets. Yeah, I can imagine you'd never want that to stop!

  • @Jaws.
    @Jaws. 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    @Jon Booty and Shell are always most welcoming and a veritable mine of information.. We go in a motorhome and for a minimal fee stop for the night

  • @dieterlohmeyer986
    @dieterlohmeyer986 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Ed Durham was great Lightning pilot of 92 Squadron
    in Gütersloh

  • @markcross3367
    @markcross3367 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Oh wow. I served here in 1984, working in the station headquarters. I can remember that the RAF Regiment occupied the tower then and you needed to climb those stairs to arrive or clear the station from them. There was always a rumour around camp that the tower was haunted!! I believe that 'most haunted' with Evette fielding did a program from the tower for that very reason!!

  • @Aaronsmith-cu8ii
    @Aaronsmith-cu8ii 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    That would be an awesome house

  • @MadMatt13
    @MadMatt13 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Well done both! Keep up the great work!

  • @rogergeorgeclark3672
    @rogergeorgeclark3672 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Most interesting documentary about a wonderful project. Good luck to everyone involved!

  • @buffplums
    @buffplums 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Fascinating and very well done to the couple. So nice that it isn’t being turned into something in fitting with its past.

  • @rambhattacharjee1850
    @rambhattacharjee1850 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Thanks for bringing this video

  • @paulthomas7214
    @paulthomas7214 ปีที่แล้ว

    Was our STcmdr when i was on 66 sqn, was a good man,, great to see he's still about..

  • @roypowell3450
    @roypowell3450 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    What a wonderful home you will have...good luck.

  • @idleonlooker1078
    @idleonlooker1078 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I've often thought these wartime control towers could not only be converted into great homes, but also preserve these buildings important to the history of the UK. But as I don't live in the UK its great to know someone has the same thinking as I. 👍

  • @simsimo7655
    @simsimo7655 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I wish this couple well, My dream is to live in a lighthouse.

    • @weemac4645
      @weemac4645 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      My dream is to live in a dreamhouse. 😜.

  • @dunbet
    @dunbet 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    My best posting only spent a year there. The last year of 85sqn ops was a great place so sad.

  • @grezjoseph6257
    @grezjoseph6257 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    What a great place to live. Do it justice.

  • @rogerhargreaves2272
    @rogerhargreaves2272 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Wow, what an amazing project! It certainly leaves Homes under the hammer lost for dust!

  • @Mike_5
    @Mike_5 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Very interesting but the Runway needs weeding ...

    • @JBinthesticks
      @JBinthesticks 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      The runways are long gone unfortunately.
      The hardstand which remains is the aircraft servicing platform. Yes, it needs spraying off. It doesn't belong to the tower.

  • @t8283287
    @t8283287 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Wonderful, had a fantastic first posting as gen mech e 1987 to 1990...brilliant time,

  • @MrAvant123
    @MrAvant123 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I've visited this place a couple of years ago, very cool and I am sure they will make it a nice home. Pity they didnt leave some of the Bloodhound memorabilia there.

  • @mossmonaco9061
    @mossmonaco9061 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Ace - good luck!

  • @tovalynch8231
    @tovalynch8231 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Good reporting.

  • @torspedia
    @torspedia 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Will you be keeping us updated on their progress?

    • @JBinthesticks
      @JBinthesticks 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Hi Toran
      There is a Facebook page. Look up West Raynham Control Tower.👍

    • @JBinthesticks
      @JBinthesticks 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @Richard Harrold if only we had time to produce videos. I'm better off just going to work

    • @JBinthesticks
      @JBinthesticks 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @Richard Harrold I get your point mate, but I have a full time job. I don't have time to dedicate to producing videos. An hour's overtime would bring in loads more than I'd earn from youtube in a week.

  • @jamesbroom5485
    @jamesbroom5485 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Tricia Takanawa vibes anyone?

  • @spacewalrus999
    @spacewalrus999 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Now that’s a cool conservatory

  • @John-pp2jr
    @John-pp2jr ปีที่แล้ว

    Keep up the good work❤❤

  • @houseofshye
    @houseofshye 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    i have driven down the runway in a Mini Cooper before they put barriers up a few years ago .

    • @JBinthesticks
      @JBinthesticks 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      It's only the the ASP which you drove down.
      The runways were much longer, on the other side of the tower and now covered in solar panels.

  • @ianmangham4570
    @ianmangham4570 ปีที่แล้ว

    AWESOMENESS 😮

  • @marknorville9827
    @marknorville9827 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Good luck to him, a lot of the old RAF building have concrete cancer. Where I live now is like being back in barracks again, but thankfully more room. When I served you could touch the sides of each wall, it was more like a prison cell.

    • @JBinthesticks
      @JBinthesticks 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      There was carbonation in the roof deck due to years of water pouring through. We dealt with that a couple of years ago.

  • @enja001
    @enja001 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    That place would be an ass to insulate

    • @JBinthesticks
      @JBinthesticks 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      It's got insulated cavity walls, double glazing, an extra 30mm going on all external walls and 200mm going into the roof.
      We won't be getting any protestors gluing themselves to the roadways.😀

  • @stevewiles7132
    @stevewiles7132 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Anyone else tried to brush the fly away?

  • @charliefoxmusic8744
    @charliefoxmusic8744 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    So cool!

  • @midsue
    @midsue 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Cool 👍🏡

  • @MrBigj1970
    @MrBigj1970 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    maybe have aircraft donated and parked there

  • @josephking6515
    @josephking6515 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    6:06 Pilots will *always* look when there is a sound above ground level. It also looks like he wants to be back up there. Don't we (well most of us pilots) all. Flying is a drug much more addictive than either methamphetamine or crack.

  • @howardroberts4859
    @howardroberts4859 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Could it be made possible for light aircraft.

  • @marcs990
    @marcs990 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I would be more than happy living there. I wonder how my he paid for it? U can get unbearable discounts on ex MOD properties & “no pun intended “ but they would all be built like tanks, so no worries regards the cones of these. If anyone knows the site that auctions these off then let me know please. Just imagine having the family over for a bbq, it would be amazing with all the space u will have also I wonder how much ground outside of the tower he legally owns?? Just to make a nice garden out there.

    • @KumaBean
      @KumaBean 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      I'd renovate and reopen the airfield, rent hanger space, and have a maintenance centre and small fuel farm set up.
      Create some low-cost lodgings, set up an aeroclub with a bar and snacks, man, I'm dreaming now 🤣 🛩 🚁 🤝

    • @battz99
      @battz99 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@KumaBean ha, you could make a small fortune doing that. Trouble is, it would have needed to be a large one when you started off. Joking aside, I learned to fly at Swanton Morley back in 1978 when it was RAF SM, a key engineering training base with a Victor in its hangar for students to practice on. West Raynham was active back in those days of course, along with Coltishall and Sculthorpe. All gone now and others still being whittled away to this day. When I retired I moved to France as I still love to fly and they do their best here to keep local airfields open, which is why there are still so many of them and all (except the really major ones) free to fly into in ultralights.

    • @KumaBean
      @KumaBean 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      battz99 ultralights and quadcopters
      I've already expanded my plans to include a restaurant and a family camp site, I just need to speak to the farmer next door to sort out a lease 😂 👌 🤝

    • @battz99
      @battz99 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@KumaBean Very best wishes and good luck to you sir. I hold you in the highest regard. Let me know where it is when the time comes and I will see about flying in the next time I come to the UK.

    • @KumaBean
      @KumaBean 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      battz99 ultralights and quadcopters
      It's a date, lol 🙂 🤝

  • @Emtbtoday
    @Emtbtoday 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Man in that photo looks like my ex RAF friend 5.08 next to Mr Durham gonna have to ask him!

  • @rambhattacharjee1850
    @rambhattacharjee1850 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Great❤❤❤

  • @willlestrange3282
    @willlestrange3282 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I can see the airbase from my house

    • @JBinthesticks
      @JBinthesticks 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      It's very likely we can see your house from the visual control room then.😀

  • @jacko101
    @jacko101 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I dread to think how much asbestos is in there! Keeping it warm with those windows £££. But good luck to them

    • @JBinthesticks
      @JBinthesticks 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      There wasn't that much asbestos. About a grand to shift it. The windows are all double glazed, but not very efficient due to the thermal bridging of the steel frames.

  • @CanadairCL44
    @CanadairCL44 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Wow! My dream home and project. I'm so glad that it is in Shelly and Jon's hands and won't be vandalised like so many have been. I wish them the best of luck.

    • @JBinthesticks
      @JBinthesticks 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      It already had been. There's over four years of work gone into it so far,

    • @CanadairCL44
      @CanadairCL44 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@JBinthesticks I will never understand the mentality of the people who vandalise these important buildings. They must be insane.

    • @JBinthesticks
      @JBinthesticks 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@CanadairCL44 much of the damage was from metal theft. It was rumoured the previous owner was complicit in the destruction of the whole site.
      He went bust and we bought it from the receivers.

  • @2865016
    @2865016 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Surely haunted.

    • @jonathansteadman7935
      @jonathansteadman7935 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Well, now they're altering the inside it tends to stir things up, but if it's done in reverence, which it seems to be, might be ok. But yes, it's the first thing that came to my mind.

    • @JBinthesticks
      @JBinthesticks 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      It's a post war building. No bumps in the night yet.🙂

  • @ianmangham4570
    @ianmangham4570 ปีที่แล้ว

    😮Heaven 🤠🇬🇧🙏🚀

  • @petesmith9472
    @petesmith9472 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Imagine being down the pub with a woman who speaks like this narrator. People just don’t talk like that. It’s an affectation

    • @daviddavidson2111
      @daviddavidson2111 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      It's the female version of Harry Enfield playing Jeremy Clarkson on Clarkson Island.

  • @Emtbtoday
    @Emtbtoday 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    His wife a good lier eh hahaha as long as he's happy that's the main thing lol

    • @JBinthesticks
      @JBinthesticks 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Nah, not really. We both enjoy the journey.

  • @lablackzed
    @lablackzed 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    👍👍👍

  • @Orcaben1
    @Orcaben1 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great stuff but have to say i hate this 'new way' of news presenters talking. Hold your nose and SpEaK LIkE ThiS. People don't normally talk like this and she doesn't talk like it in the video, just when narrating, so annoying!

  • @pencilpusher4328
    @pencilpusher4328 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    2 fruit cakes but funny couple lol 😂 will look nice when done 👍

  • @bill8784
    @bill8784 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I (also) have always fancied living in a RAF air traffic control tower. That or a lighthouse.

  • @CycolacFan
    @CycolacFan 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Admirable efforts to restore the building and make it habitable, the practical side of me wonders if it must be a pig to heat in winter though, airfields being some of the coldest, windiest places on earth… 🙂

  • @simonrichardson5077
    @simonrichardson5077 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Masks thats all,video fine ,so ease down !

  • @simonrichardson5077
    @simonrichardson5077 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    sheeple...baa baa

  • @ThatIsJustCrazyTalk
    @ThatIsJustCrazyTalk 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    It would have been a good documentary if they didn’t mumble so bad because of those damned face diapers. 🤬

    • @JBinthesticks
      @JBinthesticks 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Well, if you visit the tower these days, you won't find any masks because it isn't the law anymore.👍

  • @gordon7470
    @gordon7470 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Go away with the masks🤬🤬

    • @stephensquires2494
      @stephensquires2494 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      It was obviously the law at the time of filming !