Great video, although I was never part of the RAF or Fylingdales I was in the very late 80s and early 90s an Assistant Ranger with the North York Moors National Park and spent most of my time in and around the area of Fylingdales / Saltergate etc and got to know some of the RAF Police who patrolled the perimeter and surrounding roads who would sometimes call in at our Information Caravan at Saltergate for a quick cuppa, mainly in winter I may add !!! The "Golf Balls" we're such a real part of the landscape / National Park and I would often, like many others, sit at Eller Beck Bridge just staring at them. Such a shame they gone but that's progress apparently. Great memories and thanks to you for showing this video and your dad for the memories and insight for us all to see and remember. Thank You.
Hi, Thanks for posting this. I am a Radar/Computer Tech at Fylingdales and I loved watching this. The nature of the work hasn't changed, graveyard shifts, wondering if you will make it home when it snows, the sense of belonging etc. But the kit has moved on, computers are much much faster and smaller than in your Dads day. I think I know where the table tennis table ended up.
@@SpeedbirdAircrew I first came across this video now so I am a bit late to the game... but there is still a phase array antenna for the early warning system.
Fascinating stuff Lee & thanks for posting it. It's a credit to your father and his colleagues. I've had a fascination with the original 'golfball-era' site since childhood when even as a boy I was fully aware of just what those sinister globes were there for. As a lad in the early 80s who imagined the end of days coming from behind the Urals it made quite an impression.. This video is a valuable document of a place which by its very nature never really got seen on screen. Thanks again.
I always remember the ‘golf balls’ in the 80s driving to our family holidays in Whitby. Always fascinated me then and still now (went up to Whitby for the 1st time in 5 yrs yesterday and I had to drive past Fylingdales even though they are long gone but I get so nostalgic!). The eeriness of the moors and the radomes were breath taking and to a lesser extent with the phased array dome nowadays. Thank you for this informative video - fascinating to see what work went on there and what it was like for those that did it!
Thanks , yes my Dad made this for the family and friends but when he died I decided it was too good not to share it on TH-cam . Especially as he was actually switching the old system off at the time of recording .
Fantastic video, really found it interesting after seeing those golf balls out of the car window on trips to the coast as a child. Your dad did a great job putting this video together so glad there is something like this to capture that piece of history. Also appreciate the unsung work your dad and his colleagues did to help keep the world safe.
Thanks for your comments , Iam so glad that people enjoy his video . He was a great guy and proud of the work he did and getting permission to film switching off the old system gave him the idea of the video . With me being able to put it onto TH-cam was the best thing I could do for the piece .
Very good vid, I worked on Radar and latterly satellite comms with RCA which became Serco who ran parts of Fylingdales. We used to be told that the techs at Fylingdales were the elite ! Also liked the 8 foot Klystron we used to have 2Kw Klystrons but they were only about 3 feet long..
Thanks John . My Dad was involved in the build and had the honour of switching off the old site . It was his work life hence the video . Remember in those day a video camera was the size of a briefcase . Unfortunately he died of lung cancer in 2013 non smoker just bad luck . I often wonder if if the job caused it . He was very proud of the job he did . As I was of him , so glad you enjoyed his video.
Lee, thanks very much for putting this up. I worked with you at Fylingdales as did my father (for RCA/Serco), George was on team 2 with your Dad. I showed this to my Dad, he still goes for monthly meeting/drinks with a few old timers. He was very pleased to see this as was I. I still have the garage where you restored that Datsun Sports car! Still biking too. Will try to contact you via facebook. Chris Pomphrett
Hi Chris I worked at fylingdales 1967/8/9 then moved to RAF orfordness, The George you mentioned was he in MIP ? Is there a facbook page for exfylingdales staff? would love to make contact with some old team members a few names I remember was Patrick McDonald George B Jeff Kay )coins ) John Curry team2 team leader .
@@fairman1455 Yes my father worked in MIP from when it opened and was still there when it was decommissioned. I'll pass on this and the names you mentioned to him. He could get back to you. No idea about FB group for the site, I rather think there isn't. Regards
Thank-you for making this film, I found it very interesting. My Dad (Bob Roberts) was a Radar Technician there for over 20 years. He sadly died a couple of years ago but would have found your film very nostalgic.(B.T.W. Funny you should mention the Telegraph crossword as he always claimed he held the record for completing it in the shortest time haha), big respect to all who worked there!
we went on family holidays to a caravan at Dennis's camp ( next to haven) and remember seeing this base across the fields.. most strange as a 7 year old ..
Thanks David your name rings a bell, I worked in MIP in the late 1960, I would love to make contact with some old colleges I was posted to Orfordness but loved my time at Fylingdales regards George Allen
As a lad I used to walk past northern boundary of RAF Fylingdales during my many crossings of the Lyke Wake Walk. The MoD warning signs made quite an impression on the 'teenage-me' - I was always anticipating an uncomfortable encounter with the military police but that never in fact happened (I suppose they could tell i was a harmless wimp from quite a distance away). The dire warning of radiation risk always made me wonder what that risk was to people working there if there was a risk outside the fence to the north where the LWW goes.
Lee, What a nostalgic look back. It brought back lots of memories and also gave an insight into what all those bits n bobs were that we never got to know about. Thank you and best regards. Chris
Chris Widdowfield . Hi Chris glad you enjoyed it . Dad died quite a few years ago and I decided to change the format from vhs to digital to get it up on TH-cam as it was a waste just sat in a draw. What have you been up to over the years ? R u on FB ?
Hi Lee, I'm still in the area, trying to keep the wheels of industry turning. I'm not on FB but you can catch me on LinkedIn. Hope things are well with you. Chris
You are welcome , I posted this on behalf of my Dad who died a few years ago . It was made with an old video cassette style camera and it took me some time to get round to swapping formats to be able to post on the site. Our Dads probably new each other .
Thanks for your comments . I was always surprised that he got permission to take the video camera in , but he was actually shutting the system down and did throw the breakers on the night ! Must have been a strange feeling after all those years of keeping it going .
Hi my dad was a senior engineer on site and had permission to film from the top brass . It actually shows them really shutting the old system down ( although the camera played up and put the wrong date on screen) . This was the last day of the old system after my dad died I felt this was too good to let it sit in a draw so had it converted and put it up for all to see . Glad you enjoyed it !
@@leeandsue1 Thanks so much for the reply! I have so many happy memories of passing the Golf Balls which to me and many declared the start of my holliday in Whitby! I came to look at your video this morning through my love of Toyah "Pop Star" as she once did a very famous album cover at Flyingdales, apparently she broke in and had her photo taken with the Golf Balls just behind. I would of sent you the photo but not possible on here. The story goes she broke in got the photo for her cover shot before being arrested :)
Every trip i had to whitby through pickering onto the north york moors...i would stare out of the car window at the 3 golf balls ..wondering......many years later i knew what they were....i life in the 80s...and nuclear threat...terrifying times it was.
Very interesting, a lot of the technical details are easy to find now 30 years later but it’s the personal stories and experiences that interest me. A lovely memory of your father there, I’m sure. For anyone interested there’s a great Cold War podcast with a lot of interesting stories podcasts.apple.com/fr/podcast/cold-war-conversations/id1363778974 I’m not associated in any way with this podcast other than enjoying it! All the best, Ian
Great video, although I was never part of the RAF or Fylingdales I was in the very late 80s and early 90s an Assistant Ranger with the North York Moors National Park and spent most of my time in and around the area of Fylingdales / Saltergate etc and got to know some of the RAF Police who patrolled the perimeter and surrounding roads who would sometimes call in at our Information Caravan at Saltergate for a quick cuppa, mainly in winter I may add !!! The "Golf Balls" we're such a real part of the landscape / National Park and I would often, like many others, sit at Eller Beck Bridge just staring at them. Such a shame they gone but that's progress apparently. Great memories and thanks to you for showing this video and your dad for the memories and insight for us all to see and remember. Thank You.
Awesome I used to love seeing the golf balls on the way to the beach
Brilliant video. My late father was in the R.E.M.E in the 1950's working on radar and later teaching it. He would have loved seeing this.
Tony Balm
Thanks so pleased that people like it . It was a shame to keep it as an old VHS tape on a dusty old shelf .
Hi, Thanks for posting this. I am a Radar/Computer Tech at Fylingdales and I loved watching this. The nature of the work hasn't changed, graveyard shifts, wondering if you will make it home when it snows, the sense of belonging etc. But the kit has moved on, computers are much much faster and smaller than in your Dads day. I think I know where the table tennis table ended up.
Where did it endup
What I don’t get is how the public are warned now ?
@@SpeedbirdAircrew The Cold War is over now, so the likelihood of a Nuclear Attack is low, so there isn't a civilian '8-minute' warning.
@@jpw1490 In the techs rest room!
@@SpeedbirdAircrew I first came across this video now so I am a bit late to the game... but there is still a phase array antenna for the early warning system.
Fascinating stuff Lee & thanks for posting it. It's a credit to your father and his colleagues. I've had a fascination with the original 'golfball-era' site since childhood when even as a boy I was fully aware of just what those sinister globes were there for. As a lad in the early 80s who imagined the end of days coming from behind the Urals it made quite an impression..
This video is a valuable document of a place which by its very nature never really got seen on screen. Thanks again.
Thank you for posting this, I found it very interesting. So many people have no idea of what goes in to the defence of the UK.
I always remember the ‘golf balls’ in the 80s driving to our family holidays in Whitby. Always fascinated me then and still now (went up to Whitby for the 1st time in 5 yrs yesterday and I had to drive past Fylingdales even though they are long gone but I get so nostalgic!). The eeriness of the moors and the radomes were breath taking and to a lesser extent with the phased array dome nowadays. Thank you for this informative video - fascinating to see what work went on there and what it was like for those that did it!
Thanks , yes my Dad made this for the family and friends but when he died I decided it was too good not to share it on TH-cam . Especially as he was actually switching the old system off at the time of recording .
Fantastic video, really found it interesting after seeing those golf balls out of the car window on trips to the coast as a child. Your dad did a great job putting this video together so glad there is something like this to capture that piece of history. Also appreciate the unsung work your dad and his colleagues did to help keep the world safe.
Thanks for your comments , Iam so glad that people enjoy his video . He was a great guy and proud of the work he did and getting permission to film switching off the old system gave him the idea of the video . With me being able to put it onto TH-cam was the best thing I could do for the piece .
Great video, very interesting to see it and the people that ran it. Not often you get such a unique view and history of these secret places.
Thanks for posting. A blast from the past.
Very good vid, I worked on Radar and latterly satellite comms with RCA which became Serco who ran parts of Fylingdales. We used to be told that the techs at Fylingdales were the elite ! Also liked the 8 foot Klystron we used to have 2Kw Klystrons but they were only about 3 feet long..
MrAvant123 Thanks . Pleased you liked it. My Dad would have been pleased that so many people liked his retirement work. .
Absolutely fascinating. As a contemporary microwave engineer I take my hat off to everyone working at this original facility.
Thanks John . My Dad was involved in the build and had the honour of switching off the old site . It was his work life hence the video . Remember in those day a video camera was the size of a briefcase . Unfortunately he died of lung cancer in 2013 non smoker just bad luck . I often wonder if if the job caused it . He was very proud of the job he did . As I was of him , so glad you enjoyed his video.
Lee, thanks very much for putting this up. I worked with you at Fylingdales as did my father (for RCA/Serco), George was on team 2 with your Dad. I showed this to my Dad, he still goes for monthly meeting/drinks with a few old timers. He was very pleased to see this as was I. I still have the garage where you restored that Datsun Sports car! Still biking too. Will try to contact you via facebook. Chris Pomphrett
Hi Chris I worked at fylingdales 1967/8/9 then moved to RAF orfordness, The George you mentioned was he in MIP ? Is there a facbook page for exfylingdales staff? would love to make contact with some old team members a few names I remember was Patrick McDonald
George B Jeff Kay )coins
) John Curry team2 team leader .
chris pomphrett hi Chris glad to see your comment . Get hold of me in FB or leeandsue1@gmail.com
@@fairman1455 Yes my father worked in MIP from when it opened and was still there when it was decommissioned. I'll pass on this and the names you mentioned to him. He could get back to you. No idea about FB group for the site, I rather think there isn't. Regards
Thank-you for posting this. True professionals.
Thank-you for making this film, I found it very interesting. My Dad (Bob Roberts) was a Radar Technician there for over 20 years. He sadly died a couple of years ago but would have found your film very nostalgic.(B.T.W. Funny you should mention the Telegraph crossword as he always claimed he held the record for completing it in the shortest time haha), big respect to all who worked there!
what a great film, a bit sad that nothing remains of the original site.
The reinstatement of the area back to original condition was part of the agreement of building in a national park . But yes I do agree .
we went on family holidays to a caravan at Dennis's camp ( next to haven)
and remember seeing this base across the fields..
most strange as a 7 year old ..
Great work....very informative.
.
Thanks David your name rings a bell, I worked in MIP in the late 1960, I would love to make contact with some old colleges I was posted to Orfordness but loved my time at Fylingdales regards George Allen
Hi George I posted this up on behalf of my dad who sadly died many years ago now. I wanted it to be part of his legacy . Glad you liked it .
Thanks Lee I now understand your Dads name rings a bell I probable new him I was only there for about 3 years 67/8/9
As a lad I used to walk past northern boundary of RAF Fylingdales during my many crossings of the Lyke Wake Walk. The MoD warning signs made quite an impression on the 'teenage-me' - I was always anticipating an uncomfortable encounter with the military police but that never in fact happened (I suppose they could tell i was a harmless wimp from quite a distance away). The dire warning of radiation risk always made me wonder what that risk was to people working there if there was a risk outside the fence to the north where the LWW goes.
Great video you too are obviosly keen on the music by holst that made the video even better
My grandfather Group Captain A R Wright worked there in the 60s.
Lee,
What a nostalgic look back. It brought back lots of memories and also gave an insight into what all those bits n bobs were that we never got to know about. Thank you and best regards. Chris
Chris Widdowfield . Hi Chris glad you enjoyed it . Dad died quite a few years ago and I decided to change the format from vhs to digital to get it up on TH-cam as it was a waste just sat in a draw. What have you been up to over the years ? R u on FB ?
Hi Lee, I'm still in the area, trying to keep the wheels of industry turning.
I'm not on FB but you can catch me on LinkedIn.
Hope things are well with you.
Chris
Hi Chris, I worked with you at Fylingdales, building 301, remember me?! Chris Pomphrett
Hi Chris, yes indeed I do remember you. How are things?
chris pomphrett hi Chris how things going for you ?
My uncle Eric worked there as a radar technician in a civilian role at the base from golf balls too the Pyramid.
You are welcome , I posted this on behalf of my Dad who died a few years ago . It was made with an old video cassette style camera and it took me some time to get round to swapping formats to be able to post on the site. Our Dads probably new each other .
Yes, I'd say almost definitely, thanks once again :-)
Hi, loved this film. Thank you. Would it be possible for you to show what a full test from initial detection to impact would be like ? Thanks
Outstanding in doing that, so many folk dispose of old video etc when end of life happens.
Interesting experience
Thanks for your comments . I was always surprised that he got permission to take the video camera in , but he was actually shutting the system down and did throw the breakers on the night ! Must have been a strange feeling after all those years of keeping it going .
Can anyone confirm that the shift bus from Scarborough via Thornton dale was called the fylingdales flyer?
Thanks but I can’t take credit for it . All my dads work .
Impressive
Me dad worked on them when they got built bk in the day he often got snowed in couldn't get back home to Middlesbrough well that was his excuse 🤔😆
Facinating film, did your Father do the Filming? I'm surprised given the sensitivity of the place that he would of been allowed
Hi my dad was a senior engineer on site and had permission to film from the top brass . It actually shows them really shutting the old system down ( although the camera played up and put the wrong date on screen) . This was the last day of the old system after my dad died I felt this was too good to let it sit in a draw so had it converted and put it up for all to see . Glad you enjoyed it !
@@leeandsue1 Thanks so much for the reply! I have so many happy memories of passing the Golf Balls which to me and many declared the start of my holliday in Whitby! I came to look at your video this morning through my love of Toyah "Pop Star" as she once did a very famous album cover at Flyingdales, apparently she broke in and had her photo taken with the Golf Balls just behind. I would of sent you the photo but not possible on here. The story goes she broke in got the photo for her cover shot before being arrested :)
Every trip i had to whitby through pickering onto the north york moors...i would stare out of the car window at the 3 golf balls ..wondering......many years later i knew what they were....i life in the 80s...and nuclear threat...terrifying times it was.
WHAT WAS THAT BLOKE DOING AT 7.34 IN SNOW HAVING A SHIT?
Very interesting, a lot of the technical details are easy to find now 30 years later but it’s the personal stories and experiences that interest me. A lovely memory of your father there, I’m sure.
For anyone interested there’s a great Cold War podcast with a lot of interesting stories
podcasts.apple.com/fr/podcast/cold-war-conversations/id1363778974
I’m not associated in any way with this podcast other than enjoying it!
All the best, Ian
Wonder what the radiation is like there