A Guided Tour of RAF Watton as it stood in 1988.

[@neilarmstrong9691]

Wow a pleasant blast from the past this video . My father was stationed at RAF Honington , I was 8-10 years old 1974-1976 living on Tedder close in Watton . I used to play around and climb just about every building in this video , endless sunny days and happy memories . I remember cutting camouflage netting to take home to cover my air fix models , the netting was draped over field artillery guns which just seemed appear one day . I had yards of Camouflage netting , I even remember trying with absolutely no hope to fire one of the guns if thats the right terminology. I don’t remember anyone around really to stop us playing !! Remember remote place on airfield , found no end of bullet casings to further enhance our war games play . Many a happy adventure playing in Eastern Radar as well . Great video .

[@ianjones4116]

Nice Windows in 66 and hangar 3. I put some of those in Christmas 84/85. Actually working New Years day 85. Bloody hell it was cold up the top of them hangars, hell of a view mind. What a waste if it was all closed in 88😢 Had a young lad with us, had a mishap and went off the lower part of the roof, when scaffolding fell over. John Thomas was his name, from local area. After accident, we got moved to a job in . Scotland . First face i saw, was a lad i was at school with. Dicky Birkenhead, he was at reception area where we had to book in as Contractors. What a small world . Did like that job. 👍

[@nobby21165]

My Mum, Shirley Laws, was the bar manager at Watton Lodge Airman’s club in the late 1970s/1980s. Me and my mate used to got the cinema there to watch films that were one or two years old. Also a great snooker table for two 13 year olds to play on! Happy days indeed!

[@rogerbyroncollins7204]

These bring back so many memories as an RAF 'brat'- the son of M/Nav Arthur Collins who was stationed there as aircrew on B29 Washington between 1957 and 1959. We lived in a married quarter in Dickson Close opposite the main entrance. I attended Hammonds Grammar School in Swaffham and cycled to the railway station and train to Swaffham - one of Dad's best postings. Super video

[@picturesofrafwatton]

Glad you enjoyed it Roger. I hope all is well with you. Julian.

[@rogerbyroncollins7204]

@@picturesofrafwatton Thank you Julian and greatly appreciated Roger

[@bangkokney8708]

As a young SAC MT Mech, stationed at RAF Stanmore Park, a colleague and I were sent to RAF Watton in the early 70's to dismantle several PSI(?) concrete modular garages to bring back and reassemble. I recall we travelled in a dropside Bedford RL, without the canvas tilt on the back, and the journey took ages. Thanks for posting, this station could be any one of dozens dotted all over the country, but sadly no more.

[@stevecommons3822]

Very interesting, and - growing up at RAF Hemswell in the 1950s - all very familiar. At 13m50s "about an acre, that's several aeroplanes". I remember my 83 squadron rear-gunner father telling me that one of these C-Type hangars could accommodate four Avro Lincolns.

[@stevemills9982]

I was luckyenough to have 2 glider flights here in May 2005. Most of the buildings had gone by then but the airfield was still in use by the VGS. All gone now to housing.

[@deanstuart8012]

I did Royal Observer Corps annual camp at Watton in July 1989 and July 1990. We were told that the station had been opened especially for us as the station was normally closed. I still have very fond memories of the Flying Fish.

[@picturesofrafwatton]

Sadly boarded up now Dean. (or was last week)

[@joannicholson970]

Was there in 89 with the ROC, great camp. JJ, 23 group Durham, 33 post Whitley Bay.

[@deanstuart8012]

@@joannicholson970 July 89 I was 23 Group Durham Crew 3. July 90 I was 8 Group Coventry Crew 1. I joined in November 85 when I was 16 and was recruited by my maths teacher. Started off at 23/45 post Woodland and then 23/35 post Tow Law. The family moved house a couple of times in the late 80s, hence the changes. The move to 8/1 was because I became a student at Coventry Polytechnic.

[@deanstuart8012]

​@@joannicholson970 I was there July 89 (23 Group Durham, Crew 3) and July 90 (8 Group Coventry, Crew 1). Week 2 on both camps. I joined in November 85, having been recruited by my maths teacher into DUR/45 Post, Woodland, and also served on DUR/35 Post Tow Law. My family moved a couple of times in the late 80s, hence changing post and then going to headquarters. I transferred to COV/1 when I went to be a student in Coventry and would do a temporary transfer back to DUR/3 during holidays.

[@joannicholson970]

@@deanstuart8012 I was always post crew, but every now and then we would swap over with Durham. I loved it, particularly on the clear perspex maps and write anything incoming, in reverse. I got told off by our chief obs for writing "any chance of a brew?" Great memories and great days and a great bond between all Observers.

[@ianfowler937]

We were stationed at Watton back in the 60's living on Cardington Road. Amazing how a family of nine fitted in a 3 bedroomed quarter. Dad was a cook in the Airmen's mess. Sad to see the demise of another great camp but at least not left for many years before being used.

[@bristolmod]

I was there as a Cadet for a week in the summer of 1967 (Summer Camp). I remember going in there for breakfast with an awful hangover and being bollocked by the Sgt there as I didn't ask nicely for what I wanted!! Not your Dad was it??

[@MrGeoffHilton]

I was billoted here in 1981 although stationed at Honington, here for about 2 months in the middle of winter, don't remember much about the place other than it was dark leaving in the mornings and dark getting back, but was happy when I got moved to Honington.

[@picturesofrafwatton]

I imagine it wasn't the liveliest of places then Geoff! I worked at Eastern Radar at that time with Airworks and if I recall the old Sgt. Mess was still open then?

[@TheMike445]

In 1972 I had a quarter here but was based at Honington. My quarter was about 10 metres from the Flying Fish public house right on the bend!

[@davecottrell8292]

I was stationed at Honington in the early 70s, but quartered in Watton, 4 Halton rd. I remember you Mick, think you were RA F Reg, and used to live by one of my old Sqn mates, Merv Lindlay

[@TheMike445]

@@davecottrell8292 Hi Dave yes I was RAF Regiment, I can remember some people but names elude me now. I know there were some Navy guys living around the corner and I think I can remember Merv as he lived a few doors down from me.

[@michaelwebster6219]

Put a few tags in it will help it get found easily

[@picturesofrafwatton]

That was deliberate at the moment Michael - this is work in progress and I have a bunch of stuff to get on here. I didnt want to come on here half cock, but then ended up doing exactly that! Other work is getting in the way :( Hopefully more content with decent tagging will come on here soon. Thanks for the comment though.