One thing I love about your videos is that you and the guys don’t break in or destroy anything I hold a lot of respect to you all and will continue watching your channel for more adventures thank you for the entertainment. Regards: Allan.
My first flight was at Tangmere, September 1955 at RAF 'At Home' Display. My Dad came with me in a 3 seat Auster and it cost 10 Shillings (50p). In 60's was in the Royal Air Force, learnt to fly and gave up flying in 2022 at 76. Wonderful place. At that time Meteors with first Hunters arriving that Summer.
Thank you for the comment! Very interesting to read and I'm sure this place was bustling back in the day! Unfortunately this is all I got to see of the place, but your service is appreciated and glad we could take you around the old airfield again Stay safe
Thank you for showing this fantastic video of the old airport of 2nd World War. My Uncle was a bomber pilot on Halifax in the 2nd World War. He was one of those that survived the War, only that in 1953 he died of a brain haemorrhage due to the long night flying he had done. My Dad though he could fly wasn't allowed to fly in the War as he was stone deaf & was stationed in Blackpool as a mechanic on Rolls Royce Engine. Dad's other 2 brothers were in RAF during the war. As a child, I was brought up going to RAF air fields & always love watching the planes. I would love to go RAF Burn where my Uncle was stationed in the War. Thank you once again for an interesting video. Penny
" Let them not be carelessly forgotten" Your caring narrative and video keeps "them" alive . I thank you and appreciate the risks you take to bring us along on your explorations. There was nothing Goony going on there. You're a star.🌟💖💖💖
I went into the Control Tower in the late eighties when it was derelict and still open . All the fittings from when the station closed were still inside such as the big control panel frames that held the radar screen monitors. Also I was probably one of the last fastest people to go down the main runway on my Kawasaki GPZ900 motorcycle.
Alex, I am really impressed with your climbing skills, I've double liked 1 for the climbing and 1 for the video. I really enjoy the ww2 stuff. Cheers for your efforts 👍.
You were like spiderman scaling that wall. Interesting place which I had never heard of before. Very large airfield which obviously saw a lot of action. Thank you xx
Nice video. I grew up in Tangmere and it was a great place to explore as kid in the 80’s. Those bunkers are part of the last remaining E Pen left on the airfield. Soon to be gone too I think. The air raid shelter used to be situated elsewhere but was uncovered and part of it moved to the museum. I actually played in that as a kid too! A friend of mine fell off the top of tower when it used to accessible, luckily just walked away with a bruised leg. There is also another sleeper shelter to the north east of the airfield which has been used by southern water for many years. Wasn’t airfield security you saw, that’s people working at the Covid testing centre.
I was stationed at RAF Tangmere from 1969 to 1970 when it was closed. I was on 38 Group Tactical Signals Wing (changed to Tactical Communications Wing). We then moved to RAF Benson. Very fond memories of Tangmere.
Hello mate my dad was stationed at tangmere during the war, he mentioned nightime arivals and departures of small lysander aircraft , dropping off and flying out members of the supremely brave men and women of the SOE. What halcyon days, what a generation .
As a Sussex lad I know Tangmere from my days as an ATC Cadet in 1970 - 71 when there was a gliding school still based there. I remember a few high speed runs along the runway in the instructor's cars - an E-Type and a Mark 10 Jaguar!
It was a great explore. Actually I am already following your channel. I am always watching your videos and also like it too. It's interesting. Thank you Alex.👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️
This was very interesting to me. My mom was stationed at Tangmere in August 1940 when the Germans devastatingly bombed the airfield. She lost some friends. Her picture is on the wall in the women's section of the museum. I've been there twice to spend time at the museum.
Hi Alex & Ed, loving the history before each video and during, a shame these buildings are derelict though, they stand as a reminder that we should all try and get along with each other instead of creating wars. Thank you for sharing, much love. xx
My father was posted to RAF Tangmere after training at RAF Cranwell, he told me he was on duty 3 September 1939 when War was declared with Germany, that afternoon they were sent home to be with their family
@@VacantHaven I'd checked the area on google maps the night before I found your video. I was surprised but glad the control tower was accessible! Thanks for your reply btw, just subscribed!
It is objectively the greatest moment in the history of one of the greatest empires in all of human history. One of the truly incredible battles in all of warfare. On behalf of all the Yanks of a grateful country, the boys of the RAF were the winged lions of Britain.
Thank you great video.About 13 years ago I worked as one of the many volunteers in the Tangmere Museum being the perfect job for someone that’s mad about the RAF in WW2.When you filmed at the now broken up ‘E’ Pens did you notice the 4 big metal rings set into the concrete that were used to tie down the Spitfires in the war?And unfortunately the WW2 Portfield RAF Fuel depot you mentioned near the end of your video has now all been flattened to make way for a industrial site!Keep up with your good work,regards Simon.
About 30 years back when i was doing my HGV 1 training they used to take us out onto Tangmere airfield to practice reversing. i can remember turning in by the museum .
my mum and dad, met at Tangmere (my dad serving in RAF and my mum the daughter of an officer, serving there) and I was born on RAF Tangmere and we scattered my Grandad's ashes, on the old runway, as his last request.
As a kid me and my mates used to go exploring there when all the old station buildings were still standing. Have been in the tower when it was still quite intact and then later on when they opened it up for an open day.
Interesting video. I've visited the museum a couple of times. Many years ago I let my brother drive my car on what was left of one of the runways. He was 14 or 15 at the time and nearly crashed into a pile of earth & rubble with me yelling Brake, Brake! Fun times.
Could be a great money earner a museum. With a few aircraft exhibits outside such an important piece of our history well worth the effort to save to educate the younger generations
Thanks, watched this on 11 Nov. 2022.. thanks, so many gave so much. shame so little remains and is respected, the control tower, should be upgraded.....and restored.
Great video , I plan to binge watch these as I am building a virtual airfield in the Trainz 2019 rail simulator. You answered one question which had been bugging me "What was the large number on the control tower for ?". It's sad to see the state of the control tower but like railway signalboxes which get listed I suppose there is no practical use for it.
Of note is that SOE special duty flights, eg Lysander, flew from Tangmere in the war and the SOE agents stayed in Tangmere Cottage which was opposite the entrance to the Guardroom.
Such a shame seeing the state of it now. I served there from January 1967 and was on the Care and Maintenance Party which finally closed it down. I remember Flt Lt Al Pollock who took off from Tangmere in 1968 and flew under or between the spans of Tower Bridge.
I'm not too sure to be honest. My feeling is they would have had multiple across the airfield and this is the last of them standing. Glad you enjoyed that and thanks for watching 👍
I used to live in Tangmere in the 70s I remember it being used by the hurcs from Thorney island and the guilders on a wire on the main runway there was 3 hangers there also the officers mess is still there it’s in the housing estate now and if you go to we’re the church is on the main road there is a plaque by the main road unveiled by the world famous Douglas Barder I was there the day he unveiled and got to meet him and shake his hand what a gentleman he was
Tangmere is dominated by a huge nursery complex that has acres of greenhouses for growing vegetables. There's security on the gate but follow the old taxi way or perimeter track and you end up at what must have been jet blast deflector walls which are now used to store compost. There's evidence too of tracks leading dispersal pans on this track too. The control tower/watch office is still derelict and nothing has been done to preserve it. The hangars went years ago and houses now stand where they once were. 😢
You boys live local to tangmere? I'm in Littlehampton, there's a roc in Chichester near Goodwood in a farmer's field still got most of the stuff in there but also southwick tunnel is a interesting one as it's the most maintained tunnel in the UK shutting for two nights a week every month it has its own sub station to power it and there's a building just as you go through the tunnel towards Brighton with ptz cameras on every corner and 4 large camera to accommodate them when I say large I mean large lol but also I have noticed every time I go through before the closure there is a amber beacon flashing third door in the tunnel but it's the only one that does and is only on the day of closing, also there are signs prohibiting you walk through the tunnel and regular cameras on entrance and exit. The tunnel over ran by 5 years and it is only 480m long and to top it off mill hill had a bunker that was decommissioned years prior!
A bit of a way away from there, but that sounds interesting Chris. Never heard of that before? If you want to email me alexio21@hotmail.co.uk feel free 👍
Shame its well secured but then again you know what idiots we have these days, it wouldn't take them long to ruin it, lets hope they bring it back again to view.
Somewhere on the edge of the airfield is an old house, this is where secret agents waited for their flights to occupied France in Weztland Lysanders. I may have been demolished but it may be still there as somebody's residence...
In 1970 my old unit was stationed there. It was a lovely old station. So sad to see it now. Why do they waste the potential of these places. Those old H Blocks and the Mess would have made lovely flats. The MoD have no clue. So many old stations left to ruin. Near me is the Old RAF Manby, which in its day was a picture. The old AOC's house is now a hotel and its a lovely place. The officers mess and the rest of it not so. Such a shame. Scampton is a case in point. By the time they stop messing about it will have started to rot. Such idiots.
@@VacantHaven didnt mention the air speed records based there or the actons of the SOE LYsanders, or the Air launched stores experiments...always the same, bloody Spitfires!
I agree, I had a friend some years ago who's brother was a pilot Beaufighter pilot 219 Sqdron. He was only 20 when he died in a mid air collision with another Beaufighter over Brighton in 1940.
I lived in tangmere & used to love walking around the perimeter road as i have great interest in ww2. Tangmere has been destroyed by developments of housing & other nonsense that shouldn't be there.
One thing I love about your videos is that you and the guys don’t break in or destroy anything I hold a lot of respect to you all and will continue watching your channel for more adventures thank you for the entertainment. Regards: Allan.
Thank you Allen! Appreciate the kind words. Hope you and yours have a Merry Christmas 😁👍
My first flight was at Tangmere, September 1955 at RAF 'At Home' Display. My Dad came with me in a 3 seat Auster and it cost 10 Shillings (50p). In 60's was in the Royal Air Force, learnt to fly and gave up flying in 2022 at 76. Wonderful place. At that time Meteors with first Hunters arriving that Summer.
Thank you for the comment!
Very interesting to read and I'm sure this place was bustling back in the day!
Unfortunately this is all I got to see of the place, but your service is appreciated and glad we could take you around the old airfield again
Stay safe
Cool explore nice one 👍💯
Thank you for showing this fantastic video of the old airport of 2nd World War. My Uncle was a bomber pilot on Halifax in the 2nd World War. He was one of those that survived the War, only that in 1953 he died of a brain haemorrhage due to the long night flying he had done. My Dad though he could fly wasn't allowed to fly in the War as he was stone deaf & was stationed in Blackpool as a mechanic on Rolls Royce Engine. Dad's other 2 brothers were in RAF during the war. As a child, I was brought up going to RAF air fields & always love watching the planes. I would love to go RAF Burn where my Uncle was stationed in the War. Thank you once again for an interesting video. Penny
" Let them not be carelessly forgotten" Your caring narrative and video keeps "them" alive . I thank you and appreciate the risks you take to bring us along on your explorations. There was nothing Goony going on there. You're a star.🌟💖💖💖
No worries Jackie I'm glad I could do the place justice, as it was such an important role in WW2. and the battle of Britain. You're awesome Jackie 😁👍
Interesting explore. Do hope the control tower is preserved!
Thanks for providing so much history 👍👍
The local residents are fighting hard to get the control tower saved and refurbished, hopefully will do a follow up. Thanks for watching Trish
I went into the Control Tower in the late eighties when it was derelict and still open . All the fittings from when the station closed were still inside such as the big control panel frames that held the radar screen monitors.
Also I was probably one of the last fastest people to go down the main runway on my Kawasaki GPZ900 motorcycle.
@VacantHaven my grandad was based at RAF Wickenby in Lincolnshire during WWII. But luckily its still looked after x
Alex, I am really impressed with your climbing skills, I've double liked 1 for the climbing and 1 for the video. I really enjoy the ww2 stuff. Cheers for your efforts 👍.
Nice one H D. Thanks for this comment 😁👍
You were like spiderman scaling that wall. Interesting place which I had never heard of before. Very large airfield which obviously saw a lot of action. Thank you xx
Cheers Gaynor 😆 glad you enjoyed that one 👍
Nice video. I grew up in Tangmere and it was a great place to explore as kid in the 80’s.
Those bunkers are part of the last remaining E Pen left on the airfield. Soon to be gone too I think.
The air raid shelter used to be situated elsewhere but was uncovered and part of it moved to the museum. I actually played in that as a kid too! A friend of mine fell off the top of tower when it used to accessible, luckily just walked away with a bruised leg.
There is also another sleeper shelter to the north east of the airfield which has been used by southern water for many years.
Wasn’t airfield security you saw, that’s people working at the Covid testing centre.
Cheers for the Info and taking the time to comment, appreciate it. I would have loved to have seen it as it was back in the day!
Hello Stephen, I also use to play on the Airfield back in the 80s, do you have any photos of the buildings?
@@gavinsimnett7606, unfortunately not. If only camera phones were a thing back then!
I was stationed at RAF Tangmere from 1969 to 1970 when it was closed. I was on 38 Group Tactical Signals Wing (changed to Tactical Communications Wing). We then moved to RAF Benson. Very fond memories of Tangmere.
My dad was serving there, from 1965 till 1968, so just missed you. He also was in Signals Wing.
Great video showing my local airfield. Alot more aircraft inside the buildings too. You should check out goodwood. Was raf westhampnett during the war
Hello mate my dad was stationed at tangmere during the war, he mentioned nightime arivals and departures of small lysander aircraft , dropping off and flying out members of the supremely brave men and women of the SOE. What halcyon days, what a generation .
@@BrendanConn-z3r indeed, what a generation!
Thanks for the comment 👍
Another great video Alex well done keep up the good work mate 👍💖
As a Sussex lad I know Tangmere from my days as an ATC Cadet in 1970 - 71 when there was a gliding school still based there. I remember a few high speed runs along the runway in the instructor's cars - an E-Type and a Mark 10 Jaguar!
They've saved the loco, which incidently is a star performer. Now come on, let's do the same for the control tower .
It was a great explore. Actually I am already following your channel. I am always watching your videos and also like it too. It's interesting. Thank you Alex.👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️
Thanks Sharon! Glad you're enjoying and cheers for watching the content 😀👍
Great video I went to the last air show at Tangmere before they closed the station, nice to see some of the aircraft have been preserved.
This was very interesting to me. My mom was stationed at Tangmere in August 1940 when the Germans devastatingly bombed the airfield. She lost some friends. Her picture is on the wall in the women's section of the museum. I've been there twice to spend time at the museum.
Thank you for the comment, and thank you to your Mum for her efforts as well!
I will be visiting the museum again so will have to keep an eye out 😁👍
Hi Alex & Ed, loving the history before each video and during, a shame these buildings are derelict though, they stand as a reminder that we should all try and get along with each other instead of creating wars. Thank you for sharing, much love. xx
My father was posted to RAF Tangmere after training at RAF Cranwell, he told me he was on duty 3 September 1939 when War was declared with Germany, that afternoon they were sent home to be with their family
Wow that must have been pretty scary for him, I can't imagine what they were feeling at the time. Thanks for your comment Daisy!
Thanks for your time and sharing. That was awesome.
Thank you so much guys was very interesting to see and the history of the planes ✈️ and airbase fascinating😊😊
I was wondering if anyone had done this yet. Great video! Thx!
Really cool place with loads of history, had to be done!
Thanks for watching Slipstream
@@VacantHaven I'd checked the area on google maps the night before I found your video. I was surprised but glad the control tower was accessible! Thanks for your reply btw, just subscribed!
@@Slipstream2009 cheers, much appreciated! Luckily the residents are doing all they can to save the control tower 🤞
How do you find the super places. Been glued to the screen - so interesting. Thanks you Alex. Much enjoyed 🤗😁
Lot of research and walking lol. Thanks Nanny really glad you enjoyed the vid 😁👍👍
It was the best RAF station that I served on, relatively relaxed, mind you we grafted hard when away on exercise etc. The Airman’s Mess was brilliant.
It is objectively the greatest moment in the history of one of the greatest empires in all of human history. One of the truly incredible battles in all of warfare. On behalf of all the Yanks of a grateful country, the boys of the RAF were the winged lions of Britain.
Quality video. Hope these buildings get saved.
Cheers! There is talks to save these, especially the control tower!
Cool video Alex such a shame that all this history is disappearing just left to rot
It is a shame mate! Considering the history of this place! Cheers 👍
Alex climbs better then most squirrels I've seen. Great job and awesome video
Thank you great video.About 13 years ago I worked as one of the many volunteers in the Tangmere Museum being the perfect job for someone that’s mad about the RAF in WW2.When you filmed at the now broken up ‘E’ Pens did you notice the 4 big metal rings set into the concrete that were used to tie down the Spitfires in the war?And unfortunately the WW2 Portfield RAF Fuel depot you mentioned near the end of your video has now all been flattened to make way for a industrial site!Keep up with your good work,regards Simon.
About 30 years back when i was doing my HGV 1 training they used to take us out onto Tangmere airfield to practice reversing. i can remember turning in by the museum .
my mum and dad, met at Tangmere (my dad serving in RAF and my mum the daughter of an officer, serving there) and I was born on RAF Tangmere and we scattered my Grandad's ashes, on the old runway, as his last request.
Interesting Alex Thank you
No worries Columbo glad you enjoyed that 😁
As a kid me and my mates used to go exploring there when all the old station buildings were still standing. Have been in the tower when it was still quite intact and then later on when they opened it up for an open day.
Nice! I would've loved to have seen the old buildings and stuff, shame really. Thanks for watching Andrew
Hello Andrew, do you have any photos of the buildings please?
Interesting video. I've visited the museum a couple of times. Many years ago I let my brother drive my car on what was left of one of the runways. He was 14 or 15 at the time and nearly crashed into a pile of earth & rubble with me yelling Brake, Brake! Fun times.
Great video.glad you were able to see nside.good bit of climbing
That could be turned into a great community centre, providing a community facility as well as preserving the building & keeping all possible features.
Could be a great money earner a museum. With a few aircraft exhibits outside such an important piece of our history well worth the effort to save to educate the younger generations
Thankyou for showing us.
Listening to the narration is quite pleasant. Unique quality in comparison to others
Thank you very much Hervör. Glad you enjoyed that 😁👍
1st class video to watch thank you take care kind regards from me kenneth💋💋💋
Excellent video
Thanks much appreciated glad you enjoyed 😁👍
Wonder if the MH on the stone with the arrow stood for Mess Hall? Another awesome video guys
Funny how this country will protect some poxy theatre or similar but let places like this be destroyed by greedy developers.
good video worth a visit
Thanks Colin, appreciate that!
you are very welome
Great video subscribed.
You should give Ford airfield a visit, the former Tarmac site 2 intact hangers and the old aircrete factory.
Thanks, watched this on 11 Nov. 2022.. thanks, so many gave so much. shame so little remains and is respected, the control tower, should be upgraded.....and restored.
Great video , I plan to binge watch these as I am building a virtual airfield in the Trainz 2019 rail simulator. You answered one question which had been bugging me "What was the large number on the control tower for ?". It's sad to see the state of the control tower but like railway signalboxes which get listed I suppose there is no practical use for it.
Nice on bro..where is vault..
Thanks Kenneth! Vault is in upcoming vids 👍
Cheers thought he was ill again with pigion shits
Of note is that SOE special duty flights, eg Lysander, flew from Tangmere in the war and the SOE agents stayed in Tangmere Cottage which was opposite the entrance to the Guardroom.
Such a shame seeing the state of it now. I served there from January 1967 and was on the Care and Maintenance Party which finally closed it down. I remember Flt Lt Al Pollock who took off from Tangmere in 1968 and flew under or between the spans of Tower Bridge.
Really enjoyed this
Good to see thank you for the video.
well done !!!
Cheers Robert and thanks for watching
Thank you for showing this. Is there a museum there? I've heard it's haunted?
Was the generator room the main power plant for the airfield? Thank you for this very interesting video.
I'm not too sure to be honest. My feeling is they would have had multiple across the airfield and this is the last of them standing.
Glad you enjoyed that and thanks for watching 👍
Really cool place 👍🏼
I used to live in Tangmere in the 70s I remember it being used by the hurcs from Thorney island and the guilders on a wire on the main runway there was 3 hangers there also the officers mess is still there it’s in the housing estate now and if you go to we’re the church is on the main road there is a plaque by the main road unveiled by the world famous Douglas Barder I was there the day he unveiled and got to meet him and shake his hand what a gentleman he was
Tangmere is dominated by a huge nursery complex that has acres of greenhouses for growing vegetables. There's security on the gate but follow the old taxi way or perimeter track and you end up at what must have been jet blast deflector walls which are now used to store compost. There's evidence too of tracks leading dispersal pans on this track too.
The control tower/watch office is still derelict and nothing has been done to preserve it.
The hangars went years ago and houses now stand where they once were. 😢
You boys live local to tangmere? I'm in Littlehampton, there's a roc in Chichester near Goodwood in a farmer's field still got most of the stuff in there but also southwick tunnel is a interesting one as it's the most maintained tunnel in the UK shutting for two nights a week every month it has its own sub station to power it and there's a building just as you go through the tunnel towards Brighton with ptz cameras on every corner and 4 large camera to accommodate them when I say large I mean large lol but also I have noticed every time I go through before the closure there is a amber beacon flashing third door in the tunnel but it's the only one that does and is only on the day of closing, also there are signs prohibiting you walk through the tunnel and regular cameras on entrance and exit. The tunnel over ran by 5 years and it is only 480m long and to top it off mill hill had a bunker that was decommissioned years prior!
A bit of a way away from there, but that sounds interesting Chris.
Never heard of that before? If you want to email me alexio21@hotmail.co.uk feel free 👍
Seen IKS do this . Interesting place
It took them four years to replace that control tower when it was destroyed??
Hope the control tower can be saved 🙏
Shame its well secured but then again you know what idiots we have these days, it wouldn't take them long to ruin it, lets hope they bring it back again to view.
What you describe as a 'service road' is actually a taxiway.
Sad to see history gone 😢
"Weed choked runways" 🚬👍
🤣🌬
glad the control tower is still intact...albeit in need of a restore..
🎶🎶 Spider Man 🎶 Spider Man 🎶Can’t do anything Alex can 🎶🎶 Seriously Alex, thanks for recording this location.
Haha 😄 cheers Joseph! Appreciate this, and glad you enjoyed it mate
ever time I see a sea harrier I wonder if it was one of the falkland ones be nice if we could find out does any one know
Somewhere on the edge of the airfield is an old house, this is where secret agents waited for their flights to occupied France in Weztland Lysanders. I may have been demolished but it may be still there as somebody's residence...
🖖👍😉🌄👋🍺🍺🤞🏍️
👌👍➡️👁
The government should save these buildings for people to see
In 1970 my old unit was stationed there. It was a lovely old station. So sad to see it now. Why do they waste the potential of these places. Those old H Blocks and the Mess would have made lovely flats. The MoD have no clue. So many old stations left to ruin. Near me is the Old RAF Manby, which in its day was a picture. The old AOC's house is now a hotel and its a lovely place. The officers mess and the rest of it not so. Such a shame. Scampton is a case in point. By the time they stop messing about it will have started to rot. Such idiots.
Douglas Bader tangmere wing
I use to live there
🥰👍
If I was in world war 2 they'd call me spitfire.
sea vixen from 1950s
Why do you and lots of others always bang on about Spitfires? Lots of other aeroplanes flew from there especially postwar.
@@ian-t7t I did mention the Hawker hunter too
@@VacantHaven didnt mention the air speed records based there or the actons of the SOE LYsanders, or the Air launched stores experiments...always the same, bloody Spitfires!
I agree, I had a friend some years ago who's brother was a pilot Beaufighter pilot 219 Sqdron. He was only 20 when he died in a mid air collision with another Beaufighter over Brighton in 1940.
I lived in tangmere & used to love walking around the perimeter road as i have great interest in ww2.
Tangmere has been destroyed by developments of housing & other nonsense that shouldn't be there.
Dude where is that last air raid shelter me and my friends keep trying to find it but we can’t
I live right next to here