Fascinating and moving video, thanks. I know time moves on but to echo words already said on here, I wish more airfields and infrastructure was preserved.
Wonderful video but very sad to see the buildings in such a state of decay. It would be great to see all the old airfields of England like this one put back the way they were during wartime. Places like this are a National treasure in my eyes.
Thank you Mr Grech for this film, it is the first time i have seen where my father was during WW 2 Lt. George H Reaburn with the 439th TCC and the 50th TCW as an operations and maintance officer, he went to balderton ab and back to upottery and on to france after D-day. He told me that he met the family in the manor and said they were very welcoming and nice people. But lets not forget all those very brave and very young men that climbed into those C-47s and the gliders and flew into history to fight and die during the largest invasion that turned the tide to end that war. somethings cannot last forever. thank you again
@The58stupot Thanks for the comment. I think that these airfields should be preserved, but unfortunately, more & more are disappearing under housing and industrial estates.
@lyndonduke Thanks, I am glad that you like it. One point though, If you visit, make sure to ask permission to view these buildings as they are all on private property. Happy airfield exploration : )
Jim, Thanks for your comment. I am glad that you enjoyed my video. Upottery really is a cracking airfield with lots to see. A friend of mine does airfield tours there, which are well worth taking if you get the time.
If you walk along the runways and look carefully, you can see many names, dates, graffiti, which were scratched in the concrete when it was laid.......extremely moving to see....
Very interesting, nice to see that so much survives. I do wish that maodern day owners were obliged to maintain buildings to a reasonable degree and not let them just fall down. BTW it`s NissEn hut, Nissan is a car maker. Incidentally I just Googled this airfield and found that a short distance away is Dunkeswell airfield which appears to be in use and well cared for. Might be worth a visit too.
Typical British neglect of monuments and sacrifice, sooner or later it will all fall to developers who don't G.A.F. Upottery airfield was returned to agriculture, as many were. Last time I was there the three runways remained with most of the concreted area intact. Some of the airfield is used by a small flying club. Another section was used for stock car racing and general motorsport. Make the most of it. The decay is shameful.
i do get what you are saying but there were hundreds of airfields just like this one all over the country for which there was no need and indeed no money for after the war so they were surplus to requirements. It would not have been possible to preserve them sad but a fact of life.
I live here and the buildings are in even more decay. The farmer who owns this land has been approached several times to sell the land to the museum etc so it can be restored and opened as a living museum in dedication to all those who gave their lives, but the owner farmer is an asshole.
Fascinating and moving video, thanks. I know time moves on but to echo words already said on here, I wish more airfields and infrastructure was preserved.
Thank you for a lovely video, good to have videos like this , as a record, for when these buildings are nolonger here , thank you👍🇬🇧
Wonderful video but very sad to see the buildings in such a state of decay. It would be great to see all the old airfields of England like this one put back the way they were during wartime. Places like this are a National treasure in my eyes.
Thank you Mr Grech for this film, it is the first time i have seen where my father was during WW 2 Lt. George H Reaburn with the 439th TCC and the 50th TCW as an operations and maintance officer, he went to balderton ab and back to upottery and on to france after D-day. He told me that he met the family in the manor and said they were very welcoming and nice people. But lets not forget all those very brave and very young men that climbed into those C-47s and the gliders and flew into history to fight and die during the largest invasion that turned the tide to end that war. somethings cannot last forever. thank you again
@The58stupot Thanks for the comment. I think that these airfields should be preserved, but unfortunately, more & more are disappearing under housing and industrial estates.
Take bloody care of it! It’s part of our heritage and history.
@lyndonduke Thanks, I am glad that you like it.
One point though, If you visit, make sure to ask permission to view these buildings as they are all on private property. Happy airfield exploration : )
Visited today 05/06/2011,thinking of all those brave men.
Thanks.
I paused here onced, at the endof a runway and took a photo, my comment was " From here they went to St mere Eglise, D=Day 1944 God Bless 'em all
Great video, went to check this out at the weekend. Thanks for the upload.
Jim, Thanks for your comment. I am glad that you enjoyed my video. Upottery really is a cracking airfield with lots to see. A friend of mine does airfield tours there, which are well worth taking if you get the time.
Good video well explained.
Superb footage thanks
Thank you for alovely video, thank you
Excellent video! Thank you from across the pond. You do some great work.
Thank You For Your Kind Comment.
Fantastic place. David Bunney is a great host, ask him for a tour.
ACE film john.full respects,new sub..
You’ve got some great airfield videos, have given you a sub 👌
If you walk along the runways and look carefully, you can see many names, dates, graffiti, which were scratched in the concrete when it was laid.......extremely moving to see....
Very interesting, nice to see that so much survives. I do wish that maodern day owners were obliged to maintain buildings to a reasonable degree and not let them just fall down. BTW it`s NissEn hut, Nissan is a car maker. Incidentally I just Googled this airfield and found that a short distance away is Dunkeswell airfield which appears to be in use and well cared for. Might be worth a visit too.
Did they keep Japanese cars in the "nissan hut"?
@traceynorthernstar Unfortunately not, it's my youngest son, Josh.
Ids that a ghost at 2:14 ?!
Just who are the jerks thar mark a dislike? What us there to dislike except their ignorance
@sgtgrech Oooops!! Sorry! Haha no offence intended i just thought because it was a bit blurred that i'd spotted an apparition! Sorry to Josh =/
Typical British neglect of monuments and sacrifice, sooner or later it will all fall to developers who don't G.A.F. Upottery airfield was returned to agriculture, as many were. Last time I was there the three runways remained with most of the concreted area intact. Some of the airfield is used by a small flying club. Another section was used for stock car racing and general motorsport. Make the most of it. The decay is shameful.
i do get what you are saying but there were hundreds of airfields just like this one all over the country for which there was no need and indeed no money for after the war so they were surplus to requirements. It would not have been possible to preserve them sad but a fact of life.
last I heard this was to become an housing estate :-((((
No it will not be a Housing estate
I live here and the buildings are in even more decay. The farmer who owns this land has been approached several times to sell the land to the museum etc so it can be restored and opened as a living museum in dedication to all those who gave their lives, but the owner farmer is an asshole.
Currahee
This is trespassing, sooo :/
Izzy Hirst unless he had permission?