A place I had drove past last summer and noticed these old buildings opposite the live main factory. I had a little look but I could only get in one tiny room that did not show much promise at all. I did check every now and again but nothing changed. I then noticed one time that new fencing had gone around it and some new cabins. I could see all the doors were open. Went back to give it a look, wondering what could be inside, would it be an old lotus or lots of equipment. Ok an old lotus is hoping too much, but there was nothing at all. But it needed documenting as the complex are old World War Two buildings. Lotus took over Hethel and repurposed the buildings. This part was maybe a finishing shop for painting as several extraction fans inside and you can see holes in the ceiling were pipe work went through. Also one sign said powder room. After the new factory was expanded it seems this was not used. It was then used as the classic lotus building, this housed all the old classic cars and memorabilia. A nice shiny building was built and this was deemed surplus to requirements. Like I say nothing to exciting but it needed documenting as it contained according to maps the locker, rest and drying rooms for the crews and a Norden Bombsight workshop and store. I have not seen any pics of it, prob no one really even notices it. Went past it a few days back and demolition is well under way now.
RAF Hethel was a former World War Two airfield situated just outside Norwich. It was built in 1942 and was designated station 114. Hethel was the HQ for the 2nd Combat Bombardment Wing. Due to it being incomplete it was used as a staging airfield for a short time. When it was opened fully in June 1943 it was the 3i9th Heavy Bombardment Group that was based at the airfield. After the war finished the Americans handed the airfield back to the RAF. The airfield was used by several groups of fighter command, including RAF Polish squadrons using North American Mustangs. The base finally closed in 1948 and laid empty and abandoned for many years. Lotus cars bought the site in 1966 and used the remaining hangars and associated buildings as the workshops and such for building the cars. The factory has grown considerably, and a main part of the runway is now used as a test track. I could hear them racing around whilst there and looked through the fence to watch. The old gymnasium and chapel has been restored by volunteers and now houses a small museum.
My other favourite thing to photograph is fungi. So when I see fungi in derelict buildings I get excited ha ha. Sadly left the macro lens at home.
RAF Hethel was a former World War Two airfield situated just outside Norwich. It was built in 1942 and was designated station 114. Hethel was the HQ for the 2nd Combat Bombardment Wing. Due to it being incomplete it was used as a staging airfield for a short time. When it was opened fully in June 1943 it was the 3i9th Heavy Bombardment Group that was based at the airfield. After the war finished the Americans handed the airfield back to the RAF. The airfield was used by several groups of fighter command, including RAF Polish squadrons using North American Mustangs. The base finally closed in 1948 and laid empty and abandoned for many years. Lotus cars bought the site in 1966 and used the remaining hangars and associated buildings as the workshops and such for building the cars. The factory has grown considerably, and a main part of the runway is now used as a test track. I could hear them racing around whilst there and looked through the fence to watch. The old gymnasium and chapel has been restored by volunteers and now houses a small museum.
My other favourite thing to photograph is fungi. So when I see fungi in derelict buildings I get excited ha ha. Sadly left the macro lens at home.
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Worth seeing thi, good report.
