The first of this year's explorations saw myself and BK heading over to my favourite haunt!
We had a busy day ahead, with lots planned! As it worked out it was to be one of highs and lows!
Located on a desolate part of the airfield away from prying eyes, in what was known as "Alpha Sector". "Bunker 77" stood out against a perfect blue sky. Located nearby was the Squadron HQ, of the 77th Tactical Fighter Wing, from which the Bunker gets its name.
The bunker was the Wings's private HQ. In case of Nuclear War, it was capable of acting on its own merits, and was full NBC proof and could withstand a nearby 2 Megaton burst.
Outside it was protected by a series of pillboxes, although these in reality only covered the airfield in case of Spetsnaz paratroop assaults, of which they were expected!
The 77th, pulled out in December 1994, since then the place has been abandoned and peaceful
The fading and crumbling remains of part of the 77th's HQ.
Inside time and indeed nature has taken its toll The only birds that fly out of here now are the feathered variety!
We quickly moved on as we had a lot of ground to cover today, least of all was Bunker 77!
We quickly came across one of the base pillboxes that defended this sector.
Alpha Sector circa 1990. Note the neatly cut grass, hedgerows etc.
The same location, 21 years later! The sandbags are gone, the only thing that uses the pillbox now are field mice, who I disturbed having a Sunday lay in
Just past the pillbox "Bunker 77" came into view an ominous black shadow against a blue sky.
The bunker was severly overgrown, if it was not for winter time, the foilage would have stopped us from most of this explore. First we had to find the entrance!
The NBC shower gave us the entrance! But the door was heavily boarded up! Another way would have to be found.
Walking around the outside we came across several blast walls covering various entrances, but around the back an extension to a blast wall had been added out of old ammunition cases
The ammo cases had all been welded together and must have been added in the 1970's, judging by the details on most of the cases
Rear of the blast wall, the pole to the left is the base of the radio mast.
NBC intake filters slowly crumbling away. Note the tree growing up between the vents, hard to imagine it would have been originally a seed on the wind that got wedged in the concrete.
Access seemed to be alluding us Perhaps there was another way in? Nearby was the derelict 77th Squadron, pilots building. (BK will be posting a report on this building) We quickly made our way along the corridors, along the way remnants, of the former residents were found and investigated.
Pilots briefing/debriefing room, mission map boards were still in place, albeit devoid of maps
Further along the corridor we came across various empty rooms and then the pilots equipment/helmet room.
We then made our way along this dark corridor. At the end a cypher door, this looked promising!
The cypher lock had been smashed off as we entered through the door we went through a "Dog Leg" in the corridor (Tell tale signs of a bunker entrance, radiation does not turn corners, apparently!)
This was turning into an Indiana Jones Adventure
We were now in darkness with only our torches for company. We stumbled over some broken cypher doors that were laying in the hall way, BK was starting to get the willies and complained of getting cold.
Then it hoved into view!
The outer Blast door to the tomb of "Bunker 77"
It was locked and hermetically sealed
We were gutted to say the least But like Indiana Jones, this means one thing No one has been inside "Bunker 77" since it was sealed back in 1994. What lays behind the blast door, certainly stale air!
Will the bunker be complete and untouched or will it be empty. WATCH THIS SPACE AS WE ENTER "BUNKER/VAULT 77"
BK's interpretation of the inner Blast door.