The problem with these places is that they were built in a hurry for a purpose. It's almost impossible to update them. Everything in there had a life span, ventilation, communications, electric. If these are your Military headquarters you could hardly turf everyone out for a year or two whilst you gave it a refit. They had no option but to build a totally new place from scratch somewhere else. That battery room you were in was just the backup for the phone system. Imagine how big one would have to be for a modern computer system down there, without all the extra heat the computers would generate. The other problem is that they had no insulation, so condensation was a problem from day one. That's why they needed such huge ventilation systems just to keep the place dry.
My Dad was a member of the RN reserves that used these tunnels in the 80's before moving to the Collingwood Block at Brompton Barracks. Is great to that they are still accessible.
The room off the battery room is a battery maintenance room. The lead lined benches are where maintenance was carried out on the 2 volt cells, and I would gather from the lack of ventilation hoods they may have been NiFe cells with an infinite battery life as long as maintenance was carried out. The rack at the rear of the tunnel room was for holding spare cells that had been serviced, the rubber bulb Fez dropped onto the bench was from one of the hydrometers used to check specific gravity of the electrolyte.
At 20:49 the things on the wall are old step-by-step decadic telephone line dialling equipment, the units on the far end are sideways racks for 19" rack unit DTMF dialling that replaced the decadic equipment by the looks, can't see in the racks to verify though and the secure second room would be for the encrypted telephone line equipment.
Fascinating... again. Interesting to think this system was used recently enough that there may still be folks out there who could give you a guided tour.
I got in here the day before it got sealed great place and a fair size the plotting room is burned out which is a great shame that sort of thing upsets me man
Most COMCEN's and COMCO Rooms had sliding doors, less intrusive to message staff movements within the room. And that is my experience from both military and civil defence service.
You don't need the amount of ventilation with NiFe cells as you do with lead acid, alot safer as they don't use acid. Each 2 volt cell would've weighed around 15-20kg.
Did you notice how the concrete sections that the shaft has been constructed with at 5:14 is the exact same type as the stair cases at the RMDR? This could perhaps be an indication that Messrs Francois also played a hand in the construction of other underground sites in the area? Bring on part 3 :-D
I think this place needs to be turned into a museum because of the amount of stuff that still there great video from your number one Cornish fan
The problem with these places is that they were built in a hurry for a purpose. It's almost impossible to update them. Everything in there had a life span, ventilation, communications, electric. If these are your Military headquarters you could hardly turf everyone out for a year or two whilst you gave it a refit. They had no option but to build a totally new place from scratch somewhere else. That battery room you were in was just the backup for the phone system. Imagine how big one would have to be for a modern computer system down there, without all the extra heat the computers would generate.
The other problem is that they had no insulation, so condensation was a problem from day one. That's why they needed such huge ventilation systems just to keep the place dry.
My Dad was a member of the RN reserves that used these tunnels in the 80's before moving to the Collingwood Block at Brompton Barracks. Is great to that they are still accessible.
The room off the battery room is a battery maintenance room. The lead lined benches are where maintenance was carried out on the 2 volt cells, and I would gather from the lack of ventilation hoods they may have been NiFe cells with an infinite battery life as long as maintenance was carried out. The rack at the rear of the tunnel room was for holding spare cells that had been serviced, the rubber bulb Fez dropped onto the bench was from one of the hydrometers used to check specific gravity of the electrolyte.
At 20:49 the things on the wall are old step-by-step decadic telephone line dialling equipment, the units on the far end are sideways racks for 19" rack unit DTMF dialling that replaced the decadic equipment by the looks, can't see in the racks to verify though and the secure second room would be for the encrypted telephone line equipment.
Another great historical explore
Sir Winston Churchill would have loved the plotting room. I think a kitchen would be helpful, too.
Another amazing site with both so much to see and sadly so much ruined. But yet another great explore all the same, thanks.
17:30, as others have said is a battery room. Ian you were standing next to all the bars that used to link the batteries together.
Fascinating... again. Interesting to think this system was used recently enough that there may still be folks out there who could give you a guided tour.
Great video guys. Thanks. ...
I got in here the day before it got sealed great place and a fair size the plotting room is burned out which is a great shame that sort of thing upsets me man
That was the door, you would not be able to open it again.
Wonderful to see the old equipment.
as always a great video. Thank you guys :)
Brilliant video. So much left there
Most COMCEN's and COMCO Rooms had sliding doors, less intrusive to message staff movements within the room. And that is my experience from both military and civil defence service.
you room with the shelving that is skinny is a battery room (electric battery cells)
Great bit of historical documentation guys
Oh and the petroleum jelly was used to coat the terminals after fitting.
Nice place and a great video :)
Keep up the good work when is Scotland in youre location and there is ww2 bunkers in st Andrews
Very impressive place youve found here guys👍👌
You don't need the amount of ventilation with NiFe cells as you do with lead acid, alot safer as they don't use acid. Each 2 volt cell would've weighed around 15-20kg.
Great place guys
definitely need respirators in there . great vid thanks
I think you should keep saying "asbestos" instead of "bless you" when someone sneezes ;-)
you escaped : ) if only number one fan was wearing an NBC suit when he jumped out on you : ) hahahahaha!
Reminds me of the sacking of ome
Ian get a sense of humour.
Dont try to act. Just b naatural
Did you notice how the concrete sections that the shaft has been constructed with at 5:14 is the exact same type as the stair cases at the RMDR? This could perhaps be an indication that Messrs Francois also played a hand in the construction of other underground sites in the area? Bring on part 3 :-D