Photography by Tom Lane
Alconbury Cold War Bunker
Tuesday, 6th May 2025 – Had a chance to visit an old Cold War Bunker at Alconbury in Cambridgeshire, with a local camera club. As many of you will know I prefer Black & White photography but thought in this instance it was also the perfect media to use. I therefore took a Leica M10 Monochrom camera which only records black and white to the sensor and knowing it was going to be dark inside, used a 50mm F0.95 Noctilux and a 35mm F1.4 Summilux lens.
RAF Alconbury began as a satellite base for nearby RAF Wyton during the early days of World War II. The first American unit at Alconbury was the 93rd Bombardment Group and its B-24 Liberators. The 93rd BG flew Eighth Air Force’s first operational B-24 mission to the continent, attacking the Lille Steelworks in Belgium.
In 1983, TR-1s (reconnaissance spy planes) were permanently based at Alconbury. This led to a large remodelling of the northern section of the airfield to accommodate these aircraft and their specialised mission.
Work included the construction of five prefabricated Ready Sheds, thirteen extra wide Hardened Aircraft Shelters, a Squadron Headquarters, a massive Avionics and Photography Interpretation Centre, and new concrete aprons and taxi ways.
The bunkers and site are now being demolished except one which is Grade II listed (Magic Mountain TR1 Facility) which is said to be the last ever bunker to be built.
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