BC312 Posted April 11, 2021 Share Posted April 11, 2021 A while back i discovered a Bofors gun emplacement and radar trailer 50 yards from each other in the Hogmoor training area near the REME tank training grounds after the Army moved out of Bordon Hampshire a while back. Built and operated by the Canadians during the war. The Bofors emplacement is now registered with Historic England by myself and the radar trailer fenced off which is in a state of disrepair. I am working with the town council and Historic England to preserve the emplacement as best we can. As with the radar Trailer a GL Number 3 Mk2, original to the emplacement, which was left by the Canadians since 1948 and been left there to this date and was not removed by REME because it was not on their books. The council are not sure what to do with it or best proceed with its preservation. It was suggested to restore it but its going to take a lot of money and time. Another suggestion was to leave it in its small fenced off area or restor it to a semi state showing the outside features of its main structure but as an empty carcass. Any imput suggestions ideas? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monty2 Posted April 13, 2021 Share Posted April 13, 2021 Omg not much left Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BC312 Posted April 14, 2021 Author Share Posted April 14, 2021 What to do with it, any ideas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wally dugan Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 l think you have to ask are there any other examples what it would it cost to rebuild as empty shell who is going to fund it what is its long term future if you do rebuild it l am not been negative but these are questions to have answers to Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rootes75 Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 If there are other examples either in a restored state or being restored, you could also add the question whether this example may hold some useful spares for the others? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Johns Posted April 15, 2021 Share Posted April 15, 2021 (edited) On 4/14/2021 at 10:31 AM, wally dugan said: l think you have to ask are there any other examples what it would it cost to rebuild as empty shell who is going to fund it what is its long term future if you do rebuild it l am not been negative but these are questions to have answers to I can remember years ago when that radar trailer was still complete..ish in a poor state then, and well vandellised,. it was then burnt out in a large fire, which burnt the tyres and reduced the body to the pile of twisted rusty scrap it is now ...below is a link to a complete rusty but Original identical radar trailer that has been saved and still had most of its radar equipment intact too so made it a feaseable proposition to restore http://www.anti-aircraft.co.uk/restoration_No3Mk2radar.html Edited April 15, 2021 by Nick Johns 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rootes75 Posted April 15, 2021 Share Posted April 15, 2021 That's nice to see something saved from RGM, well worth it for its rarity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stableboy Posted April 15, 2021 Share Posted April 15, 2021 Just a thought.....what size wheels and tyres does it / should it have...? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wally dugan Posted April 15, 2021 Share Posted April 15, 2021 The original tyres were 36 x 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stableboy Posted April 15, 2021 Share Posted April 15, 2021 Like this..? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BC312 Posted April 15, 2021 Author Share Posted April 15, 2021 I can see its a real basket case but its original to the site. I think it would be best just to leave it, its fenced off, unless someone comes up with bags of money and time to take on the challenge or better still spend the money on a restored one and display, store it and mainain it under cover as an example for the public viewing. I cant see that with councils these days, the area still owned by the MOD but looked after for public use by a organisation will have to fund and make the final say. Nick Jones do you live local to the area.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Johns Posted April 15, 2021 Share Posted April 15, 2021 Yes, I used to live not far from Bordon 49 minutes ago, BC312 said: Nick Jones do you live local to the area.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toner Posted April 16, 2021 Share Posted April 16, 2021 If you can get the resources, I'd say restore / rebuild it to an empty carcass then see if it can be added to over time to bring it to some version of life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BC312 Posted April 20, 2021 Author Share Posted April 20, 2021 On 4/16/2021 at 1:24 AM, Toner said: If you can get the resources, I'd say restore / rebuild it to an empty carcass then see if it can be added to over time to bring it to some version of life. Would be good to do something, rare to find original equipment near a derelict structure, especially these days. The body is a basket case, so a carcass body representation would need to be built, it would only be for show, a mock up not a working restoration. Seeing as the army still own the land its theirs and they have the final say. I thought it would make a good project to get kids and locals involved in the build, teaching construction metalwork skills etc. That wont happen but there you go. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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