Former RAF Faldingworth atomic bomb store: Proof Range

A firing and proof range dating to the 1960s.

MATERIALS: the range is constructed of reinforced concrete and profile metal sheeting. Train sleepers are used within the firing range for sound deadening.

PLAN: the building has a very long rectangular footprint. There is a mid-section which is a near square workshop area. The arms of the proofing ranges extend to the east and west. The eastern arm is three times longer than the western one.

DESCRIPTION: the range is low and long and made up of reinforced concrete. The middle section of the range contains a large workshop. It has breeze-block dwarf walls, the upper sections of the walls are clad in profile metal sheeting supported by steel framing. It has a low pitched saw-tooth roof. There is a further flat roofed block to the north of that which is of two storeys and contains offices and other facilities. The eastern arm of the range is 225 metres long, the western range is 75 metres long. Towards the ends of each range the building extends to form larger blocks with projecting sections which contain the target areas and monitoring and testing rooms, as well as other machinery. These are all flat roofed with louvred and boarded openings, and overhang in places.

INTERIOR: the workshop area has an industrial character with the metal structure exposed. The roof is covered with panels and has profiled plastic roof-lights. The tunnels are accessed by large reinforced metal doors, and are lined with shuttered concrete. The longer tunnel to the western side can be used in different sections of either 75 metres, 150 metres or its full length of 225 metres. The target areas have large bins behind the targets which are lined with railway sleepers. The whole target zone of the eastern range is lined with railway sleepers. The firing is recorded by cameras which are set in recessed panels with flanking flood lights. The target of the eastern range contains a panel supposedly from the German battleship Tirpitz.