I had been thinking about pye for a while, its got to be the best Industrial site in the UK, and as its being demolished at the moment i thought i would give it a go! Managed to get in ok, i had to make a quick entrance into the building with the mock-up plane inside as a 4x4 was heading my way, so had 15 mins inside having a look round, it shows what an amazing site pyestock is because anyway else this building would be a good explore but i left it without much thought, wanting to get to the heart of Pyestock! Made my way into the Air-house noting that the 8 massive pipes going into and out of the building had been removed, inside was untouched, great stuff in there! Then made my way to Cell 4 which was amazing! At that point i ran out of time and had to leave, no problems getting out!
Went back next day made my way in no problem but noticed that there seemed to be more secca about, had to be careful , got into the Plant house and then Cell 3 which was fun, so then i tried to make my escape but i kept on bumping into secca so had to go over a more dangerous route ( to old for all this
) So that was my first taste of Pyestock and what an unbelievable place it is, just glad i got it done
History borrowed
The National Gas Turbine Establishment (NGTE Pyestock) in Fleet, part of the Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE), was the prime site in the UK for design and development of gas turbine and jet engines. It was created by merging the design teams of Frank Whittle's Power Jets and the RAE turbine development team run by Hayne Constant. NGTE spent most of its lifetime as a testing and development centre, both for experimental developments and to support commercial engine companies.
The newly merged venture was nationalised. Pyestock, a former golf course in a secluded wooded spot between Farnborough and Fleet was chosen as the turbine development site, as the activities at the NGTE would be top secret and the surrounding woodland would dampen the noise. Construction began in 1949 with small test "cubicles" inside buildings like the Plant House. When the possibility of supersonic jets arose, the site was expanded to the north west, with the Air House and several large test cells built circa 1961.
For over 50 years Pyestock was at the forefront of gas turbine development. It was probably the largest site of its kind in the world. V bomber, Harrier and Tornado engines were tested on site. The power of the air house allowed Concorde's engines to be tested at 2,000 mph. Every gas turbine installed in Royal Navy ships was checked here; captured Soviet engines were discreetly examined.
NGTE Pyestock closed down in 2000 and decommissioned to make way for a business park.
Some pics
Air-house
Cell 4
Plant-house
view of air house
Cell 3
Demolition work behind Air-house
Camera battery went so missed out on some other good stuff, maybe will go back soon
Thanks for looking
Went back next day made my way in no problem but noticed that there seemed to be more secca about, had to be careful , got into the Plant house and then Cell 3 which was fun, so then i tried to make my escape but i kept on bumping into secca so had to go over a more dangerous route ( to old for all this
) So that was my first taste of Pyestock and what an unbelievable place it is, just glad i got it doneHistory borrowed
The National Gas Turbine Establishment (NGTE Pyestock) in Fleet, part of the Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE), was the prime site in the UK for design and development of gas turbine and jet engines. It was created by merging the design teams of Frank Whittle's Power Jets and the RAE turbine development team run by Hayne Constant. NGTE spent most of its lifetime as a testing and development centre, both for experimental developments and to support commercial engine companies.
The newly merged venture was nationalised. Pyestock, a former golf course in a secluded wooded spot between Farnborough and Fleet was chosen as the turbine development site, as the activities at the NGTE would be top secret and the surrounding woodland would dampen the noise. Construction began in 1949 with small test "cubicles" inside buildings like the Plant House. When the possibility of supersonic jets arose, the site was expanded to the north west, with the Air House and several large test cells built circa 1961.
For over 50 years Pyestock was at the forefront of gas turbine development. It was probably the largest site of its kind in the world. V bomber, Harrier and Tornado engines were tested on site. The power of the air house allowed Concorde's engines to be tested at 2,000 mph. Every gas turbine installed in Royal Navy ships was checked here; captured Soviet engines were discreetly examined.
NGTE Pyestock closed down in 2000 and decommissioned to make way for a business park.
Some pics
Air-house
Cell 4
Plant-house
view of air house
Cell 3
Demolition work behind Air-house
Camera battery went so missed out on some other good stuff, maybe will go back soon
Thanks for looking
