A first sighting of this strange, Grade II listed building, nestling in fields near the Pembrey Racing Circuit, usually prompts the question:
" What's that then?" An answer is then usually followed by another question:
"How do they work then?"
It is in fact a Dome Gunnery Trainer and was erected on the old wartime airfield at Pembrey around 1941. It was used as a simulator to train air gunners in shooting down enemy fighters. The interior was originally whitewashed and lights projected on to the domed roof simulated aircraft lights, while a 'gun' was used to fire a light beam. A fore-runner perhaps of today's computer games.
CADW states: During World War 2, Pembrey was an active RAF station and was host to the RAF's No 1 Air Gunnery School, training in excess of 3000 air gunners. After the conclusion of the war, its activities relaxed a little and it became an air crew holding unit for crews being de-mobbed. The Gunnery Dome is sited within the boundaries of the Pembrey Airfield – a World War 2 airfield built in 1937 and active until 1957.
It is one of only five remaining in the whole country and the only one in Wales. Today it is used to store farm machinery and a place where cows can shelter in bad weather.
No comments:
Post a Comment