Operation Turnip

A CART project to renovate an Operational Base in Kent

See also: Kent Patrols - Operational Bases - Other CART Projects

Page last updated at 7:19pm on 19/3/12

Project Overview

We have started to restore an Operational Base in Kent. Due to the nature of the work, and the fact that certain members of the public like to go and destroy these precious time capsules, the location is a closely guarded secret.

We are calling the project Operation Turnip as many of the patrols in Kent were named after vegetables.

Phil Evans, our CIO for Kent, will manage the work on the ground and CART HQ will oversea the project and fund raise.

A small team of experts are being called upon to advise on the restoration and we will use our own internal archive and researchers knowledge around the UK to fit out the OB as authentically as possible.

We hope to then open the space at certain times of the year for guided tours, press calls and to allow re-enactors to stay inside.

We suggest you bookmark this page to follow our work. www.operationturnip.com

Stage 1 - The clear up operation - Current

TRIP 1
Time was mainly taken up on this trip measuring up O.B. plus fittings. Also dug sediment out of the bottom of the entrance Hatch to make access easier. Very messy work.

TRIP 2
Spent first part of this trip measuring bits we had missed on last trip. Then we made some temporary fixes to the ventilation system to stop debris blocking them. The final job for this trip was to clear the silt from in-between the walls where the water tank sits. Very hard work but managed to achieve our goal. Worst bit over hopefully!!!

19 March 2012 - Currently working on a 3D model of the O.B. We have also been designing the furniture for the interior so it can fit through the opening entrance and down the shaft and into the O.B. Once inside it all needs to be free standing as we do not want to attach anything to walls because it could run the risk of compromising the structure.

Below you can see a slideshow of images of the OB as we clear it out.

Stage 2 - Re Build - Planned

We plan to repaint the walls and fit out the OB with new bunks and furniture. We plan to use genuine materials where possible. Due to the small size of the bunker we will only furnish one side of it so there is space for people to enter, move around and observe.

The images below show genuine bunks from a nearby OB.

 An example of the basic layout of a similar OB in the area.