Cadet Visit to the RAF Air Defence Radar Museum — Saturday 1st November 2025

CI Millard
Nov 4
3 min read

On Saturday, 1st November, a small contingent of cadets from 863 Cadets visited the RAF Air Defence Radar Museum at the former RAF Neatishead site in Norfolk. They were chauffeured with care by CI Crissall and were supervised throughout by both CI Millards. The outing proved to be highly instructive, engaging and memorable for all involved.

Arrival and welcome

The cadets arrived at the museum on time, were greeted by the museum staff and volunteers, and given an introductory briefing. The museum is located in the original Grade II listed operations block of RAF Neatishead, and carries a rich legacy of Britain’s air defence throughout the Second World War and the Cold War era.

Museum displays and highlights

The museum offered a wide range of exhibitions of radar, operations, communications and aircraft-related artefacts. Key displays that engaged the cadets included:

The “Early Radar and the Second World War” area: charts the development of radar (Chain Home, sound mirrors and early systems) and how this technology helped win the Battle of Britain.
The Cold War Room / Operations Room: this is the country’s only original Cold War operations room, showing how RAF Neatishead and the radar network monitored airspace and prepared for the Soviet threat and even nuclear scenarios.

The “More to Discover” collection: including the Bloodhound Mk II missile display, the Nuclear Reporting Cell (Royal Observer Corps), the Coltishall Collection (relating to nearby RAF Coltishall) and interactive communications suites.

The cadets had the opportunity to see real radar equipment, plotting tables, the frame-room telephone switching gear, and aircraft cockpits (Tornado/Jaguar) as part of the immersive experience.

Talk and presentation

A special part of the visit was the presentation given by the museum’s volunteer staff. Their knowledge and enthusiasm were outstanding. They presented a clear, well-structured talk on the role of radar in World War II, its evolution into Cold War air-defence systems, and the pivotal role of RAF Neatishead in that story.

The cadets were able to appreciate how radar technology shifted from detecting bombers in WWII to monitoring high-altitude Soviet aircraft and missiles during the Cold War. The museum staff were excellent in making this complex subject accessible, linking technical detail with strategic significance.

Cadet reflections and learning outcomes

The cadets gained a better understanding of how radar changed warfare, how the UK defended its skies, and how even remote sites like Neatishead played a global role.
They saw first-hand the living history of the base: the original rooms, the equipment, the sense of place, which brought the classroom into three-dimensional reality.
The visit highlighted themes of teamwork, vigilance, readiness, and technical innovation—ideal for cadet learning and development.
The supervision by CI Crissall and the two CI Millards ensured that the group remained focused, engaged and courteous throughout, allowing maximum benefit from the museum’s resources.

Thanks and recognition

A particular note of thanks must go to the museum’s staff and volunteers. Their superb knowledge, welcoming attitude and the way they tailored the talk to the young group made a strong impression on the cadets and staff alike.

Likewise, thanks to CI Crissall for the comfortable and punctual transport, and to CI Millards for their attentive supervision. Their combined efforts ensured the visit was smooth, safe and effective.

Summary

In summary, the 863 Cadets’ visit to the RAF Air Defence Radar Museum was a rich educational experience. It combined historical artefacts, operational insights and enthusiastic interpretation. The small contingent left with a stronger appreciation of the importance of radar, the strategic role of RAF Neatishead, and the broader themes of defence, innovation and service.

We look forward to future visits of this quality, and recommend the museum for any cadet group looking to link STEM themes, history and service ethos in a memorable outing.