Barn full of test gear FS

[Specmaster]

I really hope not, there is shit loads of good non sensitive stuff that is more than likely still in good working order that would be could be put to service with loads of hobbyists and smaller companies. I personally would call it a crime if the normal standard industry item do get destroyed.

This is yet again another shining example of governments around the world fucking up yet again by their insistence of using private companies to take on roles that years would been done by the armed forces. Existing secure compounds such as airbases, naval yards and army barracks etc where they already deploy their own armed security guards so all that would be required extra would be a suitable building for storage and the job is done at zero extra cost.

Private companies only have one goal, that is to make money.

[bd139]

I spent a couple of weeks on an air base. Private contractors are far better than MoD police!

[Specmaster]

Not in my experience, especially with the Americans at Lakenheath. There I reckon that they would shoot first and then ask questions if you were still breathing.
I've been on many RAF bases, Waddington, Marham, Northolt, Benson, Brize Norton, Lakenheath, Mildenhall, Coltishall, Weathersfield, Scampton, Coningsby, Wittering, Alconbury, North Weald and Wyton and Cottesmore while they were active bases and I'd not pick a fight with any of them.

[bd139]

If you have the right ID you can waltz around anywhere on them as a private contractor which is not good. Don’t even check your badge on entry.

[cdev]

I agree in that the military are the ones in a position to know what is sensitive and what is not and they should just be given any sensitive equipment back.

If its being held hostage for money that is not appropriate as the ultimate payer is the taxpayer, it should just be given back to them. And the rest should be sold or given to public colleges for actual use in their labs. i.e. noncommercial, educational use.

it seems all of the equipment is likely obsolete from a military standpoint but if any of it is sensitive or could be used destructively it should not be sold, definitely.

[Specmaster]

That's not what I have found.

The toughest places I've been to is AWE at Foulness Island and Aldermaston, there as an outside contractor you can go nowhere without a police or an Aldermaston personnel as an escort and are checked in and out of each building, bags and tool boxes checked on the way in and out as well. 

[Specmaster]

I agree in that the military are the ones in a position to know what is sensitive and what is not and they should just be given any sensitive equipment back.

If its being held hostage for money that is not appropriate as the ultimate payer is the taxpayer, it should just be given back to them. And the rest should be sold or given to public colleges for actual use in their labs. i.e. noncommercial, educational use.

it seems all of the equipment is likely obsolete from a military standpoint but if any of it is sensitive or could be used destructively it should not be sold, definitely.

Not only should it not be sold, it should never have been allowed to leave a military confine either.

[bd139]

That's not what I have found.

The toughest places I've been to is AWE at Foulness Island and Aldermaston, there as an outside contractor you can go nowhere without a police or an Aldermaston personnel as an escort and are checked in and out of each building, bags and tool boxes checked on the way in and out as well.

I can’t say the facility as it was unlisted but we got checked in and out as well. Sometimes we just didn’t use the main gate, particularly because the local shop was too far to walk if you went out of there 

[9aplus]

Couple  more sections from the Times article

Now all makes much more sense.
The Leonardo name includes few other names and brands purchased along the way.
During that process it is possible that some of new management, skip over some practice from the past.
Knowing Leonardo from the first hand, also know about very strict policy of keeping the things right.

Any way it is shame that some still usable "civilian" components
are not able to be offered on market.

Recently have purchased one nice 3 GHz RLB, brand new old stock for 1/10 of original price.
Reading some remain of labels, the unit must be on some similar pile of "junk".

[philpem]

Of course if it is just a case of disorganisation and poor info that puts buyers off, that's a bonus for those who do - less competition!
I once went to a small auction where there were only about 6 buyers - most lots were multiples and we ended up giving each other the nod as to which we were interested in, so everything went for peanuts and everyone except the auctioneer left happy!

Hah, this brings back some nice memories. Johns Radio auction some years ago, sat across from Lee Davison and next to a very nice gentleman who shared some hints... first tea-break we all agreed on a similar strategy.

£45 + VAT and I came home with a Fluke 25 DMM, a Tek 466 scope and a Farnell L30B twin 30V power supply... it's been a slippery slope since then!

I still have the scope and DMM, incidentally... I think the power supply might be in my dad's garage...

I don't think I've seen another auction quite like it, not for a long while. Even ebay seems to have more or less dried up.

[bd139]

Gumtree still knocks out a good one occasionally. Got a working Marconi 2019A for £5 once!

But yes eBay is depressing at the moment. What does appear goes for stupid money. Hence why I was looking forward to this.

[tggzzz]

Of course if it is just a case of disorganisation and poor info that puts buyers off, that's a bonus for those who do - less competition!
I once went to a small auction where there were only about 6 buyers - most lots were multiples and we ended up giving each other the nod as to which we were interested in, so everything went for peanuts and everyone except the auctioneer left happy!

I know of a case where the RAF was selling an entire airfield in very inconvenient sections. All the parties had to get together and agree that if you by this section and we buy that section, then we can get together afterwards and you can have the bit inside the peritrack and we can have the bit outside the peritrack.

[Specmaster]

On Monday, I sent the auctioneers an email requesting an update on the status of this postponed sale, today (Thursday) I still have not had the courtesy of a reply or even an acknowledgment that they have received said email and will get back to me ASAP they have news. Certainly does not sound very promising at all 

[Specmaster]

Today I heard back from the auctioneers and they confirm that a meeting was being held today with regard to the position of this proposed auction and that more news should be forthcoming in a few days.  I'll keep everyone posted on developments as I get the information.

[Specmaster]

Further update on this auction, I had a reply from the auctioneers saying that there was going to be a meeting last week to discuss the sale and was happening about and also that I should keep an eye on their website for updates.

Today I checked their website and the auction has been removed and another for a electrical contractor (Bloom & Wake Ltd (Who I used to call in my days as a sales rep/engineer)) but there is no further info regarding what is happening regarding the UES&S sales. So I have again emailed the auctioneers for a further update but it does appear to be a dead duck but it would be nice to have this confirmed and as soon as I get confirmation one way or the other, I'll update this thread.