May 18, 2013
47 notes
Cab Vista (by jamescharlick) 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, and 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. Cell 4 was an integral part of the massive supersonic-testing expansion of Pyestock, as the need to test engines in close association with their air intake systems was an urgent requirement for this new generation of aircraft. The cell was constructed in 1975 for £6.5m. Shortly after its construction, the cell was modified to enable it to fly the Rolls-Royce Olympus 593 which was being developed for Concorde. The cell’s abilities were enhanced to be able to fly at Concorde’s cruise parameters of Mach 2 at 61,000 feet.  However with the decline of supersonic projects and its specialised, power-hungry needs, Cell 4 was soon surplus to requirements and was mothballed in the 1980s.

Cab Vista (by jamescharlick)

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, and 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.

Cell 4 was an integral part of the massive supersonic-testing expansion of Pyestock, as the need to test engines in close association with their air intake systems was an urgent requirement for this new generation of aircraft. The cell was constructed in 1975 for £6.5m.

Shortly after its construction, the cell was modified to enable it to fly the Rolls-Royce Olympus 593 which was being developed for Concorde. The cell’s abilities were enhanced to be able to fly at Concorde’s cruise parameters of Mach 2 at 61,000 feet. 

However with the decline of supersonic projects and its specialised, power-hungry needs, Cell 4 was soon surplus to requirements and was mothballed in the 1980s.

May 14, 2013
157 notes
Sci-Tech (by jamescharlick) 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, and 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. Cell 3 (pictured) was mostly underground and was a supersonic replacement of Cell 2, allowing for higher speeds and a greater engine temperature range. It was the first stop on our tour of the site, and we were anxious not to get trapped inside while security lurked above. There were one or two jumpy moments while we tried to figure out if we could hear voices, rain, footsteps or pigeons above.

Sci-Tech (by jamescharlick)

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, and 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.

Cell 3 (pictured) was mostly underground and was a supersonic replacement of Cell 2, allowing for higher speeds and a greater engine temperature range.

It was the first stop on our tour of the site, and we were anxious not to get trapped inside while security lurked above. There were one or two jumpy moments while we tried to figure out if we could hear voices, rain, footsteps or pigeons above.

May 13, 2013
1 note
toomanypuzzlepieces asked: I'm literally in love with every single photo on here, your photography is amazing! :)

Thank you very much!

Apr 30, 2013
367 notes
Daybreak (by jamescharlick) That special early morning hour when the city lights are on and colour is beginning to appear in the sky is rather wonderful to sit and enjoy. I recommend clicking through to Flickr where you can blow this up to 1880px wide.

Daybreak (by jamescharlick)

That special early morning hour when the city lights are on and colour is beginning to appear in the sky is rather wonderful to sit and enjoy.

I recommend clicking through to Flickr where you can blow this up to 1880px wide.

Apr 29, 2013
8 notes
My new website has gone live this morning, please go and check it out and let me know what you think! www.jamescharlick.com 

My new website has gone live this morning, please go and check it out and let me know what you think! www.jamescharlick.com 

Apr 28, 2013
61 notes
Urban Dawn (by jamescharlick) A hazy dawn over Canary Wharf.

Urban Dawn (by jamescharlick)

A hazy dawn over Canary Wharf.

Apr 26, 2013
69 notes
4am is a very antisocial time of day for more or less anything, let alone 30 stories worth of stairs. It was worth it though to see the city as the sun rose.

4am is a very antisocial time of day for more or less anything, let alone 30 stories worth of stairs. It was worth it though to see the city as the sun rose.

Apr 19, 2013
7 notes
I’ve not had much time for photography in the last couple of weeks because I’ve been busy working, so rather than let my blog sit here all sad and neglected I thought I’d upload this illustration I put together for my local VW club the Death Trap Dubs. I’ve been making them a new website after the old one went down the pan and these graphics are just slightly rearranged from the header. I think it looks pretty badass.

I’ve not had much time for photography in the last couple of weeks because I’ve been busy working, so rather than let my blog sit here all sad and neglected I thought I’d upload this illustration I put together for my local VW club the Death Trap Dubs.

I’ve been making them a new website after the old one went down the pan and these graphics are just slightly rearranged from the header. I think it looks pretty badass.

Apr 3, 2013
572 notes
Desolate (by jamescharlick) We crammed 6 people into 2 rooms of this little house, each wanting to photograph the same features. Most of the house was empty save for some small items giving a hint as to the lives of the family that lived within. Among the cobwebs were 1950’s ration books, a baking certificate dating back to 1896, and this ancient pram and doll.

Desolate (by jamescharlick)

We crammed 6 people into 2 rooms of this little house, each wanting to photograph the same features. Most of the house was empty save for some small items giving a hint as to the lives of the family that lived within. Among the cobwebs were 1950’s ration books, a baking certificate dating back to 1896, and this ancient pram and doll.

Apr 1, 2013
52 notes
The Sun’s Out, Let’s Go Underground! (by jamescharlick) I wanted to take a look around a few places last weekend but then the snow happened and I thought it best to both stay out of tubes that fill with water and away from anywhere I didn’t want to leave footprints.  A week later an unusual bright orange/yellow orb was seen over England and I wanted to start making up for lost time. This culverted brook once fed several local mills which were built along it’s length, but post World War II it was largely covered over and enclosed. All in all it made for a pleasant, if extremely slippery walk.  That orange orb thing has vanished again now. I wonder what it was.

The Sun’s Out, Let’s Go Underground! (by jamescharlick)

I wanted to take a look around a few places last weekend but then the snow happened and I thought it best to both stay out of tubes that fill with water and away from anywhere I didn’t want to leave footprints. 

A week later an unusual bright orange/yellow orb was seen over England and I wanted to start making up for lost time.

This culverted brook once fed several local mills which were built along it’s length, but post World War II it was largely covered over and enclosed. All in all it made for a pleasant, if extremely slippery walk. 

That orange orb thing has vanished again now. I wonder what it was.

Mar 30, 2013
63 notes
Cinders (by jamescharlick) The quarry on this site dates back to 1851 and cement was manufactured since at least 1898. These workings date from 1949 and ceased production in 1991. Cement was fired in two vast 350ft kilns, and most of the site is dominated by the two huge parallel tubes suspended on an impressive concrete frame above the factory floor. It was an odd experience walking alone through such an imposing space. This was compounded by the cars and vans parked below and the lorries in rows outside - the site opposite is still live and they obviously stored vehicles here - giving the workings the feeling that everyone had simply downed tools and gone home for the weekend to return again Monday morning.

Cinders (by jamescharlick)

The quarry on this site dates back to 1851 and cement was manufactured since at least 1898. These workings date from 1949 and ceased production in 1991. Cement was fired in two vast 350ft kilns, and most of the site is dominated by the two huge parallel tubes suspended on an impressive concrete frame above the factory floor.

It was an odd experience walking alone through such an imposing space. This was compounded by the cars and vans parked below and the lorries in rows outside - the site opposite is still live and they obviously stored vehicles here - giving the workings the feeling that everyone had simply downed tools and gone home for the weekend to return again Monday morning.

Mar 25, 2013
2 notes
allthatiaimfor asked: Your photographs make my heart leap. Thank you.

Thank you very much - and to everyone else who has been sending messages!

I’ve been rather busy with other things recently but I’m now caught up with replies and hopefully can get more images up soon :)

Mar 17, 2013
35 notes
Hunter Killer (by jamescharlick) Foxtrot B-39 (U 475), a hunter killer submarine, was built in 1967 and used specifically for training foreign submariners - Libyan, Cuban and Indian.  She was in active service with the Russian Baltic Fleet until April 1, 1994, having spent 27 years in active service.The vessel arrived in London from the naval base in Riga, Latvia, in July 1994 under the command of its Captain Vitalij Burda who bid official farewell to his second home for the last 23 years. A seriously cool thing to look around, and great company to do it in.

Hunter Killer (by jamescharlick)

Foxtrot B-39 (U 475), a hunter killer submarine, was built in 1967 and used specifically for training foreign submariners - Libyan, Cuban and Indian. 

She was in active service with the Russian Baltic Fleet until April 1, 1994, having spent 27 years in active service.The vessel arrived in London from the naval base in Riga, Latvia, in July 1994 under the command of its Captain Vitalij Burda who bid official farewell to his second home for the last 23 years.

A seriously cool thing to look around, and great company to do it in.

Mar 9, 2013
72 notes
Nautilus (by jamescharlick) Foxtrot B-39 (U 475), a hunter killer submarine, was built in 1967 and used specifically for training foreign submariners - Libyan, Cuban and Indian. She was in active service with the Russian Baltic Fleet until April 1, 1994, having spent 27 years in active service.The vessel arrived in London from the naval base in Riga, Latvia, in July 1994 under the command of its Captain Vitalij Burda who bid official farewell to his second home for the last 23 years.A seriously cool thing to look around, and great company to do it in.

Nautilus (by jamescharlick)

Foxtrot B-39 (U 475), a hunter killer submarine, was built in 1967 and used specifically for training foreign submariners - Libyan, Cuban and Indian.

She was in active service with the Russian Baltic Fleet until April 1, 1994, having spent 27 years in active service.The vessel arrived in London from the naval base in Riga, Latvia, in July 1994 under the command of its Captain Vitalij Burda who bid official farewell to his second home for the last 23 years.

A seriously cool thing to look around, and great company to do it in.

Mar 6, 2013
3 notes
Hi James your photos from the top of tall buildings are just wonderful. Will you be producing copies of the photos suitable for framing at any point. Looking at the pictures this morning has made my day! Thanks Valerie

I received this email this morning with no return email address!

Valerie, I’m sorry, I don’t know how to get in touch with you. If you spot this I have prints available on Etsy, please email me again (including your details!) and we can discuss exactly what you were interested in.

Jx.

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