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Hendon Mark 5 Box

Started by menelaus, Feb 12, 2006, 07:41 pm

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lym

May 08, 2018, 07:54 pm #30 Last Edit: May 08, 2018, 07:57 pm by lymerence
Since Google's Street View unfortunately doesn't have any closer pictures of the Hendon Mark 5 than those already posted, I thought I'd try Bing's equivalent instead. No luck there, sadly, since all the photos are from before the box was moved. However, I did manage to find a few new angles of this box (in its old position) using their aerial views:

Screen Shot 2018-05-08 at 20.24.11.png
Screen Shot 2018-05-08 at 20.24.43.png
Screen Shot 2018-05-08 at 20.24.51.png

Not really much to see, but it's good to have it noted just for convenience.

I also did a little research on the Centre to see if I could find any new information or images. Whilst I didn't get any pictures, I came across this article from 2015 by some of those who worked on the new centre (although this is from before the actual renovation):
https://www.workstream.co.uk/about-workstream/project-case-studies/metropolitan-police-training-college-hendon/

In the PDF linked on the page, I found something very interesting:
"Relocation of the iconic, Grade II Listed Sir Robert Peel statue and original police call boxes is also part of the scheme, as well as the creation of a new memorial garden."

Obviously this came to fruition, but the plural implies that there's more than the one Mark 5 box. Does this mean that the Hendon box is still in existence somewhere in there?! Maybe even more of the boxes they had in storage?! If so, that's a huge deal. I wonder if it would be possible to get in contact with them for more information?

starcross

Quote from: lymerence on May 08, 2018, 07:54 pm
the plural implies that there's more than the one Mark 5 box. Does this mean that the Hendon box is still in existence somewhere in there?! Maybe even more of the boxes they had in storage?!


I'm note sure about Hendon and what they might have kept in storage. However they should have one Police Post, I'm not sure if it was a PA2 or PA3.

As for Mark 5 Boxes, there are several examples still existing.

There are two in the Wild from about ten years ago that got sold to parts unknown through Bygone Reclamation in Canterbury.

There are still the Four Mk5 Boxes at Crossness Sewage Plant in London (outside London?). No one every managed to get access to them and as far as I know there are only the aerial photos and the two close ups on the one box. They are un-painted concrete shells but still all the bits are there...

lym

Oh yes I'm aware of the other Mark 5s - just wondering if there were any more at Hendon specifically.

Other sources about the redevelopment I've seen (such as the one on the Barnet government's official site) seem to imply that there's just the one Hendon box and no others, and there doesn't seem to be any information about the police posts. It's worded there in a very vague way:

  • "Relocation of Grade II Listed Sir Robert Peel Statue and Police Call Box Structures"

  • "It is also proposed to relocate the grade II listed Sir Robert Peel Statue and Police Call Box structures, currently located elsewhere on the Peel Centre, to within the application site."



I'm unclear on whether "structures" refers to both the statue and the box, or possibly multiple boxes. Further down in the document, it references just the single box:

  • "The Police Call Box structure is not publicly accessible or widely visible in its current location. Consequently, their current locations do not contribute positively to their historic setting and there is therefore an opportunity to better reveal the significance of these heritage assets by improving their setting and accessibility."

  • "The Police Call Box would be moved from its current location adjacent to the southern access road to the north of the site, adjacent to Aerodrome Road. It is noted that it currently sits in its original 1930s position, although at present its appreciation is limited. Furthermore, its current location is not typical of the street position of other call boxes. The proposal would enable this feature to be enjoyed by the public, which would serve to raise its profile."



Still, it's good that they seem to acknowledge the importance of the box at least. It's a shame I live on basically the other end of the country, because otherwise I would've tried to arrange something to see if I could get photographs or measurements.

Dalekoracle

May 09, 2018, 04:27 pm #33 Last Edit: May 09, 2018, 04:34 pm by Dalekoracle
I popped up the Northern Line to Colindale, and walked across to the Police Training Centre on the outskirts of Hendon.
The whole site has been totally redeveloped, and walking across the square towards the centre entrance, where the box is located, experienced a wonderful buzz when I spotted the box through the trees.
I took a few photos of the box, and as i did so, a security chap came out and we started talking about the box.
He said that the POLICE public Call BOX signs were original, and you can see overspray of a lighter blue - the box had been repainted over the years whilst it was out on site - on one of the signs. I looked and commented that the overspray was a lot lighter than the blue now on the box.
He said that as part of the restoration, the box has been stripped back, stabilised and the paint specially mixed so that its the correct historic shade of blue that the original ones were.
Of course, what is missing is the Pull To Open sign, and in its place is a panel of safety glass.
The inside is incredibly clean and features a single teak shelf/desk that runs along the left side of the box, just below the Pull to Open door.
Under the shelf is a double 3-pin domestic plug socket. (Thats located in the rear left corner, just under the shelf)

So.... lets have a look at the box...

Enjoy!
Mark
x

IMG_3626.jpgIMG_3625.jpgIMG_3624.jpgIMG_3623.jpgIMG_3621.jpgIMG_3620.jpgIMG_3618.jpgIMG_3617.jpgIMG_3615.jpg

Thank you!
xx

lym

Wow, stunning stuff! :o It's great to finally get a good look at this elusive box.

Some things I've noticed:

  • The grid pattern on the glass - I'm assuming this was actually from after the box was decomissioned, but it's good to note anyway.

  • The "POLICE PUBLIC CALL BOX" sign on the front of the box has a slightly different, taller typeface to those on the sides.

  • The rounded edges for the surrounds of the "POLICE PUBLIC CALL BOX" signs!


Very interesting to hear about the paint process too, it looks great.

Angelus Lupus

I'm noticing (for the first time) the corners of the posts are the same 45 degree chamfer we were all wondering if the JW box had (when all we had was one image)
To be fair, I've looked at more mk5 images in that one post than I had in total, prior!
A mixed-up non-conformist, trying to fit in.

peted

WOW. Awesome photos and a great job they've done on her!

Dalekoracle

Quote from: lymerence on May 09, 2018, 06:15 pm

  • The grid pattern on the glass - I'm assuming this was actually from after the box was decomissioned, but it's good to note anyway.

  • The "POLICE PUBLIC CALL BOX" sign on the front of the box has a slightly different, taller typeface to those on the sides.




All of the glass is new. It's the reinforced safety glass variety.
And yes, the signs are original and, my understanding is that they have come from different sources. This might account for the variations in font.

It would be good to go back and measure up the box. It was a spur of the moment trip out to see it. I was over in Golders Green having lunch and realised it was little more than a mile away, so headed out. If it had been planned, I'd have gone armed with a tape measure!

If anyone fancies a day out with notepads (and maybe a small set of steps!) I'd be up for another trip out to Colindale :)




dr hue

Took this in the Autumn of 1993 of the Director, Ralph Montagu, of "Bigger On The Inside", the short documentary about the history of the Police Box transmitted on BBC 1 at 7:30pm on 5th November 1993 just before the repeat of Planet of the Daleks.

WideScreen camera using 35mm Fuji 200 Negative Film.

hendon-ws-1-JR-1080-jpg.jpg

dr hue

Went down to Hendon last Saturday.

Metre rule on floor

Stereo Freeview 3D

2019-08-10-0834-L-j1080.jpg

dr hue

Sep 27, 2019, 09:21 pm #40 Last Edit: Sep 28, 2019, 11:45 am by dr hue
Found a load of Kodak Carousels of 35mm slides of Hendon, Edinburgh and Glasgow from 1994 and 1995.

Attached Hendon Police College 1994 on 35mm Agfachrome.

hendon_slide_1_1008_1994.jpg


Does anyone know if there are measurement details for the Crich Box ?

I've seen mention that Mark and Matt have made measurements but I can't find these.

Can find measurements for Barnet Box.

Volpone

The man who did this thread has the answers.  But I don't see them in the thread.  Still, an amazing build and I desperately hope he completes it here:  http://tardisbuilders.com/index.php?topic=5555.0
"My dear Litefoot, I've got a lantern and a pair of waders, and possibly the most fearsome piece of hand artillery in all England. What could possibly go wrong?"
-The Doctor.