Originally Posted by
DeepestSouth
Alex Henshaw did fly Lancasters - quite a few - starting at Castle Bromwich in October 1943. Lots of information in 'Sigh for a Merlin' , including his unusual specification for the length of the tarmac runway at Castle Bromwich.
I lived in Castle Bromwich village as a child .... the 1950's....and used to spend time on the "Pimple", as we called it,which was the remains of an old Roman fortification situated in the grounds of Castle Bromwich churchyard.This elevated position gave a good view over Castle Bromwich airfield from where we kids watched Tiger Moths and then Chipmunks operating. The odd length of the runway was very noticeable and I only discovered the reason for it on reading Henshaw' s book decades later.