Which Aerodrome?

[grizzled]

Indy,

We're nowhere near the nation's capital. When this pic was taken, the airport / base was home to an RCAF OTU (the four Lysanders), an RAF OTU, and . . . .
an RCN base. :)

[Grueber]

Would it be Victoria Airport in British Columbia?

[Captain Airclues]

RCAF Pratricia Bay BC?

Dave

[grizzled]

Congratulations!! Grueber got it first, but the Captain's answer was more specific to the time period. Both correct.

So, Grueber, you have control!

Here's what CYYJ looks like today (and you can almost see Grizzled's house from here . . . )

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt110/grizzled/pprune273.jpg?t=1237938219

[India Four Two]

grizzled,

What a nice place to live, but what a strange place to base an Army co-operation OTU - almost completely surrounded by water :)

A little known fact about Canadian Lysanders is that some of them were used as crop sprayers after the war.

[grizzled]

Hey Indy -- and other enthusiasts,
While we wait for Grueber to post or declare here are a few more facts about the history of RCAF Station Pat Bay (now Victoria International Airport; CYYJ) serving the capital city of British Columbia . . .

In late 1939 the air station was rushed into being and was initially intended for the Commonwealth Air Training Plan. By early 1942 there were three separate "camps" using the common runways and control tower:

The West Camp, housing the Royal Canadian Air Force No 3 Operational Training Unit, as well as a fighter squadron and a bomber squadron.
The East Camp, housing the Royal Air Force No 32 Operational Training Unit. This unit trained aircrew from England, Australia and New Zealand.
The Seaplane Base, which served as a coastal patrol base, part of Western Command defense against Japanese submarines.In May 1940, the Royal Canadian Air Force moved into its West Camp with a strength of four Lysanders.
At its peak, the Patricia Bay facility was the third largest station in Canada. Approximately 10,000 military personnel passed through Pat Bay, and at any one time, 3500 could be enrolled in the operational training programs. Aircrew, ground crew and support personnel participated in the training programs. This was the last step in their training and graduates would be posted directly to operational squadrons.
Pat Bay was also a base for coastal patrol aircraft and fighter squadrons. This role was particularly important to the defense of both the US and Canada after Pearl Harbor. During the war, many different operational squadrons called Pat Bay their home. One of the aircraft types stationed at Pat Bay, the Bristol Bolingbroke, was the first to successfully attack a Japanese submarine off the West Coast. Many other operational types, including the Curtis Kittyhawk and Hawker Hurricane were also stationed here.

Enough Canadian WWII history for today . . .

Grizz

[Grueber]

Thanks Grizzled, I am new to this game, but I really like it.

I have checked the list, but did not see the following location mentioned. I am not entirely sure whether there are restrictions to the airports posted, but as this one had - afaik - a significant role in aviation, I think it is worthwhile posting it. Probably an easy one though:

http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv180/Lt_Grueber/airport2.jpg

[Grueber]

And as far as Grizzled's challenge, Victoria Airport, is concerned, this is what I found:

VICTORIA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT


From it's early beginnings as an airfield in the 1920s, Victoria Airport has developed into one of Canada's busiest airports through sport and recreational flying, and also domestic, international and charter airline companies transporting passengers to airports in Canada and the USA.
In 1930 the airport was owned privately by British Columbia Airways Ltd. Most of the transportation was by seaplane, and the large body of water called Patricia Bay on the west side of Saanich Peninsula provided a natural haven for the aircraft to land and take off.
http://www.sidneymuseum.ca/SM_IMAGE/Lysander.jpgThe Department of Transport felt there was a need for a large military airport on the southern end of Vancouver Island, and favoured the site at Sidney. The airport opened in 1940, and was soon to accommodate the Royal Canadian Airforce, the Royal Airforce, and the Royal Canadian Navy. The airport was known as Victoria (Patricia Bay) Airport. The name remained until 1959 when the airport received the official title of Victoria International Airport.
Trans-Canada Air Lines (TCA) started a regular passenger service to Vancouver in 1943, and in 1948 Transport Canada took on the responsibility for the airport. RCAF units remained until 1952, and there is still a military presence with 443 Helicopter Squadron of the Royal Canadian Navy. In 1997 the operation of the airport was transferred to the Victoria Airport Authority, which comprises of a locally elected and appointed Board of Directors.

[Fitter2]

Hello Grueber

possibly the Wasserkuppe field, above Poppenhausen?

[Grueber]

Good morning Fitter2, I knew it wasn't a hard challenge, but you're really fast! Well done, and you're in control.:ok:

The Wasserkuppe does not need much introduction, since it is the Mecca of gliding. Prior to WWII it was used as a Nazi flight traning center, since gliding was allowed due to a loophole in a Convention. The same loophole was used after WWII by the Germans, resulting in outstanding gliders as eg the Weihe 50 (designed by Focke Wulf and also built in licence by Utva Pancevo in former Yugoslavia).

If you ever have the chance, you would probably enjoy the small but very nice glider museum at the Wasserkuppe. Definately recommendable!

More info on the Wasserkuppe:

Google Afbeeldingen resultaat voor http://www.geocities.com/achilles36606/wk1938.jpg (http://images.google.nl/imgres?imgurl=http://www.geocities.com/achilles36606/wk1938.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.geocities.com/achilles36606/wings.html&usg=__QBoKJn0bK1VpTC1r-HNMJdrqXTA=&h=324&w=432&sz=28&hl=nl&start=17&tbnid=oxZOLRwuKDLYJM:&tbnh=95&tbnw=126&prev=/images%3Fq%3DWasserkuppe%26gbv%3D2%26ndsp%3D21%26hl%3Dnl)

And more about the museum (unfortunately only in German):
Deutsches Segelflugmuseum mit Modellflug, Wasserkuppe (http://www.segelflugmuseum.de/deutsches_segelflugmuseum_4777.html?psid=2dceccc85536cb829ba 945ef993a282c)

[Fitter2]

Thanks Grueber. The place wasn't improved by the US radar station addition, but the current museum is well worth a visit.

Away from archives currently, so open house.

[old fart]

An easy one to put a bit of colour back into the forum.
It's been done before, but only a building, so I hope that it's justified!

Cheers

http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh48/Griff747/pics%20from%20aircraft/whichairfield2.jpg

[old fart]

All very quiet??
Do you need a bigger picture?

[Upyer RRR]

Old Kona, Hawaii?

[Madbob]

It looks very much like Port Stanley so at a guess, not seeing a land aerodrome in the picture, you might be making an allusion to the inner harbour being used as a water aerodrome for flying boats, seaplanes and amphibians.......

FIGAS had float-equipped Beavers there until c. 1984.....

It's been 25 years since I last was there.:) (Some of the buildings were definitely NOT there then). The other possibility might be an obscure reference to the racecourse being used as a primitive 'strip. (Its biggest "movement" was a DC6 I seem to recall but that was a one-off!)

MB

[Grueber]

Well, I am not a pilot, and to be honest I find it hard to even recognise this as an airfield... :O

Surroundings do remind me of certain parts in Scotland or Norway, but I suppose I am way off.

Edit: Madbob, I think you are spot on. Found another picture of Port Stanley and it looks very similar, even from a different angle.

[The Real Slim Shady]

Definitely Port Stanley.

To the north of the settlement ( I hesitate to call it a town ) is the "ring road".

I parked my bimble wagon ( RAF LandRover) outside the post office: when came out Billy No Mates, the plod, was there threatening me with a parking fine!

First thought was...who the f8ck liberated you lot, second, voiced, was go ahead, I'm going home next week.

[old fart]

The airport ISthere, in the bottom left, being built on.
Stanley it is.
This was the bigger picture but of course the airport is smaller!

http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh48/Griff747/pics%20from%20aircraft/ASImar07065_edited.jpg

[old fart]

Bit of a fight as to who got it.....
I go for slim but you could fight about it!
Cheers

[Grueber]

Well Madbob guessed it right first, whereas Slim Shady was the first to be certain... difficult one. Then again Slim still has a parking ticket to pay, that may count as a bonus.

[old fart]

You are quite correct evans, I was too far right in the photo.
The airport is East of the town. I mistook a road.
My mistake.......
Back to airports........
Sorry guys!

[The Real Slim Shady]

Think it belongs to Madbob guys.

[Grueber]

Sorry for asking, but couldn't find a definite answer: what is the "deadline" for the winner to post a new challenge? Would it otherwise make sense for Slim S to post a new one, or does it become open house after a while?

[brakedwell]

old fart beat me to it by one minute as I was transferring the data, so I had to delete my offering. Ready to re-post if there are no takers ready.

[Madbob]

Madbob Here. Thanks For The Acknowledgement. I Declare It Open House To Post The Next Teaser.

As A Ps To My Earlier Answer I Could Also Have Mentioned Hookers Point Which Was An Earlier Attempt At Siting An Airfield Close To Stanley. That Site I Think Is Just Out Of Old Fart's Photo.

The Floor Is Yours Gents.

Mb

[brakedwell]

Thanks, back to the heat!

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c32/sedgwickjames/12345.jpg

[MReyn24050]

Thumeir Airstrip. Aden

[brakedwell]

Fraid not.

[brakedwell]

You are correct regarding the coast Jenkins, but it is not Ryan.

[KeMac]

Somewhere in Oman I think -Seeb perhaps?

[brakedwell]

Not Seeb, but you are getting close.

[old fart]

Salalah perhaps?

[Old Bald Pilot]

On the taxi ride into Muscat from Seeb (1973 I think) we passed an airfield which was still operational. It appeared to be very much one way in and the same way out. Trouble is I never knew the name could it just be called Muscat.

[Mearns Loon]

There was an airfield called Azaiba used by Petroleum Develoment Oman and Gulf Air Charter for PDO just to the East of Seeb. It is now built over.
Mearns Loon

[brakedwell]

It is Bait al Falaj - 1960. Taken shortly after they built the concrete parking area. The visiting Twin Pioneer and Pembroke belong to 152 Sqn, Bahrain. The SOAF Single Pioneer, based at Bait al Falaj, was maintained by Airwork.

You have control Jenkins.

[brakedwell]

I seem to remember Azaiba was situated abot 15 miles northwest of Muscat slightly inland on the flat ground to the west of what became Seeb. I only landed there a couple of times. Bait was on the edge of Muscat town in a small valley.

[Old Bald Pilot]

I believe we were the second aircraft to use Seeb in the week prior to the official opening.
If I remember rightly the first was a Skyvan which was alongside us on the blinding white apron.
Let's say the Dove gave it the baptism of oil
Just checked my LB, it was the 16th Feb 1973. Hunting Surveys Mk8 Dove
G-ARHX. Arrived from Doha

AAAH De Havilland!


http://i703.photobucket.com/albums/ww34/ericshipley/WIHIH1.jpg?t=1238110828

Please allow me time to get out of bed in the morning before hurling abuse.
Thank you

Old Bald Pilot

[Golf Charlie Charlie]

San Sebastian ?

[Old Bald Pilot]

:="Piece of Cake. Over to you G-CC."

It's gone very quiet, I think my rather glib response above to Golf Charlie Charlie did not clearly acknowledge that it was San Sebastian (Fuentarrabia).
If that is so I apologise. Golf Charlie Charlie you have control.

[evansb]

In the 48-hour absence of a response from Golf Charlie Charlie, here is the next "Which Aerodrome?":
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r68/convair640/WAD090329.jpg

[Gulfstreamaviator]

On another thread there is a search for data and pics for the old Al Ain airport, and near neighbours.

Please pm me with any pics, that you might have, or if it featured on this thread.

I am too old to start from page 1.

glf

[old fart]

Looks reminiscent of RAF Marham.

[nacluv]

The proximity of the peri-track to the main road reminds me of Leeming; the main road being the old Great North Road before Leeming was bypassed. The shadows would bear this out if it was later on in the afternoon and we were looking north-ish.

[flyingwing]

Not very convinced of my bet - Rearsby?

[Double Hydco]

How about the Bucker factory at Rangsdorf?

Some of the types on the ground looked a little like Bestmann's and Jungmann's. Also, I'm not convinced that the traffic on the road isn't driving down the "wrong" side of the road.

DH

[evansb]

Sorry, not in Great Britain, nor in Germany.

[India Four Two]

Brian,

Interesting looking aircraft, particularly the tricyle-gear, fourth from the right.

Is this France?

[ARCHIE1]

LFLX Chateauroux Deols?

[evansb]

It is in France, but it is not LFLX Chateauroux Deols. The aerodrome was home to a noted aircraft builder. My french is not that good, but one source indicates the aerodrome closed in late 1989, and the land is now used for a school, and light industry. Some houses were built on the edge of the field, and a road now disects the old aerodrome.

[Grueber]

I believe it would be Aerodrome de Guyancourt.

If correct, it is open house

[evansb]

Grueber is correct.:ok: Well done:D Guyancourt was home to Caudron Aircraft, and served as Le Bourget Field in the mid-1950s filming of the movie The Spirit of St. Louis.

[Grueber]

Thanks evansb, it was a good challenge, difficult to find :ok:
The 1989 closure of the field was the key.

While still awake, I might as well post next challenge (PS I am not in tomorrow, so I might reply a little late on any answers):

http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv180/Lt_Grueber/airport.jpg

[Flap40]

I'll take a stab at Maastricht.

[Grueber]

Sorry Flap40, not Maastricht, but you are not too far off.

[nacluv]

How about Aachen/Merzbruck (now EDKA)?

[Grueber]

Nope, sorry nacluv, not Aachen. In fact not that close to Maastricht and in another direction.

A clue: it was opened in 1936 and closed in 1991. Among other uses, it served as a airforce base.

[one11]

Ypenburg ?? - suggested by the military connection.

[Grueber]

:ok: One11, you're correct, nice one. Airport Ypenburg, known from the battle of Ypenburg on May 10, 1940. Till 1955 it was a commercial airport. Till 1968 it was an airforce base. After '68 it was mainly used by the Royal Family. Fokker had a subsidiary at Ypenburg.

In 1991 it was closed and today the location is used for housing.

Note that the English Wiki is different from the Dutch version, which might explain differences in years mentioned.

One11, your have control!

[one11]

Another waterside site but river not canal this time ....

http://i637.photobucket.com/albums/uu98/viscount700/pruneap310309.jpg

[JENKINS]

River Findhorn and Forres?

[PPRuNe Radar]

Forres is nearby, but is it the ex RAF base called Mundole ?

Mmm, it seems it is both ... the grass area is the former RAF Forres, whilst the concrete strip was built as a civilian enterprise called Mundole some time thereafter.

I concede I wasn't first with the answer :ok:

[one11]

Both sort of correct but PPRuNe Radar is most precise. The Mundole strip was built on part of the site of RAF Forres for use of various aircraft owned by the United Biscuits (mcVities) company or its pilot-chairman Sir Hector (now Lord) Laing who had property at nearby Dunphail. The hangar in its final form housed a Beech 200. Image from a privately published history of UB corporate Aviation published in the 1980's by its then chief pilot. With the retirement of Lord Laing shortly after, the whole operation was closed down by new management ...........but I believe at least one son was also a pilot so something may survive at Mundole.

Over to PPRuNe radar

[MReyn24050]

An updated list can be found on the sticky "What Cockpit and What Aerodrome latest List" above.
Mel

[PPRuNe Radar]

Nothing to hand at my current location.

Open house, keep up the good work folks, this is a great thread !!

[India Four Two]

PPRuNe Radar has cleared us to leave the hold and divert to here:

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c309/india42/WAD090325.jpg

An interesting formation over an airport with an interesting recent history. And if you think it's a pair, look again.

[con-pilot]

Scott AFB near St. Louis. If correct, open house.

I'm pretty sure I'm right, if you look behind the Lear 35 in that lose formation where the closed runway ends, is where I used to park the 727s I flew into there, next to the fire station.

[India Four Two]

That didn't last long, but I suppose if anyone was to guess it quickly, it would have been you con-pilot :ok:

Interesting recent history on Wikipedia
MidAmerica St. Louis Airport was created to alleviate some crowding of Lambert-St. Louis International Airport (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lambert-St._Louis_International_Airport), but has never had service from any major airline and has been criticized as a pork barrel (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pork_barrel) project.[7] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Air_Force_Base#cite_note-6) Featured several times as a "Fleecing of America" segment on the NBC Nightly News (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBC_Nightly_News), Tom Brokaw (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Brokaw) called MidAmerica a "Gateway to Nowhere" costing taxpayers $313 million.[8] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Air_Force_Base#cite_note-7) Supporters credit MidAmerica's additional runway with saving Scott AFB from closure during BRAC 2005. They also describe MidAmerica as a "Gateway to the World" citing a new cargo terminal and customs facility designed to attract international cargo.[3] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Air_Force_Base#cite_note-GWtoWorld-2)Scott Air Force Base - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Air_Force_Base)

Open House

[flyingwing]

How about this?
http://i462.photobucket.com/albums/qq346/buzzbird/th_wo.jpg

[Krakatoa]

Everything looks too new. A film set.

[flyingwing]

Yes - a re-enactment but at a genuine wartime site. (Sorry about picture size)

[evansb]

Twinwood Airfield ? WAG BTW

[flyingwing]

Not Twinwood. As all will have most likely guessed it is an English field used by US bomber or fighter group.

[l.garey]

Old Bald Pilot: I just sent you a PM.

Laurence

[sidtheesexist]

Thorpe Abbotts perhaps.............

[con-pilot]

When MidAmerica St. Louis Airport opened we moved operations from Scott to to MidAmerica. Talk about a ghost town (airport), that place was dead. I walked over the terminal a few times. It was rather sad really, all these airline counters that were empty, rental car counters only one of which was occupied, a fully equipped restaurant standing empty and unused. All of which were brand new and never used.

There is an extremely long taxiway that connects MidAmerica to Scott, I think it is faster to fly from Scott to MidAmerica than to taxi.

I have not been there for over ten years, but from what I've heard, not much has changed.

[flyingwing]

This particular bomb group did not fly out of Thorpe Abbots. The site was, latterly, a German PoW camp.

[S'land]

Debach Airfield/493rd Bomb Group?

[The Real Slim Shady]

It could be from Memphis Belle in which case the airfield in the flying scenes was RAF Binbrook.

[flyingwing]

S'land and JENKINS have it but with S'land touching down first! Debach's restored watch office is pictured. Home of squadrons 860 - 863, 493rd USAAF bomb group. S'land has control.

[S'land]

Thanks flyingwing, it was the POW clue that did it. Here is the next challenge.

http://i347.photobucket.com/albums/p456/Sundland/WA10.jpg?t=1238930788

[Little cloud]

That looks like a pre-oil era Scatsta, in Shetland, UK, from the east. Certainly looks barren enough. If so, is the photo of WW2 vintage?

[S'land]

Well done Little Cloud, it is indeed what is now Scatsta Airport on Shetland. The photograph is from the admirable Shetland Museum photo archive and is, I believe, of WWII vintage.
First developed as RAF Scatsta in 1940 as a fighter base and able to support Coastal Command Flying Boat operations. It was the most northerly base in the British Isles. Construction started on the two runways in Spring 1940. In November 1944 Scatsta was used as a support base and diversion point for Lancasters from 617 squadron, led by Wing Commander J. B. Tait, on "Operation Catechism", which bombed and sank the Tirpitz near Håkøy Island, Tromsø. After WWII the aerodrome lay dormant until 1978 when it opened as a civil airport.
According to Wickipedia Scatsta is “the fifth largest airport in Scotland, ranked by international passengers“. The airport service area has no bar (the nearest is some 3 miles away), and no taxi or bus service.
You have control.

[Little cloud]

Thanks S'land. I've nothing to hand, so Open House.

[India Four Two]

Where's this?

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c309/india42/WAF090406-1.jpg

[India Four Two]

Here's the same airport about ten years later.

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c309/india42/WAF090407.jpg

[sidtheesexist]

Deline,Great Bear Lake, Canada?

[India Four Two]

STS,

Interesting choice and I can see why you might think that, but no. This place only sees ice in drinks.

[India Four Two]

Another four years have passed. This airport is a lot bigger and a lot busier now.

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c309/india42/WAF090408.jpg

[ICT_SLB]

That looks a lot like the development of Washington Reagan (DGA). There's a similar series in the old lounge /museum.

[India Four Two]

ICT_SLB

Right country, wrong airport. ;)

[seacue]

Washington National Airport (which had Ronald Reagan pre-pended nearly 50 years after coming into service) was full-blown runway-wise the day it opened in 1941.

It has lost the short east-west runway since then. That runway was too short for large planes and planes skimmed over St Elizabeth's (mental) Hospital on the hill across the Potomac.
Work is underway for a new, consolidated headquarters campus for the Department of Homeland Security. The new DHS headquarters will be located on the site of the old Saint Elizabeth's Hospital in Southeast Washington.
No comments please about DHS moving to the former mental hospital site.

[con-pilot]

Boston Logan Airport?

[Upyer RRR]

Nashville?

[India Four Two]

Not Washington, Boston or Nashville. Go west and south.

This next clue should be a giveaway.

Two years later and one existing runway has been paralled and new "runways" have been dredged for flying boats.

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c309/india42/WAF090409.jpg

[G-ARZG]

Las Vegas, McCarran ?

[India Four Two]

No, not Nevada. If it was Las Vegas, I doubt there is enough water for the "runways" ;)

[scr1]

San Francisco International

[India Four Two]

Not SFO. This airport is on an island.

[Background Noise]

Hickam then?

[one11]

Islands ? Flying Boats ? Honolulu ?

[sidtheesexist]

Think backgrd noise has it, Hickam as was with the seaplane 'rwys' in Keehi lagoon...

[India Four Two]

one11 has it. It is hard to believe that John Rodgers Airport, in the original photo taken in 1928, has turned into today's Honolulu International. I cropped the original photo, because the skyline was an immediate giveaway:

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c309/india42/WAF090406-2.jpg


The other three photos were taken in 1939, 1943 and 1945. The water runways can still be seen on Google Earth, partially obscured by the 1970s "reef runway":

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c309/india42/HNL.jpg

one11 has control.

[Background Noise]

Isn't Hickam the same airfield?

[one11]

Isn't Hickam the same airfield?

Yes....so I guess you have control

[India Four Two]

BN and One11,

That's a tricky one. Hickam AFB was opened in 1935 as a self-contained airfield, to the west of John Rodgers civil airfield. It maintained its own runways throughout WWII, but sometime in the 70s (I think), the runways were closed and Hickam now uses the runways at HNL under a joint-use agreement.

So I still think One11 is correct.

[one11]

In the interests of keeping things moving and following India Four Two 's reasoning, here is a rather different watery one..........
http://i637.photobucket.com/albums/uu98/viscount700/prune1004.jpg

[one11]

A wider angle to show some signage and another DC-8 which may narrow it down at bit...............

http://i637.photobucket.com/albums/uu98/viscount700/prune1004full.jpg

[nacluv]

Southern France? Nice, Cannes, or Toulon?

[one11]

Not France although there was a French airmail connection in the 30s

[chevvron]

Gancia would be too obvious, so how about Tunis/Carthage?

[evansb]

Ezeiza International Aeroporte, Buenos Aires, Argentina?
Canadian Pacific DC-8-40, and a Panagra DC-8-30 on apron.

[one11]

Evansb , you are correct with both the airport and the DC-8s. Postcard airport view from the 1960's. I guess the pool is long gone as are both carriers, but it must outrank the many lost terraces in the spotters nostalgia stakes.

You have control.

[evansb]

Thank you. Beautiful post card. Here is the next challenge:
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r68/convair640/WAD090411.jpg

[ARCHIE1]

Tunis El Aounia (Carthage). Air France Languedoc. Lovely aircraft.

[evansb]

ARCHIE1 is correct:ok: You have control.

[ARCHIE1]

Thanks, evansb.

OPEN HOUSE!

[chevvron]

I must be psychic, I answered too early!

[old fart]

Hi folks,
Can I jump in quickly with this one

http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh48/Griff747/airports/airports.jpg

Cheers

[India Four Two]

Somewhere in Sweden or Denmark?

[old fart]

Right continent but too far North.....

[Russell Gulch]

It must be Heaven! Planes & boats so close together!

I'd be tempted to say it's on the Friesian Islands, but I don't recognize it from my trips there.

[old fart]

lots further south and nowhere near the sea.............

[Hen Ddraig]

Lachen, Switzerland Eastern end of lake Zurich.
Recognised it immediately. Took me a couple of hours to remember where it was.
Brilliant place in the summer but b cold in winter.
Quite amazing how big the swiss navy is now.

Open House


Hen Ddraig

Time to spare, go by air

[old fart]

Quite correct, Lachen it is. On the West bank of the Zurich See.
Well done.

[old fart]

Staying nautical, would you like to try this one?
It has a three and four letter code.....

http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh48/Griff747/pics%20from%20aircraft/Ancorage.jpg

Cheers

[India Four Two]

Ah, glassy water landings - the anticipation of the floats touching the water. You're always higher than you think!

How about Lake Hood (PALH/LHD)?

[old fart]

Just perfect.
All yours

[India Four Two]

Thanks OF.

I knew there were a lot of float planes in Alaska, but I was amazed by these statistics in Wikipedia:

For 12-month period ending August 1, 2005, the seaplane base had 69,400 aircraft operations, an average of 190 per day: 88% general aviation (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_aviation), 12% air taxi (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_taxi) and <1% military. There are 781 aircraft based at this seaplane base: 97% single engine and 3% multi-engine.

Now for the next airfield, nothing nautical about this one:

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c309/india42/WAF090412-1.jpg

[evansb]

Done before in November, 2008. Same photograph.

[India Four Two]

Hi Brian,

Yes, I had just discovered that myself. I thought it looked familiar!

Open House.

[grizzled]

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt110/grizzled/pprune23e.jpg?t=1239600218

[KeMac]

Greenham Common

[grizzled]

Looks like it but a LONG way away . . .

[India Four Two]

The cars, trucks, minivans and motorhomes look very American, so the question is "Where in the US is there a pink Jaguar?"

[grizzled]

Good dectective work India. And a very good question, if slightly re-worded . . .

[India Four Two]

Ah, yes. Thanks for the hint, grizzled.

Now that I've taken off my pink-tinted glasses, I see I should have said "Where in the US is there a pink F-5?"

And it was only yesterday, that I was looking at two of them! :\

Edited to add: F5s that is, not pink ones. The ones I was looking at were in a three-tone scheme of brown, green and corrosion.

[SkyHawk-N]

NAS Fallon?

[India Four Two]

SHN, too many trees and too much grass for Nevada I think. My guess is further north, possibly eastern Washington or Idaho.

[grizzled]

SHN - does look like a gatheirng at NAS Fallon, but I42 is correct that it's a tad further north.

Figuring out why the F5 is painted that way will lead you to its role and where it's based. But not to where it was parked on that day . . .

[evansb]

Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada (CYXX). Here is an earlier photo from RCAF Abbotsford, looking ESE.
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r68/convair640/Hammond_AbbottsfordLiberators.jpg

[grizzled]

EvansB has it (as I thought he would if he were online). For the past 40 years or more Abbotsford has been home to Canada's largest airshow. (BTW: Abbotford is the answer to the trivia question: Where did the last Vulcan flying display take place outside the UK?"). The "pink" F5 is an aggressor aircraft.

As EB and others familiar with CYXX know, most photos of the airport instantly give away it's identity, thanks to the proximity of beautiful (and volcanic) Mt. Baker.

You have control EvansB!

grizz

[evansb]

Thank you. I've visited Abbotsford several times. Here is the next challenge:
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r68/convair640/WAD09APR13.jpg

[Captain Airclues]

Is it in Alaska?

Palmer Municipal?

Dave

PS.....Douglas DC-6B, N999SQ?

[evansb]

Captain Airclues is spot on:ok: Well done:D The DC-6A, registration C-GIBS, serial number 45531, is Conair's of Abbotsford, B.C. Palmer is known as the agricultural centre of Alaska. You have control.

[Captain Airclues]

Thanks evansb.

OPEN HOUSE

Dave

[one11]

http://i637.photobucket.com/albums/uu98/viscount700/prune1304.jpg

[KeMac]

Grangemouth?

[one11]

Grangemouth it is, KeMac. Now under the petrochemical complex. Over to you....

[KeMac]

Thank you one11, I have to declare open house at the moment as I cannot get at my photos.

[India Four Two]

Next airfield:

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c309/india42/WAF090414.jpg

[Flap40]

A slight correction on Grangemouth. Although most of the airfield has been built on, the two hangars shown in the photo still stand and are visible on Google earth etc at 56 00 48N 003 42 22W or click here (http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&FORM=LMLTCP&cp=tb2184gpr1kz&style=o&lvl=1&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&scene=28440459&encType=1). Even stranger is that they now stand on Abbotsinch Road.

[one11]

A slight correction on Grangemouth. Although most of the airfield has been built on, the two hangars shown in the photo still stand and are visible on Google earth etc at 56 00 48N 003 42 22W or click here. Even stranger is that they now stand on Abbotsinch Road

Fascinating - thanks for that. The site must have been developed by a west coast company :)

Doug

[India Four Two]

Time for some clues.

This Luftwaffe Mig-29G is not at its home base of Laage near Rostock.

The flowers are dandelions.

[India Four Two]

Thinking out of the box, JENKINS. Well done.;)

A long way from home, but not South Dakota.

[nacluv]

A long shot I know, but how about FL instead - specifically Patrick AFB?

[India Four Two]

Not Patrick either.

[Diatryma]

Uden in The Netherlands ?

[India Four Two]

Not Uden.

As JENKINS said:
A long way from home

[India Four Two]

JENKINS,

Nice try but New Mexico is not the location of this Fulcrum's temporary base. I suspect Holloman would look a little more desert-like as well.

This airfield is a fighter base.

All will be revealed about the dandelions in due course. :)

Here's another view, perhaps taken from the red and white tower:

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c309/india42/WAF090416.jpg

[con-pilot]

Two bases come to mind. First is Miramar, but I don't remember the red and white tower and I used to operate there a lot in the past.

Second is NAS Fallon, a pure guess as it has been decades since I was there.

Could be Nellis, but not enough moutains in the background. However, that could be because of the direction the photos were taken.

[Background Noise]

It looks pretty flat,

Could it be Cold Lake, and a Maple Flag?

[India Four Two]

And the winner is Background Noise :ok:

CFB Cold Lake, Alberta, otherwise known as The Cool Pool.

The Mig 29 was at Maple Flag 2000 and the F-16s and A-4s were at Maple Flag 2003. The "Scooters" have civilian registrations :eek:

Cold Lake AB Photos (http://www.rcaf-atc.org/photos/photo-28.html)
Maple Flag 2003 - CFB Cold Lake (May 15-16) (http://www.airshowphotography.com/airshows/mapleflag03/mapleflag.html)

It is interesting how so many people overlook the other NATO partner in North America ;)

As for the dandelions, early European settlers brought them to the Prairies as a medicinal plant and Western Canada is now infested with them. Most towns and cities will fine you if you don't control them.

Over to you, BN.

[Background Noise]

Ok, thanks, here's another one we've had before. Fairly easy I think but nonetheless an interesting picture and historic - and I am in it somewhere! Only other ones I have are current airfields.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a297/stickshaker/DSC_0094-1.jpg

[Double Hydco]

Is it RAF Gatow, Berlin?

DH

[Background Noise]

It is indeed - I think it was the last airshow and the first to accept fast jets post wall. Here's the larger version and a more up to date picture of what is now the Luftwaffe Museum. The domestic side of the station is still in use as a German barracks or kaserne. Over to Double Hydco.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a297/stickshaker/DSC_0094.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a297/stickshaker/DSC_0123.jpg

[Double Hydco]

Thanks, it was the mix of RAF and soviet types in a German setting that did it!

Here's the next offering. Not a historic photo but an interesting place and not on the list......

DH

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_yYJ_r1Fv8Go/SbouMo3zoBI/AAAAAAAAAXs/YIWlGC7pY_0/s720/_IGP3713.jpg

[grizzled]

This is an interesting one DH. Are we in SE Asia?

[Double Hydco]

No not in SE Asia.

[sidtheesexist]

Banjul, Yundum in The Gambia?

[Double Hydco]

Not Banjul either, although I can see where both suggestions so far are coming from.

DH

[India Four Two]

How about "The Other Side of the World"? South Pacific?

[Mr_Grubby]

Fiji ??

C.

[sidtheesexist]

Isn't that a Firstchoice 757 and if so wouldn't sth Pacific be too far afield?

[Double Hydco]

Sorry for the delay but I was working this morning.

India Four Two - now you are thinking in the right region...

Mr_G - see above, but not Fiji.

sidtheesexit - yes that is a FCA 757 on the apron.

By way of a clue, a neighboring island (in the same country) was on TEAL's Coral Route.

Cheers, DH

[India Four Two]

a neighboring island (in the same country) was on TEAL's Coral Route.
Solents flying from Auckland - (7.30hrs) - Fiji - (3.45hrs) - Samoa - (5.00hrs) - Cook Islands - (4.05hrs) - Tahiti - a magical trip
Tasman Empire Airways Limited (http://www.teal.co.nz/teal/TEAL%202.htm)

The Cook Islands stop was at Aitutaki which is 140 nm north of Rarotonga, where the International airport is.

But as Sid said, what's a Firstchoice aircraft doing there?

[Double Hydco]

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_yYJ_r1Fv8Go/SeyxCfqI4CI/AAAAAAAAAcM/iTGXoWpbUsA/s512/_IGP3756.jpg

IFT is correct it's Rarotonga Intl and here's another shot of this beautiful place.

We were more than a little surprised to see a UK charter aircraft land in Raro. I believe it was on a luxury round the world charter, and spent just over 24 hours on the ground.

Next.....

[India Four Two]

Thanks DH. The Cook Islands are on my list, but I haven't made it there so far.

This airport is also on an island. The picture is early 60s.

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c309/india42/WAF090420.jpg

[flyerian]

Air 2000 did a special round the world charter for about 40 pax. Price was in the region of $35,000 a head. Flight even had it's own cordon bleu chef on board. A chum of mine Dave Trusler was the senior capt. on the flight which lasted about 2 weeks.


Flyerian

[evansb]

Columbo, Ceylon ?

[India Four Two]

Brian,

Sorry, your guess was not serendipitous ;)

The island is not that big!

[Mr_Grubby]

Maldives ???

C.

[brakedwell]

How about Penang?

[India Four Two]

Mr. G,
not the Maldives.

bd,
Heading in the right direction from Colombo, but not Penang.

[Mr_Grubby]

Port Moresby, PNG ??

C.

[India Four Two]

Mr.G,

Getting closer!

Two clues:

1. The airport terminal picture has something in common with the Silhouette Thread.

2. This may be a give away, but I cannot resist posting this picture, sent by a friend, of one of my favourite aircraft operating from this airport

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c309/india42/WAF090421.jpg

[Kieron Kirk]

Well thank goodness it is not Columbo, TV series?

Get a grip, Mokmer, NNG.

Yes I agree, my favourite a/c as well.

One of many I saw at Dunsfold .

Yes I am afraid the photograph was indeed a giveaway.

Ciarain.

ps. 322 Squadron?

[brakedwell]

A long shot - Butterworth

[Mr_Grubby]

Honiara, Solomon Islands ???

C.

[India Four Two]

Ciarain's got it.

Mokmer airport on Biak Island in the former Netherlands New Guinea, now Irian Jaya province of Indonesia.

I don't know which RNAF squadron N-222 belongs to, but I think I can see the sawtooth LE and the outboard hardpoint of an F6.

My reference to Silhouettes was the two Bird of Paradise outlines on the concrete structure in front of the terminal. Biak is famous for its Birds of Paradise.

The carefully obfuscated street sign in the foreground says "Dr Albert Plesmanplein". Albert Plesman was one of the co-founders of KLM.

Over to you, KK.

PS Peter Falk is probably in the Morris Minor waiting for a suspect to arrive ;)

PPS Concerning Hunters, I saw the famous 22 aircraft loop at Farnborough in 1958. I didn't realise how special it was at the time.

[Kieron Kirk]

I had to cheat a bit by finding out where Dutch Hunter F.6 were deployed in New Guinea.

I do not have anything to post -so openhouse.

Ciarain.

[brakedwell]

Thanks KK, I will step in with this.


http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c32/sedgwickjames/rampfromOELAT.jpg

[dixi188]

India Four Two.

What was special about the 22 A/C loop?

I remember the 229OCU (Chivenor) Aerobatics in the late '60s or early '70s.
36 hunters in 229 and E II R formation.

[India Four Two]

dixi188,

Ah, but did the Chivenor boys do loops and barrel rolls? I'm trying to imagine the formation changes to ensure that the letters were still readable from the ground :eek:

"Mirror 2 go! d go!"

I did see the JPs do "EIIR" at Abingdon in 68, but that was strictly straight and level.

[AfgAirOps]

Male, Maldives?

Rgds
AAO

[brakedwell]

You got it, over to you AAO.

[AfgAirOps]

The next one;

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/RJPotts/KHI003.jpg

Rgds
AAO

[Flap40]

Somewhere in Israel?

[AfgAirOps]

Sorry, not Israel.

It's usually a bit warmer in Israel than it is here.....

Rgds
AAO

[brakedwell]

Reminds me of Kuwait new.

[AfgAirOps]

Not Kuwait sorry.

Move to cooler areas....

Rgds
AAO

[dixi188]

Is it Liverpool (EGGP)?
I seem to remember the terminal used to look a bit depressing from the ramp.

[nacluv]

If I didn't know better, I'd say it looked a little like an airside view of Arrivals at EMA.

But I don't remember all those lifeboats on the roof!

[AfgAirOps]

Neither Liverpool or East Mids, sorry.

Still need to move to cooler areas....

Rgds
AAO

[India Four Two]

It seems to have a Russian look about it, but if so where are all the derelict Tupolevs and Illyushins ;)

[saman]

It wouldn't be Bromma would it?

[AfgAirOps]

I'm sure the derelict Ilyushins & Tupolevs are there somewhere....

Rgds
AAO

[Hen Ddraig]

The style of architecture suggests Islamabad to me

Time to spare, go by air

Hen draig

[AfgAirOps]

Granted it does look like Islamabad (but isn't, sorry). Thats not usually cooler than Liverpool or East Mids though.

I.e., it's somewhere cold!

& where there is very likely to be I42's derelict Ilyushins & Tupolevs.

Rgds
AAO

[Captain Airclues]

A wild guess.......Novosibirsk?

Dave

[Hen Ddraig]

Message to self. Do not post without reading other replies.

Tashkent always seems to have a number fo surplus aircraft sitting decaying and the same style of architecture.

Hen Ddraig

[AfgAirOps]

Neither Novosibirsk nor Tashkent, sorry.

Definately on the right track though. Novosibirsk being closest so far.

Rgds
AAO

[one11]

......purely by geography , Irkutsk ???

[AfgAirOps]

Getting closer....

Rgds
AAO

[Captain Airclues]

Ulaanbaatar (Ulan Batar)?

[India Four Two]

Not Irkutsk, but in the Irkutsk Oblast.

Bratsk airport. Strangely there does not seem to be the usual Russian aeronautical junkyard here - just a lot of empty fighter alert pads.

I don't think I want to go there - some quotes from Wikipedia:
Bratsk was among the Blacksmith Institute's "Dirty Thirty", the thirty most polluted places in the world.
and
Bratsk has been declared an ecological disaster zone. The Bratsk Aluminium Plant has been polluting its surroundings to such great degree that the town of Chikanovskiy was evacuated in 2001 due to repeated health emergencies.

[AfgAirOps]

It is indeed Bratsk. Over to you I42.

Rgds
AAO

[India Four Two]

Thanks, AAO.

Next:

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c309/india42/WAF090430.jpg

[Cubs2jets]

Kindley Field, Corregidor Island?

C2j

[India Four Two]

c2j, you are correct. I think you must have inspired the song "I've been everywhere." :)

I've just been on a day-trip to Corregidor, and so it was an obvious choice.

The long ridge in the distance is the largest part of island, where all the coastal batteries and barracks are. The slightly closer, darker and smaller ridge is the hill which contains the famous Malinta Tunnel.

Here is what looks like a posed photo of Ki-21 Sally bombers over Corregidor. Kindley Field is at the bottom left.

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c309/india42/usmc_fig_18_japaneseaircraft.jpg

Over to you.

[Cubs2jets]

Thanks, I42,

I've been fortunate to travel widely in my career. I spent a number of years flying out of Singapore and my wife is from your "location".

The new challenge is an early picture of what has become the international airport in the capital city of this country. This picture was taken circa 1943.

C2j

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj200/Cubs2jets/Airstrip1.jpg?t=1241180064

[Mr_Grubby]

Are we talking North America, maybe Canada ?

C.

[Hyperborean]

Bauerfield, Port Vila, Vanuatu.Open house if correct.

[Cubs2jets]

Hyperborean is correct! :ok: Bauer Field, Port Villa, Vananutu.

Open House has been declared.

C2j

[Warmtoast]

As its Open House try this for size.

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r231/thawes/ForPpruneWhichAirfield.jpg

[evansb]

RAF Horsham St. Faith, Norwich, England. This is a choice photograph. The air conditioned DH Vampire FB9s were flown by Royal Australian Air Force pilots based at Malta for a period.

[Warmtoast]

evansb you have it in one! Over to you.

These Luqa (Malta) based RAAF FB9's came to the UK for the Queen's Coronation Review in July 1953 and were temporarily based at Horsham St Faith. Not sure whether they took past in the fly-past or were on static display at Odiham, but assume some of them did.

[BEagle]

Formation 24 of the Coronation Review consisted of 12 Vampire FB9s from 78 Wing, RAAF Malta, operated from RAF Horsham St. Faith. They flew over Odiham at 15:54 at 1600 ft and 265 KIAS, led by G/C B A Eaton.

78 Wing was composed of 75 and 76 Sqns, RAAF.

[evansb]

Thanks Wt. Here is the next "Which Aerodrome?":
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r68/convair640/WAD090503.jpg

[Flap40]

I'll start with Antwerp?

[evansb]

Not Antwerp, but close.

[brakedwell]

Le Touquet Cote d'Opale

[evansb]

Sorry, not Le Touquet. Flap40's guess was closer. The mystery aerodrome is no longer.

[merlinxx]

Hilversum ?

[evansb]

Sorry, not Hilversum, NL.

[G-ARZG]

Grimbergen?

[evansb]

Not Grimbergen, but the country is correct.

[Krakatoa]

I think the RAAF Vampires were based at Takali not Luqa.

[evansb]

According to a RAAF 75 Sqd. history source, the RAAF operated the Vampire F.B.9s initially from RNAS Hal-Far, Malta, and later moved to Ta'Qali (Takali).

[evansb]

Photo taken at mystery aerodrome:
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r68/convair640/WAD090503a.jpg

[spook]

Haren-Evere?

[evansb]

Sorry, not Haren-Evere.

[Warmtoast]

evansb


According to a RAAF 75 Sqd. history source, the RAAF operated the Vampire F.B.9s initially from RNAS Hal-Far, Malta, and later moved to Ta'Qali (Takali).


Thanks for the clarification. I assumed (wrongly) that Luqa and Marsaxlokk were the only two RAF units on the island and as the latter was a Marine Craft Unit Luqa was the only viable base as home to the RAAF Vampires.

[evansb]

More clues: Here is a recent photo taken at the site of the former airfield.
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r68/convair640/WAD090503b.jpg

[PPRuNe Pop]

If someone would like to start another thread I will merge this one with the archive at the top of the forum.

Sooner rather than later please.

Note for Mel, would you please move this thread 'upstairs' - thanks.

PPP

[Background Noise]

I don't think he meant 'start another challenge' - it sounds like some forum husbandry. Pop you might need to be less cryptic.

[brakedwell]

My airfield challenge is back in it's box..

[evansb]

I will close this challenge. The mystery aerodrome is Knokke Het-Zoute, Belgium. The aerodrome was popular with sport aviators, and hosted a flying club. It its heyday, charter passenger and freight aircraft operated from the grass airfield. When crossing from England, it was the first Belgian airfield available. Closing in 1960, the airfield boundaries are little changed when looking at Google Earth. Nothing remains of the structures or concrete aprons. It presently borders a Provincial Nature Park, hosting many storks. brakedwell can post a challenge.
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r68/convair640/knokke-het_zoute_airfield_d.jpg

[one11]

If someone would like to start another thread I will merge this one with the archive at the top of the forum.

Does this perhaps mean that we are about to hit some sort of maximum with 290 plus pages of posts and need to go back and start again at # 1 with a new thread name ?????

[brakedwell]

brakedwell can post a challenge

That's kind of you evansb. Here it is again.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c32/sedgwickjames/1958.jpg

[MReyn24050]

"Which Aerodrome MKII" has been opened at the request of PPruNE PoP and will be closed by the moderators. Please place your answers for brakedwell's latest at "Which Aerodrome II".
Mel