RAF Bovingdon - 1960s [Archive] - Page 3

OUAQUKGF Ops

22nd Dec 2022, 09:07

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1181x887/de_havilland_hornet_f3_88a7577eaa28d2b02881c04c251f52e5f1623 9c9.jpg
DH Hornet F3 64 Squadron. Their Hornet F3s were later camouflaged and used in the Intruder role.

On September 15th 1949 one of two Hornets (F3 PX305 of 64 Squadron) which was to participate in Battle of Britain celebrations at Gibraltar was flown from Bovingdon to Gibraltar by Flt Lt H.Peebles at an average speed of 357.565 mph, a British point to point record. On September 19th with the same aeroplane Group Captain A.C.P. Carver flew from Gibraltar to Bovingdon, cruising at 25,000 feet in two hours and thirty minutes (+21 secs!) with a record average speed of 435.871 mph. It is said that he landed at Bovingdon with 15 minutes of fuel remaining.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/272x685/screenshot_2022_12_05_at_15_56_28_bl_0000104_19490920_013_00 01_pdf_5fba822c0514f964ec10aaf54623b42e5ad94c9b.png
Source BNA

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/500x332/screenshot_2022_12_20_at_17_34_40_raf_64_squadron_de_havilla nd_hornet_f_3_px305_b_w_photo_519537681_80d36db711f45f312fa6 eadd20971d5f309e1e6a.png
PX305. Location unknown. Written off Butterworth after engine failure and belly landing October 28th 1954.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/363x513/screenshot_2022_12_05_at_15_49_32_bl_0001578_19491001_058_00 20_pdf_99890e6e332d44947def821f16d66fe7919868c6.png
Illustrated London News October 1st 1949. Source BNA.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/803x524/screenshot_2022_12_20_at_17_25_00_miles_m_65_gemini_1a_g_akk b_6537_private_21923372434d7f283bf14c6cd5684e6898273842.png
Acknowledged with thanks to Air Britain as captioned.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/252x398/screenshot_2022_12_20_at_17_06_06_bl_0000445_19530605_182_00 12_pdf_63335d4e9aca6bb9f7b6696464d74a865fe5592b.png
Evening Express June 5th 1953, Source BNA.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/627x470/screenshot_2022_12_04_at_21_44_53_elevator0810_pdf_de0e7969e 3a321efc6b177b5cfb4333319df5123.png
Fred Dunkerley with his Miles Gemini G-AKKB. Photo: Lancashire Aero Club.

Dunkerley a Rochdale Cotton Mill owner learnt to fly at the Lancashire Aero Club in 1947. He did this in order to facilitate visits to a Cotton Mill he had an interest in at Annsborough, County Down. He went on to become a well known and successful air racing competitor. He also set a few point to point class records in G-AKKB viz

London - Hague June 5th 1953
Hague - London June 5th 1953
London-Hague-London ditto

As The Hague records were made on the same day as his Brussels records I assume they were flown from/to Bovingdon.

London (Croydon) - Dublin July 28th 1953
Dublin - London (Croydon) July 28th 1953
London-Dublin-London ditto

London (Croydon) - Belfast August 25th 1953
Return attempt abandonded after engine failure over sea and single-engined landing at Liverpool.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/355x892/screenshot_2022_12_21_at_13_12_29_bl_0000104_19500821_035_00 03_pdf_9faef37d15e60fa79d7f8750bc43f70cdafe97aa.png
Western Mail August 21st 1950. Source BNA.

Note 6th place achieved by 'Wally' Lashbrook Chief Pilot and Ops Manager of The Lancashire Aircraft Corporation Bovingdon.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1294x862/screenshot_2022_12_10_at_08_43_19_fred_dunkerley_and_the_mil es_m_77_sparrowjet_6c762547b16b1c7628190f327a38ed8f1cb5de6b. png
Fred Dunkerley with Miss Murphy and his Miles Sparrowjet at Shoreham. Photo Key Aero Forum and Miss Murphy with thanks.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x702/283337_g_akkb_at_kemble_2006_20493d23a5e27420b286fe53a4f8f03 9d0cc8090.jpg
G-AKKB at Kemble in 2006. I believe she is still flying...... Photo Michael Brazier with thanks.

OUAQUKGF Ops

31st Dec 2022, 08:59

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/948x665/screenshot_2022_12_27_at_13_37_42_raf_dakota_kp208_at_boving don_in_1957_large_size_negative_ebay_e89f14c7fbc840c02798f79 203e8bbf4b2eed96e.png

1957 a scarce photograph. Dakota KP208 of Bovingdon's Coastal Command Communications Flight about to enter Runway 04.

treadigraph

1st Jan 2023, 08:33

Ah, KP208, I recall her displayed by the A325 outside the Para's museum at Aldershot back in the '70s... I see she has now moved to Colchester Barracks (https://www.google.com/maps/search/Colchester+Garrison/@51.875973,0.8923517,231m/data=!3m1!1e3)... I think the Aldershot museum is now the site of a Tesco superstore.

OUAQUKGF Ops

1st Jan 2023, 11:38

One or two reminiscences here: https://www.airport-data.com/aircraft/KP208.html

OUAQUKGF Ops

2nd Jan 2023, 09:37

Ah, the hole-in-the-ground story again. Has anyone actually ever found one of these fabled dumps on any former US airfield? I'd read that one at Stansted had been raided, but the diggers swore to keep mum about what they'd found. :ooh:

Just read a nice story about how US servicemen from Bovingdon turned out in force to help at the site of a nasty train crash at nearby Bourne End in September 1945.

Apparently, a USAAF pilot spotted the incident just after t/o and alerted the tower.

NARRATIVE - Link. (Incorrect Passenger figure quoted should read 398 for that particular stage of the journey). https://www.dacorumheritage.org.uk/article/rail-disaster-that-claimed-43-lives/

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1637x555/google_earth_bourne_end_68cbcffa6630b37d94e86bf89ad3d0cd019d 6766.png

Site of Bourne End Rail Crash in relation to Bovingdon Aerodrome. Outskirts of Berkhamsted just north-west of site.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/580x540/eaw002181_pix_farm_1946_338b1602d151302ea1208b46c26c34ab0ece 9865.jpg
Photo credit as captioned.
Crash site photographed in 1946. Pix Farm centre to right of railway. Boxmoor and Hemel Hempstead to south-east.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/565x362/points_1955_44b602ed236047e7d4a402c0899d695680eebfe6.png

Crash site in 1955 - looking south-east and showing points system.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/499x368/screenshot_2023_01_01_at_15_26_06_train_disaster_in_hertford shire_ada20f29ff142bece000d9deb2795a3261133157.png

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1090x861/ill_lon_news_1st_image_3bf5b2697d69848132e0c7634746dfa09d429 bc9.png
Source BNA.

Looking north-west.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1132x877/ill_lon_news_2nd_image_6d04fa042987060f505460e535acc2469d615 bde.png
Source BNA. USAAF 'Wrecker' vehicle from Bovingdon.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/836x618/s_l1600_rail_crash_b1b7f2f50c5d51eae08bb642bfa8da488562f67d. jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/278x848/scotsman_oct_1_1945_borne_end_fed24fd799b5f203ab7515b8738557 a33097c45e.png
The Scotsman Oct 1st 1945 Source BNA
Reference to USAF Bovingdon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-mP8mEIEqw

Link to Book here. Go to page 68: https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/British_Railway_Disasters/EL3cDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=railway+disasters&printsec=frontcover

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/201x827/relief_driver_not_avail_d917404cd45d381b0b30baf55d0f641655f0 bd8a.png
Extract from The Hartlepool Northern Mail 25th October 1945. Source BNA.

The last paragraph is particularly poignant. Apparently the driver had worked the previous 26 days. Unsocial hours too, typically on this occasion 04.23 hrs departure from Perth.

chevvron

3rd Jan 2023, 13:24

In the first photo, the red dot is about 200 yds away from the cottage where my aunt and uncle lived, just west of what used to be the A41; my uncle worked in the sawmill between Bourne End and the airfield., however I don't think they moved there until late 1945.

OUAQUKGF Ops

3rd Jan 2023, 13:56

Chevvron - you seem to have had relatives every where along The Grand Union. Pardon the Pun. They must have been prolific !

OUAQUKGF Ops

6th Jan 2023, 19:41

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/956x636/screenshot_2022_12_29_at_18_49_13_handley_page_h_p_70_halton _660f46e1c9f3d3115491d95920c9d56cdcc6a0d8.png

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/198x421/britons_killed_5d606b3ff7cdaffa73376eb9a588f5c5ed676a4a.png
Belfast Telegraph November 25th 1950. BNA.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/246x410/halifax_crash_49dc15f2f8b86ee7c531d9247f153bec7e066109.png
Liverpool Echo November 25 1950. BNA

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/180x278/keyworth_mother_df9d76df30cd70373fdb1c62120313bd8823c46f.png
Nottingham Journal November 28th 1950. BNA

Apart from the official accident report (which I haven't seen) there is a paucity of easily accessed information about this crash. Initial Press reports obviously emanated from one source only. I thought that the best bet was to get hold of David Hedges' book 'The Eagle Years 1948-1968' which arrived in the post from Blackbushe yesterday. I hope that he won't mind if I quote from his book: 'On November 15th (1950) , Halifax G-AIAP was chartered by BOAC on a cargo run to Singapore on what was to be its last operation. It had to make an emergency landing at Luqa; Malta having been damaged in a severe storm and it remained there until repairs had been carried out. Following a routine stop at Dum Dum Airport, Calcutta, on November 25th, the aircraft swung on take-off and crashed into the airport buildings. Two of the crew of six were killed and others were injured including Captain Harold Watkins who was thrown out of the aircraft and suffered head injuries. The subsequent explosion and fire destroyed the aircraft.'

Having read this I had a look at the image above which alas has no provenance or any information on time and place. It is a bit water stained but if you blow it up a tiny bit what could be a lightning strike to the starboard nav light can be discerned. I dunno what you think about this ? Could be at Malta and quite possibly damage on the port side too judging from the crews' stance ?

Harold Watkins was the Chief Pilot of British Eagle until the bitter end. He went on to become Chief Pilot of Donaldson International at Gatwick.

Eagle Aviation never had their main operating base at Bovingdon but their Halifaxes were a common sight there period 1948-1950. G-AIAP was their sole surviving example at the time of its demise. It operated the last civilian movement of The Berlin Airlift on August 15th 1949 piloted by Captain 'Pancho' Villa having completed 390 airlift sorties (ref Arthur Pearcy). A couple of snaps to finish up with:

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/567x304/p1030650_3__b83e25b86ecc734b4e7b9f3b6185582300a90015.jpg
Ack Hedges 'The Eagle Years ' with thanks.
This, Eagle Aviation's first Halifax operated the Company's first commercial rotation on May 9th 1948 - Bovingdon-Verona-Bovingdon with a cargo of cherries. Withdrawn from use after the end of The Berlin Airlift and scrapped at Bovingdon in July 1949.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1085x737/screenshot_2023_01_05_at_14_11_14_home_of_eagle_g_ajbl_113e1 61c99fa4d908282e016a607237779e272a0.png
Photo A.J. Jackson via 'The Home of The Eagle' with thanks.
The 'Red Eagle' at Bovingdon in 1949. So called because of its livery in the colours of Vigntor Airways of Norway (LN-OAT) delivery not taken up. It operated through The Berlin Airlift and was scrapped at Luton in 1950.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/727x442/s_eagle_red_halifax_luton__bb404fd3d40ebff6978799bacbcc584cd d0a7522.png

Awaiting its fate at Luton 1950.

http://www.britisheagle.net/History-British-Eagle.htm

Self loading bear

6th Jan 2023, 22:51

Port rudder is missing its leading edge as well.

OUAQUKGF Ops

7th Jan 2023, 08:15

Self loading bear

7th Jan 2023, 10:58

His last activity shows this morning so I assume he is still well.

chevvron

7th Jan 2023, 13:23

Hullo Bear, well spotted........ looks like a section is lying on the ground. I think that clears up the mystery of the photograph. On another tack Chevvron hasn't posted on PPRuNe for 4 days now - I suspect he might be unwell.
Still mulling over the photo of Bourne End you sent me.
I can just about make out Bourne End Lane on the photo but I know the house belonging to my relatives was demolished in the mid '60s and the sawmill where my uncle worked appears to have been re-purposed. They moved east to Boxmoor before this happened but as a point of 'interest' about half a mile east of Bourne End is the burial site of 'the last highwayman' to be executed, J B Snook, hanged roughly midway between Bourne End and Boxmoor on 11 May 1802; there is a memorial stone there although I understand he was 'dug up' and re-interred on 'the moor' (presumably Boxmoor where there is a graveyard)

OUAQUKGF Ops

7th Jan 2023, 14:19

Good that you are OK. Familiar with Highwayman Memorial. Used to see it from top deck 301 Bus. Photo I sent dated 1946.

OUAQUKGF Ops

7th Jan 2023, 16:29

For the period April 1950 until November 1952 Eagle Aviation's main operating base was at Luton Airport. During this period they were operating Avro Yorks, a few Dakotas and the one remaining Halifax. Initially the big drawback with Luton (I'm not talking about removing York Wing Tips in order to hangar them there) was the lack of Customs. All overseas movements outbound and inbound from/to Luton had to clear Customs at Bovingdon.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/188x431/screenshot_2023_01_07_at_17_04_42_bl_0000658_19500803_232_00 06_pdf_7ef7d9f5e78b5576b62904859c132191ef6705e1.png
Luton News August 3rd 1950. BNA

Limited Customs Facilities became available at Luton on a trial basis in May 1951. So it was no longer a matter of the aeroplane calling at Bovingdon for clearance - rather that a Customs Officer would motor over from Bovingdon to Luton to do the business..........
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1207x670/screenshot_2023_01_07_at_16_44_54_bl_0002882_19510508_030_00 04_pdf_111fc87d88d30f6f2fe1b80c3449c048ccd7a7fb.png
The Pictorial May 8th 1951. BNA

OUAQUKGF Ops

11th Jan 2023, 14:35

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/768x459/b29_trim_d87b96ab20f7da6bb76607d95242b5611d636d6e.jpg
Photo credit: Bovingdon Airfield Website.

I hasten to add that this is not the B29 in question. Note the starry band on the fuselage and fwd u/c door. Shadows from the past line the fence on the Chesham Road.

Extracts from the Lynn News and Advertiser Friday May 24th 1946....

It would appear that the development of 'Bombs' was still a subject of discussion at Bovingdon.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/198x717/screenshot_2023_01_11_at_14_35_36_bl_0003432_19460524_007_00 01_pdfenhance_2__8e484f41f97b474154b0831534741684a5725843.pn g
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/391x887/screenshot_2023_01_11_at_14_37_36_bl_0003432_19460524_007_00 01_pdf_enhance_620255984e6d7629e10a0c773d82acc9948ac630.png
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/197x117/screenshot_2023_01_11_at_14_38_57_bl_0003432_19460524_007_00 01_pdf_enhance_2__3b3436c34851218fe3daf45d0698c4a772c5d18d.p ng
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/206x875/screenshot_2023_01_11_at_14_39_43_bl_0003432_19460524_007_00 01_pdf_enhance_aebedb076b5ad8bbc2c4acab4e3a65d3da57bc9b.png
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/900x412/resize_289400dc9fb8afef0340a6b15494c5430bfd9068.jpg
Photo and text: Philip Moyes 'Bomber Squadrons of the RAF.'

PD131 LS-V, one of 15 Squadron's modified Lancaster B 1's used in the Bombing Trials at Farge where it dropped a 22,000lb Grand Slam. Photographed at Bovingdon on 20th May 1946. Presumably this is the Lancaster referred to in the newspaper article..

Postscript: I've been trying to find out what the serial numbers were of the three B29s involved in Project Ruby. The photographs in the Lynn News reproduce so poorly but I'll post them here for what they are worth. Warbirds Information Exchange quote serial numbers 4521747, 4521750 and 4521751. Further they remark that a photograph in a contemporary (1946) article about Project Ruby in 'Flight' shows B29 4521752 as does a photograph held by The R.A.F. Museum. The newspaper aerial photograph is also of 4521752 said to have been taken from an RAF Lancaster. The pilot photographed is Lt-Col Hawes. Unfortunately the name of his B29 is indecipherable.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/405x373/screenshot_2023_01_12_at_10_52_05_bl_0003432_19460524_007_00 01_pdf_9bcb2ca8b1d5b76be6f933b71d2fc4c51a24e4d2.png
Photo source BNA.

Note the wavy-line black under-markings on some B29s have been adopted by this date.

Now finally here for the real Ballistics Enthusiast (of which I am not one) is a very, very, very slow silent movie. You will have enough time to make a cup of tea between frames - tho you will need something stronger by the end........ Don't forget, like many things, you saw it first on PPRuNe

Here is a taster: I can't vouch for the veracity of this compilation, when Lancasters are referred to as Lincolns. LATER after a large glass of wine I've just read in Moyes that 15 Squadron were equipped from 1947 onwards with Avro Lincolns and that at least four of these were modified with lengthened bomb bay doors to carry Tallboy DP Bombs. LINCOLN RF 352 carried out tests with these in 1947 which probably accounts for the brief reference in the movie. The movie timeline extends into 1947 because at 15.12m you can see a chap holding a small board which looks as though it is dated early August 1947.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/684x506/screenshot_2023_01_12_at_16_17_44_project_ruby_harken_deep_p enetration_bomb_tests_bremen_farge_germany_1946_video_dailym otion_672cebb92552d277710b834721603176c7d42610.png

Operation Ruby/Harken - Farge U Boat Pen - Germany 1946.

LINK:https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x832nqx

LINK re USAAF contribution: https://www.mildenhall.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/272451/project-ruby-a-look-at-raf-mildenhalls-history/

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/800x492/screenshot_2023_05_03_at_14_22_47_avro_lancaster_b1_special_ image_ref_a06453p__afbdcb270678051bbaaa89bf0367031b442f3274. png
POSTSCRIPT: This photograph is said to have been taken at Bovingdon 0n May 20th 1946 and shows Lancaster PD131 L-SV and B29 521752. Pretty sure it's Bovingdon, dispersed on the pan south-east of the control tower with R/W 35 beyond. Whelpley Ash Farm which used to have a big dutch barn is by the Chesham Road in the background.

OUAQUKGF Ops

21st Jan 2023, 12:44

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1004x487/bournemouth_hurn_airport_daks_4da7cc8e22445677d0bddd23f90adf 1f95d1cd1e.png
Hurn 1948. Photo: Hampshire Airfields.

G-AGKG was with BOAC from September 1944 until October 1949. Then to Field Aircraft Services where sold to Union of Burma Airways as XY-ACL in March 1950.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1037x545/screenshot_2023_01_15_at_16_05_45_aerial_visuals_airframe_do ssier_douglas_dakota_iv_s_n_kj879_raf_c_n_14373_c_r_xy_acl_2 __2c9da0207f6eb3e1009d165f99e9aa47da337117.png
Source as captioned.

Sadly written off:https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19530110-0

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1018x546/screenshot_2023_01_15_at_16_01_27_aerial_visuals_airframe_do ssier_douglas_dakota_iv_s_n_fd814_raf_c_n_09131_c_r_g_aofz_0 f6840f0e0cc0e6cbd1dfb8c63dfa4e0c04e29e9.png

Source as captioned. (Mosquitoes were bad at Bovingdon that Spring).

Prior to being sold to Union of Burma Airways this Dakota had served as ZS-BJZ with Suidair International Airways of Rand Airport Johannesburg (They traded c 1947-1950).

Not without excitement:https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19470306-0

The swamp was drained- a road built and the aeroplane was salvaged and flown out in August 1947.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1062x757/r_dak_burma_8029efd975e157d62521cbe6f939cb76ef60bf00.jpg
At Rangoon. Photo:Late Capt Charles Eather.

I was interested to see what appears to be an Airspeed Oxford under the Dak's port wing. It transpires that the Burmese Air Force had both Oxfords and Consuls armed up to the teeth. Which are which in the next snap I know not, it purports to show Oxfords.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/481x355/airspeed_oxford_with_turret_burma_bing_images_553aa0c23f8f0d 98be0300f68af989bb0fe63442.png

XY-ACP was then registered with Field Aircraft Services in 1955 as G-AOFZ and in July 1956 re-registered as VP-YON with Hunting Clan African Airways.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/938x622/hunting_rhodesia_north_c4e1193b48c6b5d3594cc30295e61010b2726 f71.png
At Mongu in what was Northern Rhodesia but is now in the Western Province of Zambia.

In February 1960 this Dak was restored to the British Register as G-AOFZ and served with Derby Airways/BMA until April 1966.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1290x806/fz_hucknall_aa3ac620c5eb05872809085a5f6ce6800a246d31.png
At Hucknall in 1963. Capt. Jim Shaw left. Photo Dave Welch with thanks.

Not without a slight upset in six years:https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19640929-0

G-AOFZ was next off to Gulf Aviation Bahrain in April 1966. I'm afraid that I have looked high and low for an image of her in Gulf's livery but it seems her tenure with the airline was so brief that photographs are hard to come by. In lieu I offer G-AMZZ who served with the company from 1960 until withdrawn from use in May 1971. This is the genuine article unlike the Dak in the Museum at Sharjah.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1500x998/gf_dak_shj_resize_2_21d33e73d8e469d285a152857cb5de54a1914481 .jpg
Sharjah 1962.

Unfortunately in August 1966 G-AOFZ was destroyed when:https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19660817-1

I've tried to source an image of the airstrip at Azaiba without any luck as it has long since disappeared. I've transcribed some brief (very) posts from PPRuNe.

' 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. '
(From Mearns Loon )

' I seem to remember Azaiba was situated about 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. '
(From brakedwell)

The only image I came across was this of a pranged York at Azaiba. I hope Michael Stokes doesn't mind me using it. I suspect the photo might have been taken by his Dad, Captain Jimmy Stokes who was very well known to all in GF, joining the company in 1961.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1163x887/screenshot_2023_01_21_at_10_05_50_photo_of_avro_685_york_i_o d_ada_aviation_safety_network_3760e0fbcf732611abe2a7a76d84cf abda10e61f.png

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1167x546/screenshot_2023_01_register_entry_g_aofz_2_pdf_e36e7d0d9f80c 5ae868da1a7f4e5c72fb2804d70.png

OUAQUKGF Ops

28th Jan 2023, 16:34

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1013x514/mercury_douglas_dc3_zs_bwy_bing_images_ee706859d78336bdef4d8 e8db2555ed4308350b7.png
Quite probably in South-West Africa. Photo:National Archives of Namibia.

It is believed that the English born entrepreneur and designer/manufacturer of domestic appliances Gordon Thomas Fillery (1914-1991) started his airline at Johannesburg in 1946 with three ex SAAF Avro Ansons. His fleet rapidly expanded with the purchase of DC3s of which nine were eventually registered to his company. We can trace the arrival and departure of Mercury Airways, to and from the British Isles by reading these old Newspaper Clippings. The source of which is The British Newspaper Archive.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/350x246/advert_5_7_48_lincolnshire_echo_resize_2__68c8ed3dabca3a8b23 742f71e36ebc76dcf75916.png
5th July 1948. Lincolnshire Echo.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/376x462/will_defy_ban_evening_telegraph_14_6_48_27216c3c473f80c6db27 999730a6055345931d5f.png
14th June 1948. Evening Telegraph.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1526x1095/s_l1600_dak_blackbushe_2__b234e78ef5357547fb44e9391704fc08a2 18c5f3.jpg
4th August 1948. ZS-BWX (Written off near Paris later that year). Photo Associated Press.

Blackbushe not Bovingdon of which a little later.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/427x793/blackbushe_arr_1st_choice_herald_exp_4_8_48_c8bab804a475d76f 9006952e7d52e4a8857f9e24.png
4th August 1948. Daily Herald.

On the orders of 'The Ministry' fuelling facilities were withdrawn at short notice from Mercury Airways. Fortunately the Captain had sufficient for the return to Paris.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/238x312/covent_evening_telegr_6_august_48_843ed2939ddb2b02e4940193b4 731179f845ef32.png
6th August 1948. Coventry Evening Telegraph.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/261x752/party_27_8_1948_e69a178bf44baec0d794a19fdd62c72b31c3c415.png
27th August 1948. News Chronicle.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/231x536/impound_17_9_48_230a59d885a34a99af28fccf508e718e578433d9.png
17th September 1948. News Chronicle.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/537x912/pirate_airline_wins_18_9_48_ca6ba671150cfe816c85dd7354ca062f 2d504ca5.png
18th September 1948. Yorkshire Observer.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/222x850/crash_13_10_48_yorkshire_post_enhanced_73462eb61119e5f931403 fa90a38396a32d59fbf.png
13th October 1948. Yorkshire Post.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/572x548/orly_crash_5_12_48_sphere_4119ae8617c085a09f840104306cbeb76d 664c4e.png
5th December 1948. The Sphere.
ZS-BWX crashed November 20th 1948. See continuation for account from the Air Hostess on board.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/223x441/stranded_pax_9_12_48_af453d581e7ce684ee137fb6157004001b4d483 8.png
9th December 1948. Burton Observer.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/393x732/screenshot_2023_01_27_at_00_38agency_pros_18_feb_48_enhanced _51f42f0189b3eaf270b4cd80b7d99ab6a6bd078c.png
18th February 1949. News Chronicle.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/552x670/the_end_26_2_49_bristol_post_de0c111dc5741119ebd3e3810f77b00 49d86ff7d.png
26th February 1949. Bristol Post.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/420x752/mercury_1_resize_3__f0a9caac589d00aaf60e418cabd6709aa75bcace .png
13th March 1949. Weekly Dispatch.

I've run out of space for downloads so I'll do a follow up with a few snaps and links.

OUAQUKGF Ops

28th Jan 2023, 17:46

Two charter companies are mentioned that at one time or another carried passengers from London to Paris and return on behalf of Mercury Airways. Blue- Line Airways Ltd of Tollerton (Notttingham) was one. To quote Tony Merton Jones: 'Between September 27th and November 21st 1948 Blue-Line operated a series of charter flights (with Avro Ansons) from Croydon to Le Bourget, the passengers then boarded the Mercury Airways aircraft at Le Bourget to continue their journey to South Africa. These services were arranged by Ackroyds Air Travel, who were later fined for operating these services and Blue-Line Airways thus lost a valuable source of income during the winter months.'

In January 1949 Blue-Line purchased a single DC3. I wonder perhaps whether they had these Mercury charters in mind when they did this. In the event the DC3 didn't enter service until the end of February 1949 and in August 1949 the company ceased operations. In the meantime there being little work for the DC3 out of Tollerton it became a familiar sight at Bovingdon and Blackbushe and ranged as far afield as East Africa and The Persian Gulf.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/592x375/p1030651_2__577c256b03f0b6f0a53c59e2fc36467f67cb274c.jpg
Blue-Line Airways Avro Anson at Tollerton.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x592/1198069_large_g_agng_1949_feb_to_august_ee75fa7a29943925fa43 997cff28ec8d8f0763d8.jpg
Blue-Line's DC3 at Tollerton. Photo: Dave Welch with thanks.

Trans-World Charter who were based at Bovingdon was the other company. However the extent of their involvement is unknown. Mr Fillery mentions that he is going to use them to operate flights for Mercury out of Bovingdon to Le Bourget . They operated Vickers Vikings.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/750x500/screenshot_2023_01_30_at_10_31_56_raf_bovingdon_1960s_pprune _forums_8250e08b399d986c5c73dd07011216ed8beed6f1.png
Bovingdon 1950. Photo: Arthur Huswitt via NA3T.

Unfortunately Mercury Airways had a very poor safety record.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/690x557/mercury_dak_crash_70cb834ae092e49bed765e52ff24c2a261d2ef2c.p ng
15th May 1948. Photo: Ken Fuller.

The thirteen occupants were killed - the majority were Mercury employees some with their family members. Link follows:
https://aviation-safety.net/database/operators/5688

A couple more South African Irregulars who used Bovingdon from time to time. Suidair International were up to the same sort of tricks as Mercury.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/821x796/screenshot_2023_01_28_at_15_40_32_zs_bom_33bb075ac39a3902c07 04e4af9690ae3122bea4c.png
Photo and text Source: Ed Coates aircraft photos with thanks.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/820x833/screenshot_2023_01_28_at_15_45_50_zs_brw_027b5bc2b811708646f 6235c5698462c5329b8cf.png
Photo and text Source: Ed Coates aircraft photos with thanks.

The above aircraft is now preserved at the Metheringham Airfield Visitor Centre in Lincolnshire. For a tiny bit of social history I have borrowed the following Pan African tit-bits from the Metheringham Airfield Facebook Page:

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1581x240/screenshot_2023_01_29_at_11_25_34_our_dakota_pan_metheringha m_airfield_visitor_centre_72bb348fd85d37e7cf6e1f4ca406098d36 37f61b.png
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/400x418/zs_avm_enhanced_b9936fe164a3e7f3aa59bce1c8a501d83da84741.png
Photo: Chris Bill.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/400x437/zs_avm_2_enhance_4366ff983646fbfb8cd9abe86835e4441f37eed9.pn g
Photo:Chris Bill.

Air Hostess account of Mercury Airways Dakota ZS-BWX Accident near Orly 20th November 1948 below:

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/629x931/2nd_trim_82da4f22f22e51c29cbb0a60d11824244ad54290.png

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/321x939/screenshot_2023_10_07_at_16_51_54_trim_aca2fb9a939259b1ed9fb 0168ae70c49f64ef038.png
Liverpool Echo 16 December 1958 (BNA). Apologies for poor quality of text !

A bit of a dry read here but not without a dash of humour in places:
https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/1948-09-20/debates/a85b0fa7-5e5e-4f68-a0b2-718418d5b92d/CivilAviation

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/198x332/air_hostess_c646f2480f395b2c439999927bb46ddbf1255823.png
June Lupino Glen who survived the prang in the desert but was later stranded at Bovingdon when Mr Fillery sold out.

OUAQUKGF Ops

4th Feb 2023, 19:00

The loss of Hunting Air Travel Vickers Viking G-AHPD at Bordeaux (Merignac Airport) May 8th 1951. War Office Trooping Contract routing Gibraltar-Bordeaux-Bovingdon.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1100x796/viking_header_for_bordeaux_accident_5a54cfd8a9222a51f9ec2fb1 6dfc2930621f1ce3.jpg
Unfortunately I have been unable to source any images of G-AHPD. This is another Viking at a later date in a slightly different livery. Photo: as captioned.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/205x367/1st_news_report_bordeaux_yorkshire_observer_may_9_1951_e390b 18a76df447420587baed3afe441685555f4.png
Yorkshire Observer May 9th 1951.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/568x861/three_little_girls_pt1_85ec25ecad3766875b0a52204a9677219fcf7 2a4.png
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/210x343/three_little_girls_pt_2_ae2d14a0aa7183183fd5d4d8a9d0b281048f 2cda.png
Birmingham Gazette May 10th 1951.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/457x565/screenshot_2023_01_04_at_14_29_18_bordeaux_sergeant_pdf_2__0 4a94e7e2e99dd67f26d21a2d470205dba46599f.png

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/435x623/diana_gets_doll_pt_2_37dadb4639998fd0273a5d2eac829ced13c5d60 8.png
Leicester Mercury May 10th 1951.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/410x567/bl_bordeaux_outcome_pdf_0dc73e821cff5898b0fd0db1ccdc42efcaaa b2a2.png
Daily Record October 18th 1952.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/252x336/sabotage_news_chronicle_oct_18_1952_d115eec84add45d75c39fce3 dc21ec588c863f62.png
News Chronicle October 18th 1952.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/916x931/accident_report_g_ahpd_pdf_1__cd51bbe2e2eca1bac00bf923059f93 02a8b2fe48.png
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/932x821/accident_report_g_ahpd_pdf_3c324f6c14d078eff0d0b8d6c897ba0ae 3bae6cf.png
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/675x450/screenshot_2023_01_04_at_06_58_02_a_roport_de_bordeaux_merig nac_04eee42f6b0076e742582e96d88ac436c85c8def.png

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/995x556/screenshot_2023_01_10_at_16_22_35_merignac_airport_black_and _white_history_images_bing_8e46b8284443d61881a67f7475c929d91 7413983.png
Of the period at Merignac. Somewhere I've got the registration of the DC4 - I'll put it on when I find it (bits of scribbled paper everywhere). F-BBDK. Incidentally can anybody identify the carrier and registration of the Sud-Ouest Bretagne?

Slight drift here:

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/876x569/screenshot_2023_01_11_at_16_26_11_ciel_de_normandie_air_afri que_41915a7118a7361c2bad40249d5d0da5b8ae8bdd.png
This is the same DC4 named 'Ciel de Normandie' .

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1100x754/hc_g_agrp_merignac_bordeaux_1954_john_stroud_copy_9ca8c239c6 b161ee8cb0f66805b482072f854bd8.jpg
Bordeaux 1954 A Viking in the old Hunting Livery, not yet repainted 'Hunting Clan' which the company became in October 1953. Incidentally note the two hour plus transit time for G-AHPD at Bordeaux for what we used to call a 'Tech Stop' (Fuel) but also an opportunity for passengers and crew to stretch their legs and have lunch in the Airport Restaurant - those were the days !
Photo as captioned.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/683x973/g_ahpd_flt_info__a6daae01235b8d34854ec85fe0d612a3458a4193.pn g
Credit British Caledonian Tribute Website.

A scarce relic obviously from prior to May 8th 1951. I'm guessing this flight is out of Bovingdon en-route to East Africa on one of the British Government Contracts.

All newspaper extracts are from The British Newspaper Archive.

https://baaa-acro.com/crash/crash-vickers-639-viking-1-bordeaux

Brewster Buffalo

5th Feb 2023, 10:45

OUAQUKGF Ops (https://www.pprune.org/members/240330-ouaqukgf-ops) - thanks for all this...

OUAQUKGF Ops

5th Feb 2023, 11:13

Brewster Buffalo

5th Feb 2023, 11:31

Having subscribed to the Newspaper Archive................
Yes I have used that for family history. I've found that you sometimes need to search using various terms to find what you need as the scanning process isn't perfect. I find it fascinating to read about all these long gone airlines..

XV490

6th Feb 2023, 08:13

Thank You - It's a pleasure .... I don't want to monopolize the thread, so contributions are very welcome. I've had to diversify things a bit as new images of old aeroplanes at Bovingdon are becoming more difficult to find. Having subscribed to the Newspaper Archive and with a bit of drift I will certainly be able to make a few more posts in due course before the thread finally runs out of steam..........

QUAQUKGF – Keep at it! Having started this thread in 2008, I'm staggered at the amount and variety of the information it's yielded, and your knowledge and contributions have now added an international dimension to the Bovingdon story. Thank you.

chevvron

6th Feb 2023, 09:14

I know there are developments at Bovingdon; the 'Dancing on Ice' studio has been operating for some years and now I understand ITV have applied to build more studios on parts of the main runway, the sunday market having been sent elsewhere however, according to what I can see on satellite photos,it looks as though the existing private airstrip has been restored to use; it has certainly been cleared of most of the containers which used to be there. There have also been murmurings about the control tower being partly restored.

OUAQUKGF Ops

6th Feb 2023, 09:18

Well that is good to hear XV490 and it is all thanks to you in the first place. Yes, airfields broaden our horizons..... All the best.

XV490

8th Feb 2023, 09:37

Bovingdon airfield will soon be playing its latest screen role, as infamous PoW camp Stalag Luft III, in Apple TV's Masters of the Air series, which is expected to be make its debut next month or in April. 'Tasters' have already appeared on the pay-per-view channel.

Accuracy hawks may question the use of the numeral '3' on the camp name board in the photo (instead of the Roman 'III'), or whether any such sign would have existed at all. The set at Bovingdon is said to have cost more than £5m.

Meanwhile some US advisers on the series have noted that "woke" elements in various episodes ignore historical fact.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/799x599/pasted_image_0_9a5d84e84a96bd8bba80e1cc7df0ba78bc8974a3.png

OUAQUKGF Ops

8th Feb 2023, 11:43

It all looks rather flammable - better tip off the fire section - now where did I see them last ?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syBmM-jWPQY

(Bovingdon 1954).

OUAQUKGF Ops

11th Feb 2023, 00:06

Hunting Air Travel was formed in December 1945. Their first Operating Base was at Luton with a small fleet of Percival (an associated company) Proctors, DH Dragon Rapides and Avro 19s.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/571x594/screenshot_2023_02_10_at_16_21l_proctor_5_of_hunting_air_tra vel_9cb846d09cc6d3e36f50f4fd73e049d75a231be3.png
Percival Proctor 5.

Now as usual I have a problem sourcing images of aeroplanes in their original liveries - so the following aeroplanes previously saw service with Hunting Air Travel . Should I by any chance in the future find images of them in the Hunting livery I'll add them to the post.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1124/1599659_large_rapide_g_ahpu_81e2cfbc78132974562361bbb28cb0e3 ae4f6ae0.jpg
This DH Rapide saw service with Hunting Air Travel/Air Transport etc 1946-1957. Seen at Southampton June 1957. Photo Barry Friend with thanks.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1312x865/sanson_prang_aircraft_photo_of_g_ahxk_avro_652a_c8bdcdb5bd60 457621cfdf1dfe9dc45a7ff0a995.png
This Avro 19 G-AHXK was with Hunting Air Travel 1946-1948. Here with Sivewright Airways of Ringway, Manchester. On 7th February 1950 undercarriage problems required a diversion to Sivewright's maintenance base at Barton Aerodrome for a wheels up landing. Not executed quite as neatly as the identical case of an RAF Anson at Bovingdon whose pilot managed to stop the engines with the props horizontal prior to touchdown. Photo as captioned.

In February 1947 Hunting Air Travel moved their operating base to Gatwick prior to the introduction of their first DH Dove in April and their first Vickers Viking in May. A company presence was also established at Croydon Airport during the period 1947-1948.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/430x736/croydon_prang_torquay_herald_express_23may_7e3c136a43e2f09db a742e46d2b0e268da6d2cdd.png
Torquay Herald Express 23rd May 1947 (BNA)

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/178x518/pilot_viking_evening_despatch_23_may_d323caf2194886d44c1e44c 99ce0d051c4fbb6f9.png
Evening Despatch May 23rd 1947. (BNA)

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/356x286/screenshot_2023_02_11_at_10_07_32_bl_0003150_19470524_174_00 03_pdf_2__cab531bb0bcb12159fdcc2a909a0963ee22229d6.png
Yorkshire Observer May 24th 1947. (BNA) Apologies for poor quality !

Turning to Tony Merton Jones wonderful book (British Independent Airlines 1946-1976) : The first Viking G-AHPJ was delivered on May 5th 1947 and crew training commenced at Gatwick. Its first commercial flight was made on May 13th when the aircraft was flown to Italy to undertake crew training, returning with three tons of strawberries for the London Markets. On the 23rd of May G-AHPJ operated a charter flight from Verona to Croydon carrying three and a half tons of fruit. After a three and a quarter hour flight Captain Rogers brought the Viking over the threshold of R/W 12 at Croydon and held the aircraft at ninety knots approx three to four feet above the runway. The aircraft touched, bounced badly and on the second touchdown the undercarriage collapsed. At the subsequent inquiry, it transpired that the aircraft had been 189 lbs above its permitted all up weight and that the centre of gravity was just over one inch aft of its limit. It was later established that the fruit (Strawberries and Cherries) had absorbed condensation en-route and that during the flight the cargo had shifted.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/538x427/screenshot_2023_02_09_hunting_dove_17afe8b01bbc6d6ab5d830178 031c08e2458b5a1.png
August 7th 1948. Boarding a Dove at Croydon for Jersey.

Very popular they were too - resulting in Hunting Air Travel being prosecuted at Croydon Court on March 11th 1949 for infringing section 23 of the Civil Aviation Act. It was alleged that between June 5th 1948 and August 28th 1948 flights were made every Saturday between Croydon and the Channel Islands, of forty flights made during August alone it was claimed that thirty six were booked by London Travel agents. It was said that the airline sometimes tried to avoid these regulations by persuading one of the passengers to sign an agreement chartering the whole aircraft. The Chairman of the Court had little sympathy for BEA who feared the competition and fined Hunting Air Travel £1 on each of the two charges and £15 costs (Merton Jones).

In early 1948 Hunting Air Travel together with their associated Maintenance Organization Field Aircraft Services moved their Viking operating base to Bovingdon.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1460/2m974rw_5c23b6457164fe01cd19ad000d8615f21cdde90e.jpg

Undated but captioned as Overseas Food Corporation staff boarding after a tech stop at Juba, South Sudan. En route from Dar-es-Salaam to Bovingdon. This important contract for a weekly flight from Bovingdon to 'Dar' and return commenced on November 1st 1948. Each round trip notched up a flying time of fifty hours. Much to Hunting's surprise and disappointment the contract was not renewed when it lapsed a year later and was given to BOAC. However the company would over the next few years receive several very lucrative contracts. Indeed the number of trooping flights alone operating out of Bovingdon, about 500 annually 1951-1954, kept Hunting Air Travel/Air Transport very busy. (Merton Jones with thanks).

OUAQUKGF Ops

16th Feb 2023, 11:25

PRELUDE

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1695x616/north_face_fdb469faea94135685e688e5dfefaae3992ddbc6.png

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1066x682/intro_17feb52_sunday_pictorial_6a150acecdeb7fba61623cbd7914f b38dbe2c64a.png

OUAQUKGF Ops

16th Feb 2023, 12:14

The loss of Vickers Viking G-AHPI 'Greta' Hunting Air Transport Passenger Charter Flight 16th February 1952 Bovingdon-Nairobi. Sectors Bovingdon-Nice-Nightstop Malta.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1570x1201/s_l1600_viking_1949_g_ahpi_dba43342e3a4d3c9b985be6dfd05043f1 bde2a17.jpg
This is the only image that I can find of G-AHPI taken at Bovingdon on 16th May 1949.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1250x475/screenshot_2023_01_17_at_17_42_16_google_earth_mountain_resi ze_8__ebb6880ef1387b7f7dcbbe42fefcf43a5374957b.png

Looking north-east over the Sicani Mountains of south-western Sicily. The village of Burgio (left) . The Summit (1426m) of Monte delle Rose highlighted in red. Bivona below and to right.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/580x870/lead_pt_1_daily_herald_18_5_52_2a9364efa3c3533e393f9a2c95c14 b5d5bbea197.png

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/255x610/lead_pt_2_dailly_herald_3ad0520c1dfe65200cf3f7612bcea72bcf01 55ab.png
Daily Herald 18/2/52.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1343x435/screenshot_2023_02_14_at_16_30_48_google_maps_cf10a7c872a1a9 f062cce93d272593c91baf78da.png

The northern slopes of Monte Rose. Image taken at approx 900m amsl. Lower tree-line highlighted on 1100m amsl contour. Aircraft is said to have impacted at 1040m amsl. Some changes in arboreal growth will have occurred over the intervening years. The summit of the mountain is to the left and hidden from view.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/441x717/18_feb_52_birm_post_location_report_pt_1_d423d763db988d61340 a4d0846320e0de4d61d27.png
Birmingham Post 18/2/52.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1547x612/west_north_west_face_1e7b77645be3b283185090ea6996759b4cdbf88 2.png

Most accounts state that the aircraft impacted with the northern slope of the mountain - but mention has also been made of impact on the western slope. For good measure a view here of the W/N/W side of Monte Rose.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/352x722/screenshot_2022_12_01_at_19_27_38_bl_0000769_19520218_006_00 01_pdf_coventry__f90aa270c3bc3a99f277ca396fe4ff78cd6c7239.pn g

Coventry Evening Telegraph 18/2/52.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/692x826/pi_fuse_wreck_39afc4b2882f3a686815a9abb48a91d4f43c3daf.png

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/611x707/pi_tail_wreck_72d6da4113dad6aa745ae966649f55bac7e458a4.png
The Sphere 1/3/52.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/475x470/recovery_of_bodies_yorkshire_post_feb_19_a6ebeb3f580f057a379 3e55216a59e8fcfabebc6.png
Yorkshire Post 19/2/52.

In the event the transportation of the dead on litters off the slope proved impossible and was abandoned, the bodies being left by the wreck, while medics continued their body count (February 19th).

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/276x308/screenshot_mules_nottingham_evening_post_21_2_52__646a12ae64 b22fa48fa862cc368b91e4a9910f79.png
Nottingham Evening Post 20/2/52.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/281x205/pax_return_birm_daily_post_b9efb6798ecfe2fcbc4f304975ae56b51 60a1f5d.png
Birmingham Daily Post 21/2/52.

17 Victims, of whom only five had been identified, were flown out of Palermo to London on Friday, February 22nd. The remaining thirteen victims were due to be flown out on Sunday, 24th February. Kenyon's Website notes that their specialist services were undertaken in connection with this air crash.

Accident Summary Below:

https://baaa-acro.com/index.php/crash/crash-vickers-614-viking-1-mt-la-cinta-31-killed

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1200x781/screenshot_2023_01_16_burgio_landscape_f7a3227cb5a96acc0b877 65ecd52d56bd5978557.png
Burgio.

All extracts are from The BNA.

OUAQUKGF Ops

16th Feb 2023, 12:37

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1268x1644/img_info_chit_48bacb189812638ccb01e6ab4b9f68e911076698.jpg

This Flight Information Chitty dates from some years after the accident. I'm assuming that the routing is Malta-Nice perhaps on a Safari Air Service from East Africa. It gives some idea of the normal route that the company pilots would take in this part of the Mediterranean. I believe that G-AHPI had encountered thunderstorms in the region of Sardinia. I have not seen the Anglo/Italian Accident Report in the archives at Kew. It is not available digitally, runs to 192 pages and the cost of a copy is prohibitive !

OUAQUKGF Ops

4th Mar 2023, 18:05

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/975x760/s_east_af_tt_1954_resize_8b32826cefed68f811d60d6568fbfb5b151 b2630.png
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1000x784/east_af_tt_1954_resize_2_6e21e62d34fabefd9e468f6def03f22e05b 23201.png
The East African Safari Air Service first operated from Bovingdon on 14th June 1952. Images which are thought to be of the inaugural flight can been found on Page 19 #373.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/975x794/newcastle_timetable_hunting_air_transport_resize_476e607f2f4 10ddd076bbd9d2f7644b8a40b1f20.png
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/975x801/newcastle_timetable_hunting_air_transport_2_resize_f2c5f20e8 0a8b9245ed2b692054b0e4a0f740a65.png
Commenced on 15th May 1953. With effect from March 1st 1954 this service transferred to Northolt as being more convenient for London.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/975x650/046225_zf_9651_85503_1_001_resize_f04fdfb55ac3aa48cedc7a1d16 edaf1ed2d3e89e.jpg
No doubt used on the Newcastle Service. Hunting Air Transport livery, date c1953-54. It would be interesting to know the location - possibly named on the obscured roof.....

In October 1953 The Clan Line Shipping Group bought an interest (which would subsequently be a controlling interest) in Hunting Air Transport.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/975x666/screenshot_2023_02_07_at_09_54_41_pax19_g_amyw_hc_copy_jpg_n ewcastle_resize_cf790900a71e65bb5e6b71cf7af88b1785a50461.png
Photo as captioned.

I wish this was a photograph of Bovingdon but such images I cannot find. Perhaps general public access through the main gate at Bovingdon was restricted and enthusiasts were encouraged to stay very much on the other side of The Fence. I believe this is Woolsington (Newcastle) probably 1954 on a very overcast day with rain forecast at the destination. Hunting Clan had by this time established a significant presence at Newcastle offering flights to Northern Europe and Scandinavia. I must say when you read about the amount of work this company had one can only conclude that they had a very hard-working Commercial Department. I don't know if this was a morning departure or not. When one worked a Night Shift in Ops it was always a bit of a relief to get the morning schedules away and running smoothly before the day shift took over. There really is nothing worse than coming in for a Day Shift to be faced by a heap of crap. I remember years ago now, when on Night Shift with BIA at LGW, it snowed. Nothing unusual about that except that it was the first day of Easter, ice and snow not forecast, and the company de-icing rig was de-commissioned. Frozen solid the Heralds sat there until lunchtime, just over 50% of the fleet grounded. Very very late newspapers, mail and passengers to the Channel Islands and elsewhere that day. The directors were not impressed and the ice hit the fan. On a warmer note Dakota G-AMYW was registered to Hunting Surveys and was destroyed without loss or injury in a forced landing in Saudi Arabia April 8th 1967.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/975x576/central_af_ttv1956_resize_7a6025c61ff51180590fbca186ad877ede 15ac60.png
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1000x591/central_af_tt_1956_resize_2_7acbb4d68e620cd1b2e2fcc5a4fd9d9e 7bfdd9b2.png
This Safari Service, initially low frequency, was operated like others, in partnership with Airwork. Commenced June 26th 1953. This is the earliest timetable I can find 22nd April 1956 by which time Biarritz was used in place of Bordeaux for tech stops and with arrivals/departures at London Airport North.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/975x668/84871_viking_salisbury_1953_resize_5c576b8e6ff4149ce89ecd079 4df51611ff5dc98.jpg
Photo as captioned. Taken by the J.K. Evans's Father who was the Captain of G-AHPB - Seen at Salisbury (Belvedere) Airport in 1953.
I once had the good fortune to go along as ballast on a Viking C of A Airtest. I can't remember if it was G-AHPB or G-AGRW both of which had at one time been with Hunting Clan, but were then working towards their retirement from Autair when I knew them. It really was rather invigorating if not a little tense when each engine was feathered in turn over the featureless fens..........

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1000x769/west_af_tt_resize_2_b0efcc01577d4a17e47e11aeb5781e9ceb64c3ea .png
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1000x766/west_af_tt_1954_resize_1_99355659edc6be1ebf8ee42bc863930dc1a aa702.png
Operated jointly with Airwork - I think but I'm not sure, that Hunting Clan's first service was on June 21st 1954 from Bovingdon.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/975x699/resize_abidjan__0ed64a015687c2f4534a634eb50095b4e544c893.png
Photo as captioned. G-AGRP tech stop at Abidjan - thought to be taken on Hunting Clan's initial Service from Bovingdon.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/750x515/lhr_1959_hunting_clan_avro_york_g_amxm_bing_35a65755d20d1bd9 7b3f09bf93232bf50cc8ac38.png
Avro York G-ANGF came into service with the airline in April 1954 operating initially from Bovingdon. Seen here at Heathrow in 1959 she was withdrawn from use that July.

On October 3rd 1954 the transfer of Hunting Clan's Operations from Bovingdon to Northolt (and later Heathrow) commenced. Their maintenance facility (Fields) remained at Bovingdon for the time being.

Mention of Avro Yorks. The 'Africargo' Service commenced on July 23rd 1955.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/816x973/africargo_tt_1957_e188572fe4b3c0e5f7f6d134a83c3708f73c33d0.p ng
Here I should say a big thank-you to Bjorn Larsson for sharing his Timetables with us.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/950x673/york_nairobi_embaski_1959_resize_2e1ff93e2f5886f30ae026d0b5a b2025f16b1446.png
Photo Kenya Airports Authority. Embakasi Airport Nairobi 1958.

OUAQUKGF Ops

4th Mar 2023, 18:15

You may or may not be familiar with this excellent web-site https://timetableimages.com/

OUAQUKGF Ops

10th Mar 2023, 11:00

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1017x572/_relic_clock_3020680eab8c804034e92c0536e159fb43de42d3.png

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/217x328/c47_leicester_eve_mail_nov_3_1945_917de64a55fb3bd052fd07af07 72280d8017e3cb.png
Leicester Evening Mail November 3rd 1945. (BMA).

The accident received little coverage in British Newspapers.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/968x523/screenshot_2023_03_01_at_10_56_37_google_maps_353962bae59489 de74b3eb29059d6c9c5141e964.png

C47 42-93041 was from The USAAF 30th Air Depot Group (Illesheim) recently loaned with crew to the 344th BG at Schleissheim Airfield (highlighted) near Munich, Germany.
It was flying from Bovingdon to Schleissheim with a crew of four and twenty six passengers when it flew into a small mountain near a rock formation known as The Bernsteinfelsen at approx 600 M amsl. I have not yet been able to access the accident report. I have seen it stated that the crew mistook the city of Karlsruhe for that of Augsburg and were following the River Rhine in the belief that they were following the River Lech. The accident happened about half an hour before sunset (it was said to be foggy) as a climb into cloud was commenced. Recently a memorial has been dedicated to those who lost their lives.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/745x553/screenshot_2023_01_09_at_09_36_23_bernsteinfelsen_bing_image s_d0e42c9c9ba084d2dfd0afe9c37af318910b13f6.png

View to the east with a highlight over the Bernstein.

I take the liberty of transcribing an article by Ditmar Glaser from the Schwarzwaelder Newspaper Group - November 12th 2021.

76 years ago, the worst plane accident in the Bab Herrenalb region to date occurred on The Bernstein. A memorial stone has now been erected not far from the crash site. The driving forces behind it were the brothers Peter and Roland Bittman from Michelbach. On November 1st 1945 at 4.30 pm an American Military plane crashed about 70 metres below the amber rock. 4 Crew and 22 soldiers died, four survived. The young soldiers were based in Oberschleissheim near Munich and had been on leave in London. The machine first grazed treetops and finally crashed on a steep mountain slope above Michelbach. The plane broke into pieces, exploded and caught fire. It was a miracle that there were survivors. Three injured were able to free themselves from the wreckage, they pulled a badly injured comrade from the wreck. Then they went to get help (which is said to have arrived 4 hours after impact). One went over the mountain in the direction of Bernbach where he was found by a forest worker sitting in the woods by the wayside and was brought to Bernbach. In a tavern they met German women and French soldiers none of whom spoke English. They fetched the Teacher from Bernbach who was able to act as an interpreter and explain what had happened. The two other survivors went downhill and met helpers in Sulzbach.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1011x694/bernstein_aerial_looking_south_east_46389f7b505d56200b8b5a02 0a0226becac177c2.png
Looking South-east. Bernbach highlighted.

In 1994 Peter Bittman conducted research with Timo Bittman and Manfred Herm from Michelbach but were unable to discover the cause of the accident. When 2015 marked the 70th anniversary of the accident, Peter and Roland Bittman and Manfred Mayer from the press office of the city of Gaggenhau tried again and were successful. They located an aircraft engineer and local researcher Gunter Braun in Oberschleissheim, who knew how the accident occurred. Apparently bad weather and the alleged lack of experience of the 23 year old pilot and 22 year old navigator were to blame. For the memorial Arne Gluckstein, Head of PR at ForstBW Western Black Forest District, procured the necessary permits. District Forester Andreas Bach allocated a site on the Bernsteinweg, a salient about 50 metres above the accident site. Contemporary witnesses Franz Kratz (90) from Moosbronn and Rudolf Barner (92) from Gaggenau were also present at the public dedication of the memorial stone.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1017x572/s_swr_aktuell_memorial_carving_260e3eebdf26a7344e472dd594864 5c79ab9cec6.png
The heavy Memorial Stone used was from the Crash Site. Roland Bittman is seen here. Source: Schwarzwaelder bote.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/935x831/sgroup_shot_memorial_schwarzw_lder_bote_4a90906a8417c38909d1 aa9e26aee18c2008abc5.png
Source: Schwarzwaelder bote.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/820x871/6_oberschleissheim_flugplatz_nordrand_vom_hasenbergl_459da0b ff89367797add6348f91d1f4b7d39eb9c.jpg
The historic airfield at Schleissheim, Post-War. Essentially a training airfield dating back to 1912.

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Ernst Udet on the occasion of the Airfield's 25th Anniversary - April 1st 1937. Dachau Concentration Camp was some seven kilometres distant.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/673x934/screenshot_2023_03_08_at_10_53_23_bayerische_flugzeug_histor iker_e_v_the_americans_in_schleissheim_488516cd560c0e6a8a132 6a1e77b3aeddae12c1b.png
Source BFH with thanks.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/500x319/bfh_g_344bg_b_26final_schleissheim_ccb9c9f81dfd29592cec48d46 801897d41618c71.jpg

344th BG returned to the USA at the end of 1945. They left their Martin Marauders behind to be disposed of in any convenient manner, this image from Spring 1946.

Photo: as captioned.

https://www.deutsches-museum.de/en/flugwerft-schleissheim/exhibition/historic-airfield-buildings

https://www.baaa-acro.com/crash/crash-douglas-c-47a-20-dk-bad-herrenalb-26-killed

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/370x561/2lt_bahne_h_andressen_1922_1945_find_a_grave_5a8ab6094c761bc f815065cce6c213c9fe907d14.png

Bahne Andressen 1922-1945. Captain of 42-93041. He lies in Oakland Cemetery, Keokuk, Iowa. His image extracted by 'Nelda' from the Coleman Flying School, (Coleman, Texas) Class 44E Yearbook.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/326x312/cockpit_clock_example_detail_43ecb49fa4803f00851270ec31e557e 163d8b2ff.png

Tempus Fugit

OUAQUKGF Ops

24th Mar 2023, 11:34

All the extracts are from The British Newspaper Archive. Mostly with a very brief mention of Bovingdon hence the drift...........

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/655x343/gold_10nov45_8e9b8dc60fcf824a20123188b77bd4a238cd7efb.png
News Chronicle 10 November 1945
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Rougham (Bury St Edmunds) Airfield. Photo: American Air Museum in Britain.

The 64th Bomb Group were still in residence at the time of the above incident. The 64th left Rougham in December 1945 having in the immediate post-war period operated leaflet drops over Europe and repatriations from Germany.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/945x386/floods_uk_text_e8074dafe029bfd55dc717c26a11ca2e98c145f4.png
Wikipedia.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/550x807/relief_planes_27mar47_enhanced_8ef0ec63b44087d9ce4cea0a9a9c4 61b544d9af8.png
Western Morning News 27 March 1947

The American Air Force Flights came from Frankfurt and Munich. Britain was also in receipt of international aid and food parcels from Commonwealth countries such as Canada and Australia.

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Hoveringham, Notts. Photo Nottingham Post.

On the 17th/18th March 1947 the River Trent over-topped its banks in Nottingham and widespread flooding affected the town and the surrounding countryside.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/496x503/russians_halton_28mar47_enhanced_d87c095ca89e4751a43e2491583 7a199bd6f83f4.png
Yorkshire Post 28 March 1947

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1000x667/b02825_zf_3046_01216_1_001_reduced_resized_55e0a6d3b293beda5 f2c69664f1cc647050f055a.jpg

247 Squadron Royal Air Force were the first Squadron to operate the DH Vampire. Flying Officer Carter would have been flying an F1 Vampire. Seen here is an F3 Vampire of 247 Squadron at West Malling in September 1949.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/346x767/boac_bov_pt_1_1ded8cb54fb27220d357abd647e3551c45cd2c79.png
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/308x732/boac_bov_pt_2_6jan48_613f73cd982acdee17ef4b2897bc1c5c6e634f4 a.png
The Courier and Advertiser 6 January 1948

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The Citizen 11 January 1948

It must have been a 'No News Day' !

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/601x646/gca_18feb48_6711e256704102d66733b4b5be1bfd1c174754e3.png
Manchester Evening News 18 February 1948

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/440x752/pigeons_25jun48_7749e42e20e86dce1fc1a89dd2d52c45cf681382.png
Wolverton Express and Bucks Weekly 25 June 1948

Pigeon Racing enjoyed a renaissance after the end of World War 11. Bovingdon operators British Nederland Air Services and Blue Air flew many Racing Pigeons to The Continent. Nederland's Dakotas would take the birds as far afield as Nantes and Cannes. Their single Miles Aerovan was also utilized for this purpose but on shorter sectors such as Bovingdon to The Channel Islands. (Later) I've just found another clipping the gist of it being that 9,000 Racing Pigeons were flown from Bovingdon to Brussels in five aeroplanes on 15 June 1951. The cost to the clubs involved worked out at 2/6d per Pigeon. Pilots were instructed to fly at 'a low level' the pigeons being averse to high altitudes. The birds were released the next day to race back to The North Country !

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1136x736/screenshot_2023_03_24_at_21_58_10_lep_transport_history_with _peter_skerry_8d75f4070bece5e613f91c84af06eaa9db46b903.png
Photo Lep Transport History Peter Skerry

Air Transport Charter Dakota being loaded with Racing Pigeons at Gatwick c1950. This company lost Dakota G-AJBG at Bovingdon in 1948. See page 7 #128.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/273x698/sheep_27aug48_ffca9e752246a2472640719a3615b15136b60f85.png
Mercury and Herald 27 August 1948

(I wouldn't like to have been caught riding my bike on the pavement in those days ! )

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/500x354/images_hawick_2_5c2e39d0e410e25b3f724fe4d03ebc8286407af6.jpg

The Sheep Market in the once prosperous town of Hawick in what is now The Scottish Borders.

More Follows:

OUAQUKGF Ops

24th Mar 2023, 12:35

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/617x250/daily_mirror_march_3rd_1949_pax_aad0746ee807d7af167809099c0a 86d5df166d5b.png
Daily Mirror 3 March 1949

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Illustrated,Sporting and Dramatic News 4 May 1949 (What a Mouthful)

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/227x493/stratocruiser_bov_31oct49_b9575c37811363110cc683074d1b0d878c 80ff73.png
Grimsby Evening Telegraph 31 October 1949

Snippets about weather diversions are liberally scattered throughout the papers of the period with flights to London diverting to Bovingdon or Hurn. However the aircraft types involved are almost never mentioned. It was interesting to read of a Stratocruiser at Bovingdon. In what was left of one's mind, a hazy vision of a pristine BOAC aeroplane remained until it became clear that BOAC Stratocruisers didn't enter service until 1950. This has left us with two possibilities (pictured in 1949) below. I don't suppose that if, on this occasion, the crowds had turned out at Bovingdon - they would have got through the main gate.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/750x530/stratocruiser_lhr_c8fcdedbdeab4b13a1f37bbda3dc8a07888c169f.j pg
London Airport

Probably the inaugural PAA Stratocruiser service from New York April 1949

OR

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1160x898/1280px_stratocruiser_op_schiphol_bestanddeelnr_903_5913_1160 x898_b7c254a0277c58248373a38210f7a5b6dc6fda4c.jpg
Schiphol 1949. American Overseas' Transatlantic Stratocruiser Service to London commenced in August 1949.

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Evening Despatch 16 December 1949

This was of interest because I could find nothing about this in any newspapers or indeed on the internet. As this post has been much driven by the weather I might be forgiven for thinking that flooding had also occurred in The Near East. However I suddenly realized that there had been a Flood, not of Water but of Mankind.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/950x748/pa_5737111_1024x806_nov_9_1948_jerusalem_to_lebanon_resize_6 dc6a683f95bd2a1b9d5dd05117b394be801244a.jpg

On the road from Jerusalem to Lebanon 9th November 1948. Palestinians fleeing their homes during the Arab-Israeli War, probably never to return.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in The Near East was created in 1949 and continues its work..........

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1153x925/snow_bov_5jan62_645f721666201d0293965e77ca7f5b785b20a735.png
Bucks Examiner 5 January 1962.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1038x506/screenshot_2023_03_22_at_19_24_50_raf_bovingdon_1_youtube_67 593a345100f7f65b6172a7b8940c86428d9b93.png
Photo William Schneider

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1037x413/screenshot_2023_03_23_at_18_20_49_raf_bovingdon_1_youtube_en hance_5ddf9264f32faf571b2064b57f76aa1f9cdff92d.png
Photo William Schneider

We had yet to enjoy the Winter of 1962-3 !!

brakedwell

24th Mar 2023, 16:32

I remember the winter of 1962/3 well! Having left Bovingdon at the end of the summer of 1962, I went on a Transport Command Ground Course at Thorney Island, which was a waste of time. After that it started to snow and I continued to Whitworth Gloster Coventry for an Argosy Ground School Course followed by a Rolls Royce Dart Course at Derby. We finished off the groundschool in February 1963 at RAF Benson, but the Wing Commander flying had buggered up the snow clearance badly, so as the runway was still unusable we took two Argosies, which were stuck at RAF St Mawgan, to Malta and Tripoli where we did three weeks of type conversion flying.

OUAQUKGF Ops

27th Mar 2023, 18:26

I was once more hunting around for scraps under the table involving Bovingdon when my eyes alighted upon this:

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/225x207/flying_ent_lancs_bov_362407d8c9c3f42f1fbf2a493da3cd20842a9b6 4.png
Bradford Observer 4 January 1952 (BNA).

Now I remember at the time that my Dad remarked that Capt Carlsen was a very brave Man..........

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/245x461/flying_ent_first_report_dec281951_81a8e123cd3b9209fbecd177de 1dc4f9ceee00b8.png
Northern Daily Mail 28 December 1951 (BNA)

The earliest Newspaper Reports were of this date. The Story was yet break. 'Flying Enterprise' was steaming from Hamburg for The United States. On Christmas Night 1951 she encountered, in the Radio Operator's words, a " severe Hurricane" that caused structural damage and a subsequent cargo shift. The World would watch while events unfolded over the next fortnight.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1142x730/fly_e_sphere_12jan52_3e9fa24af82883536435767eaed41399ca88c6d 0.png
The Sphere (BNA)

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/728x860/screenshot_2023_03_27_at_23_11_05_flying_ent_2_pdf_6617a7396 7adc7293fe95a67cb017b1238e233fa.png
Western Mail 3 January 1952 (BNA)
This appears to be one of the first aerial press photos dating from 2 January 1952.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/888x751/fly_e_sphere_12jan52_3_0ca02eede55ec034b9f02ba049ad8339458cb 254.png
The Sphere (BNA)

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/893x730/fly_e_sphere_12jan52_2__3c85e219e0d1cd7ba5659c744d6f84d9d174 786a.png
The Sphere (BNA)

'The Flying Enterprise' is under tow by The Admiralty Tug 'Turmoil' with the Destroyer 'USS John Weeks' in attendance.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1418x675/six_lancs_enhanced__fd3b3e31ce48cd7ca40d29ba462b79180e585de1 .png
Yorkshire Observer 5 January 1952 (BNA)

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1100x733/b26279_zf_4419_61110_1_001_lanc_malta_resize_50816746494fc4e a4e3ed0aec8ba466ab0153757.jpg

Lancaster ASR3s from St Eval participated. I think probably the Coastal Command Lancasters that came to Bovingdon (Why - proximity to Northwood?) were from St Eval and patrolling over 'The Flying Enterprise' on January 3rd. They would have been from either 203 or 210 Squadrons. I couldn't find a decent snap of a ASR3 from St Eval. This image is from 37 Squadron - not sure of location but probably Malta.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1100x733/b06772_zf_4419_61110_1_002_lanc_bov_resize_9588fd4ad8a92c52a 1ce1d054dd32528d62857b5.jpg

Lancaster GR3s from The School of Maritime Reconnaissance, St Mawgan were very active too. The fate of 'The Flying Enterprise' was too good an opportunity to pass up for a spot of training ! This particular GR3 of the SMR was photographed at Bovingdon and fits into a time frame between 1953 (when C119s came into Italian Air Force Service) and 1956 when the Lancaster was retired from Service.

If it is a poor night for Telly you might enjoy these videos: I think this first one was filmed from an Anson.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxeKTN8eqsQ

This next one is good but doesn't tell what happened after the tow was underway......

https://www.britishpathe.com/asset/171687/

This one completes the story.......

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVSfdiSPE3E

OUAQUKGF Ops

5th Apr 2023, 18:35

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/973x555/chess_doug_kennedy_a8adfc3618795e20e343537a5e44130c8abcfe94. png
The Chess Valley. Photo Doug Kennedy.

My early childhood days were spent in the Chiltern Hills near Chalfont St Peter between the wide, open valley of the River Misbourne and slightly further afield, the mysterious and lush little valley of the River Chess. I crossed the River Misbourne each day as I walked with my Mother to Infants School. In some seasons the river would be dry and at other times deep enough to allow bathing. The Misbourne valley there, was wide, mostly of bland water-meadows with a few tired old Willows. Far more interesting were the skies overhead where DC4s and Constellations, sparkling high in sunlight, circled overhead waiting for the fog to burn off at London Airport. If at that time my Father was flush we might have had an Old Banger. We certainly had a Pony and Trap and while they were well suited to the tight little lanes that eventually dropped down to the narrow valley of the River Chess it was not considered wise to take a pony on to the dispersals of an active airfield such as Bovingdon where I was taken to play on the Halifax hulks. To descend to the Chess at Latimer was in high summer to enter another world shadowed by huge Willows where flashes of white light reflected from the clear chalk stream, whilst small fishes darted and Kingfishers called.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/433x530/mothballyork23may51_814240d75e13f57284ec1a0cdc318019410ac5ab .png
23 May 1951. Manchester Evening News. (BNA)

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1127x297/screenshot_2023_03_29_at_10_04_57_noise_bov_pdf_7b9c2d88868d 919fe7e5214bdd239cefabe28d9c.png
12 September 1952. Bucks Examiner. (BNA)

I'm afraid the standard of reproduction is so poor here that I'm having to transcribe the text.. I have to say that this article, which is by The Editor, must have been written during a period when there was no other 'NEWS'......

' A VAST AMOUNT OF TRAFFIC.

Following a vast number of complaints received from local inhabitants on the Chesham side of Bovingdon Airport the Bucks Examiner contacted The Air Ministry and The Ministry of Aviation resulting in an invitation by The Commandant, Wing Commander Hilton to visit the aerodrome and have their position and difficulties explained and pointed out in a practical manner. It is unlikely that many people in the area realise what a vast amount of traffic is dealt with at Bovingdon. During the past year (1952) traffic has almost doubled to about 2000 movements (arr/dep) per month and in one day they have had as many as 150. The Ministry of Civil Aviation are landlords of the Airport and rent it out to several private companies while it is also used by the RAF to a certain extent - there are about half a dozen jets, Meteors and Vampires stationed there.

PLANES OVER THE CHESS VALLEY - THE REVERBERATION.

One of these companies brought into use, two or three months ago (at a date which coincides with the beginning of the complaints), 15 York Aircraft. They carry between 40-50 passengers are powered by four Rolls Royce Merlin engines and are occupied mainly in Trooping Flights. Consequently, when loaded, these planes take a longer time to climb than many, and as the runway chiefly used at the airport runs north and south, their take-off will very often bring them directly over Chesham. Likewise, having taken off on the west-east runway, the secondary one, planes often have to circle southwards again bringing them over the Chess Valley. This applies also, of course, to planes landing. The peak hours are the morning departures and the late afternoon arrivals. Another point to be borne in mind is that Chesham, lying as it does in a valley receives the noise reverberated from side to side.'

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1000x569/screenshot_2023_03_31_at_19_51_49_google_earthenhanced_4ae7a e08c4a8d904448e4693c4e3f9cfdca0362a.png
The outskirts of Chesham today in relation to Bovingdon. The Chess valley runs vertically on the RHS . The small bright white square is, I think a marquee, at Latimer. Close by to Latimer House where during WW11 aircraft noise was a potential problem for Latimer's eavesdropping activities. (see page 23 #424)

I'm afraid that the rest of the article is almost completely illegible but the gist of it is reads that the Airport Authority emphasize that no low flying laws have been infringed and furthermore they hint that the Avro Yorks may soon be moving elsewhere. (August 2023 I've added a scarce second's worth of newsreel which shows a Skyway's York departing from the shorter Runway 27 towards Chesham in 1952 ). Link follows below.

https://www.britishpathe.com/asset/254532/

.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/248x371/noise_letter_26sept52_73cbe5da4a55808564ebc1a57afb4ed04ecf98 a4.png
26 September 1952. Bucks Examiner. (BNA)

So much for the vast number of complaints ! I cannot be sure that the BNA have a complete run of the 'Bucks Examiner' but I have combed it from July 1951 until December 1952 and this is the only letter and article on the subject of aircraft noise from Bovingdon that I can find. LAC Yorks came into service in July 1951 that company purchasing Skyways (in whose livery these Yorks were flown) in March 1952. In October 1952 Skyways moved from Bovingdon to Stansted.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1236x840/move_to_zsd_3oct52_b65565f53d1c8aa4f492d55b260eab287051e167. png
3 October 1952. Herts and Essex Observer.(BNA)

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1000x666/screenshot_2023_03_30_at_10_30_12_file_avro_685_york_c1_g_ah ey_skyways_of_london_2_jpg_wikimedia_commons_a39a55830aa02b7 18fe6e2a214ac5e3f2b343b03.png
Avro York G-AHEY Skyways. Photo Wikimedia.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/465x913/infltfood_30apr54_enhance_ab5991af8599ff15536ff266d31816ccce 6c1dce.png
30 April 1954. Manchester Evening News. (BNA)

1954 now and Huntings are out to seduce The War Department and The Air Ministry with Women and Fine Food before the airline packs its bags at Bovingdon and moves off to London Airport.

1951 and already posted elsewhere on this thread. Food on an Eagle Aviation Trooping York. By Jackie Pritchard 2016.

' I flew on an Avro York G-AGNY this was in 1951 leaving Singapore and landing for over night stops in Ceylon, Bombay, Karachi, Iraq, Malta, and finally England. This was a bare bones flight, the plane had seating of all descriptions old car seats, coach seats, you name it, we boarded wearing only our tropical uniform but had the sense thank goodness to carry our great coats. The plane was exactly the same as if being used for cargo no heating and the fuselage was clearly visible rivets and all, we half froze to death the steward was the navigator, the food was in little brown cardboard boxes complete with dry curled up meat and not forgetting a small wooden knife and fork. I often think about that journey and wonder if there are many left who were on that flight with me.'

OUAQUKGF Ops

16th Apr 2023, 11:49

Worldair Carriers Ltd, Bovingdon. Cargo Flight - Sector Amsterdam-Brindisi. Destination Tehran.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/500x676/img_2630atc_plan_per_david_resize_again_2__2919dd4bb730cc678 3d1cf2207cb861f8d46212c.png
I think this was salvaged from the wreckage.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/226x362/portrait_lathom_smith_61c034709f31fec35b0eb32eef10f44fb8ee51 41.png

Captain Bryan Lathom-Smith 1924-1950.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/436x910/newspaper_clipping_enhanced_f595f5d34af1bbfa69c7a9911fbc7f3e 49b70ee8.png
Nottinghamshire Guardian 17 April 1950 (BNA)

An uncompromising, concise bit of nineteen-fifties reporting. Presenting a questionable eye-witness account together with, I think, a premature statement by the Swiss Authorities. Very distressing to read for those so recently bereaved.

THE FLIGHT

The aircraft was at Schiphol on 14 April 1950. It was loaded on 15 April with a cargo of approx 3900 kg of Philips Domestic Radios (Model BX485AV) the sort of thing you listened to 'Mrs Dale's Diary' on - or perhaps not ? The cargo 'Volumed Out' leaving 59 sets behind and the Halton comfortably below its MTOW.

16 April - 0210z Met Briefing. Poor weather forecast en-route to overhead Venice. Cloud base on the northern side of The Alps predicted at 600-1200 metres amsl. It seems the flight had already delayed for weather and I've read somewhere that the Met Officer suggested a further delay of a couple of hours but I'm not sure. He did recommend to the crew that they should operate the sector at an altitude of 5000 metres until approaching Venice.
0245z ATC Flight Plan Filed - received at among other stations Munich-Geneva and Zurich.

5,500ft IFR 2.10hr Amsterdam - Abeam Munich
15,500ft IFR 1.15hr Abeam Munich - Venice
7,500ft VFR 2.15hr Venice- Brindisi

Fuel Endurance 7hrs.15min.

0300z Start Up. 0315z Airborne.

0422z Q coded transmission from G-AHDX to Amsterdam giving "Position at 0415z 75km west of Wiesbaden"

0449z Q coded transmission from G-AHDX to Orly "En-route to Brindisi ETA 0855 At 0415z we were approx 100km west of Wiesbaden. Our altitude 1650m amsl"
This also noted by Auxerre, Strasbourg and Nancy Radio stations.

These are thought to be the only Radio transmissions made during the flight. At 0528z the Halton, possibly climbing slightly, flew into the Yurtenfluh on the north face of Mt Hohgant, south-east of Bern and disintegrated. Impact was at approx 1700 m (5,577ft). The weather was foggy, a cloudbase of 1000m amsl in rain and wet snow. The impact triggered an avalanche carrying wreckage 500 metres down to Alp Yurtentiepe where it lay covered in snow in a strip 1.2km x 200m. The bodies of 4 crew members and the Company's Brindisi Manager were efficiently recovered and taken to Bern. Investigators from the Swiss Federal Aviation Office were quickly on the scene and I think on that same day they recovered a damaged Navigation Chart which indicated that the Halton was approx 250km west of its flight planned route.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/923x615/impact_point_cefdf3b70ac9798521c56bd1c3443ad2bb157b9e.png
Point of impact. The Avalanche travelled down the adjacent slope to the left.

A Police appeal for witnesses resulted in reports from as far away as 60km to the north establishing the direction of flight south-wards towards Mt Hohgant. Rarely glimpsed through low cloud the aircraft was heard cruising steadily low. Because of Fog the crash was said not to have been seen but that the impact was widely heard as was the resultant avalanche. A witness mentioned hearing the engines being 'Throttled' just before impact.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/681x601/wreckage_9787c6b445491eb6c13e58a4ee87b7bea6000fd6.png
Photo: Walter Nydegger/Roger Cornioley.

https://www.britishpathe.com/asset/70429/

Although it was a three hour climb to the crash site sightseers and souvenir hunters turned up. Despite a Cordon being in place and with only limited policing being available (initially the Village Bobby from Schangnau) pilfering of wreckage, documents and radio parts occurred, the latter being very popular. Several prosecutions resulted.
Further recovery operations were not possible until the snows melted. One crew member was still missing.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/950x693/wal_funeral_19_april_1950_3_reduced_3541b742b295ab15d33c1f57 4270bff95e8b9936.png
Photo Chris Latham-Smith with thanks.

The Crew's Funeral at the Bremgarten Cemetery Bern on 19 April 1950.

On the 13 May 1950 the body of the Radio Operator Keith Allum was recovered and subsequently buried in the Churchyard at Schangnau.
25 May - Aerial Survey of site. 30th May - Scene inspected, documents recovered which proved valuable to investigators. Human remains buried on the spot.
3 -4 June Thorough search conducted with supervised team of 16 Scout Rovers looking for Ship's Papers and sorting wreckage. Debris in a niche in the rock 50 metres above impact point included parts of Philips radios , a rudder bar and a trim wheel. Debris at the foot of the cliff face and just below included the remains of a magnetic compass and a damaged aircraft radio. There had been a small engine fire on impact. No indications were found that the aircraft or its engines were defective at the time of the accident.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1000x419/screenshot_2023_04_14_at_19_21_03_google_earth_hohgant_resiz e_84c389e24d9995ba0c855a8543fff24adce2ab1f.png

WEATHER

The Met Folder was salvaged but was very badly damaged. The data I've reproduced here was produced by The Swiss Aviation Weather Service mainly after the accident and I acknowledge the use of their images and data.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/850x633/screenshot_2023_04_12_synoptic_reduced_72a840cd058e99b4d280a 1d51df2d18ee50b8532.png
The flight had operated from Schiphol almost entirely in heavy layered cloud. The Swiss Aviation Weather Office calculated that isolated cloud breaks might have allowed ground visibility for about 10% of the route. Very much the whole of the Swiss Alps were covered with layered cloud and emerging Cumulus. A KLM Constellation (PH-TDC) northbound over the alps near Lucerne at 0700z that morning reported a solid ceiling of cloud with a strong swelling surface and tops at about 3000m amsl.

Forecast Winds 0300z-0600z 16 April 1950.

HOLLAND --SAAR- --MITTLELLAND--SALZBURG
1000m N10--NNE5----- NNW15----------- SW5
2000m N10--N20 -------W10---------------WSW5
3000m N20--N25------- NW5--------------SW10
4000m NE40-NNE45-- SW47----------- SW50

ICING

As a rank amateur I think that the Captain's decision to fly from Schiphol to Abeam Munich at 5,500ft rather than at 5000m as suggested by the Met Officer was quite understandable. By flying at 5,500ft he would hope to minimise icing, conserve oxygen and mitigate the effects of the cold. These factors were acknowledged by the investigators. The Captain was an experienced Halifax pilot who had flown in The Berlin Airlift. During the Airlift the Halifax, having no wing deicers had often encountered problems, particularly at night and in winter when attempting to operate at the stipulated altitude of 6000ft. This resulted in delayed or aborted missions. When BOAC initially took delivery of their Haltons in 1946 the fleet had to be grounded after a short time in service and returned to the manufacturer for modification due to inadequate wing deicing. G-AHDX would have been modified accordingly.

Forecast Icing Index 16 April 1950

Holland 0c 1200m
Switzerland 0c 1000m
-10c 2600m
-20c 6000m

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/750x919/captain_bh_lathom_smith_berlin_airlift_tankard_reduced_0ef4e e22a7affe40a116d816d1d2d14b3c4d532f.png
Photo:Chris Latham-Smith.

ATC postwar Western Germany and Radio Silence.

British Sector: RAF Bad-Eilsen: FIR with ATCC providing FIS only.
French Sector: Eastern FIR controlled by FIC Strasbourg.
American Sector. USAF Frankfurt and Munich Area Control Centres and FIRS.

Civil Flights within Germany were only conducted by aircraft of the Occupying Powers. Routes to and through Germany were very few. Cornioley (2012) mentions that the Captain had forgotten to obtain German overflight permission. He doesn't enlarge on the matter. The relevant authorities would have been aware however when the ATC Flight Plan was filed.

The investigators noted that the last transmission heard from the aircraft was at 0449z. Here I quote roughly from an official document: (I am by this time, lost in translation). 'The aircraft did not work with the Swiss radio surveillance authorities nor was anything heard from it. The assumption is that after the 0449z report there was no radio communication with ATC since the aircraft assumed it was in the French occupied zone of Germany where there is an ATC no-man's-land in which no ATC checks are carried out. Whether the aircraft was receiving with its radios without transmitting could not be determined from The Radio Officer's scanty notes recovered from the wreckage. There is a presumption that a few minutes before the accident a bearing was taken on the 'UE' radio beacon near Bern. Since no radio traffic was observed during the second half of the flight it can be assumed that perhaps the radio system was unusable; then the onward flight would definitely have to have taken place at a higher altitude or it can be assumed that everything on board is in order and therefore no reports were given.'

The tuning box of an aircraft radio was recovered. The setting scales were still recognizable. This damaged component could not be fully identified. Photographs and sketches were sent to England for further analysis.

THE WIDER PICTURE

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1000x461/screenshot_2023_04_07_at_13_17_55_google_earth_reduced_8__70 a694ea3487ca9b9e5e63b67556eb2458a465ce.png
Looking NNW.

TOP RED: 0515z near Balsthal where first reports came of aircraft heard in the clouds. Approx 375 S Miles from Amsterdam.
BOTTOM RED: 0528z Impact Point.
YELLOW: Planned to be overhead at 0525z point 'Abeam Munich' 351 S Miles from Amsterdam and 33 S Miles N/W of Menningen. Navigator's chart marked 0515z at Menningen.
GREEN: Munich.
BROWN: Bolzano Italy. Waypoint crossing The Brenner Pass.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/751x956/img_2631_5_reduced_53cd6f7563674f7e06d75ee3f6b145164805ba31. jpg

The Navigator's damaged chart salvaged from the wreckage on the day of the crash Photo: Swiss Federal Aviation Office. The coloured lines (difficult to distinguish) are those of the investigators. The Navigator's pencilled times are best seen using a magnifying glass !

CONCLUSION

I have not seen the Accident Report and have worked off Official Documents prepared in connection with the accident.

The investigators cited extremely poor weather, insufficient safety margins and poor navigational preparations as being the cause of the accident. They suspected from looking at the Navigator's salvaged chart that a bearing had been taken shortly before impact off the Uettligen Beacon near Bern at a range of 20 miles. This whilst trying to establish their position 'Abeam Munich'. The latest time written on the chart appears to be 0523z. The investigators were critical of the crew for not initiating an immediate climb to 15,500 ft when doubts about their position must have first been raised in the Navigator's mind.

To put it simply the Navigator had from the very start anticipated strong south-westerly winds instead of northerly winds on their track of 144 Degrees and maintained this assumption throughout the flight. The investigators noted that some of the cargo had been loaded in the nose compartment and possibly in the crew compartment too. The radio speakers contained a strong magnet. Tests were conducted for compass error but no firm conclusions were reached. Chris Latham-Smith added that if there had been such a problem his Father, who did everything by the book, would have noticed a compass problem on start up at Schiphol. The investigators also mentioned that 'The Twilight Effect' (Dawn) may also have caused problems while the crew were trying to establish their position.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/850x567/lathom_smith_7_squadronreduced_again_cf7345b08df60dc2b129d12 fa6f0e0fff8638b52.png
Photo: Chris Latham-Smith.

Bryan Lathom-Smith had flown many missions as a Pathfinder Pilot with 7 Squadron Royal Air Force.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/854x575/wal_funeral_19_april_1950_5_5__50314d51e082a89b9887eef15060b 46b90e7680e.png
Photo: Chris Latham-Smith.

THE CREW

Captain: Bryan Lathom-Smith 26 years old.
Navigator: Charles Henry Bowker 20 years old.
Radio Operator: Keith Allum 18 years old.
Flight Engineer: David Stanforth 25 years old.
K.S. Wright: Company Manager and acting Steward.
Arturo di Giulia. Passenger - Company Manager Brindisi.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1836x1229/233_3schangnau_church_6265f4444485f6b56d4a18644595f0400c9732 04.jpg
The Church at Schangnau.

I would like to thank Chris Latham-Smith for his assistance, images and enthusiasm. He lost his Dad when he was 9 months old but had a happy childhood and now aged 73 is alive and kicking, living in France. I would also like to thank Hans Peter Tschanz in Switzerland without whose generous help this would not have been written. Further Reading: 'Zerschellt im Hochgebirge' by Roger Cornioley. Bern 2012. Can be read on the Internet in German.

OUAQUKGF Ops

1st May 2023, 10:24

The continuing dearth of new photographic images of aeroplanes at Bovingdon leads me to fall back on press cuttings and their flimsy links to Bovingdon and beyond.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/247x403/force_land_28mar49_91acb7542b6d46fae68cdb2197841ae24dbcad3e. png
News Chronicle 28 March 1949 (BNA)

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/982x616/bowls_c7db328c37a9a3285456f691c142e802bb295bf6.png

These Players unlike the Footballers were apparently unmoved by the aeroplane overhead...............

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x675/0025190_dh_dragon_g_agle_enhanced_2__1dcf3050f33c15cf0828c5f 656a5210d8997a5f5.jpg
Photo: R.A. Scholefield with thanks.

On the occasion of its passengers attending The Grand National on March 26th 1949. The offending Article photographed at Liverpool the day before its tanks ran dry.
On March 27th the Dragon Rapide was on an empty positioning flight from Bovingdon to Croydon presumably having dropped its passengers off at Bovingdon the evening before. I'm not sure whether it sustained light damage on arrival at Rosehill but it remained there for several days before it was disassembled and taken the short distance to Croydon.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/851x801/screenshot_2023_04_30_at_18_54_53_barclay_international_airw ays_tweaked_37094f8d4695c94653cb9e7e8cfe96de351159d0.png
Image Credit Croydon Airport Website.

G-AGLE was one of three Dragon Rapides in the service of this company. Thomas Barclay also had an office in Bournemouth and Christopher Burton in whose name the Rapides were registered gives his address as The Sandacres Hotel (Built 1930s) Sandbanks, Poole. This incident led to an exchange of correspondence in 'The Aeroplane' (Vol 76). Unfortunately I've not been able to access it fully but it appears that the company certainly wanted to distance itself from what it called ' An Involuntary Landing' whilst continuing 'We would first wish to explain that the aircraft on this particular flight was on full hire to another charter company and we were not the responsible operating company.'

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/266x425/ran_out_fuel_8feb50_9097b5879a13e2c64d264ae89ea70688a78c1131 .png
South Wales Echo 8 February 1950 (BNA)

Interestingly enough one pilot who enjoyed a short period of employment with Barclay's International Airways is Bernard Gardiner now aged a 101 years old and much feted these days as a World War 11 Typhoon Pilot. He retains his reputation as one of the pioneers of post-war Channel Islands Civil Aviation.

Jersey Airlines (http://jerseyairlines.org/bernard.html)

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/258x322/hunting_aerosurvey_18july52_de25c926396e4e95dc7911d00e045e20 56318780.png
The Birmingham Gazette 18 July 1952 (BNA)

The aeroplane concerned was an Airspeed Oxford G-AIRZ. The flight originated from Elstree and presumably called at Bovingdon for outbound Customs clearance. It was flying to Strasbourg with the final destination of Klagenfurt where it was due to undertake a contract with the Austrian Authorities.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/950x633/gaitf_hamble_9c22588fbe92308d7ffac5cd389a98c8cd46c668.jpg
Photo: Barry Friend with thanks

Well, as usual I can't find an image of the subject aircraft but this picture of an Air Service Training Airspeed Oxford is rather fine.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/950x597/screenshot_2023_04_30_at_19_38_54_hunting_aerosurveys_wikipe dia_downsize_cc88d1b39ab19184c0cce0a5430d934250604a34.png
A Memorial was dedicated on 30 June 1957. The pilot was Leslie Sharling and the Photographer was D.G. Darvell.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/950x464/screenshot_2023_05_01_at_07_12_57_google_earth_reduced_a23ba 705f1f07d119472f858e83ab2a08fc9ebfc.png

The accident occurred in southern Luxembourg a few kilometres west of the small town of Kayl. The land here is generally 300-400M amsl elevation. These hills are forested. The causes of the accident are unclear but the Oxford appears to have hit a hill. Contemporary reports mention the aeroplane falling almost vertically from the sky, hitting an oak tree and disintegrating. Estate workers nearby came quickly to the scene but unfortunately the crew were found to be dead. Another report has the Oxford diving into a field. It is reported that the wreckage was taken to a scrap yard which makes one wonder whether there had been a post impact fire or not ?

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1158x683/screenshot_2023_04_26_at_14_35_15_google_maps_37c07b8234d79c dc9a90e080e908e3226633f717.png

The memorial is by the N33. It is good to see in this recent image that it is tended.

On a more jolly note Hunting Aerosurveys were first based at Luton before moving to Elstree. Here is rather a splendid (leisurely for some) snap from Elstree.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/950x654/screenshot_2023_04_30_at_10_59_39_douglas_c_47b_5_dk_skytrai n_g_amvb_14637_26082_hunting_aerosurveys_ltd_resize_d772ce23 d3c969a30542c5171de6b81aecd88bf9.png
Photo Tony Hancke with thanks. DC3 G-AMVB Elstree 1958.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/321x120/athena_11jun54_b0859e0c8a0b4086d0eb41b8ae246577a1b9603b.png
Bucks Examiner 11 June 1954 (BNA)

Avro Athena T2 VR574 of the Gunnery School, RAF Flying College, Manby Lincs. Written off at Bovingdon 9th June 1954.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/934x580/screenshot_2023_04_26_at_13_45_07_avro_athena_avionslegendai res_net_down_size_2__46a2eefd68618ea24751c6a562705d1606c741d 4.png
Photo avionslegendaires.net

Prototype Athena T1 VM125 powered by Armstrong Siddeley Mamba. First flew 12 June 1948. Written off August 30 1949.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1020x678/gathena_vw890_6ddb5c484f8dab7e34af9822706dd31ec92019a9.jpg
Photo avionslegendaires.net

Prototype Athena T2 VW890 powered by Rolls Royce Merlin. First flew 1 August 1948 and pictured here at Farnborough SBAC Show that year. Unfortunately the Athena was eclipsed by the Boulton Paul Balliol when it came to The Royal Air Force ordering an advanced piston training aircraft with just 22 Athenas T2s seeing service, all with the RAF Flying College at Manby.

OUAQUKGF Ops

6th May 2023, 06:54

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/650x347/screenshot_2023_05_05_at_15_05_18_watching_royal_events_from _1953_to_the_twitter_age_enhanced_reduced_max_20cecfb9b54de1 89e2c14bec70c39e95b659f65c.png
Coronation Day 1953 Image BBC

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/500x652/360_5bba0f10b20b48dd602130d84814ac5e_review_2__a621aea9e4a89 85b4e935bacde041ca2b2f5d416.jpg

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/975x609/screenshot_2023_05_05_at_16_30_06_the_royal_air_force_review _1953_resize_2__84f503a2fe23e29baf42f189bb5f588ec1731906.png
No it's not Bovingdon........

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/428x822/missed_queen_18jul53_0885c2f77714203a22e36b4afb5b629c0541ee4 f.png
Sussex Daily News 18 July 1953

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/975x438/screenshot_2023_05_05_at_16_33_44_when_the_queen_first_revie wed_her_air_force_trim_resize_1d58033413daa58d8056586112d480 d4f727b995.png

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/936x634/screenshot_2023_05_06_at_07_33_35_selected_originals_coronat ion_fly_past_1953__4489bcf9c6f945ba8e855942d509269042dc8721. png

Might this be the elusive Squadron Leader ? He looks suitably be-medalled and mature for a chap with 16 years Service. Perhaps the uniform is not quite right - is that a shoulder tab ? Later - sorry my mistake. The above is Wing Commander Lindsay Royal Canadian Air Force (Sabres). Squadron Leader Chapman he is not........I've substituted the video for a fuller version.

I hope that Squadron Leader Chapman's parents didn't draw on their pensions too heavily to buy a TV for the big day.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haEe5KfxvUg

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1591x292/screenshot_2023_05_06_at_22_38_56_wing_commander_james_linds ay_dfc_art_prints_and_originals_signed_by_wing_commander_jam es_lindsay_dfc_2524168309453bc0f301d86eda9cb6fc3bc7bcd7.png

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1152x375/screenshot_2023_05_07_at_08_39_26_nominal_roll_112_squadron_ 25947a90e5962bb02e480a95880772f5bff9087b.png
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/252x243/screenshot_2023_05_07_at_10_17_36_bl_0004288_19390303_115_00 05_pdf_d7bcfaa5b0f7c936bc093a31d6cdbfce7ea84b15.png
Bromley and West Kent Mercury 3 March 1939 (BNA)

Later Robert Chapman served with ' K Flt ' 112 Squadron' 16 May 1939 - 10 September 1940. Flying Gladiators based Port Sudan Region. Next information I can find about him is that he was Officer Commanding 41 Squadron 28 May -28 August 1944. Operating Spitfires providing Air Support for D-Day build up, D Day and after before being re-deployed solely on the destruction of V1s of which the Squadron claimed its last and 53rd on 28 August 1944.

Brewster Buffalo

7th May 2023, 10:54

Wonder why Chapman relinquished his Squadron Leader rank and remained as a Flt Lt until his retirement?

OUAQUKGF Ops

7th May 2023, 12:04

There are people far better informed than me who can comment on this post. I think it was not an unknown thing to happen after the end of The War. According to the newspaper clipping he was a Squadron Leader in 1953 when he was O.C. the RAF contingent (Comms Squad ?) at Bovingdon.

OUAQUKGF Ops

18th May 2023, 10:37

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/950x397/screenshot_2023_05_12_at_09_17_11_google_maps_chubb_sign_red uced_4fb0233c6cb0febbb3df58ef407a1ad13cfb6f3d.png
Doylestown, Pennsylvania.

LOSS OF A TEXAN

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/636x414/p1030637_3__04b9c6e93aeb8b91bc14c04dec895cc989b97a75.jpg
Photo Robert Astrella. North American AT-D6 Texan 7th PG Mount Farm, England

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/262x794/screenshot_2023_05_14_at_10_15_22_wayland_harry_r_press_cutt ing_ab71d53080086856ad4ab57020c7e75212b84cbf.png
Knoxville Tennessee Local Paper June 1944

(No mention of this accident found in the British Press which at the time was preoccupied with post D Day Operations and the arrival of Flying Bombs in England).

On the 14th of June 1944 an AT-D6 Texan 41-34655 crashed near Ryton on Dunsmore, Warwickshire. The aeroplane, which was based with 'A Flight' 8th AF Headquarters Squadron Bovingdon, suffered a structural failure, loosing its port wing and tail assembly. The pilot First Lt Harry Wayland jumped without a parachute some 500 feet to his death while his passenger Lt Mary Chubb died in the wreckage. As far as I can tell the circumstances under which the flight took place are not clear. I have seen it mentioned that it might have been a pleasure flight which is a reasonable bit of speculation. Mary Chubb, thirty-one years old, was a Military Nurse based with the 181st Medical Dispensary (Aviation) at High Wycombe, some thirty minutes drive away from Bovingdon. I believe that she flew on medical evacuation flights and was described by a fellow nurse as being a very happy character.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1000x898/screenshot_2023_05_14_at_13_01_59_chubb_mary_e_chester_count y_hall_of_heroes_pa_reduced_516152acc9235cc1acf064feba8ac7d5 912cf64b.png
Extracted from Chester County Hall of Heroes PA.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/596x661/14490129_1466095856chubb_enhanced_2__78b767cfcb0012a2d4cc1d1 52ff6d31206e673a2.jpg
In England they met only once. Donald Chubb, recently arrived, next to his sister Mary.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/665x1001/56288551_137313104683_chubb_cambridge_resize_down_d3d3e74608 def2c097573a389845e3f44707f274.jpg
The American Cemetery, Cambridge.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/374x495/harry_r_wayland_9213701edbff10bef59e7cb071dbae77aa128c6c.jpg
Harry Wayland. Photo: American Air Museum in Britain.

At the time of his death Harry Wayland was twenty-five years old, decorated, with 30 Missions completed as a B17 pilot with the 413th BS at Snetterton Heath, Norfolk. Having completed his Tour so to speak, he elected not to return to the USA but took an assignment to the 8th AF Headquarters Signals Section at Bovingdon. It is said that he was involved with the use of 'Radios in Combat' and that he had volunteered to fly missions where special radio equipment would be used. Letters home to his parents mentioned that he was working on a special project. This was very likely 'Project Aphrodite' (See Page 24 # 463 this thread). Harry Wayland is buried at Woodlawn Cemetery, Knoxville, Tennesee.

Donald Chubb and his Crew..........

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/648x928/missing_air_crew_report_dc7a34dc0ca07ea5051dea404d4f92e71f6a 6bf7.png

Source 384th BG.Com.
This Missing Air Crew Report was prepared exactly seventy-nine years ago, today.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/792x541/don_chubb_crew_0771e2ae002965b768a7633af5a7cec246f5aabf.jpg
Source 384th BG.Com. James Wesley Brown and his Crew.

Newly arrived (April 1944) in England joining the 547th BS - 384BG at Grafton Underwood, Northamptonshire.
Unfortunately no names are given. I can with certainty identify Second Lt James Wesley Brown jnr Pilot (top left) and next to him twenty-two year old Second Lt Donald Vernon Chubb Co-Pilot. I suspect that next to Chubb is the Navigator, Second Lt Kenneth Myron Jones and next to him possibly the Bombadier, Second Lt Carl William Kuba but I cannot be sure. Other crew members were Staff Sgt Joseph John Kozar Radio Op/Gunner. Staff Sgt Merle Ernest Ingmire EO/Top Gunner. Staff Sgt James Augustine Hatton Ball Turret Gunner. Staff Sgt George Hallow Yeager jnr Tail Gunner. Staff Sgt Donald Edward Reis Flex Gunner and Staff Sgt Julius Eugene McClintick Flex Gunner.
Only Carl Kuba would survive the War and continue to serve in the USAF before dying in 1970 aged 53.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/800x553/media_380092b_17_4297081_c14592ef363cb3aead2333582e6175f273a bd505.jpg
James Wesley Brown's ill-fated B17 42-97081 was lost on May 8th 1944. Seen here (nearest camera) on March 28th 1944 bombing Dijon-Longvic Airfield.

May 8th 1944 'Crossbow' Mission to V2 Bunker under construction at Sottevast near Cherbourg.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1091x866/screenshot_2023_05_18_at_12_03_32_sottevast_v2_bunker_wikipe dia_29050f9ebe7b365f3eb4175d4a940ea6a847f716.png
Source Wikipedia.

This was a return mission to Sottevast for James Wesley Brown's crew who only had in total two or three previous missions under their belt.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/732x935/yeager_testimony_111a40b301c0a9f32f69692aa65b9afcdb608d75.pn g
Source 384th BG.Com

Carl Kuba and George Yeager survived. Donald Reis succumbed to Hypothermia - he is buried at Oakland Cemetery, Sandusky Ohio. George Yeager continued on operations as a Tail Gunner and Togglier until flak removed the nose of his B17 "back to the Instrument Panel' near Munich on 16th July 1944. He was one of four crew members to die (remainder captured) and is buried at The Ardennes American Cemetery Belgium. James Wesley Brown jnr 's name is on The Wall of The Missing at the same Cemetery. The remainder of his crew with the exception of Donald Chubb are remembered on the Wall of The Missing at The Cambridge American Cemetery, England.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/900x598/screenshot_2023_05_13_at_18_20_10_chubb_donald_tombe_jpg_jpe g_image_2048_1360_pixels_scaled_57_reduced_2__f5747e6ebaf246 7b24fe740bd3baf34f767e249b.png

Donald Chubb's name is on The Wall of The Missing at the Normandy American Cemetery at Colville-sur- Mer, France.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/950x634/2022_04_27_cemetery_reduced_23ae4e863166244f5820f2e9a68f3402 a9f8db8f.jpg

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/862x1001/14490129_1487974591_chubb_grave_reize_reduce_5e80da786886d89 8f11e8716ce9d5f89f7a104e9.jpg
Fountainville Chapel Cemetery, Doylestown PA. Photo: Gail Kelly.

OUAQUKGF Ops

18th May 2023, 10:55

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/800x607/at6demo_1_00aab9e09b45768b7ea183c6de1f6882381e8515.jpg
AT-6D Texan at unknown UK location.

'A Flight' 8th Air Force HQ Squadron at Bovingdon was I suppose the equivalent of a British Comms Squadron. During The War the following types were used by 'A Flight' at Bovingdon. Beechcraft Expeditor, Bell Aircobra, Cessna Bobcat, Curtiss Tomahawk, Douglas Boston, Douglas Havoc, Fairchild Argus, Lockheed Lightning, Martin Marauder, North American Texan and Republican Thunderbolt.

chevvron

26th May 2023, 06:37

'A Flight' 8th Air Force HQ Squadron at Bovingdon was I suppose the equivalent of a British Comms Squadron. During The War the following types were used by 'A Flight' at Bovingdon. Beechcraft Expeditor, Bell Aircobra, Cessna Bobcat, Curtiss Tomahawk, Douglas Boston, Douglas Havoc, Fairchild Argus, Lockheed Lightning, Martin Marauder, North American Texan and Republican Thunderbolt.
According to John Young's journal there was also a Piper L4 Cub which was often used to fly over to Chesham (my home town) for short shopping trips, landing in ''Top Park' which is an area to the west of Chartridge Lane and north of Lowndes Park. Then it was a short walk down the hill to Chesham Broadway for shopping. I lived near Top Park for some years (1954 to 1971) and never knew that aircraft had landed there!
I know John said the Cub was from Bovingdon but I wonder if it was actually from a temporary airstrip near Ashley Green (just west of Bovingdon) where there was a US Army Artillery Group billeted prior to the move south for D - Day. There is still a 'blister' hangar in a field there to this day and I can remember it from the early '50s.

brakedwell

26th May 2023, 07:26

A bit off the Bovingdon theme, but to add to all the Hunting Clan photos, I took this one at Entebbe when passing through from Kano to Nairobi as a Hastings second pilot in 1958
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1574x1012/viscount_in_entebbe_bd5bcc7125d6fec5ec3f41c44b8d1facb1a1dfae .jpeg

OUAQUKGF Ops

26th May 2023, 09:26

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/510x441/hunting_move_23sept54londonderry_sentinel_2397d5aa074c4d968e 77927241b054044161f770.png
23 September 1954 Londonderry Sentinal.

No doubt London Airport a much more attractive proposition for every-body. Would a Viscount 701 with 40-50 Pax be able to cope with Bovingdon's 4800 feet Runway on a sector to Rome or Lisbon ?

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/612x1505/aw5804_3_timetable_trim_18e8d88368b7a6ae25d4ad24797231e3d363 de5c.jpg
Hunting Clan Safari Air Services - Vickers Viscount - Summer 1958. (Bjorn Larsson Airline Timetable Images).

chevvron

26th May 2023, 12:19

In 1954, they could have moved to Blackbushe; Stansted was just about to have major works starting and Gatwick was still waiting for its expansion to be started (at that time, the closure of Blackbushe and its reduction in runway length wasn't on the cards), Southend and Northolt both a bit short.

OUAQUKGF Ops

16th Jun 2023, 11:50

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/950x631/screenshot_2023_06_16_at_09_23_55_technicalsite_bovingdon_jp g_jpeg_image_1000_664_pixels_resize_403dc6fc3929e159706ff710 3ee2579ba1d1098f.png
War-time image. Prior to late 1944 when the first hard-standing aprons were laid down. Photo: bovingdon-airfield.co.uk

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/850x567/u31380_zf_3648_41889_1_001_b17dak_resize_2__002ddb6d22f4f969 be6ae74bcfff68f7a27ecacf.jpg
Late 1940s-early 1950s ?

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1164x725/screenshot_2023_06_16_at_10_16_27_handley_page_hp_81_hermes_ iv_g_alde_hp_81_6_british_overseas_airways_corporation_boac_ ba_trim_2__537b49fc5a88ee0eb8d39a53d57e58b881d164fe.png H.P. Hermes HP Hermes G-ALDE at London Airport prior to Autumn 1954. Photo: J.M. Gradidge Collection with thanks.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/962x566/screenshot_2023_06_15_at_12_43_28_hermes_jpg_jpeg_image_774_ 453_pixels__e9bda32ab393d3b2db6caa52115b1a9c731aeb82.png
Bovingdon circa autumn 1954. G-ALDE parked on the dispersal adjacent to the Chesham Road with Whelpley Ash Farm barn in the background. Photo: bovingdon-airfield.co.uk

G-ALDE was purchased in September 1954 by Eric Rylands - Lancashire Aircraft Corporation - the first of the Hermes later purchased by Rylands in 1955 from BOAC for service with Skyways. I believe that they were first flown to Bovingdon for technical work/ config conversions/ initial crew training before entering service with Skyways at Stansted.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/850x595/67268_800_hp_g_alde_resize_2__182947d5c4127f106f92228a1acfea 967a4b248d.jpg
G-ALDE at Heathrow in January 1958.

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At Newcastle May 28th 1961. Prior to entering service with Air Safaris in 1961 Eric Rylands had in 1959 converted this aircraft from a 68 pax to 78 pax config and added 3 windows aside fwd of the leading edge.
Air Safaris ceased operating in 1962 and G-ALDE was permanently withdrawn from use. Photograph and gen from the late Ian MacFarlane via Glen Auld with many thanks.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/975x650/u31373_zf_3648_41889_1_002_thunderstreak_1958_resize_a26142e 976177a5c9ba834e2c9891658f24eadd6.jpg
Thunderstreak on the fire dump at Bovingdon in 1958. Any ideas whose tail section is resting behind ?

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/970x500/screenshot_2023_06_15_at_12_39_21_b50bw_jpg_jpeg_image_776_4 00_pixels__6bbfab22f9a623592e3d3007ce36f1cef5cf2cf9.png
B-50 48049 at Bovingdon 1950s. Photo the late Arthur Pearcy.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/860x474/screenshot_2023_06_16_at_09_28_57_canberra1_jpg_jpeg_image_6 88_389_pixels__f7831ed57bca9efb272b9c0b7df9d1401e8020b1.png
Bovingdon May 1957. Photo: Arthur Pearcy. Canberra of 10 Squadron RAF Scampton. Later served with 15 and 44 squadrons. Note red Speedbird insignia of 10 Squadron on nose and RAF Honington's Rising Pheasant on the fin.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/936x569/globemaster_photo_john_read_enhance_887f57228f5e64482daed005 9f5b3e9a7237bc79.png
Open Day May 14th 1960. Photo: John Read.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/911x636/14_may_1960_open_day__49f76bd3012140195f5175af8f3c834ec6bad9 8e.png
Open Day May 14th 1960.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/877x522/screenshot_2023_06_16_at_09_26_05_devon3_jpg_jpeg_image_702_ 418_pixels__7b24c9e1914cddf6115bdf300cfd96bd89b709d5.png
DH Devon at Bovingdon. Undated image: Arthur Pearcy. This particular aircraft saw long service in various Comms Squadrons such as Western Comms and 207 Squadron at Northolt where it served from 1969 until 1984. I don't know if it was ever based at Bovingdon.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1051x651/screenshot_2023_06_16_at_09_56_34_vp956_2a0a068389db79f6d925 53010c79fbd2e6e4ea7e.png
Unknown date and location. Photo: David Whitworth.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/975x539/screenshot_2023_06_16_at_09_44_40_vp956_devon_c2_2_downsize_ 379822360c4263b1ee9b5bbd4101573ab81953e6.png
At Greenham Common - July 6th 1974. Photo: George Woods.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x683/screenshot_2023_06_16_at_09_39_58_sad_remainders_of_vp956_87 6f01b16e932e8b2be7871c10f0d96e2d560f8c.png
Waiting for the fire dump at Manston? Date unknown. Photo: Gerrit Kok.

OUAQUKGF Ops

16th Jun 2023, 12:05

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/868x531/screenshot_2023_06_15_at_12_38_39_convair_jpg_jpeg_image_695 _425_pixels__83fd836d9ced5f3633b28ffe8242af583410447a.png
Northolt based Convair C-131s Samaritan 55291 at Bovingdon undated. Photo: Arthur Pearcy.

This aircraft crashed, with heavy loss of life, on take-off from Munich, West Germany on December 17th 1960.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/433x624/screenshot_2023_06_16_at_14_32_59_flugzeugabsturz_vor_60_jah ren_in_m_nchen_gerade_ist_furchtbares_passiert__d7a113989064 719879dfdddcb02f15e9595f07e7.png

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1000x505/55_0291_22_convair_accident_47528bb7b16088635663b2a3bf8b9be4 0c7b9c82.jpg
Photo: Baaa
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1000x505/55_0291_51_convair_accident_2_767c09fa4e3ddd45a4a96adc391152 505e7b2ab0.jpg
Photo: Baaa

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1960_Munich_C-131_crash

OUAQUKGF Ops

30th Jun 2023, 10:57

Vickers Valetta T3 WJ474 of No 2 Air Navigation School, Thorney Island. January 6th 1954.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x443/screenshot_2023_06_22_at_08_24_51_bovvy_wx_2_downsize_1079be 9699ba33180bea44cd99dfc708a223d977.png
Image: William Schneider

I've not had sight of the Accident Report so the scene will be set by contemporary Press Reports and extracts from Hansard.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zAhQCb2BSU

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/333x973/screenshot_2023_06_22_at_12_40_14_image1_zpsba8cf791_2_webp_ webp_image_370_1077_pixels_scaled_72__175ac96ba916f6a424c793 d58869cffd5a01da91.png
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/380x973/screenshot_2023_06_22_at_12_41_10_image2_zpsc84e7ec4_2_webp_ webp_image_374_956_pixels_scaled_81__780b65f190b73f01087a346 411697de3ed3dc793.png

The Inquest opened at Berkhamsted on January 8th 1954

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/255x701/screenshot_2023_06_18_at_13_57_27_bl_0000619_19540109_131_00 07_pdf_upsize_d1684b13f624a50947fefed87010441ff37f7a2e.png
This last Birmingham Post January 9th 1954 (BNA)

The Inquest resumed on March 1st 1954

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/375x973/screenshot_2023_06_22_at_12_54_26_image3_zps99547c1a_2_webp_ webp_image_355_922_pixels_scaled_84__0a66636948c2d98eccd753b 59c0e2050b8d3e3c4.png

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/268x692/screenshot_2023_06_22_at_15_15_35_bl_0000619_19540302_253_00 10_pdf_0925a3838843c5232f222dad6bfead5a9c02d87f.png
Birmingham Post March 2nd 1954 (BNA)

Acknowledgements to 'Warmtoast' for most of these extracts.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/975x1212/screenshot_2023_06_21_at_14_58_34_royal_air_force_hansard_uk _parliament_one_downsize_393f253c34631a9cc833201c9aacbd8c3c8 ae2c3.png
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/975x956/screenshot_2023_06_21_at_14_25_40_royal_air_force_hansard_uk _parliament_2_downsize_9a9e6f70c27a17845e4800330b533c078d9c7 052.png

Hansard March 10th 1954

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/797x846/screenshot_2023_06_18_at_12_45_23_google_earth_enhanced_3__f 4a4e25fb607c72940a3e2e36a1a4a10db729b6e.png
Bovingdon Airfield (535 ft) lower right. Tom's Hill, Aldbury (Impact at 680 ft) upper left. Departure R/W 04. Distance with the left turn approx 6 Statute Miles.
Northchurch and Berkhamsted (High Street at 374 ft ) lying in The Bulbourne Valley. Part of the Chiltern Escarpment which slopes down to The Vale of Aylesbury in the north-west.

I've not been able to find any RAF charts with Spot heights. However out of interest I've included a USAF chart from 1953. To this I have added a small red dot at Moneybury Hill 774 ft which is adjacent to Tom's Hill and not marked.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/550x837/bovingdon_raf_airfield_1953_09_15_ndb_approach_runway_22_red uced_2__baad1ef8d9f89e40623c209fa2cfd8a5a50e0b39.jpg
Incidentally the highest point in The Chilterns is at Haddington Hill (875 ft) south-east of Halton . It seems that the compiler of this chart has transposed his figures.....

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/658x439/screenshot_2023_06_18_at_11_22_54_aldbury_valetta_memorial_4 670fb1ff8656f5170c78eb21f18cc986f546096.png
It is hoped that a more permanent Memorial will be erected at the crash site.

OUAQUKGF Ops

30th Jun 2023, 12:16

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/810x635/screenshot_2023_06_18_at_13_30_38_16_die_in_r_a_f_crash_1954 __c9e0da1ca8e7f1d335bb2c414caa9891beac1eeb.png
Aldbury Village. Image thought to have been taken on January 7th 1954

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/975x650/b01143_zf_8392_54187_1_001_valetta_downsize_809953cfd6c255c2 4e114d64255fca6b35ba2111.jpg
Vickers Valetta T3 of No 2 Air Navigation School Thorney Island pictured circa 1960

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/627x631/screenshot_2023_06_18_at_18_24_01_valetta_t3_2_nav_school_19 58_d31d374e48573b31aa390f778278913b3e04753f.png
Valetta T3 of No 2 Air Navigation School Thorney Island (1958) Configured for 12 Students. Photo: Imperial War Museum.

Of the victims of this accident all except the pilot Flt Sgt Ralph Marshall and Flt Lt P. Clare who hitched a lift from Bovingdon had played in the Rugby match at Halton. Fate works in mysterious ways. In 2017 Retired Wing Commander Patrick Cliff OBE related to Paul Aylott how as the junior officer he was displaced by the extra passenger and so seated himself on the main spar. He attributes his survival to this stroke of good fortune.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/987x556/screenshot_2023_06_18_at_22_52_07_aldbury_herts_aerial_views _bing_2__dbb71bf3ea9b6fe0361a1a66675df26e550a4c27.png
Looking south-south-west towards Aldbury Church (at 466 ft) in the middle distance with Tom's Hill highlighted. In the distance and out of sight left is Cow Roast and the start of the Bulbourne Valley.
Photo: National Trust

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/975x492/screenshot_2023_06_21_at_15_50_23_aldbury_village_hertfordsh ire_england_2021_youtube_downsize_bd0e48a4b1d258e8298ff76e26 575303960539c8.png
Aldbury looking north-west from the bottom of Tom's Hill. Tring in the distance to the left. Beyond, the Escarpment sloping down towards the Vale and Aylesbury. It would appear that the Valetta was heading for Aylesbury before turning south to route direct to Thorney Island. The High ground to the right is Aldbury Nowers (728 ft) Photo: Paul Foreman.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/975x309/screenshot_2023_06_19_at_13_19_05_google_earth_downsize_3__c 8ad2d86d5e2bc9c1f95c7a7a8e4fbb4c6369f7d.png
Crash Site
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/854x593/screenshot_2023_07_01_at_09_31_09_google_earth_down_size_2__ 6ff7208b6789e395b166a9bd778723581dc18888.png

It is all well and good to try and paint a picture from old press reports and Hansard. The aircraft was last seen to make a gentle turn to port at about 400 feet. One assumes that this observation was made on departure by ATC at Bovingdon but we don't know for sure. If it was, that would place the Valetta at a height of approximately 950 ft amsl.
It was suggested that the Pilot then lost height in order to see the ground. I find this rather unlikely considering that the Pilot would have been Instrument Rated and that it was dark (Sunset at 1600 hrs that day) and on departure, snowing lightly. However in the unlikely event that he had decided to follow the LMS Railway Line from Berkhamsted this is roughly the direction in which he would have flown. Incidentally the Grand Union Canal runs almost in parallel with the railway and would show up better in contrast with snow on the ground. In conclusion if the pilot was attempting to follow the railway line/canal it would be reasonable to think that he would keep these features to his port side, concentrating his vision thus. But note the presence of high ground on his starboard side, typically Norcot Hill (yellow dot) 620 ft. The distance from the railway at Cow Roast (at 413 ft) to the point of impact at 680 ft (red dot) is 1.15 statute miles. Note how the railway starts to curve north-north-west for a short distance at this point. Sadly it seems the flight lasted approx 5 minutes. There is a very good image of the railway and canal posted by Warmtoast on the first page of this thread (and that's going back a bit !). Just click on 'First' at the bottom right of screen. In retrospect I think this is all rather fanciful. Perhaps the aircraft was continuing a wide gentle turn towards Aylesbury in the west when it encountered a heavy snow flurry, with the Pilot experiencing whiteout and perhaps, because of this, loosing what little height he already had thus hitting the trees?

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/795x518/screenshot_2023_06_18_at_14_03_27_toms_hill_road_aldbury_cop y_rob_farrow_trim_3b24ea6c63e28ba9b63ca0a9ab39cc797988b1e6.p ng
The road to Tom's Hill is narrow in places. Photo: Rob Farrow geograph

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/798x594/screenshot_2023_06_18_at_14_04_21_tom_s_hill_copy_rob_farrow _cc_by_sa_2_0_trim_b3368a38af2ee9432a74c2fef59ee087deaf4fb9. png
Quite steep too - I believe they have cycle time trials here these days. Photo: Rob Farrow geograph

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/823x641/screenshot_2023_06_18_at_13_35_16_16_die_in_r_a_f_crash_1954 __e65cdba2fbf26de11a27df53aa27ca35cc0a3021.png

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/641x827/screenshot_2023_06_19_at_12_05_08_bl_0001861_19540116_030_00 29_pdf_5452cbc88dd0c6cf8b8b8ce1730d7d4a5be1dfbb.png
The Sphere January 16th 1954 (BNA)

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/816x635/screenshot_2023_06_18_at_13_32_16_16_die_in_r_a_f_crash_1954 _twigged_bb3753547390dac3fb5103f28d48f8047b59a427.png
Old Copse Lodge - Looking to the north-east. Home of the Gamekeeper. The crash site was a couple of hundred yards away to the south-east.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/950x710/screenshot_2023_06_18_at_12_24_15_ashridge_estate_old_copse_ lodge_copy_rob_farrow_b59f549d083227d3d5a5e1adceef50dcb1b446 7c.png
Old Copse Lodge looking to the south-west. The home of generations of Gamekeepers. Constructed in the early 19th century as a Lodge on the west side of Ashridge Park serving the road that ran from Ashridge House to Aldbury and Tring. Photo: Rob Farrow geograph

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/421x561/screenshot_2023_06_21_at_19_27_13_sgt_ralph_d_marshall_unkno wn_1954_find_a_grave_4ae47210067d9ef6bd2a03379cbf697886fa7ec 4.png
Several members of the Rugby Team, together with their pilot, are resting in the Churchyard of St Michael, Halton.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/980x602/screenshot_2023_06_20_at_15_38_49_the_airfield_raf_halton_bu ckinghamshire_ab729531a722f1779530e1a3fe679c6ad2babddb.png
Kevin Slade

Further reading: https://www.hertsmemories.org.uk/content/herts-history/topics/transport/1954-aldbury-valetta-accident

chevvron

1st Jul 2023, 08:43

Ref VP956; I flew in VP958 from Bovingdon on 13 Jul '65 whilst we were doing evening gliding. The SDO decided to do a couple of circuits for currency and invited the cadets along too.
Other notable flights I logged from Bovingdon that year: I flew the first ever glider launch from Bovingdon on 21 Jun '65 in Mk3 WT871, then on 19 Sep the CFI told me to "take '150 (Sedbergh XN150) solo and don't come back for 15 minutes" meaning he was telling me to get my soaring certificate (BGA 'C' certificate) which is what I did.
I don't think the crew of the passing Britannia/CL44 saw me when I inadvertantly climbed into controlled airspace.

brakedwell

1st Jul 2023, 10:32

chevvron

1st Jul 2023, 14:11

Exiting days chevvron. I was stationed at Bovingdon before your gliders appeared and I never got near Fighter Coms Devon when I was on Coastal Com, but I did eventually fly one of the CAA's Doves, G-ANUT when I did the Instrument CAA Examiners Course at Stansted in 1975.
During my ATCO training at Bournemouth in 1974, a CAA Dove would fly down from Stansted on a monday and return on a friday to do 'live' traffic training where we were split into groups of 3, one flew with the Dove pilot and the other two occupied a 'spare' console in Bournemoth Approach doing vectoring and SRAs. I flew in the right hand seat of GANUT during two of these trips, plus two in its companion GANUW.

OUAQUKGF Ops

10th Jul 2023, 12:14

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/750x453/s_l1600_b17_cleaned_up_3_reduced_again_268ccbf046cd50915d515 cdd97b8e6befc6ba17d.jpg

I came across this rather poor image the other day which was taken at Bovingdon sometime in the early fifties. I thought I might check the Serial Number out and in doing so realized that this B17G had appeared on this thread before:

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x416/screenshot_2023_07_06_at_22_49_56_raf_bovingdon_1960s_pprune _forums_downsized_39801a58f1d65bf3cbbfb6c702795f2c9447f60f.p ng
This image of the VIP transport is dated 1954 and must have been on another occasion as the fin lacks the insignia displayed in the first image.

A bit of digging reveals that in the mid 1940s 448990 was based at Bolling Field, Washington D.C.

On the 1st February 1946 it was flown from Miami to Rancho Boyeros Airport, Cuba.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utZ7mu4lht0

This film was shot by Major General Frederick Lewis Anderson (1905-1969) one time Commander of the Eighth Bomber Command in Europe 1943. On his return to the America the B17 was assigned to General Anderson and named Mary Winn 11 after his daughter who was crippled by Polio. During his time in Britain, General Anderson had become quite well acquainted with the Churchill Family particularly with some of the women. Sarah Churchill is seen here. President Truman put the B17 and her crew at the disposal of Churchill for the duration of his visit to the USA.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/975x763/2ncacp0_1_cuba_downsize_6b8cc508979f2fe26a3b84c87af06d05fafa 5a71.jpg
Arrival in Cuba. The Captain, 23 year old Richard Fitzhugh, was wary of crowds on the apron when he was flying Winston Churchill about in 1946.

In 1956 B17 448990 was flown to Arizona and left at the vast storage facility and aircraft Boneyard which was and is Davis-Monthan Air Base near Tuscon. So leaving her to bake under the desert sun we might drift off a little:

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/830x556/screenshot_2023_07_09_at_20_21_42_davis_monthan_air_force_ba se_history_bing_a81864118936da8320d004103534db89e3034ed9.png
Via Michael Luzzi.
Looking through the many images of Davis-Monthan I came across this aeroplane which appears not to have featured much on PPRune. I have all the gen but do you ? Answers please.......

Colonel Dick Fitzhugh (1922-2016) went on to fly B52s in Vietnam. During World War 2 he was based at Glatton, Hunts with the 748th Squadron 457th BG. Between July and December 1944 he and his crew achieved 30 Missions in B17 4232101 'El Lobo'.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x681/media_41623_fitzhugh_s_b17_downsize_1718866960a31e592d9016a0 72ce3984aedd51ab.jpg
Photo. American Air Museum in Britain.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/879x720/fitzhugh_richard_e_custom_crew_7ebdcc3e715a3bbde77e572fdbca6 256d6f93d19.jpg
Back Row Left to Right: Lt Rhode, Lt Fitzhugh (Pilot). Lt Meng, Lt Mueller, Lt Schwall. Front Row Left to Right: Sgt McDonald, Sgt Cole, Lt Basuil, Sgt Larsen.
Photo taken November 2nd 1944 (Lead Crew Merseberg raid). Source 457th Bomb Group Website with thanks.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x601/screenshot_2023_07_09_at_16_17_22_fred_anderson_jpg_jpeg_ima ge_1367_939_pixels_scaled_82__ccd2645733a4649a28982076c82e48 0cb00d72e8.png

General Anderson had flown combat missions. Here he went along as an Observer on B17 423190 of the 94th BG Rougham (Bury St Edmunds) on 19th May 1943.
The crew on this occasion were: Back Row Left to Right: Sgt Polk**, Sgt Hornden, Sgt McNemar**, Gen Anderson, Col Moore (co-pilot), Col Steele (Pilot), Capt Wattters, Lt Schaefer.
Front Row Left to Right: Sgt Earl Porath* (waist gunner), Sgt Asiala*, Sgt Lewis*, Lt Stanford.

Crew members marked ** Shot down with this aircraft 14 July 1943 evaded capture and returned to England.
Crew members marked * Shot down with this aircraft 14 July 1943 and captured.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/900x580/media_408434_2_shoot_down_downsize_51f6e694e7fb57ae5621ea66c 6247a16b8de5d9f.jpg
Shot down by enemy aircraft without loss of life at Berengeville-la-Campagne near Evreux 14 July 1943. Pilot Capt Harrison. Crew evaded capture and returned to England with the exception of Flt Eng/Top Gunner James Curtis and the three gunners previously mentioned. The aircraft was restored by The Luftwaffe.
Photo this and previous: American Air Museum in Britain.

Moving on. It is back to Davis-Monthan Air Base where this immaculate B17 was photographed in 1960. Sadly it is not the erstwhile 'Mary Winn 11'.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/949x583/screenshot_2023_07_08_at_20_27_25_davis_monthan_to_lose_a_10 s_but_gain_rescue_units_in_air_force_plan_6dac97f44cea16d958 62a0ee53963b14e9cb5690.png
Photo: Tucson Citizen.

Nor is this 'Mary Winn 11'
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/824x436/screenshot_2023_07_10_at_10_16_59_boeing_b_17_firefighting_w ater_bombers_bing_88d5631f3ed18abe243ab1f10bcffeb82e2f8b84.p ng
Photo: Bill Gabbert.

However in 1959 B17 448990 Mary Winn 11 was purchased by M.L. Alison and registered as N3678G. In 1960 she had two 1000 gallon tanks installed and started a new and regrettably short life as a Fire Bomber.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/800x491/screenshot_2023_07_05_at_14_32_02_aviation_photo_0183185_boe ing_b_17g_flying_fortress_299p_untitled_615f7cf6b0468e4b6c15 25ac1a42dfc5f009e3e3.png
Photo as captioned. Pictured at Winslow Lindbergh Regional Airport, Arizona July 1962. (Note mis-painted registration)

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/188x802/screenshot_2023_07_05_at_15_57_24_information_on_b_17_near_f allon_for_pilot_s_daughter_0b98a72ea1f71580ca5061b64fdfef48d 70f3580.png
1962

More pics of Cuba Trip here. And thanks to this website for providing interesting information about 448990. https://aerovintage.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4581

The Library of Congress holds a transcript of an Interview with Richard Fitzhugh. It looks a bit messy but one can't obtain the recording. Mentions Churchill trips. https://tile.loc.gov/storage-services/service/vhp/0809/080973/sr0001.xml

chevvron

10th Jul 2023, 13:08

Douglas XB 19 in its later form with Allison engines and 4 bladed props.
Only one built, ff 1941 and scrapped in 1949.

OUAQUKGF Ops

10th Jul 2023, 14:12

Spot On !

chevvron

10th Jul 2023, 22:27

Size wise the B19 was roughly midway between a B29 and a B36 but although it was long range (5200sm) the cruisng speed was only 135 mph.

OUAQUKGF Ops

2nd Aug 2023, 13:47

General Dwight Eisenhower. Supreme Allied Commander in Europe 1943-44. U.S. Army Chief of Staff 1945-48.

The proximity of Bovingdon to London and The 8th USAAF and Royal Air Force Bomber Commands' Headquarters at High Wycombe meant that there was lot of Coming and Going at the airfield by senior Military figures and Diplomats during the period of The Second World War and the immediate post-war period. It would seem that nearly every General in the 8th USAAF had a personal aircraft which at one time or another would have visited Bovingdon. Mention is often made of 'Ike' keeping an aircraft at Bovingdon but further details are scant. During the period in question Eisenhower had the use of several B17s, two C54s, one B25 and an L5. Not all of these aircraft were based at Bovingdon but some of the B17s and the B25 were.

In November 1942 Operation Torch, the Allied Invasion of French North Africa took place. Two VIP config B17s that I know of, carrying a small number of senior military passengers, with crews from the 92nd Bomb Group at Bovingdon were dispatched to Maison Blanche Airfield near Algiers. Routing Bovingdon-Portreath-Gibraltar-Maison Blanche. On departure from Portreath on November 6th 1942 Capt Tom Hulings and second pilot Kemp McLaughlin, flying B17 41-24414 'Jarrin Jenny 11' , flew through the smoke from an aircraft which had just taken off and crashed ahead of them. This was Hudson AM660 (4 of the 5 crew injured) bound for Gibraltar. A month later on December 6th 1942 Capt Jack Reedy and second pilot Larry Hansen flying B17 41-9082 were at the holding point at Portreath when two departing aircraft flew into the cliffs. As a result the RAF Station Commander immediately grounded all aircraft and full inspections were undertaken for fear of sabotage. Reedy and Hansen were delayed until the following evening. The crashes on the morning of December 6th 1942 involved Beaufort DD980 at 0521 hrs and Hudson FK522 at 0525 hrs, the latter was to have flown to Gibraltar. (I had to re-write this. Got the dates wrong).

On arrival in Algiers 41-24414 and its crew were assigned to General Carl Spaatz and 41-9082 and its crew to General Eisenhower. Incidentally Larry Hansen would shortly be assigned Personal Pilot to Eisenhower a position he held until the end of the war. On one occasion during this period flying Ike to The Casablanca Conference in January 1943 the B17 suffered an engine failure. On arrival at Casablanca Ike told the engineers to change not one but all four engines. I think this was 41-9082 which was by then needing a lot of maintenance both in North Africa and at Bovingdon. A brand new replacement B17 was coming.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/900x696/media_457808_monty_b17_downsize_65c53f38b95e7cd7bab61983bbbe 970adaf4f898.jpg
Photo American Air Museum in Britain.

In the spring of 1943 an envious General Montgomery obtained the use of a personal B17 (41-9082) and a crew by way of a bet with Eisenhower's Chief of Staff General Bedell-Smith. The wager being that the Eighth Army would not take Sfax in Tunisia by April 15th. The town was captured on April 10th. Unfortunately no one, apart from Montgomery had taken the wager seriously. On winning his wager Monty insisted on the bet being honoured. The whole affair led to some ill-feeling on the part of the loosers who presented the B17 to the General on April 17th.https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/894x725/monty_crew_2_9e97473baa7c717520bce8bfdc8f834b404d2e0d.jpeg
Photo American Air Museum in Britain.

This is Monty's second crew period June-August 1943. Captain Richard E. Evans standing far right. Unfortunately the crew names are not captioned with this image. They were however: Lt Johnson 2nd pilot, Sgt Austin Ball turret Gunner, Sgt Ward Tail Gunner, Lt Beringsmith Bombardier, Lt Carver Navigator. *Sgt Owens Crew Chief. *Sgt Morris Radio Op and *Sgt Kennedy Waist Gunner. * Killed in another aircraft. General Montgomery was greatly saddened by their loss.

In May 1944 General Eisenhower took delivery of a modified B25 34030. It had accommodation for ten persons including the crew. Based initially at Bovingdon and flown by Larry Hansen it was very much used to follow the battle by Eisenhower after the Allies' D-Day invasion. The B25 was used by Ike until May 1945 and returned to to the USA in 1947 where it is now preserved.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/850x659/b25_eisenhower_presidential_library_museum_092f7755b0371de0f 96e486763042e1979da8b99.png
Photo Eisenhower Presidential Library Museum

Thought to be at A-72 Mons-en-chaussee 1944. Note presence of Eisenhower's Driver/Secretary Kay Summersby and obscured left, Eisenhower's Pilot Larry Hansen.

By December 1944 Eisenhower was worried about the lack of progress that The Soviets were making in their part of invading Germany. A message was sent to Stalin to ask if he would meet two high ranking American Officers plus Eisenhower's Deputy, Air Chief Marshal Tedder for a full exchange of information in the hope of being able to coordinate the invasion of Germany on two fronts. To this end Tedder and his fellow travellers arrived at Bovingdon on the 30th December 1944 hoping to take off the next morning. Technical problems with the B25 (one assumes that it might be Eisenhower's aircraft) meant a delay of 24 hours on a journey that would subsequently take a fortnight. As Tedder later remarked, had he known this beforehand he would have walked to Moscow. The exchange of frequent messages between Stalin and Churchill as to the whereabouts of Tedder and his party of whom apparently nobody had heard from are quite amusing. Tedder finally saw Stalin On January 15th 1945.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/911x624/screenshot_2023_08_02_at_14_57_00_do_you_know_why_victory_in _europe_day_is_actually_celebrated_on_two_different_days_bd2 ea80efa11455d8b548c327c15884717914bfe.png
Photo U.S. Army Signal Corps.

Air Chief Marshal Tedder, Lt Gen Spaatz and Marshall Zhukov prior to taking the German Surrender at Zhukov's HQ, Karlshorst, Berlin May 7th 1945.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x702/president_franklin_d_roosevelt_with_dwight_d_eisenhower_aboa rd_an_airplane_513699_downsize_cdef28c12fa78379704a7f9742369 93a4274f9d9.jpg
Franklin D Roosevelt and General Eisenhower flying from Cairo to Tehran for The Tehran Conference (November 28th- December 1st 1943)
The aircraft is a C54 Skymaster operated by TWA under contract to the U.S Government.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x650/gen_eisenhower_c_54_rolls_off_line_santa_monica_1945_7ff4991 fb08cee92526e16cd649ad0a7ea2a179a.jpg
Credit World War Photos

This is one of two C54s named 'Sunflower' and 'Sunflower 11' being rolled off the line at Santa Monica in 1945. Delivered to Washington on June 19th 1945 for the use of General Eisenhower. Now we can turn to a page of John Young's wonderful Bovingdon Diary.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x550/screenshot_2023_07_16_at_13_25_22_bovingdon_airfield_by_john _young_pdf_reduce_341c748a3c655b593990014f4b1af0eaa56ca399.p ng
Diary extract for Sunday October 13th 1946 with very many thanks to Keith Fletcher for permission to use. Well as usual I don't have an image of the aircraft at Bovingdon..........
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x609/484_sunflower_11_stoney_cross_2__c752bb8a2d3558fb02fa5193d4a 57706b52fe8f4.jpg
Photo New Forest Knowledge.

Sunflower 11 (44-9146) departing Stoney Cross Airfield, Hants for Frankfurt 28th September 1946 with General and Mrs Eisenhower (who hasn't flown much nor been to Britain or Europe before) aboard. The Eisenhowers and their party arrived at Southampton on the Queen Mary on 27th September. Ike is undertaking one of his tours of inspection in occupied Europe. They will return next on October 1st when they fly from Berlin Templehof to Prestwick for a tour of Scotland which will include a stay with the Royal Family at Balmoral. Thence to London and a return to Frankfurt from Bovingdon on Sunday October 13th 1946. Mention of Templehof......

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x606/screenshot_2023_174501130f9d1d379c60a101be771c4371486f04.png
Photo eth-bibliothek Zurich.

4th December 1958. The arrival at Templehof on board 44-9146 of Chancellor Adenhauer who was not permitted to travel to Berlin on a German aircraft.
This particular aircraft continued service with the USAF until it was sent to the Storage Depot at Davis Monthan where it was scrapped in 1976.

Winston Churchill.

On Friday 29th December 1944 at 1530 hrs due to fog at Northolt Winston Churchill's C54 lands at Bovingdon. He has flown in following a night stop at Naples having previously departed Athens where he had tried with little success to mediate in the civil unrest that had broken out in Greece. (At the Air HQ at Kifissia north of Athens 600 RAF Servicemen had been captured and were forced-marched away, over the mountains, in very in harsh winter conditions by The Communists).
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x571/screenshot_2023_07_17_at_10_24_41_skymaster_ew999_profile_pn g_churchill_downsize_2__e2c22237d78cf46c1f6411aac2f78558db20 0a0c.png
Winston Churchill's palatial C54 at Odiham. When becoming Prime Minister, Clement Attlee had short use of the aircraft before it was returned to the Americans along with those C54s which had apparently been 'loaned' to The Royal Air Force. On its return to the USA General George C Marshall made it his personal aircraft. It was damaged beyond repair in a taxying accident, Nanking China 13th October 1946.

W.Averell Harriman U.S. Ambassador to Moscow.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/926x717/entry_for_4_october_1945_robert_p_meiklejohn_diary_6c6d32b1d 048186ace96e803aeeed9db328010f6.png
Credit GWU National Security Archive.

Diary entry for 4th October 1945 by Robert P Meiklejohn secretary to W.Averell Harriman. I cannot establish what sort of aircraft this is. I would guess perhaps a VIP B17 or a C87A Liberator. Perhaps not up to scratch for the Ambassador, for on the following day when they fly from Frankfurt to Berlin Mr Harriman cadges a lift on a C54 and Kay Summersby joins Kathleen and Lt Meiklejohn on their aircraft.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x683/08e_averell_and_kathleen_harriman_2__7ca281cc6da0d8d99da0d1a c9f5419ce5b7f5ac9.jpg
Photo Gen Stanley Scott U.S. Army.

Averall Harriman and his talented daughter Kathleen. Pictured here at Tehran in October 1943. They are about to board a C54 for Moscow where Harriman will take up the post of US Ambassador whilst his daughter will act as the Ambassador's hostess.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/887x608/sacred_cow_vc_54c_bolling_field_dc_2a8deb6fb97dc003181265426 49fb7d257d0a610.png
Photo Son of Sandor.

Presidential VC-54c Skymaster 42-107451 at Bolling Field Washington D.C. 1st August 1947. Delivered June 12th 1944. Nicknamed 'Sacred Cow'. Crew of seven and accommodation for 15 passengers. Fitted with an elevator to facilitate President Roosevelt's wheelchair. Later used by President Truman until 1947. Continued use as VIP and general transport a/c until October 1961. Preserved Wright Patterson AFB.

Crown Prince Saud Ibn Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xilTyrT4FS4

The Prince is seen here at Bovingdon arriving on the American President's VC-54c on February 21st 1947. He is returning from a visit to President Truman in America where I think he was hoping to acquire some financial support and encourage expanding American interests in his country. When King in five or so year's time he will acquire his own C54 (second-hand).

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/634x808/28181688_8302377_image_a_23_1588978426419_churchill_enhance_ 8de8f4c71fe240627c09dd4289a8ba24e299b265.jpg

I will post part two this evening.........

Sources: Laurence Hansen 'What it was like flying for Ike.' Largo, Florida 1983 and J.Kemp McLaughlin 'The Mighty Eighth in WW11.' Lexington 2000.

OUAQUKGF Ops

2nd Aug 2023, 17:32

In the previous post in relation to Eisenhower's C54 'Sunflower 11' at Bovingdon John Young's Diary mentions the aircraft as having a larger than usual passenger window. Below is a brief excerpt from long interview given by Sunflower 11's Captain (Retired General Charles Bennett).

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x493/screenshot_2023_08_03_at_10_49_54_bennett_charles_pdf_reduce _af2f875d64d7bf28d77c224cab9c614a94617e48.png
Source: Charles Bennett Oral History Eisenhower Presidential Library.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x572/screenshot_2023_08_03_at_12_02_31_bovingdon_airfield_by_john _young_pdf_e96345a0cf5a59cdcd8a77ed6fe698e9eb47f748.png

January 1946. John Young's Diary. With many thanks to Keith Fletcher !

In October 1945 the US Embassy in London asked the Ministry of Civil Aviation to allow US Civil Airlines to use Bovingdon as an alternate to Hurn and Prestwick. I don't know if this came to anything. In the event the airfield wasn't released by the USAAF to the RAF until 15th April 1946. It is interesting that John Young spotted the American Overseas Airlines Skymaster. This was a company that was operating scheduled services from Boston and New York to London and The Continent. London Airport was yet to open officially. That took place on May 31st 1946.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/834x576/screenshot_2023_07_14_at_19_21_07_google_lens_c54_oslo_2__af 1694c90ee32b0dd187d5da4daff395d0e3433d.png
An early undated image of NC90901 'Flagship America' at Oslo, Norway. This company was forever changing the smaller details and titling of its livery.

It became King Saud's Private Aircraft c 1952-1954 before being transferred to Saudi Arabian Airlines as HZ-AAW period 1954-64.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/972x648/c54_hz_aaw_lhr_03apr64_2d2dfd561a5b6eb1dd5e4b1115d44762a4236 1ec.png
Photo Ken Fielding. At Heathrow 1964.

Next it was sold to a couple of small German outfits as D-ADAB 1966-69 and it is said that it ended its days as an eating place at Lampertheim, Germany. As far as I know it was scrapped near there in 1979.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x583/screenshot_2023d_adab_downsize_f519739b3273ae0375e0bd4432b12 4c22712febd.png

In his diary for December 1946 John Young records A Pan American Lockheed Constellation NC88868 at Bovingdon but the date is not clear. A few images (as usual not at Bovingdon) follow.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/801x560/constellation_clipper_golden_fleece_pan_american_bing_5c7a22 30c4d2c386ef9b0bbfb20a63a9dc91fb46.png
An early image of NC88868 at an unknown location. Pan Am was another company that sometimes changed the name of its aircraft.
.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/626x450/2067_n88868_l049_delta_43086_enhance_3_e63169868194db22805d9 032fbd983eeb17ea709.jpg
With Delta 1956-1960 at an unknown location.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x602/screenshot_2023_07_14_at_16_28_31_aircraft_photo_of_n88868_d ownsize_b8553e8c59ee6aa3a1d4bb877dcb8bb2a65b26c0.png
Photo as captioned. Looks like the end of the line. Scholes Field Galveston, Texas. July 1970.

John F Kennedy.

I was looking at a Website called ' Finding Presidents and their Ancestors in The Strangest Places' by Stephen P. Morse and came across this:

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/975x696/screenshot_2023_07_13_at_23_23_33_presidents_pdf_3__e3a92ff9 7b76b47d274f51240c137883b0da0eca.png
Now what brought Jack Kennedy to England is all rather sad and I don't have enough room here to post the pictures. So I'll do a miscellany after this called Tail-Enders....

Meanwhile we have this AOA aircraft at Bovingdon. Constellation NC90922. It departed from Bovingdon for New York on the 8th October 1948. All rather strange. I've checked the weather and it was 600 yards viz that morning at London Airport where GCA had been available since 1947. Next I looked at the timetable below for that day of the week and it looks like a lunchtime arrival at London from New York is scheduled. Perhaps they were just having a bad day? Early morning fog and freezing temperatures were a feature of the UK weather that week.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/775x875/screenshot_2023_07_13_at_22_32_04_aa48aoa2_jpg_jpeg_image_11 93_1346_pixels_scaled_57_timetable_2__0439b158c4589301847129 9dc5f8f2f5a0fcaa05.png
Airline Timetable Images with thanks !

A few Connie Snaps:
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/975x647/screenshot_2023_07_13_at_10_54_13_aircraft_photo_of_nc90922_ lockheed_l_049_constellation_american_overseas_airlines_airh istory_net_514201_2__570000777f1fce53ec1095afbea7ac01b3fb811 f.png

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/935x738/screenshot_2023_07_13_at_11_02_38_the_denmark_flagship_of_am erican_overseas_airlines_crash_lands_at_e_boston_airport_det ail_of_right_wing_2__d7cebb9944f66988bcab6d5c9e21b6bb1c257aa 6.png
Images Leslie Jones Collection Boston Public Library .

Undercarriage collapse on landing at Boston 3rd May 1947.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/975x711/88ce7afb3174c2ebf0020f0b5b9ae61cxa_mag_1957_downsize_bdf7be3 cf7ea05d7aa200149e85dda6298250984.jpg

On lease from Pan Am - Mexico City 1957.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1021x597/scrap_lockheed_l_049_46_27_constellation_pp_pdp_e816611334f0 352fc673829d307fc456d1bea530.png
For Scrap at Galeao Brazil 1970.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/601x768/congressman_john_f_kennedy_1948_voting_booth_original_news_s ervice_photograph_psa_dna_type_i_0f98d7ca853aeb36fdf6169d31a 91393216e970c.png
Congressman John F Kennedy at the Voting Booth. 11th District Boston September 1948.

OUAQUKGF Ops

2nd Aug 2023, 19:40

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/776x556/jfk_s_sister_kick_kennedy_joe_jnr_trim_126918d8d6ce4a3240cce 2e83194a7057d0f832d.png
Kathleen Kennedy (sister of JFK) with her brother Joe jnr on their way to Chelsea Registry Office 6th May 1944.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/776x579/wedding_of_william_cavendish_marquess_of_hartington_and_kath leen_ne_kennedy_marchioness_of_hartington_0c2fc16243cc69a22b d9498be3e45f6f09f68976.jpg
Kathleen marries William Cavendish, Lord Hartington heir to the Duchy of Devonshire.

Very sadly on 12th August 1944 her brother Joe is killed near Blythburgh, Suffolk piloting an 'Aphrodite Drone' which blew up.
William Cavendish, a Captain in The Coldstream Guards is killed in action in Belgium 10th September 1944.

In 1947 whilst on a working tour of Europe John F Kennedy visited his widowed sister in Ireland probably in early Autumn. Later in London, already of frail constitution, Kennedy is taken seriously ill and is diagnosed as suffering from Addison's Disease which is incurable. Still in the poorest of health he cuts short his tour and on October 11th sails for New York where on arrival he takes a chartered plane to Boston where he is immediately admitted to Hospital.

On 13th May 1948 Kathleen leaves by plane from Croydon for Cannes with her lover Lord Peter Fitzwilliam. Planning to spend a few days on the Riviera they are hoping to see Kathleen's Father in Paris to discuss their future together. Unfortunately they, together with the crew, are killed when the aircraft crashes in poor weather conditions.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/566x505/dove_accident_france_clipping_d8570b21156dfe504f667dbac46a3f 6370831b1d.png
Source BNA

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/475x631/g_ajou_2_dove_enhance_reduce_again_ba4937b8cc11c487a1e25d694 0b0ac5277fd388a.jpg

https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=15

On the 24th June 1948 John F Kennedy leaves by ship for England to settle his Sister's Estate. There is no record of his return to America but he was back there by mid July. I can only assume that his next trip to England was made in the Fall of 1948 and was perhaps again in part connected with finalizing his Sister's Estate. In the event her Will was filed for Probate on 2nd December 1948.

Now for something a bit more Jolly:
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/736x800/spaatz_and_boops_7753fcb6ba7a2f275a04fdb825a3f0aa0be68d06.pn g
General Spaatz and his B17G 44-83259 circa 1944. Named after his daughter. Location unknown.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/725x750/screenshot_2023_07_30_at_13_59_14_bl_tedder_christening_0ca1 6731ece47646bdd118c45353cb04faee5cb4.png

And now for that exclusive club of Tail-Enders:

The Truly Indefatigable and Energetic Mrs Eleanor Roosevelt. (Crikey it's Bovingdon)

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x1072/41_9020_photo_phyllis_2__a470b3ae6a2d22712a48031e5df29acd91d a990d.jpg
Photo American Air Museum in Britain.

'Phyllis' at Bovingdon following a mid-air collision 9th October 1942. Pilot James Dempsey standing left.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/450x341/roosevelt_reduced_further_2__7c50ec0dc223023dbcbb30ac6bacf1a b61dbd9a2.png

Mrs Roosevelt visited Bovingdon on 29th October 1942 seen here with her Son Elliott. Col Roosevelt was attending a two week course at Bovingdon together with his men of the 15th Photo Reconnaissance Squadron before deployment to North Africa with the 12th USAAF.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/753x658/screenshot_2023_07_20_at_09_25_46_bl_0001578_roosevelt_enhan ced_13ec478cb79ace33d94f2f4e17b2ac453540047f.png
The Illustrated London News 7th November 1942. (BNA).

Poor Mrs Roosevelt, it always seemed to be raining on her airfield visits. Everybody got absolutely soaked when she visited the ATA at White Waltham. She travelled with the minimum of clothing and had only two hats. Seldom in bed before 1 a.m. with breakfast served promptly at 08.30 every morning.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/430x745/screenshot_2023_07_27_at_16_40_33_press_and_journal_oct_30_1 942_phyllis_31308f1d0eb6154c1f88527d34039e6665246af3.png
Press and Journal 30th Oct 1942.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/324x467/screenshot_2023_07_27_at_22_37_56_eleanor_roosevelt_b17_9956 fa34c1f6c242ce2bdb1fc9cd8cdaa2c8bd3f.png
Guess where ? (B17 Tail Gunner's Access Door)

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x492/media_379187_phyllis_downsize_2__6bde1a39895d77d017f18a0f6ca bf874be2f92e7.jpg
American Air Museum in Britain

41-9020 'Phyllis' 92nd BG on a later date at Alconbury.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/450x374/enhance_roosevelt_enlarge_again_20b45ad6fcdd19d55ddb6dea4700 b10e95fc0b98.png
Mrs Roosevelt boarding a C47 at Eglington bound for Prestwick.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/696x556/screenshot_2023_07_30_at_12_02_03_mrs_eisenhower_at_stoney_c ross_google_search_2__c0dd9a9574c560ef20e2f5cae5d2d7dfe163c6 1d.png
Photo New Forest Knowledge.

This one is rather a mystery. Mrs Eisenhower appears to be boarding this aircraft. She is at Stoney Cross Airfield and her husband Ike is standing near his C54 chewing the cud and having a fag with his pals before they both leave for Frankfurt.
There's a fellah here just standing and gawping with his hand in his pocket (don't think the General would be impressed) and there is another chap here who appears in all the other photos I've seen to be chained to his bag. No seats in the aircraft and Mrs E not a keen flyer - indeed she had never flown before that year of 1946. Perhaps she is just having a quick look...........?

Operating in Vietnam as a Douglas EC-47Q, whilst on a radio location mission, this aircraft 45-1133 was shot down over Laos by ground fire on 5th February 1969. All 10 crew members perished. They were located on 16th May 1969.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/947x565/1638876969580_bolling_field_1942_rehash_2__4876bfb22f942e9c7 adb0d90f297a6c8134f41a6.jpg
Finally - c1942- B15s and I'm sorry it is not Bovingdon but Bolling Field, Washington DC. Home to many of the USAAF VIP aeroplanes.

OUAQUKGF Ops

4th Aug 2023, 10:26

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/600x356/434030a_b25_randy_malmstrom_upsize_2__90e46698a40edd92b7922e 72e4e15dd5220ae38b.jpg
Photo Randy Malmstrom.
Mitchell 34030 c1946 somewhere in Occupied Europe (D.Day Stripes removed). Note Bomb Damage. Images of 34030 at that time are very few and far between.This aircraft is preserved today at The South Dakota Air and Space Museum.

More on Sunflowers in Germany here: https://www-fliegerhorst--eschborn-de.translate.goog/eschborn-air-base/eats/?_x_tr_sl=de&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp

More on Churchill's C54 here:https://airscapemag.com/2020/01/15/the-story-of-ew999-part-2/

Having bored the pants off you all, you will be greatly relieved to learn that I think I have nearly run out of steam. If you can make fresh contributions with any fading memories or photographs that you might have of Bovingdon then please do so.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/900x240/screenshot_2023_08_04_at_11_00_47_google_maps_2__c30dbbb7456 e0c3a52a9001176ae87e4f0eac039.png
Leading to the Threshold of 04. To think we used to stand near here between the Traffic Lights...............

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/775x456/screenshot_2023_08_07_at_09_39_44_photographs_by_peter_wiles _bovingdon_airfield_hertfordshire_2__9a61018ffdeedf2f69101ae 903c8d1e2d0599298.png

Photo Peter Wiles with thanks !

First_Principal

5th Aug 2023, 01:12

OUAQUKGF Ops, thanks for your work in putting this series of posts together, most interesting. A shame we can't 'like' on this particular subforum.

FP.

OUAQUKGF Ops

5th Aug 2023, 08:55

Many thanks FP. It has been my pleasure.

XV490

5th Aug 2023, 09:17

Here's hoping you find more items, Q'. It'd be great to keep this thread's momentum going. I've learned so much from all its contributors.

chevvron

5th Aug 2023, 09:27

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/600x356/434030a_b25_randy_malmstrom_upsize_2__90e46698a40edd92b7922e 72e4e15dd5220ae38b.jpg

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/900x240/screenshot_2023_08_04_at_11_00_47_google_maps_2__c30dbbb7456 e0c3a52a9001176ae87e4f0eac039.png
Leading to the Threshold of 04. To think we used to stand near here between the Traffic Lights...............
Back in the 70s or 80s, a Cessna 172 would operate in/out of Bovingdon, landing on runway 02/20 and taxying through those gates (which of course weren't there at the time) across the main road to park in the field opposite.

OUAQUKGF Ops

5th Aug 2023, 10:32

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1261x499/screenshot_2023_08_07_at_11_36_52_raf_bovingdon_1960s_pprune _forums_229b34b8eaa5f738e2051790ca9c7e7d8fa225f1.png
Here we are chevvron....The progress of 'Over-runners' was often arrested by the slight ditch and hedge to the right of the gate. I did once see one foggy morning the splendid sight of a Shackleton landing short in this field - Crikey it must have been well over sixty years ago !

This was one of the more spectacular 'Bolters' 26th October 1951.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/640x527/screenshot_2023_08_05_at_11_57_08_bl_0001861_19511110_029_00 31_pdf_6e5971516f5695396bb2854a6bde73eaa1e7f961.png

chevvron

5th Aug 2023, 11:37

Tudor? Got annular radiatiors mind you the fin gives it away too!

PV1

5th Aug 2023, 11:42

The Tudor rumoured to be carrying £10,000 worth of furs!

OUAQUKGF Ops

5th Aug 2023, 12:50

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/205x440/screenshot_2023_08_05_at_13_45_44_bl_0000560_19511027_098_00 07_pdf_efe5c0ec3fb839cb5d2e34427f39c9b636f69c51.png
Daily Mirror 27th October 1951 (BNA)

PV1

5th Aug 2023, 16:21

A lot of money in 1951. I think the airline rumour machine must have increased the amount slightly and even suggested that the furs were never onboard.

OUAQUKGF Ops

12th Aug 2023, 19:28

SOUTH PACIFIC - THERE IS NOTHING LIKE A DAME

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/513x784/screenshot_2023_08_11_at_16_42_32_eleanor_roosevelt_and_worl d_war_ii_u_s_national_park_service__9d9f186438da58cd90fe3f8f d8467890c2fee61d.png
Mrs Roosevelt conducted a South Pacific Tour during the period of September 13-18th 1943. Guadalcanal was included in the itinerary. By then she had been travelling non-stop for a month, had lost 30lbs in weight and was becoming exhausted - So What ? She just carried on..........

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x671/eleanorcrew_south_pacific_downsize_2b79409000c5497ba4b90b189 b31e4b64a9666d8.jpg
Image by 'John' VPB-104PB4YSquadron website. Mrs Roosevelt wears her Red Cross Uniform.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/653x126/screenshot_2023_08_11_at_11_11_00_officialhistory_vpb_104_pb 4y_squadron_68e920dfb5d95ff928676c6cbe7a5387b2bce304.png
I hope you don't mind as it's not really Bovingdon but Mrs Roosevelt made an impression on me.

THE WHITE HOUSE

While I was tapping away on my last epic I was writing about VIP B17s being flown out from Bovingdon to Maison Blanche in Algeria. You will have to forgive me here when I say that in my Mind (what is left of it ) at that time I imagined a fine White House surrounded by gardens, orchards heavy with fruit overlooking the sparkling, warm Mediterranean........

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/900x506/2f718d6e55058b8191c3f0da3523085c_white_house_downsize_52668e e1d6f3316c91b8f8c4cf346b33717ed70c.jpg

Alas nothing could be further from the truth..........https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/862x683/screenshot_2023_08_11_at_11_29_26_maison_blanche_airfield_en hanced_e8a4ffdf5824b028adcaa0063f80da58c085a8a4.png
Wikimedia
Maison Blanche Airfield Algiers. Captured by elements of the British and American Armies from The Vichy French 8th November 1942.

Quoting from Gen Kemp McLaughlin's book on his B17's arrival at Maison Blanche from Bovingdon and Gibraltar on 9th November 1942 'We arrived in mid-afternoon to find the airport under Allied control but jammed with fighter, bomber and transport airplanes. The field was very muddy and when we attempted to taxi to our designated parking area we promptly became mired to the wheel hubs. Someone found a farm tractor and towed us to our parking spot, where we were again stuck deep in the mud'.

While looking at images at Maison Blanche I came across this:
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/900x691/media_25089_downsize_stinky_66a98a82a812eba069a8f847898a3156 c0e2ab14.jpg
American Air Museum in Britain.

Now who would parade his troops just after a cloudburst ?

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x695/media_25087_roos_med_ec76846ef56475cbf5fa7d8b51196e67c656b3e 6.jpg
American Air Museum In Britain

27 Dec 1942. Lt Col Elliott Roosevelt receiving The DFC from General Jimmy Doolittle for the outstanding services performed by Roosevelt's Third Reconnaisance Group in the African Campaign.
Someone is going to have to step through a puddle sooner or later. Have you seen that ole' B17 in the background ? That's Stinky who in a couple of weeks' time will visit Ireland while attempting to return to Bovingdon. I'll give a link to Stinky to save you having to wade way back through this thread.https://www.pprune.org/aviation-history-nostalgia/354789-raf-bovingdon-1960s-15.html#post10790745

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x608/airbase_hangars_at_maison_blanche_airfield_algiers_algeria_j une_1943_03_resize_40d87efc41c13c7877e4750f7ac6d64f7ca469a6. jpg
Image Asisbiz

Maison Blanche June 1943.

SET IN STONE

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x648/ground_markings_downsize_ec47245762b2f813ca941ce7ba2f9ce14d9 51554.jpg
Image WW2 Irishaviation.com.

Rocks were painted white and embedded in concrete. This particular example Marker 77 Horn Head, County Donegal.

As if to emphasize their neutrality in 1943 The Republic of Ireland placed markers at coastal locations to warn foreign aircraft off. They would not have been introduced in time to assist the passage of Stinky who was lost and running out of fuel. Stinky eventually force-landed in the grounds of the Agricultural College near Athenry in County Galway on 5th January 1943. If you have the time to listen, Gen McLaughlin who was Stinky's 2nd pilot and based at Bovingdon in the early days of the 92nd BG and the 1/11th CCRC recorded an extensive interview which is well worth visiting. He died in 2019 aged 101 years.
https://www.ww2online.org/view/james-sr-mclaughlin#first-mission

Eisenhower's Pilot Larry Hansen's return to Bovingdon from North Africa was slightly fraught. To quote from his book 'What it was like flying for 'Ike' 'In December 1943 General Eisenhower was selected to command all allied forces in Europe. I had the responsibility of getting the complete office staff from Africa to England and having his staff in England ready to operate when he arrived. Elliott Roosevelt asked me if he could borrow my navigator to make a special flight to England and so, naturally, since he was a full Colonel and also the son of the President of The United States, I had to give in. However I took my remaining crew with a borrowed navigator, Lt Webber and departed for England by the way of Marrakech, French Morocco. This day I will always remember as it was New Year's Day 1944. We departed with the B17 completely filled with office equipment and 17 passengers. Enroute we had engine trouble and continued on three engines. We checked our position periodically as best we could. However after some nine or ten hours from North Africa over the sea, the navigator frankly admitted to us that he was not sure where we were. This was a sad thing to hear after all those hours of flight. Dick Underwood (2nd Pilot) and I immediately began to navigate ourselves. Most of the radio signals we received were false German signals used to lure us to German positions in order that they could shoot us down or attract fighters.
During this hectic period a WAC, Sue ........had a call from Mother Nature and came up to the cockpit to whisper in my ear. She asked what she should do about this situation. I told her to use the relief tube in the bomb bay. Naturally, after a short period of time, she came back up to the cockpit and told me she could not use "that thing as it was too small and male oriented." The only answer I could think of was that my outer helmet at that time must serve a dual purpose. As the weather started to improve, we noticed on the horizon a large formation of clouds to the west and to the east far up ahead and knowing something about weather I elected to head for the large formation to the west. As is well known, land creates clouds because of reflected heat from the sun during daylight and that formation of clouds was the surface of the earth to head for. Prior to our departure we were briefed that, should we come over Ireland, there would be large numbers laid out on the ground to enable aircraft to locate their position and stay away from Ireland. We had this in mind, of course, and were hoping we would see such a thing. After a short while we came upon a very large rock sticking out of the water. We continued on, remembering however, that if we had to ditch our airplane, we would want to land it on the water near this rock. We soon came across land and discovered it to be southern Ireland as we spotted a large number 16. We knew our exact location and flew on to the base that had been expecting us in Southern England. We soon had the fourth engine fixed and flew on to our base on the north side of London (Bovingdon).'
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/975x529/screenshot_2023_08_11_at_19_30_29_google_maps_downsize_38974 d111dabd3ef39815c44b5c7b41de3700155.png
Larry Henson's Landfall. Marker 16. Hook Head, County Wexford. The lighthouse here is one of the oldest operating lighthouses in the world. Link follows:

https://coastmonkey.ie/world-war-two-eire-sign-hook-head-wexford/

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1166x715/screenshot_2023_08_11_at_20_28_21_google_earth_ce961544f7434 5788cc708758c94fa1b855119b4.png
RED - Stinky near Athenry
YELLOW - Marker 16 Hook Head
ORANGE LOWER - Portreath
ORANGE UPPER - St Mawgan
BLUE - Bovingdon

Portreath and later St Mawgan had special despatch units (Both RAF and USAAF ) for movements to Gibraltar and North Africa during the period of Operation Torch. Both were large busy airfields. Portreath still exists today, unused apart from a Remote Radar Head. St Mawgan remains in civil use - perhaps now better known as Newquay.

Histories available here:https://www.americanairmuseum.com/archive/place/portreath
https://www.americanairmuseum.com/archive/place/st-mawgan

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/900x929/eh_687portreath_aerial_1944_7th_photographic_group_2__578ee9 511824083362b4817990cadea974e36b26.jpg
Portreath Airfield 1944.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/975x550/screenshot_2023_08_11_at_13_18_00_eire_downsize_7dfec123afbe 8021d96b2122a484489f0f4e8eb2.png
Photo Rossographer Geograph.

Much interest is shown in Ireland today in locating and restoring these unusual relics from The Second World War.

First_Principal

12th Aug 2023, 22:38

I'll give a link to Stinky to save you having to wade way back through this thread.https://www.pprune.org/aviation-history-nostalgia/354789-raf-bovingdon-1960s-15.html#post10790745

Thanks for the further history! If, like me, a reader goes back to the Stinky section and then to the Irish aviation link (https://www.ww2irishaviation.com/stinky.htm), and then again to the 'Eagles over Ireland' link you'll find that the site has now gone... :(

Fortunately there is a working record of the original site available at: https://web.archive.org/web/20160318125143/http://www.eagles-over-ireland.site50.net/

FP.

OUAQUKGF Ops

13th Aug 2023, 13:31

Thanks very much FP. Much appreciated. On the web archive link that you've given I keep being prompted by 'Hostinger' which personally (as a confirmed flat-earther) I wouldn't use and you can't access the site properly without using them. Presumably the author Paul Browne withdrew the link for a reason so probably best to let sleeping dogs lie ? I dunno what others might think ?

All the best Tom.

OUAQUKGF Ops

17th Aug 2023, 09:42

BOVINGDON DISQUALIFIED....

It is a little known fact that Bovingdon's entry to the Royal Horticultural Society's Chelsea Flower Show Garden Competition 2017 Theme 'Greening Grey Britain' was sadly disqualified on the grounds of the failure to complete an erection in the stipulated time frame. Bovingdon sources blamed unforseen logistics difficulties when Her Majesty's Prison Service, who were to supply some of the manpower required, objected to the presence of a Squadron of Chinooks in such close proximity to their Establishment. Such a pity when you can see what we might have been up against - a Silver Gilt was surely within our grasp.........

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x630/nigel_dunnett_garden_d594ee6594cabd8140d1a346e728bf34f04c523 9.png
Nigel Dunnett's Garden Chelsea 2017

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/900x602/screenshot_2023_08_16_at_22_41_34_report_raf_bovingdon_contr ol_tower_hertfordshire_june_2015_military_sites_6454fd135528 1566f19b7388476a5684e8e2a8c2.png
Photographed in 2015 shortly before disassembly for Chelsea, having failed to be shortlisted for The Turner Prize.

However all is not lost !

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/900x472/screenshot_2023_08_15_at_10_27_09_cinematography_world_up_si ze_2__affc04d16a28622780e2852bbd3c11536d790c51.png

A couple of links here. The plans for The Tower are most interesting !

https://www.cinematography.world/bovingdon-airfield-studios-unveils-its-masterplan-vision/

https://docs.planning.org.uk/20220513/142/RBMCDAFON2S00/30fjlmbd14kwlx2l.pdf

OUAQUKGF Ops

24th Aug 2023, 13:14

I had no idea that a Heinkel 177 had visited Bovingdon until I saw a photograph thought to have been taken at the airfield. I looked at John Young's diary and it is on his list. I read that Winkle Brown had flown a Heinkel 177 and wondered if he had listed it amongst his most or least favourite of aeroplanes flown - then I realised I had lent my copy of his recent biography to a friend. So I had a listen to Winkle on 'You Tube' where he dismissed the 177 in one imperious word, "Disasterous !" This, Germany's only heavy Bomber, designed initially as a long-range Glide-Dive Bomber powered by twin coupled side by side Daimler-Benz engines which had a propensity to overheat and set the aircraft afire, a weakness that persisted throughout the type's short operational life (1943-1944). This was combined with a long, slow period of development and testing and an erratic production of an aircraft which was finally put into service without being fully proven. At great and wasted expenditure upwards of a thousand or more were eventually built. Nevertheless when serviceable and operating in optimum conditions the Heinkel 177 could pack a very lethal punch. I'm not sure how I came across this first photograph........
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x656/screenshot_2023_08_15_at_17_53_12_toulouse_entre_septembre_e t_novembre_1944_downsize_8e31224a566ca30197188b9e5902af6682e d9183.png
Image: Nicol Family via Aviation-Ancienne.fr

At Toulouse Blanac period September-November 1944. These are thought to be members of the French Dor Group who obtained enemy aircraft after the Germans had fled. There is a story about L. Nicol whose head is circled. I will include it in a postscript as I'm limited to the amount of stuff I can download per post. More importantly the aircraft is Heinkel 177A-5 Wk-Nr 550256.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x594/screenshot_2023_08_22_at_16_06_39_heinkel_177_wrk_no_550256_ resize_2__b96e90fb6c53d5c24514f1818cc10be8e0f07fc8.png
550256 in French markings location unknown but probably either at Toulouse or Villacoublay.

This aircraft was surrendered to the Resistance/Dor Group at Toulouse in September 1944. It was then overhauled by SNCASE at Toulouse and test flown by Col Watson USAAF (of Watson's Whizzers) on 28th November 1944 and flown to Villacoublay on the same day. Here on this bombed and flattened aerodrome it came into the care of the 10th Depot Repair Squadron where it was fitted with radios and received further maintenance. On 14th January 1945 it was flown from Villacoublay to RAE Farnborough by Squadron Leader Randrup.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x503/screenshot_2023_08_19_at_22_30_09_heinkel_he177_greif_reduce d_2__03360d88fc58d3bed2446ec71742cf093939ec9b.png
550256 Location unknown but very likely at Villacoublay with what looks like an American truck visible.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x512/070_downsize_c6a715d5cb264e7f8d122de904a92faf0df02b09.jpg
Photo:Robert Forsyth with thanks. This was originally thought to be at Bovingdon. However the distant buildings seen behind the port tail-plane resemble more those at Farnborough (near threshold R/W 24) rather than those at Bovingdon.

On the 19th January 1945 the Heinkel was flown to Bovingdon where it remained until February 9th 1945 when it was flown to Orly (there is some uncertainty here because the aircraft was being ferried to the USA and some sources say it diverted into Orly with an engine failure). However an engine change was made at Orly and the Heinkel attempted to depart from there on 28th February 1945 but burst a tyre on takeoff, ground looped, broke its fuselage and was damaged beyond repair.

Meanwhile there had been a second Heinkel 177 A-5 at Toulouse Wk-Nr 550062 this was flown to Farnborough on 10th September 1944 and given the serial number TS439.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/722x792/screenshot_2023_08_24_at_11_40_03_heinkel_he_177_a_5_greif_f rench_air_force_1_72_revel_7b61d976ea95797b047c33b46cf4f4f9f a92d138.png
Source: britmodeller.com

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1280x780/screenshot_2023_08_20_at_11_58_20_heinkel_he_177_a_5_greif_f rench_air_force_1_72_revel_e78b555b32c173d559b36f52bc58bc3f5 efab5d9.png
550062 in French markings at Farnborough.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1037x683/screenshot_2023_08_16_at_08_51_08_heinkel_he_177_46d77b68625 ce15260768afde9d04c11f5470091.png
As TS439 in British markings.

Aware that the Americans had lost 550256 RAE Farnborough gifted TS439 to them.The Heinkel had already been flown to Boscombe Down on 20th February 1945 where it was later dismantled and shipped to the USA. On arrival in America it was discovered to have an unserviceable engine and disappeared unflown into the mists of time.

MARITIME OPERATIONS

The Heinkel 177 proved to be a suitable platform for the use of the Henschel HS293 Guided Bomb - one being carried below each wing. Demonstration launch from a Heinkel He 111 seen here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTPZnmO28zw

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1908x1216/marsa_a64d93b40b6cf57e6c1799a79688d1adb50a317b.jpg
Image benjidog.co.uk

This is the SS Marsa of Court Line (Yes the same multi-coloured outfit that were my erstwhile employers - I was so proud of the small number of shares I once held!) .

The Marsa was part of Convoy SL139/MKS30 sailing from Gibraltar to Britain when attacked not only by U boats but also Heinkel 177s on November 21st 1943.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/480x2000/screenshot_2023_08_19_at_22_15_56_aircraft_profile_234_heink el_he_177_greif_afe68944f854795dfbcfeb905a714e838628a154.png
Source Aviastar.org Aircraft Profile #234.

Henschel HS293 sinks HMT Rohna. The sinking of the Rohna (British India Line) sailing from Oran to Alexandria in Convoy KMF26 in the Mediterranean on the late afternoon of 26th November 1943 resulted in the largest loss of life at sea of American servicemen in WW2. Heavy losses were inflicted on the 22 Heinkel 177s that had departed Bordeaux Merignac earlier that day to attack the convoy. Only six managed to penetrate the Allies' air defences. At the time this incident was hushed up in the USA and to a lesser extent in Britain and then after the war rather forgotten about. I'll put a video as a Postscript - it's a bit long but not without interest and thankfully devoid of all the sensationalism that you often find on the internet.

OPERATION STEINBOCK/CAPRICORN.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x439/screenshot_2023_08_23_at_19_56_06_carga_una_enorme_bomba_sc_ 1800_en_el_ala_de_un_heinkel_177_a_3_1e5e801e44f3419215de5e9 4ec0c6878d188a069.png
Heinkel HS177 A-3 loading an SC1800 (kg) bomb.

This is referred to in modern parlance as Britain's Mini Blitz which was concentrated on London and the South Coast ports west to Plymouth and Cardiff and north to Hull.
This last throw of the dice from an ailing Luftwaffe occurred over a period from January 21st 1944 until early May 1944. Britain suffered much damage and a not inconsiderable loss of life. The Luftwaffe aircraft comprised mostly of Ju88s and Do217s with comparatively smaller numbers of Heinkel 177s which operated from Chateaudun in The Loire and Rheine in Germany. It was initially planned that the Heinkel 177s would to fly low to the European coast and then climb to altitude over the sea before commencing a shallow dive towards their target which would often be marked.The return to base being made at a low level. Fortunately by this stage of the war Mosquito night-fighters were swarming in the darkness.........Heinkel 177 kills listed below.

F8+HH. 21st January 1944. Whitmore Vale near Hindhead, Surrey. Crew: 2 killed 4 POW. Mosquito 151 Squadron. (First Heinkel 177 downed in Britain).

5J+2L. 22nd January 1944. At sea 6 miles s/e Hastings, Sussex. Crew ordered to bale out at 20,000ft due engine failure. 2 crew did so and were wind-blown to successfully land near Hastings. Remaining 4 crew shot down and missing - 2 bodies later recovered washed up from sea. Mosquito 85 Squadron.

5J+QL. 23rd February 1944. Wolsey Farm, Yoxford, Suffolk. Crew: 5 killed 1 POW (seriously injured). Mosquito 25 Squadron.

5J+PK. 24th February 1944. Chequers Farm, Lamberhurst, Kent. Crew: 2 killed 3 POW 1 missing. Mosquito 488 Squadron.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/830x541/screenshot_2023_08_20_at_16_32_50_24_02_1944_2_kg100_heinkel _he_177a_3_wnr_2222_oblt_hundt_location_lamberhurst_near_ton bridge_kent_en378609551_6d192496eaba22c7e9491416b81b953adb03 bf17.png
5J+PK wreckage in hop field. Image: Aircrew Remembered.

6N+KK. 2nd March 1944. Hammer Wood near East Grinstead, Sussex. Crew: 2 killed 3 POW 1 seriously injured and repatriated. Mosquito 151 Squadron.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/830x571/screenshot_2023_08_22_at_16_55_13_02_03_1944_2_kg100_heinkel _he_177a_3_wnr_332206_lt_goetze_location_hammer_wood_east_gr instead_sussex838410627_c59b20300f2a8a627ed43024302649616991 85e1.png
6N+KK. Image Parry via Aircrew Remembered.

6N+DK. 20th March 1944. At sea off Skegness, Lincolnshire. Crew: 6 missing. Mosquito 307 Squadron.

6N+AK. 19th April 1944. Butler's Farm near Ashdon, Essex. Crew: 2 killed 4 POW. Mosquito 410 Squadron.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/830x529/h177_essex_2__6a91e515833fa97e690215cd2d29114a193e4ab2.png
6N+AK Photo Julian Evan-Hart and David Stuckey.

6N+1K. 21st April 1944. At sea 40 miles east of Spurn Head, Yorkshire. Crew: 6 missing. Mosquito 264 Squadron.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x847/flaps_h177_tidyup_2__7911fa9340183993844d4990da3004516146b14 7.jpg
Finis

Further Reading: Heinkel He177 Units of World War 2. By Robert Forsyth. Osprey Publishing 2018.

OUAQUKGF Ops

24th Aug 2023, 14:24

In the first image of my previous post a figure is circled. His name was Lucien Nicol and he was an RO/Gunner on a Junkers 88 operated by the Dor Group and he was killed when his aircraft crashed on take off on November 13th 1944. https://aerocherche-fr.translate.goog/index.php/articles-sur-les-avions/allemands/ju88-no6?_x_tr_sl=fr&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp

Now this Dor group business is a bit confusing to a non French Speaker: Marcel Doret's Group first formed at Tarbes-Ossun in July 1944 using aircraft abandoned by the retreating Germans Their first escadrille consisted of the very fine Dewoitine D520 fighter aircraft. When the Germans evacuated Toulouse on August 22nd 1944 SNCA Sud-Est employees and former Armee de l'air personnel seized all the airworthy aircraft and those undergoing maintenance. The two elements thus forming on September 16th 1944 Marcel Doret's Group de Chasse. First sorties had been flown from late August 1944 and consisted of training, reconnaissance, ground attack and bomber escort duties. The following Video shows their Ju88s at Bordeaux, Merignac during the clearance of the Atlantic Pockets ( a raid on Pointe de Grave April 1945) with a Wikipedia link as a follow up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxH219D3vB4

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royan_pocket

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6urO3iuLoE

Link here for Michael Randrup RAE:

http://www.danishww2pilots.dk/profiles.php?person=76

OUAQUKGF Ops

10th Sep 2023, 16:34

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/282x355/sits_vac_24apr53_b69e9d8e64197cf0f616291a65a0ab29c32117f9.pn g
24th April 1953. Bucks Examiner (BNA)

I was quite taken with the qualifications that were necessary to be employed by 'Goya' in Amersham. I don't think that I would qualify today. The Sweet Peas that I grew for cutting this Summer appear to have little or no scent. However it could be that my sense of smell is failing with age....... I think the vacancy at The USAF NCO Club at Bovingdon was advertised twice. It was evidently eventually filled to the satisfaction of all as James R Murphy who served as a Radio Operator on the C47s of 7531st Air Base Squadron at Bovingdon (C1952-55) relates: 'The club was, of course, the famous (and notorious) most beloved military watering hole in the entire world - The Bovingdon NCO Club. Everybody belonged to the club. The board of governors consisted of all the senior NCOs including our beloved Italian Cook ( stuffed pork chops - ham and cheese with tomato omelettes - fudge cookies with fudge icing ). They encouraged Ken, our favourite Irish bartender to be lenient when pouring out our highballs. We usually got a double. Our club was not the place for a recovering alcoholic.........
Further reading. 'Peon to Pentagon' by Dr James Murphy 2001.

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4th April 1956 Bucks Examiner.

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27th September 1957 Bucks Examiner

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23rd August 1957. Bucks Examiner.

MESS BILL SETTLED (No1/11 COMBAT CREW REPLACEMENT CENTRE BOVINGDON.)

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Lt Thomas A Parks Pilot. Lt J Sweeney Navigator. Lt E Bason Co-Pilot. Lt J Le Blanc Bombardier. Image Tom Parks Junior with thanks.

Shortly after settling the bill Thomas Parks and his crew who had arrived at Bovingdon by sea from America during the first week of September 1943 left the CCRC to join the 339th Bomb Squadron, part of the 96th Bomb Group at Snetterton Heath, Norfolk.

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Snetterton Heath, Norfolk. Image American Air Museum in Britain.

Tom Parks and his crew would be shot down in B17 42-3546 at Eystrup 28 miles south-east of Bremen, Germany on 29th November 1943. The entire crew of 10 baled out and were taken Prisoners of War. Their story, in part, is told here by Tom Parks jnr : https://aboxofoldletters.com/2016/08/10/watching-hogans-heroes/:

CHOW AT SHIPDHAM NOT SO GOOD AS BOVINGDON BUT WITH A CHANGE OF DIET IN SWITZERLAND.

Lt Sidney Bolick a Canadian pilot in the RAF transferred to the USAAF and found himself at the CCRC Bovingdon in February 1943. Here he writes about the Officers' Mess: 'Unlike the RAF, the USAAF Officers' Mess didn't have waiters. The food was served cafeteria style on metal mess trays, and although there were table cloths on the tables, the glasses and cutlery were strictly government issue. But from there on the advantage definitely went to the Americans. I could hardly believe my eyes when the dinner was served up. There was fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, green peas and jello salad. And wonder of all wonders, ice cream for dessert. I would learn that all USAAF meals were not like this. Bovingdon was a sort of showplace, being so close to headquarters in London, and even for Bovingdon this Sunday dinner was a bit above average. But after eating RAF Chow for nearly a year, I was sure I had died and gone to heaven'. Many of the thousands of crewmen who passed through Bovingdon's Combat Crew Replacement Centre would be killed in action but Sidney Bolick would not be one of them. Much to his puzzlement having just been checked out on the B17 at Bovingdon he found himself, as yet uncrewed posted on March 13th 1943 to the 68th Bomb Squadron of the 44th BG operating B24 Liberators at Shipdham, Norfolk. Here the chow was definitely not as good as at Bovingdon but he did acquire a liking for Spam and variations thereof.

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Shipdham The 44th Taxying out. Image American Air Museum in Britain.

Sidney Bolick remained without a permanent crew for some considerable time but acted as a spare co-pilot with spells as a tail gunner building up combat experience. In early March 1944 Lt Hollis R Nichols invited Bolick to join his crew as co-pilot. On 18th March 1944 they were flying B24 42-100112 (Paper Doll).

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/956x683/screenshot_2023_09_09_at_16_11_38_before_after4_42100112_shi pdham_e7316564cfb5257a169ae8e905e1c459ffd37253.png
B24 42-100112 'Paper Doll' at Shipdham. Image Everything B24.

On the 18th March 1944 the 8TH USAAF mounted a deep penetration raid on aerodromes and aircraft factories near Munich and Friedrichshafen in Southern Germany. 738 Heavy Bombers were dispatched from England their fighter escorts numbered 758 aircraft. 43 Heavy Bombers were lost of which 16 came down in Switzerland. The 44th Bomb Group was tasked with bombing the Dornier works near Friedrichshafen. The target was obscured in part by smokescreens set on Lake Constance and bombing was by markers. Unfortunately the 44th had to go around for a second run due to B17s bombing directly below them which resulted in very heavy damage from Flak and enemy fighters. Despite this the target was successfully bombed. On the second run 'Paper Doll' suffered an engine failure and made for Switzerland. Details can be read in the following link. You need to scroll down to 18th March 1944 and look for Hollis R Nichol's Crew. http://www.greenharbor.com/ROHPDF/ROHMar44.pdf

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'Paper Doll' - crew having bailed out - crashed near Dietschwil, Switzerland. Image: American Air Museum in Britain.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhEH8v4FPSI

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Caterpillar Club Badge awarded to Lt J.S. McNamara Navigator 42-100112 'Paper Doll'. (Recently Sold). Perhaps one of quite a few issued for that particular raid ?
Incidentally on parachuting into Switzerland the crew were detained and entered a period of captivity. In late September 1944 Sidney Bolick escaped over the border to France and was repatriated from a farmer's field outside Annecy by a C47 which took him to Bovingdon. There over four days he was debriefed, issued with new uniforms and returned to his unit at Shipdham. Shortly thereafter he was returned to the USA. Further reading: 'To soar with Eagles' by Sidney Bolick 2002.

chevvron

11th Sep 2023, 05:04

OUAQUKGF Ops

11th Sep 2023, 08:26

Gosh yes - now you come to mention it I remember having Brazil's sausages for breakfast !

chevvron

20th Sep 2023, 11:05

Having racked my brains, I think it was a company called 'Dewhurst' who took over the Brazils factory; they still produced pork products but it never seemed as good.
Last time I drove through Old Amersham, there was a Tesco where the old meat factory used to be. The GOYA factory was still there but I seem to remember the facade was listed and they had demolished the main building but kept the front of the building intact and re-built behind it.
NB: I've added a bit to #606 above.

OUAQUKGF Ops

20th Sep 2023, 12:02

Yes I was chewing over Brazil's sausages and seem to remember when eating them as a child that they were full of gristle - however my memory is not that good and they may well have been Wall's sausages which I seem to remember were pretty dire and a challenge to the gnashers.

OUAQUKGF Ops

20th Sep 2023, 16:01

Somewhere in the recesses of my muddled mind I seemed to remember something about a radio receiver hidden in a Bovingdon Pub...........

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' The Bull ' at Bovingdon. Alas no longer a Public House.

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Bucks Examiner 31 May 1985. (BNA)

A poor reproduction only available. It seems that this is a Philips wireless that was discovered in a boarded-up alcove in the attic of The Bull. Speculation here that it might have held sinister connotations. Fifty years had passed since the end of the war - the remains of a newspaper dated September 23rd 1939 can be seen. Perhaps years ago someone had purchased the set from what we used to call Government Surplus Dealers and taken the wireless to the attic where they had played with it - who knows? If there had been a spy there wouldn't have much to spy on in Bovingdon before 1942. Then as now there was not much to report about the place - perhaps a few stray bombs in 1940 and 1941. Best to obtain a Bicycle and widen the net to a radius of say 15 miles. Which means that Irvin Air Chutes in Letchworth is beyond a visit as are the large factory premises of Williamson Manufacturing in Willesden Green who are supplying Cameras to The Royal Air Force.

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Now what exactly was going on in the back of this shop ? !

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/598x397/1552674313_stationzjsurafholmpton1_4f6459feacefd9dbe862c24d9 cb04f18738c9eac.jpg
And what was Station Z ?

More to come tonight............

chevvron

20th Sep 2023, 18:26

A clandestine radio station in Bovingdon would have had little traffic to be listened to, the closest airfields in Sep 1939 were :
RAF Halton
Denham
Booker.
Leavesden wasn't built until 1940; Cheddington/Long Marston and Bovingdon in 1942; the 'interrogation centre' at Latimer was much later in the war.
There was apparently (can't find any information about it) a 'signals unit' established at Chenies, about 4 miles south of Bovingdon in 1930 and operated by Bomber Command. When the GCI/ROTOR station (an impressively big radar station) was built at Chenies on the same site in the mid '50s, it was called 'No 136 Signals Unit'.
I can only surmise that this radio found at Bovingdon was something to do with the signals unit unit at Chenies.

OUAQUKGF Ops

20th Sep 2023, 19:50

This list is by no means complete, I have perhaps tried to pick the best of the crop from each location. Generally I have avoided service establishments but have included a couple of unusual examples.

Leighton Buzzard, Beds. Gossard Ltd. Parachutes, Sails, Kite Ballons, Kites, Single-seater Aircraft Dinghies and of course a very lucrative contract to supply Bras for all serving female personnel.

Dunstable, Beds. Thermo Plastics Ltd. Acetate sheeting for air frame fillets and Perspex for aircraft radomes and gun turrets. Henry Hughes and Sons (Husun). Navigational instruments, Compasses, Sextants, etc. Aeronautical and Nautical.

Luton, Beds. Percival Aircraft Co Ltd. Production lines for the early Proctors, Airspeed Oxford and DH Mosquito. Napier/English Electric. Test centre established for Sabre engine development.
The Percival Factory and airport received very light bomb damage on August 30th 1940 when 59 people were killed in Luton, the majority of whom were at the nearby Vauxhall Works. On September 24th 1940 two parachute mines fell on the airport, one caused considerable damage to a row of cottages near the Factory whilst the other, without detonating, lodged itself in the Factory Roof. Bomb Disposal Squad recovered and defused the mine.

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Photo Jamie Glass.

Hatfield, Herts. de Havilland Aircraft Company. Mosquito Production Line. On October 3rd 1940 a single Junkers 88 bombed the factory killing 21 people and injuring 70.

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The Factory Gunners shot down the Junkers 88 and the crew were taken into custody.

Hemel Hempstead, Herts. Brocks Fireworks. This famous firm along with several others e.g. Standard Fireworks produced Marker Flares for Bomber Command.

Tring, Herts. HMS Aeolus. Supply depot at the rear of 51, High Street, Tring. Supplying Kite Ballons, Box Kites and many of the products from Gossard at Leighton Buzzard and Amersham Prints. Their depot being almost equi-distant between the two factories and with good rail links. Image of 51 High Street on previous posting.

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Photo Mike Bass Team Parish.
Well and truly up the creek (Nearest navigable water The Grand Union Canal). The Happy Ship's Company and 'Staff' of HMS AEOLUS at Tring on VE Day 1945.

Princes Risborough, Bucks. Risborough Furniture Company/Phillips and Powis. The factory was requisitioned by The Ministry of Aircraft Production (MAP) for the production of Miles Masters.

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Photo Whiteleaf Furniture.
The factory at Princes Risborough post-war. Probably somewhat enlarged since the end of the war.

Chesham, Bucks. The Empire Works. At the old Empire Picture Hall near 'The Backs' and Station Road. Assorted Aircraft Parts. Webb Foulger (Brush Manufacturers) Mosquito Fuselage Components. Aircraft Propellers are also said to have been produced in Chesham but no details are available.

Leavesden Aerodrome, Herts. de Havilland at Factory 2 producing Mosquitoes and London Aircraft Production Group at Factory 1 final assembly H.P. Halifax. The first pilots from the ATA who were converting to Halifaxes were often taken on training flights to Bovingdon, the 3000ft runway at Leavesden being less than ideal for the purpose.

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Photo London Transport Museum. Finishing touches at Leavesden.

Radlett Airfield, Herts. Handley Page Ltd. Production of HP Hampden and HP Halifax.

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Photo St Albans Museum. Hampdens at Radlett.

Old Amersham, Bucks. Amersham Prints (Fabric Printers) Kite Ballons, Fins for Barrage Balloons, Aircraft Dinghies, Parachutes and ASR equipment. Located in the Old Maltings which had previously been a dance hall thus providing an ideal floor for production. Only a small part of the hall is visible in the image below. On completion every balloon was inflated to check for leaks. A very strong glue was used in the construction of these products.

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Photo Amersham Museum, Alison Bailey.

Watford, Herts. Sun Engraving Company. 1.5 Billion Propaganda Leaflets and copious amounts of 'Window'. The printing of 'Tactical Targets' (Aerial and other Reconnaissance for D.Day) also a Munitions Department producing, among other stuff, stub axles for Hamilcar Gliders. Odhams (Watford) Millions of Propaganda Leaflets and aircraft repairs for MAP.

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Photo Sun Printers' History Gallery.

Aldenham, Herts. The huge London Transport Depot by the A41. London Aircraft Production Group. Construction of HP Halifax forward and centre sections. On completion these would be transported down the A41 to Leavesden for final assembly.

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Photo London Transport Museum.

High Wycombe, Bucks. The home of British Furniture and Wooden Aircraft Manufacturing in both World Wars. E.Gomme Ltd (G Plan) Wings and struts for Tiger Moths. Hughenden Furniture parts for Phillips and Powis Magisters and Masters. Parker Knoll, Styles and Mealing, Heathland Furniture, Dancer and Hearne, Walter Baker: Mosquito and other aircraft components including those for Hotspur Training Gliders and Horsa Gliders.

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Photo High Wycombe Museum . Parker Knoll factory Mosquito Components.

Beaconsfield, Bucks. Rotax Ltd. The Beaconsfield Film Studios were requisitioned in 1939 and turned over to Rotax for the production of avionics.

Denham, Bucks. Martin Baker Aircraft Company.

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Photo Old Machine Press.

Aircraft components including those for the Mosquito, Aircraft Design and Construction, Armoured Pilot Seats and from 1944 designing, development and testing of Ejector Seats.

The MB3 Fighter nearly but not quite completed at the Denham works in 1942. It was taken by road to RAF Wing Buckinghamshire for the first flight (August 31st) and subsequent test programme. There on September 12th it crashed killing its pilot Captain Valentine Baker. Incidentally not far away from the Martin Baker works the small airfield at Denham was home to the Tiger Moths of 21EFTS and more unusually an RAE Weapons Development Unit testing Rocket Projectiles, arriving in late 1942 they departed in 1944.

Harrow, Greater London. Kodak. I've not been able to find out much about their war work other than they supplied RAF Medmenham with a high speed film processor in 1941. Otherwise they are listed for the manufacture and development of film. Whether through their parent company Kodak Eastman they had any part in supplying the 8th USAAF with Cameras I know not.

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Meanwhile next door to Kodak there was an unprepossessing looking building which was subsequently found to be the citadel Station Z. Constructed at the beginning of the war and completed in 1940 this reinforced three storey building with a large sub basement was designed to accommodate The Air Ministry Staff of Whitehall in the event that they should have to relocate. Those of the Kingsway Office were to be accommodated elsewhere.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/598x391/1552674323_stationzjsurafholmpton11_dr_james_fox_1de45d913ea e60662d65e02cecab37f2eef515a1.jpg
The Upper Floor.
Photo Dr James Fox. Photo credit Subterranea like wise for image previous post.

Langley Aerodrome, Berkshire. Hawker Aircraft. Production of Hurricanes, Tempests and Sea Furies.

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Photo Peter Trafford Smith.

Hayes, Greater London. Fairey Aviation. The bulk of this company's wartime aircraft were produced at their new factories at Stockport and Manchester. However the Fairey Albacore was constructed at Hayes.
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Albacore Wing.

EMI. The vast factories of EMI dominated the skyline of Hayes. Perhaps their most important war work was in the development of airborne radar. This was the home of H2S Britain's first airborne radar. Very sadly one of the key scientists of the project Alan Blumlein was killed when the Halifax aircraft, carrying out a test flight from RAF Defford for the Telecommunications Research Establishment crashed on 7th June 1942. On 7th July 1944 a V1 hit the EMI factory at Hayes - 34 people were killed and 18 injured.

MAP FOOTNOTE: Locators - Leavesden Green. Aldenham Blue. Denham Yellow. Langley Orange.

chevvron

29th Sep 2023, 09:51

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/282x355/sits_vac_24apr53_b69e9d8e64197cf0f616291a65a0ab29c32117f9.pn g
24th April 1953. Bucks Examiner (BNA)

April 1953, I was four and a half years old.
A 'young lady' was required for a 'television and electrical showroom' by D.L. Chittenden; I don't know what school leaving age was in 1953; it could have been as low as 14.
Now 1953 was Coronation year. I'd heard of the Coronation but I didn't know what that meant being so young nor did I know what a 'television' was. I dare say a lot of people would buy or rent a television in the coming months but that excluded us; we had a 'wireless' but no mains electricity, my father would have to buy a huge new battery every couple of weeks to supply us with sound whereas with the wireless at my school, Waterside Infants School, a man would arrive with something called an 'accumulator' which he swapped with the 'spent' one.
I remember Leo Chittenden's shop; it was still in 'The Broadway' last time I visited about 18 years ago next door to what used to be the 'Astoria' cinema, now a shop.
We didn't 'see' the Coronation until later in the day when the newsreels arrived at the other Chesham cinema just 200yd from us near the Market Square and called the 'Embassy'. Very useful was this cinema as we went to saturday morning pictures every week and that was the 'nearest' we got to seeing a television.

DHfan

29th Sep 2023, 10:46

Denham, Bucks. Martin Baker Aircraft Company.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/781x569/screenshot_2023_09_17_at_12_14_07_martin_baker_mb3_fighter_8 11bd7f6d21b0f6e08d20135dc8ce81f4cd371d4.png
Photo Old Machine Press.

Aircraft components including those for the Mosquito, Aircraft Design and Construction, Armoured Pilot Seats and from 1944 designing, development and testing of Ejector Seats.

The MB3 Fighter nearly but not quite completed at the Denham works in 1942. It was taken by road to RAF Wing Buckinghamshire for the first flight (August 31st) and subsequent test programme. There on September 12th it crashed killing its pilot James Martin. Incidentally not far away from the Martin Baker works the small airfield at Denham was home to the Tiger Moths of 21EFTS and more unusually an RAE Weapons Development Unit testing Rocket Projectiles, arriving in late 1942 they departed in 1944.

Not (Sir) James Martin, he died in 1981. It was Captain Valentine Baker who was killed in the crash.

OUAQUKGF Ops

29th Sep 2023, 15:33

Sorry my mistake I'll amend post - Thanks V Much !

OUAQUKGF Ops

2nd Oct 2023, 13:03

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I became aware a few years' ago of a published photograph (also available commercially) of which the original USAAF caption stated: 'Houses damaged by a buzz bomb (V1) which hit in the residential area in Bovingdon, England on 2 July 1944' Well, as I've not gleaned any interesting images or gossip about Aeroplanes and Bovingdon I thought I might poke around a few old bomb craters to find the exact location of this particular V1. Bovingdon airfield was not constructed until 1941-42. However the German Blitz in Britain commenced in September 1940 and a good scattering of bombs fell across the home counties particularly during the period October - December 1940. These bombs, commonly H.E. and Incendiary, were often jettisoned by German aircraft which had failed to locate their target or were dropped by single German Raiders intent on creating havoc. Newspaper restrictions meant that these raids and incidents could only be reported in a very general manner and precise details and locations were not divulged. In internet searching I've relied heavily on personal recollections gleaned from various local history sources. I've concentrated on V1 incidents in the immediate area of Bovingdon going as far afield as Amersham to the South-west and Watford to the South-east. I've also included some records from 1940 where relevant. I might add that these are just the tip of the Iceberg. In mid to late Victorian Britain the shooting of Rare Birds was rife - Collectors would pay astronomical prices for a rare specimen. The Shooters had a little saying: 'What's hit is History. What's missed is Mystery' The same might be applied to the efforts of The Luftwaffe.

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Known V1 incidents with either a written or oral reference - thus by no means complete. I'll start at the top:

POTTEN END, HERTS: 7th Hole Berkhamsted Golf Course.

Charles Bennett, a school-boy living in Potten End, was near Martin's Pond, when one fine summer's day in 1944 ("Must have been in The Summer Holidays - I was at Berkhamsted Prep") a Doodlebug came along from the east and cut out over his head. Charles grabbed his bicycle and headed in the direction of The Common and Grim's Ditch where the V1 had exploded. Just before reaching the crater Charles stopped to retrieve a large piece of paneling for a souvenir but was immediately apprehended by the village Policeman who had been in hot pursuit.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/674x450/screenshot_2023_10_01_at_19_23_15_7_efaab81c1e0c99e5f40e6314 cc9a4fee1ce70611.png
The V1 crater is adjacent to the 7th Hole on Berkhamsted Golf Course (Image Berkhamsted Golf Club).

BELLINGDON, BUCKS.

V1 shot down by DH Mosquito. Two very brief references (one by John Young) 1944-5 but no date available. A large crater from the Second World War is said to be in a field behind Bank Farm - some say it's the V1 site but as the village received a couple of bombs on the evening of 26th October 1940 one cannot be certain.

FELDEN, HERTS ( between Apsley and Bovingdon.)

V1 Gliding up Featherbed Lane from the direction of Apsley to explode at the top of the lane. 1944-45 date unknown, no further details available. This would have been about 2 miles from the airfield.

BOVINGDON, HERTS.

No record of a V1. More conventional bombs fell on Bovingdon Village on 23rd September and the evening of 26th October 1940 (Berkhamsted also received on the latter). A Farm House in New House Road, Bovingdon was demolished but the 16 occupants suffered only minor injuries. Several persons in adjacent outbuildings slumbered undisturbed through the raid.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/652x810/john_young_diary_pt1_ff4502e2b114c56b4bf562e28317974b002ae54 7.png
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/596x798/john_young_diary_pt2_85b14061091c4936d2da58a1160c0d0ee2e93b0 b.png
Extracts from John Young's Diary. (Keith Fletcher with thanks).

LEY HILL, BUCKS.

On 16th August 1944 a V1 is said to have exploded half a mile south-east of Ley Hill Common on open land behind the Old School House. The Air Raid Warden James Green who lived at 'The Pheasantries' attended the scene there being slight damage to properties.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/894x572/screenshot_2023_09_29_at_16_03_31_raf_106g_uk_686_rp_3276_ae rial_photo_historic_england_ley_hill_resize_eb444a003d01218f 3de3aa24c5039b6d1ed533e7.png
Image from August 1945. The Old School House - Left.Two possible bomb holes marked in red (This area also bombed evenings of 26th and 28th October 1940 - also Chesham). I would expect a V1 to make more of a crater.
Photo Historic Britain.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/488x353/screenshot_2023_08_16_at_10_22_33_bovingdon_airfield_by_john _young_pdf_enlarge_3__4d9f3acd554d1b8c5f1ee3aa44642179b824f6 2f.png
V1 Crater Ley Hill - I can't work out what the tallish structure is. I don't think there were any tall buildings in Ley Hill but I suppose it might have been a barn or a clump of trees. This was the closest to Bovingdon that a V1 fell, seemingly being just over a mile or so from Bovingdon Camp but perhaps it was closer. I did wonder if the structure was the Water Tower at the Camp.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/685x989/aerial_bov_base_camp_c3c4c08ad038fbbebfbff4b84fb8cc6e42af204 7.png
Bovingdon Camp August 1945. If you are bored find the shadow of the Water Tower. Photo Historic Britain.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/500x250/screenshot_2023_10_02_at_10_22_04_usaf_pilot_1944_downsize_f 4bb0d9c69e3ba3e9a8e08458482f3cd96f81211.png
Bovingdon Camp Water Tower 1943.

LANGLEY LODGE (extensive grounds of) HERTS between Chipperfield and Abbotts Langley.

V1 Several brief mentions without any details c 1944-45.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/876x869/screenshot_2023_09_30_at_20_17_29_amersham_during_world_war_ ii_f0332f0abaa9a80db0300eb57133c44acb4a62b8.png
References to October 25th and 26th 1940. Image Amersham during World War Two.

AMERSHAM, BUCKS - Weedon Hill Woods.

V1 impacted on 5th July 1944 damaging houses.

CHESHAM BOIS, BUCKS - Chestnut Lane.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/975x763/2jxyr0y_975_up_8e1f7c7127fab9848ba808ea6f03c3e12a627c82.jpg
This is the USAAF photograph which misidentified the location as being at Bovingdon.

The scene in Chestnut Lane where a V1 impacted at approx 10.55 a.m on 2nd July 1944. In the mid-foreground is 'The Leys' which suffered extensive damage, immediately beyond is where 'Red Leys' with its attached bungalow once stood whilst in the background is 'Northcott' partly demolished.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/546x431/house_plams_bgt_christmas_special_2020_newsletter_final_copy _2_cb_pdf_99a032670d156092206bfcc64f26ee3233084e48.png
Image Buckingham Gardens Trust Newsletter.

The V1 was said to have been hit by anti-aircraft fire. Sir Arthur Scott (80yrs) a distinguished veteran of the Boer and First World Wars, resident of Red Leys was killed as was Christina Conway (Born 1920) whilst Lady Scott was rescued relatively uninjured. In the attached Bungalow 18 month old Christina Hanbury-Sparrow was trapped, and although rescued subsequently died in hospital. Due to shortage of space I'll add a postscript about child Christina and her family. Apart from those houses already mentioned two more were partly demolished and 135 properties were damaged, 17 people were injured.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/650x542/screenshot_2023_09_04_at_12_30_21_layout_1_bois_07_b_pdf_tin ted_down_size_2__2f248c9b4466eb3247b8798abe3264e9af886703.pn g
Image Chesham Heritage Trail.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1500x999/front_aspect_the_leys_e8ab4343c36faa9df34b958855168ab0fa0045 73.jpeg
The Leys. (Image Savills).

NORTH WATFORD-Sandringham Road.

A V1 fell on 30th July 1944 killing 37 people, injuring a further 64. 50 Houses were destroyed and a further 500 Houses damaged.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/936x711/watford_bombing_use_75f3768411b6e8cf710924990e23e47c196ddc84 .png

OUAQUKGF Ops

2nd Oct 2023, 13:16

https://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/news/18389279.story-amershams-darkest-world-war-ii-day/

http://www.amersham.org.uk/ww2/

https://hemelatwar.org/WWIIHomeLong.html#Bray

DHfan

2nd Oct 2023, 15:10

I heard about the Sandringham Road V1 as a child. It was only down the road from where my dad lived with his parents.
As I recall being told, it didn't dive in vertically but "landed" horizontally, and careered along the road before finally exploding.

Another house only 100 yards or so away from their home was also damaged or destroyed by a bomb and well into the '60s there were still three large bomb craters in a recreation ground between the house and the DH factory at Leavesden, just a mile or so up the road.

chevvron

2nd Oct 2023, 16:46

www.airfieldresearchgroup.org.uk/forum/buckinghamshire-memorials/16967-ley-hill-chesham-wooden-v1-mock-up
My sister used to live next door to the present school and just opposite Keith Fordyce's farm.
It would appear the 'old school' was some distance from the present one.

OUAQUKGF Ops

2nd Oct 2023, 17:34

DH Interesting to hear your recollections of the Watford V1 - these little tit-bits are so often lacking when one is digging for 'Gen'.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/772x546/watford_bomb_2nd_choice_6d347f8776652e7dbcec930d70e5e501d53d 0308.png
Date error on Caption - Read July 30th.

First_Principal

2nd Oct 2023, 20:22

For those moved by the story of Alan and Amelie Hanbury-Sparrow and their daughter Cristina the following may be of interest:

Lt Col Alan Arthur Hanbury-Sparrow's brother, Capt Brian Hanbury-Sparrow, was killed in WWI (https://cswwone2.wixsite.com/soldiers/brian-hanbury-sparrow) on the 26th August 1918. Alan first married Ileen Gray in 1917 and appeared to have had at least three children with her, before divorcing and marrying Amelie Roder in 1939. As far as I could tell Cristina (Alan's mother's name) was Alan and Amelie's only natural child. There is a similar story to that of the link posted by OUAQUKGF Ops but this one has more pictures (https://amershammuseum.org/history/people/20th-century/lt-col-arthur-alan-and-amelie-hanbury-sparrow/), including a beautiful one of little Cristina's grave, and a later photograph of Alan and Amalie.

First published in 1932 Alan authored The Land Locked Lake (https://catalogue.nla.gov.au/catalog/1285529), a limited edition book which I understand is well thought of. A person claiming to be Alan and Amelie's adopted daughter has said she was publishing a revised edition of this book, but nothing seems to have come of that that I could find. Poetry, written by Alan or Amelie, is stored in the U.S. and available to researchers.

Alan (73) and Amelie (63) immigrated to New Zealand on the Himalaya in 1965. At least one grandchild appeared to have resided in New Zealand where they passed away in 2017 leaving a son an daughter who would have been a great nephew and niece of Cristina.

There is also a little more on Sir Arthur Binny Scott of Red Lodge (Red Leys) here (https://amershammuseum.org/history/people/20th-century/sir-arthur-binny-scott/).

FP.

OUAQUKGF Ops

2nd Oct 2023, 21:00

A little more on Amersham and Chesham Bois here including an UXB in the garden....https://amershammuseum.org/history/people/20th-century/formidable-women-2 (https://amershammuseum.org/history/people/20th-century/formidable-women-2/)

Vignettes of my Childhood Days in Chesham Bois (http://lola.isfoundhere.com/vignettes/chapter2.php)

Perhaps we had better have an image from Bovingdon before we drift off the Garden Path ? BOOM !

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/660x307/screenshot_2023_10_07_at_23_21_19_207_squadron_raf_history_c ommunications_period_album__e8e5568370d372ed2e14096999645f18 f7b92999.png

VV958 one of the last operational Royal Air Force Ansons was scrapped at Bovingdon in 1968.

OUAQUKGF Ops

11th Oct 2023, 16:12

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/237x487/lost_anson_05b2e583ef69ea65a2795da802605f5d46e6ea36.png
Bucks Examiner 16th May 1958

AHOY THERE !

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/482x401/screenshot_2023_10_07_at_22_16_10_45_avro_anson_tx231_93b782 5da8773cfdaed97daf4780e911155c159d.png
" I'm so sorry Old Man, sorry I mean Sir ! We haven't quite got the range to reach The Bahamas - Will Bovingdon be convenient ? "

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/216x750/hitchhike_pt_1_95fcc1c00c7033c4e467a3563a2614d51691e1fb.png

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/602x445/screenshot_2023_10_11_at_16_38_10_bl_0001853_19510214_030_00 26_pdf_enhanced_2_f4d0072dfb691984ccc6b634a3f93bdad84bc874.p ng
(Enactment with apologies).

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/220x636/hitchhike_pt_2_f0e770d4e9860144ca5b59873ff4f7512f2b6d21.png
Notts Evening News 5th +19th August 1958

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At long last some fresh images. These photographs appear to be taken by John Young. The writing looks to be in his hand. They are a lucky find....
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1000x882/bovingdon_resize_enhance_a93ced0dea741efabcf0ca526d636cc0de5 f7109.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/431x516/bov_open_day_bucks_exam_may_23_1958_63214e510709e08780bd4ecf 8d40f62eb7041003.png
Bucks Examiner 23rd May 1958 (BNA).

XV490

14th Oct 2023, 10:59

"I am going to make the most of it," said Chesham councillor Mrs F K Brandon, referring to the "lavish hospitality" at the cocktail party laid on by the Americans.

Sounds like she did just that.

OUAQUKGF Ops

14th Oct 2023, 17:00

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/647x815/screenshot_2023_10_16_at_09_42_32_bovingdon_airfield_by_john _young_pdf_961ce8af7dfae2b9d5fbc6bfd56e58a511f1e480.png
British Patriotism - Brandon's Furniture Store Chesham. (John Young's Diary).

Ah but the lavish USAF hospitality given on that occasion at their Officers' Dining Room never got Bovingdon a mention in that rather exclusive magazine 'The Tatler'...........

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/595x842/screenshot_2023_10_14_at_11_10_45_bl_0001853_19510214_001_00 01_pdf_ef0a415f801d3067a71bf9675b47f18f17cbc883.png
The social whirl which accompanied an FAA 'Wings' ceremony at 22 FTS Syerston ended with an unexpected diversion to Bovingdon..........

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/300x425/screenshot_2023_10_14_downsize1_1644985faa3dc0ab7da1f7742aa3 a122dc92853d.png
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/300x425/screenshot_2023_10_14_downsize_41854f31c47b1d476802549ec06d5 561b521e063.png

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/975x440/screenshot_2023_10_14_at_10_29_47_reduced_67059ff9fa3a3ba36e 481343cb04dc0091e91998.png
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/975x458/screenshot_2023_10_14_reduced_2_ab209057d872b4181c0c032fd229 b0fd45ea7273.png

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/693x927/screenshot_2023_10_14_at_11_08_17_bl_0001853_19510214_003_00 02_pdf_guinness_abecffe4042b2aaf0485fbe57b759912af104971.png

Images: The Tatler 14th February 1951. (BNA)

OUAQUKGF Ops

26th Oct 2023, 13:21

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/627x647/brides_0284c4bf4a8d920d689f6bda166c04bb90db562d.png

A SOMEWHAT PROTRACTED PASSAGE......

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/223x916/screenshot_brides_text_7cd35099ea12c39704bdb5ebf7839090684ac e32.png
South Wales Echo June 7th 1950 (BNA)

MR BARNETT JANNER ASKS A QUESTION IN THE HOUSE: (HEAVY SIGHS ARE HEARD)

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1041x766/screenshot_2023_10_25_at_13_57_41_bovingdon_airport_complain t_hansard_uk_parliament_f3f6b58874aa66b1db4a6e695eae533e695e 1e63.png

A FEW SNAPS FROM JOHN YOUNG'S CAMERA AT BOVINGDON'S RATHER DAMP OPEN HOUSE 17TH MAY 1958.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/950x829/c130_bovingdon_enhanced_bbc292be7aa99aa2418b285eda6abff911b6 997f.jpg

OUAQUKGF Ops

5th Nov 2023, 17:56

You may wonder what all this is going to be about. Well that makes two of us as I managed to loose the whole shooting match just as I was finishing writing it up.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/831x559/douglas_skytrain_orly_1945_bing_ca04e5d916cf25759a1fd889578b c37a39d1dd76.png
Image:Le Bourget Air and Space Museum.

The Combat crew Replacement Unit disbanded at Bovingdon in September 1944. With the War reaching its climax in Europe the logistical demand on USAAF Air Transport operations was almost beyond comprehension (certainly to me) in its size and complexity. In October 1944 the newly laid aprons at Bovingdon were ready to receive the 50 C-47s of US Air Transport Command that were to move up from Hendon whilst at much the same time 1402 Air Transport Base Unit was established at the airfield where it would remain until April 1946 and Bovingdon became the main London Area Airfield for the USAAF.

Here you will find the origins of The Marble Arch Line. It actually operated from Hendon in much the same way that HS2 will not be operating from Euston.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/723x731/screenshot_2023_11_04_at_15_04_50_the_army_air_forces_in_wor ld_war_ii_services_around_the_world_google_books_4e74a0ace4f 3d3e82e9279ca2f5633f6e8bd71a6.png

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/793x998/bovingdon_airways_1944_into_thin_air_137be98c7f70b4e4dd0e076 83d794c550787be33.png
Airways from Bovingdon 1944.

Below: Orly June 6th 1944 and more raids to come....... US Air Transport Command services from here to Hendon commenced 31st August 1944.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/900x740/media_17003_a16f5993948a4f6199e66650bb1c70de4555886a.jpeg
Image: American Air Museum in Britain.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/665x931/air_trans_com_history_f657dc07560f183ee83ead2e547d5c67d2627a fb.png
Source: Craven and Cate - The Army Air Forces in WW11 (1948).

In addition to US Air Transport Command's presence at Bovingdon 516 Troop Carrier Group with C-47s were based there from October 1945 until April 1946 when they transferred to Bremen, Germany. This group provided aircraft and personnel for EATS (European Air Transport Service) which was operated by the 51st Troop Carrier Wing with its HQ at Wiesbaden, Germany. EATS commenced services in September 1945, ceasing operations in December 1947. C-46 and C-54 Aircraft were also used.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x717/screenshot_2023_08_05_at_12_21_00_eats46a_jpg_jpeg_image_142 9_1170_pixels_scaled_66__31dff5d4c502733ea3f497da8b6642d26b5 c3bc4.png
Image: David H Stringer and Airline Timetable Images with thanks.

Below: Wiesbaden Air Base Circa 1950.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/857x395/screenshot_2023_10_21_at_11_51_43_european_air_transport_ser vice_wiesbaden_bing_down_d5297b150297232d0d5ac3f4ef533e93cb0 84652.png
Photo usarmygermany.com

When you consider that a typical Air Transport Group would consist of 4 Ferrying Squadrons, 4 Transport Squadrons and 2 Service Squadrons you will forgive me for trying to keep this simple.
Many of the missions were classified as 'Cargo and Evacuation' and I'll leave you to imagine what that might entail as the Gooney Birds accompanied the Allied advance slowly moving across Europe towards Berlin and southwards towards Bavaria and Austria. There would be too, in 1945 and early 1946 masses of allied POWs to be repatriated through Bovingdon to say nothing of the thousands of USAAF personnel and their aircraft who would transit the airfield during their return to America.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1183x780/c47s_john_young_pdf_f22a69c70931b47a1ddfa87edfbcfbb1e0c80bf6 .png
Extract from John Young's Bovingdon Diary.

Many years ago I came across on the internet a photograph of captured German Generals disembarking from a C-47 at Bovingdon. Well of course I can't find it now despite hours of searching.
These Chaps will have to do.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/575x410/screenshot_2023_11_03_1945_57b2202f27f65964583044787e55b24e1 17cd60d.png
At a London Railway Station 1945.

In the meantime Helen Fry has written several interesting books about secret intelligence activities at Trent Park, London, Wilton Park, Beaconsfield, Bucks and three miles down the lane from Bovingdon, Latimer House. At these locations Prisoners of War were gently interrogated. What most of them were not aware of was that their accommodation, leisure facilities and whatnot were heavily bugged. Microphones were placed in light fittings, fireplaces, under billiard tables, below exterior window sills, etc. All conversations were covertly monitored by Listeners who worked in shifts recording and translating what they heard, the results then being transcribed for closer examination. Thousands of prisoners passed through these establishments on their way to permanent POW camps, most none the wiser of their indiscretions being picked up, while the useful information gleaned probably places these establishments second only to Bletchley Park in British Intelligence successes during WW11.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x411/fritz_lustig_amersham_museum_f5f05d587e7a88ed831b6702fe837ac 0d8db5508.png
Photo: Fritz Lustig via Amersham Museum.
Emigre NCOs of the three Listening establishments photographed at Latimer House. The Men were the Listeners while the Women translated and carried out other associated intelligence duties.

Churchill had made his 'Iron Curtain' speech, the Allies being very much aware that post-war Russian ambitions towards the West would lead to a state of high tension in Europe and the more the Allies could find out about the Luftwaffe, for which there was perhaps a grudging admiration, then the better for all concerned. Helen Fry writes that since March 1945 a special aircraft had flown twice a week into Britain bringing special prisoners to Latimer House for interrogation by The Air Intelligence Section. She doesn't name the airfield concerned but it would probably have been Bovingdon. She records that on 1st September 1945, 269 Luftwaffe personnel including associated technical workers were flown into Bovingdon and were taken down to Latimer House. On the following day 94 Luftwaffe POWs arrived at Bovingdon for Latimer House and this pattern of special flights continued until the end of September. It's amusing to think that the development of Bovingdon airfield to the status of an operational Bomber Station was stymied by the Intelligence Services in 1942 on account of aircraft noise interfering with their activities ! The Allies were particularly interested in the Me-262 but they also wanted to know more about the tactics,strategies and operations employed by the Luftwaffe. Much of the interrogation of the Generals and Pilots at Latimer House was carried out by USAAF personnel under the direct supervision of Royal Air Force Intelligence Officers. Several Luftwaffe Aces were also later interrogated at the Royal Air Force Central Fighter Establishment at Tangmere, Sussex. I have quite a long list of Luftwaffe personnel who passed through Bovingdon and Latimer House but I don't want to bore the pants off you so I'll just mention a couple. Dates seem to be a movable feast so I'm very wary of them.

General Adolf Galland. Was flown to England in May 1945 and interrogated by the RAF at Tangmere during June 1945. He was interrogated at Latimer House 16-17 August 1945 and returned to captivity in Bavaria from Bovingdon on August 24th in a B17 which flew him to Kaufbueren airfield together with Werner Baumbach, Commander of the shadowy KG200 Bomber Wing. Galland was recalled to England arriving presumably at Bovingdon on October 7th 1945 to be interrogated at Latimer House on October 8th. He was released in April 1947.

Major Gunther Rall. Fighter Ace Me-109 and Me-262. Captured near Salzburg where he was imprisoned. Transferred to POW Camp at Heidleberg. Shortly thereafter he was part of a small group of German Fighter Aces who were put on an aeroplane to Bovingdon. He was then interrogated about the Me-262 I assume at Latimer House. He was then moved to a POW camp near Cherbourg, France and shortly recalled to England together with the Stuka pilot Hans-Ulrich Rudel to attend two weeks' further interrogation at RAF Tangmere. He was then returned to Cherbourg.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/550x690/g_nther_rall_timeline_reduce_3c3dcf00361d2a1bec9b530209acfd8 bcf6bc346.png
Gunther Rall was shot down over Germany on May 12th 1944 by Col Hubert Zenke of the 56th FG USAAF who was flying a P-47 on an escort sortie. Rall lost his thumb but managed to bale out.

Oberst Gordon Gollop. Austrian Fighter ace. Later (Jan 1945) became 'The Inspector of Fighters' for the Luftwaffe. Interrogated at Latimer House 18th September 1945.

Generalfeldmarschall Hugo Sperrle. Luftwaffe Big Wig. Brought for interrogation at Latimer House period August-September ? 1945.

During December 1945 Latimer House was putting up the shutters for good and any remaining detainees were taken under American Military escort to Dover and put on a boat.

Further Reading:' The Walls Have Ears' by Helen Fry 2019. 'Fighter Aces of The Luftwaffe' by Philip Kaplan.

I'm providing a link for a video which I guess originated from a USAAF Film Unit. The locations are unknown. The destination of the flight is unknown.The C-47 belongs to 312th Ferrying Squadron of the 27th ATG. The video is rather overlong. Read the full introduction to find out who is who.

https://collections.ushmm.org/search/catalog/irn1003945

https://historicengland.org.uk/images-books/archive/collections/aerial-photos/record/RAF_106G_UK_1088_RS_4047

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x651/screenshot_2023_10_25_at_12_02_44_curtiss_c46_commando_pictu res_technical_data_history_barrie_aircraft_museum_684127bf54 5a03e0152c715f93ccf87c776baaf8.png
" Don't Forget Me ! "

OUAQUKGF Ops

22nd Nov 2023, 10:31

Accident to Spitfire V b EN592 of USAAF HQ Squadron, 8th Fighter Command, Bovingdon. On attachment to RAF Tangmere at the time of the incident.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/675x519/spitfire_mk_vb_wz_y_of_the_15th_trs_67th_rg_assigned_to_pilo t_norm_thompson_down_12d9bcf617766829c103217557b0790fb168c09 0.jpg
Spitfire V b BM635 of 67th RG. Not the subject aircraft but showing similar livery to that of EN952.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/775x1052/screenshot_2023_11_10_at_13_44_54_accident_supermarine_spitf ire_vb_en952_trim_trim_up_down_enhance_a4a987aace595d0c76111 b20ea12188be4963005.png
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/236x467/screenshot_2023_1st_cutting_2169a9d8bcf83cd8e49efab302ca7496 9caf30d1.png
Yorkshire Post November 23 1942

The above is a good measured bit of journalism. I've followed it up with this somewhat fabulist contribution from a journalist of The Daily Herald. Nevertheless it contains an interesting account of the accident and the gallantry displayed by Mr Curd.

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Daily Herald November 23 1942

One's eye cannot help being drawn by the squabbling clergy in the neighbouring column. A reminder of Church and that the accident happened just after 1130 on a Sunday morning. A few Parishioners would probably still have been making their way home from Church ready for a ration restricted lunch when the Spitfire flew over their heads to attempt a landing on a large playing field. Fortunately being a Sunday morning and what with the Sunday Observance Act, Amateur Football was only permitted in the afternoons, though even then during the war Sunday Football was not much played as most players were on active service or involved in other war work. Thus we don't know for sure but there was probably little human activity on the playing field that morning, however a few people were tending their allotments just in the north west corner of the field (Veggies for lunch) and witnessed the accident.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/950x990/screenshot_2023_11_12_at_09_10_44_raf_cpe_uk_2196_vp3_5199_a erial_photo_historic_england_trim_downsize_18a3d4fdf70f9f6d9 575e833dd85b941977c8b7a.png
Image Historic England. The Elms Playing Field in 1947.

Edward Road borders almost the entire length of the playing field to the right. Coppermill Lane runs from right to left at the base of the playing field. One cannot be sure but it is probable that the Spitfire approached the area from the direction of Tottenham in the north-west flying low over the town then turning to fly along Coppermill Lane before approaching the playing field from the direction of the reservoirs. Once over the playing field the Spitfire was seen to suddenly turn sideways and dive to the ground some 50 yards from the back of the nearest houses in Edward Road.

It was not a particularly good day for an air test. Quite flyable but visibility in London south of the Thames was poor. I've included these Met Reports more for their beauty and as a flavour of the times rather than their relevance to the accident in which the weather might have played a part.

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https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/790x755/screenshot_2023_11_20_at_12_47_08_dwr_1942_11_met_office_ua_ enhance_769970f9466847ae3016a725a61071bf61a94214.png
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/296x177/cutting_3_e9ca76b30b9ccf9f85348562ed33eec98cd4db96.png
News Chronicle November 24 1942

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Liverpool Echo November 27 1942

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January 17 1943 Col Towle presents the propeller tip to Alderman Mrs E M Miller.

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2nd Lt Harvey Dalton Johnson 1919-1942.

Harvey Johnson first enlisted in the US Army Air Corps in April 1941. Making poor progress towards his desire to be a pilot he left the US Army Air Corps and enlisted with the RCAF where he qualified as a Sergeant Pilot at Moncton Flight Training School in January 1942. He was posted overseas to England where he saw service from March 1942 flying Spitfires with 402 (Canadian) Squadron. On October 10th 1942 Harvey was discharged from the RCAF and joined the USAAF. He was first assigned as a Pilot to HQ Squadron, 8th Fighter Command, at Bovingdon with which he was serving at the time of his death. It is unclear whether he was ever assigned to 67th Observation Group USAAF or not. He was buried at Brookwood Cemetery in Surrey.
In 1948 his family arranged for his re-interment to be made at the Atlantic City Cemetery, Pleasantville (near Northfield where Harvey was born), New Jersey. I must add that I am extremely grateful to Harvey's half brother Paul Johnson in the USA for all his help with images and insights into Harvey's family history. Thank You Paul.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/750x422/screenshot_2023_11_22_at_11_39_39_inbox_52_l_nightingale23_b tinternet_com_09f5969c3ed0423302f43a69dcefe79e588a191a.png
Harvey's Brother was killed at work in a construction accident the day before he was due to report to the U.S. Navy.
Photo from Paul Johnson with thanks.

Harvey Johnson is still remembered by young and old in Walthamstow :https://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/15677134.harvey-dalton-johnson-remembered-in-walthamstow-75-years-after-crash-landing-in-coppermill-lane/

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/589x819/prop_84bcc3669869510cef7a53a2d0007de933e8f0de.png
For many years the propeller tip presented to the people of Walthamstow by the USAAF was displayed with a memorial plaque near the crash site. It was later moved into the offices of Warner Estates where tenants would pass it in the hall when going to pay their rent. It now safely resides in the store room of the Vestry House Museum Walthamstow. I'm most grateful to Ainsley Vinall of Vestry House who very kindly took this photograph for me.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x665/screenshot_2023_11_10_at_10_36_35_the_elms_playing_field_wal thamstow_enlarge_73bab4862d7ac79f22808ff10775910bac25b7da.pn g
Image: London Playing Fields Foundation.

Newspaper Cuttings: BNA.

OUAQUKGF Ops

10th Dec 2023, 19:51

A little Horse Trading with Drift.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/920x724/dc4_when_horses_fly_the_beginnings_of_air_travel_in_the_raci ng_world_horse_racing_news_paulick_report_043b51c5d2d0b38466 215f9d9427496d4d4b60b5.png
Image Skeets Meadows. (Paulick Report).

The above is not the subject aircraft. Image dates from 1960. (Not Bovingdon).

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/430x635/horse_news_cutting_5e724f0d3b81f91ea6a5995be4b0cc1b85e9e5c7. png
Bradford Observer 6th November 1948.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/813x591/screenshot_2023_12_10_at_09_40_10_dogs_barking_causes_death_ of_56_000_racehorse_truth_brisbane_qld_1900_1954_7_nov_1948_ 5b3f700f193e5f27f8aa5dbd06b888ecec225080.png
Source 'Truth' (Brisbane Australia) 7th November 1948.
Later publications state that the dogs were U.S.Army Police Dogs.

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Image from Drisa Archive.

The above illustrative of the use of a horsebox in a C54 Skymaster. In this case a photograph from January 1960 with 'Tiger Fish' aboard Skymaster ZS-AUA of South African Airways.

The first Transatlantic shipment of horses by air was made one day during November 1946 when six thoroughbreds were flown in an American Airlines C54 Skymaster from Shannon to Newark N.J. and then onwards to Burbank, California.

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Manchester Evening News 22nd November 1951.

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Manchester Evening News 27th November 1951.

'No British airline could handle the job....'

Well I don't know what Skyways would have said about that, albeit the image below is from 1952.....departure of Britain's Olympic Equestrian Team from Blackbushe.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/975x1300/cpqmhxywaaaiuda_jpg_large_york_ada51668f676a1d8fdc93d3f911d8 2fe0508a1c3_downsize_d59317dce796f267008123eea0d75ffeefa66eb a.jpg
Source: 'Foxhunter' Harry Llewellyn.

The Americans have laid claim to the first Racing Thoroughbred to be transported by air. A horse bearing the strange name 'Wirt G Burman' was transported between San Diego and San Bruno in October 1928.
However:
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/750x503/screenshot_2023_12_10_at_17_13_01_about_instone_air_dd065347 a4a33f5959dc39249cbc88adeb7af71a.png
Britain's Instone Air Line lay claim to transporting the first Racehorse by Air in 1921 and continue in the same business today. Image Instone Air.

Another early claimant is 'Phantom' with Betty Rand - I'm not sure which is which.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x552/screenshot_2023_12_10_at_15_58_48_photo_of_the_first_horse_t o_fly_by_air_b7c9fbb38f00313188cb6179e291009648fbcee9.png
January 30th 1928.

Image Michael Matson (Barn Mice website Canada) The aeroplane is reported as being French - can anyone identify it?

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/500x518/screenshot_2023_12_10_at_16_11_15_betty_rand_and_phantom_flo rida_cuban_trip_downsize_8506c96d61040c449e234fa8ac9903d38fb bea9a.png
Indianapolis Star 29th February 1932.

Finally the header (C54 Skymaster N79000) had an interesting history: delivered to the USAAF in February 1943. At the time the above photograph was taken the Skymaster was owned by California Airmotive and was on lease to Global Airways for two months only in 1960. Images of the aircraft in Global colours are understandably quite scarce but you can find photographs of it at Prestwick and elsewhere if you search. It was subsequently sold to and operated by Continental Deutsche Luftreederie, Germany period 1961-62 as D-ADAM . They went bust. Aviation Traders purchased the aircraft in 1963 and converted it into a Carvair which then operated as G-ASKN with BUAF/BAF 1964-76.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x583/014467_zf_4278_71859_1_001_carvair_09dadfaae92e4c9f04110bdc6 d7ec0b8e9838189.jpg
(1968)
In June 1976 this Carvair was sold to Society Anonyme de Construction for the transportation of construction materials based in Libreville, Gabon as TR-LWP. It flew only for 5 months before being impounded at Brazzaville Airport( in what is today The Republic of Congo) for the non payment of servicing fees. There it remained, despite a change of ownership, robbed for spares and in turn being unable to obtain the same, finally scrapped in May 1986. Further reading: 'The ATL-98 Carvair' by William Dean.(McFarlane and Co Inc 1994).

KB29 4484005 of the 420th ARS based RAF Sculthorpe at Bovingdon's 'Open House' 17 May 1958. Photographs by John Young.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x266/refueller_bovvy_downsize_enhance_5331b460fc1b1c91287279d8ce8 b21c0db811b05.jpg

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x634/refueller_bovvy_0002_downsize_enhance_0d48dfd2b21d0369c677a3 f3e0a8a892d240ece1.jpg

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x611/refueller_bovvy_0003_down_enhance_42c47d1d0928d15e25cf72cc1f c31430acfd1ba9.jpg

And finally a Mystery Solved ?

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I've often wondered about this uncaptioned snap which you can find on the Bovingdon Airfield link. Page 1 this thread # 11.

A couple of weeks' ago I was reading a really super book called 'Catalina over Arctic Oceans' by John French. (Pen &Sword 2013) when I came across this.( The author was with the Air Ministry Accident Prevention Directorate at the time, c1947). ' One day I was air testing the Mosquito 34 after an inspection and on the air test, the propeller which I had feathered, failed to unfeather. The resulting single-engined landing was successful, although with no overrun on that particular Bovingdon runway, I had to turn rather smartly to the left onto the grass, this slightly strained the undercarriage. My passenger had been a young electrician who had worked on the inspection and I jokingly said "That's what happens when there's an electrical fault!" The poor lad was out of the aircraft in no time at all and away.'
My thanks to Anthony Duir, John French's Grandson, and editor for permission to quote from their book.

Jhieminga

11th Dec 2023, 14:51

A little Horse Trading with Drift.
Another early claimant is 'Phantom' with Betty Rand - I'm not sure which is which.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x552/screenshot_2023_12_10_at_15_58_48_photo_of_the_first_horse_t o_fly_by_air_b7c9fbb38f00313188cb6179e291009648fbcee9.png
January 30th 1928.

Image Michael Matson (Barn Mice website Canada) The aeroplane is reported as being French - can anyone identify it?

I'll go with a Farman F.60 Goliath. See photo and article here: https://www.key.aero/article/farman-goliath-bomber-turned-airliner

A quote from that article:
During the 1924 Wembley Exhibition, American cowboy Tom Mix asked Air Union to carry his horse Tony to Paris. A Goliath was stripped, the main cabin being given an extra floor of strong planks and straw, while a stall was made with a manger and the walls reinforced with wood. A wooden-fenced ramp helped loading, and history was made.

treadigraph

11th Dec 2023, 15:27

I'll go with a Farman F.60 Goliath. See photo and article here: https://www.key.aero/article/farman-goliath-bomber-turned-airliner

A quote from that article:
Ah, Tony the Pony!

OUAQUKGF Ops

29th Dec 2023, 17:13

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/950x633/bgb5p7_1_aldbury_downsize_df0fc464c5af83fcde98067decce0c558c a9e454.jpg
Aldbury Village with Wiggington Hill beyond (at 200M amsl).

I came across this incident when I was looking for information about the Valetta accident at Tom's Hill, Aldbury in 1952. A crippled B-17 42-31528 of 365 BS had crashed nearby on December 31 1943 with the loss of four lives. Subsequent to the following article appearing it has been suggested that perhaps the crew had been trying to locate Bovingdon. We shall never know. Interestingly on October 24 1944 B-17 43-38398 also brushed high ground at Wiggington whilst trying to find Bovingdon on a training exercise. (Post 233 Page 12).

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/700x926/berko_art_p1_65a05244dce6afb13639a3199d17e75c41442951.png
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Extracted from 'Your Berkhamsted' - Parish Magazine. December 2010. With thanks to Dan Parry and The Editor.

The Crew: Pilot, 2nd Lt John J Quillman. Co-pilot, 2nd Lt Ralph L Blake. Navigator, 2nd Lt Jean Repetti. Bombardier, 2nd Lt Adolph Erikson. These Officers KIA.
Sergeants all: Flt Engineer/Top Gunner, Chas Groeschen. Radio Operator, Bob Cove. Ball Turret, Everett Esch. Waist Gunner, Martin McCormack. Waist Gunner, Patrick McHugh.
Tail Gunner, John Vasos.

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Cheddington Airfield is approximately 4 miles from the crash site whilst the Crew's home base at Chelveston is some 34 miles to the north.

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Cheddington Airfield (93M amsl) Showing South End Hill (140M amsl) in relation to the thresholds of Runways 26 and 32. The hill topped by the site of an Iron Age Fort. (Historic England).

A tricky little airfield - the main runway 26/08 being 1780 yards long. With hills to the north-west and west at Dunstable, Ivinghoe Beacon, Pitstone and Ashridge and the northern escarpment of The Chiltern Hills a couple of miles away to the south. USAAF Station 113 one-time Satellite to Bovingdon not fully operational until the arrival of B-24 Liberators to form the CCRC on December 20th 1943.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/900x507/screenshot_2023_12_19_at_11_48_39_cheddington_uk_airfield_gu ide_downsize_trim_a76a7853e3aeac4a6533df215acebb55ca070955.p ng
South End Hill Cheddington. Photo ukairfieldguide.

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Crash Site at approx 210M amsl looking north. (1949) Photo Historic England.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/900x466/screenshot_2023_12_18_at_13_52_21_bridgewater_monument_ashri dge_enhance_a702514a8b1330fad6e7fb8f198970a8076b6ea7.png
Crash Site looking south-west - Bridgewater Monument in foreground - Aldbury below right. Image Mike The Drone with thanks.

Then in July 2011 a response is published in Berkhamsted's Parish magazine to Dan Parry's article of the previous year.

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Extracted from 'Your Berkhamsted' Parish Magazine. July 2011 with thanks to the editor.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/768x1179/media_46700_637ae0d80b352c3534ca9b12fb2b074513c38c95.jpeg
Heroine of The Hour. Mrs Daley passed away in 1980. Image American Air Museum in Britain.

On in time now to May 2016 and I came across a huge and entertaining 'Blog' entitled 'Sentimental Journey' written by a daughter of John Vasos from which I've taken the liberty of extracting the following:

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/975x554/e_mail_enhance_for_final_time_3bfa07fa2d0aaf1b63ccdb51afb8bd 038dd206cc.png

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/488x800/large_bell_tower_ii_fc4f372f9f5d267545455d9f54f6059cc3ce851c .jpg
Chelveston Church Bell Tower. (Imperial War Museum).

This link gives brief information on those Killed in Action:https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/136065748/john-j-quillman

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/300x455/screenshot_2023_12_21_at_10_42_27_quillman_john_conshohocken _historical_society_1_webp_webp_image_240_364_pixels__1f0695 a0fbda8045c718922013467a8d814d0368.png
Pilot John J Quillman.

Image:Conshohocken Historical Society.

XV490

31st Dec 2023, 10:30

'Q'– Could you confirm the source of the suggestion that Bovingdon did not become an RAF bomber OTU (as, presumably, planned) at the request of the intelligence services at Latimer? Is it from Helen Fry's book?

Many thanks!

OUAQUKGF Ops

1st Jan 2024, 15:05

Happy New Year ! XV that is right - from ' The Walls Have Ears ' by Helen Fry. The references that she quotes are for documents in The National Archives. https://www.google.co.uk/books/editi...sec=frontcover (https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/The_Walls_Have_Ears/gMKmDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=latimer+house+and+bovingdon+aerodrome&pg=PA60&printsec=frontcover)

XV490

12th Jan 2024, 09:57

OUAQUKGF Ops

12th Jan 2024, 16:41

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/900x600/from_neg_via_tom_downsize_7428094f61875a56520d70ca648daf9408 76b18f.jpg

A rather fine photograph taken by the late Arthur Pearcy, not dated but thought to be in the early nineteen-sixties. Grumman Albatross HU16 - 517218 belonging to the 67th ARS based at Prestwick. Pictured at Bovingdon adjacent to Number 4 Hangar. We don't know the frequency of visits to Bovingdon by this type of amphibian but I think that they were quite unusual - this particular aircraft hasn't appeared on the thread before. It was probably photographed roughly round about the time that Flying Tiger Flight 923 ditched in the North Atlantic. Three Albatrosses of the 67th were tasked for that rescue but were unable to alight due to the sea state - whether 517218 was one of them we know not. She entered service with the USAF in 1951, probably coming to the 67th ARS in 1957 and later transferring to the U.S. Coast Guard Service where she served until 1990.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1000x721/screenshot_2024_01_12_at_22_58_36_bl_0000760_19620924_001_00 01_pdf_enhanced_936122536788c58e0ea1e266edd4fe832cf02653.png

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/661x912/screenshot_2024_01_10_at_11_09_19_ditching_pt_1_pdf_enhance_ fe324c2e23056f55b4541cff0eabf66c3f9101ed.png
Leicester Daily Mercury 24th September 1962. (BNA).

Link here - you can access CAB Report at bottom of page.https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19620923-0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vf_BhsRLdzM

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x598/screenshot_2023_12_25_at_13_32_42_aircraft_photo_of_7218_gru mman_hu_16e_albatross_usa_coast_guard_airhistory_net_387156_ 07ccfcf066ad4079cb1b98f9cd3ec7a1df686828.png
Image as captioned with additional information from Bob Thomas.

517218 at Baton Rouge-Metropolitan/Ryan Field 8th December 1968 while tasked with search for crewmen USCG White Alder.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/899x570/200710_g_g0000_001_white_alder_f77bced676a11197d4a1321014802 1cfd3e5f3d5.jpg
Image US Coast Service.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USCGC_White_Alder

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x618/screenshot_2023_12_26_at_10_25_03_whitealderhelena_pdf_downs ize_de2b7b40079c7a0c028470972eebbed10e926bf1.png
After leaving the US Coast Guard Service it appears that 517218 was registered as a civil Albatross N7029F being at one time in the now defunct Polar Aviation Museum Collection at Blaine, MN and later with C+P Aviation at Anoka City Airport, MN. In November 2022 the Albatross was re-registered as N99TP its new owners being TP Universal Exports Int.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x583/9e8c7b767a8eb2e447f015975d3335efd5781fdf_flight_aware_n7029f _airborne_enhanced_a769ea8cf3cdac782e994b22351d584616242448. jpg
Image: Flightaware.com Pictured 29th July 2005.

Finally with TP Universal Exports..........

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wMCr-uCeDE

Well as you might gather this wonderful Albatross is now over 70 years of age and still flying. There happens to be another one on Midway Island in The Pacific - thought to be almost exactly the same age.............

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/900x608/screenshot_2024_01_10_at_19_53_31_luau_crew_leaving_jpg_jpeg _image_1184_800_pixels_scaled_97__b278cbc4152e8254175a60de73 5cbba4a9b0849a.png
Image Midway Island Website.

This is not the Albatross in question. Photographed 1964-65 by the late John Lafayette of Midway Search and Rescue Unit. The party are at Kure Island Airstrip and are just about to board their flight back to Midway some 65 miles away. Kure Island was a Loran Station period 1960-1992. It is now a Nature Reserve.

The Albatross in question on Midway is:

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x652/screenshot_2024_01_11_at_22_28_13_wisdom_albatross_wikipedia _63e1cedb4497f4a34d0d6558fd6c51a0b80d5b6e.png
Wiki.

This is the Female Laysan Albatross known as 'Wisdom'. She hatched out on Midway in 1951 and has returned most years to breed there including in 2023. She is thought to be one of the oldest if not the oldest bird in the world.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/798x638/screenshot_2024_01_03_at_15_53_13_laysan_albatross_midway_at oll_0f329f6f93c944b75dcc3a3bf84b429b78882a04.png
Jim Hurst with thanks. Laysan Albatrosses at Midway Island - Wingspan 77-80 inches.

XV490

13th Jan 2024, 14:24

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1711x1148/33_e1a7edfa4690b34d8b83d595d386e62e9facf1e6.jpg

This extract from Helen Fry’s book The Walls have Ears confirms that, in October 1941, Bovingdon’s construction and use were restricted by an intelligence services request to avoid interference with top secret recordings of PoWs’ conversations at Latimer House, three miles away.

It also reveals a further airfield had been planned near Wilton Park – another ‘M Room’ listening-in facility further south near Beaconsfield. Along with Trent House near Cockfosters these sites, which processed many German generals and admirals, are said to have helped shorten the war.

The restrictions contradict the assertion in some publications that RAF bombers were operating at Bovingdon early in 1942, when the airfield was listed as being parented by 26 OTU, a Wellington unit headquartered at Wing.

Keen local spotter (and later celebrated artist) John Young’s journal bears this out, only mentioning odd visitors including a Halifax and Hudson: but no Wellingtons.

Meanwhile the main runway (04/22) was restricted to 1,634 yards long, rather than the 2,000 yards ‘Class A’ bomber standard.

Arriving at Bovingdon in August 1942, the 92nd Bomb Group of the US Eighth Air Force was presumably also subject to the same local flight limits to preserve the quiet at Latimer House – as were subsequent American units. But they must have been devised in a way that did not give rise to questions.

By the end of the war the secrecy surrounding Latimer House had, it seems, diminished and, as OUAQUKGF describes above (#627), a number of high-ranking PoWs flew into Bovingdon before being driven to the mansion or one of the many temporary buildings surrounding it.

I'm hoping a War Office document I've ordered from the PRO might reveal more details of how Bovingdon was shaped by circumstances unforeseen, at least by the Air Ministry.

XV490

17th Jan 2024, 11:50

I've now managed to establish that Bovingdon was to have had a satellite airfield at Holtspur, just west of Beaconsfield, but it was cancelled following concerns over noise affecting recordings of PoW interrogations at nearby Wilton Park.

A War Office memo dated 1/8/41 said: "We have been informed by the Engineer-in-Chief of the General Post Office that the disturbance caused by flying in the vicinity of these aerodromes would make it quite impossible for the Centre to operate

"Experience with existing installations has shown how serious the effects of external noise on the intelligibility of received speech may be. This is particularly true when a conversation dealing with technical details is in progress, since the loss of a single word may destroy the value of a large proportion of an intercepted conversation.

"The preparation of the special premises required by the Centre at these two sites entails an extensive works programme, the cost of which, together with the installation of the necessary scientific plant, is likely to exceed £400,000.

"It was learned in June last that it was proposed to construct an aerodrome at Bovingdon, approximately two miles north of the Centre's premises at Latimer House, with a satellite aerodrome at Holtspur, about one and a half miles west of the Centre's premises at Wilton Park and that work was already commencing on the former site, the War Department having given a 'release'."

Two months later another memo stated: "THE COMMITTEE: (a) Took note that the Air Ministry had agreed to give up the project for an aerodrome at Beaconsfield. (b) Agreed that work should proceed on Bovingdon aerodrome and on the Interrogation Centres at Wilton Park and Latimer House and that trials should be carried out to determine the extent of the interference likely to be experienced at Latimer House. (c) Agreed that no action should be taken to develop an additional Interrogation Centre pending results of trials carried out at Latimer House."

OUAQUKGF Ops

17th Jan 2024, 19:37

XV490 have sent you a PM.

XV490

18th Jan 2024, 11:50

chevvron

18th Jan 2024, 12:21

OUAQUKGF Ops

18th Jan 2024, 14:28

I say XV490 that's a brilliant piece of sleuthing and you were able to tie it in with John Young's diary too. If one checks the dates of the references that Helen Fry quotes in support of Bovingdon's reduced status they cover meetings that took place in the period 26 September 1941 until 5th November 1941. Having read her splendid book I rather wondered how the Americans were able to establish a CCRC at the aerodrome (period 1943 and 1944) which by its very nature provided refresher and conversion training on B-17s and thus plenty of circuits and bumps. But now you have uncovered some of the results of the Noise Testing it begins to make sense. It would be interesting to know the results of the 500ft flyover which I would have thought to have been more noisy than those flown at 2000ft and above. I suppose as the Chesham Road was there (combined with the directive received from the War Office) it might have provided a useful excuse for The Air Ministry not to extend the runway as the aerodrome was initially to be used as an OTU rather than as a heavy bomber station - but as chevvron points out the potential to extend the runway to the standard 6000 ft was there if required.

Much the same went on at Cheddington with a non standard main runway. It was initially built in 1941 by the Air Ministry as a training aerodrome (as Wing aerodrome wasn't fully completed) and occupied by 26 OTU with Ansons and Wellingtons period March-September 1942. On their departure back to Wing reports were submitted claiming that Cheddington was unsuitable for RAF training purposes, the aerodrome was then handed over to the 8th USAAF on September 7th 1942.

jumpseater

18th Jan 2024, 16:40

That figure of £400k is fascinating, a huge sum
of money then, equivalent to £16.7m today using the BofE inflation calculator.

George Smileys fore runners were obviously serious about acoustics!

OUAQUKGF Ops

18th Jan 2024, 18:11

There is to ths day sufficient flat land to provide for an extension of the runway possibly to the 'standard' 6,000ft.
The 336 bus from Chesham to Hemel Hempstead always turned off the main Chesham - Bovingdon road just past Whelpley Hill and went round the land which could have been used for the extension whereas the Rover bus always continued along the main road past the end of the runway.
Pure speculation on my part but could LT have originally planned for the 336 to be routed clear of the possible extension then when it wasn't used, never reverted to the original route.
I don't know when the Rover bus service was introduced (it ran alternately with the 336) but it was definitely in operation before 1950, my earliest memory of it.
It looks as though an extension to 6000ft could just about be squeezed in. However obstacle clearance would dictate cutting back some trees.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/728x462/screenshot_2024_01_18_at_18_51_01_google_maps_7e0b4d5eab26a3 095fff6ee654b356eef3acb8c6.png

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/900x626/screenshot_2024_01_19_at_22_58_18_raf_bovingdon_1960s_pprune _forums_trim_down_040e53f20e9ab4509cdd1712235442b77b662814.p ng

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1245x351/screenshot_2024_01_20_at_11_40_05_raf_bovingdon_1960s_pprune _forums_b4b4473bb49a1b5c12b6ceac0dc921121b9cd9c0.png
Showing Latimer House (upper right) in relation to runway orientation at Bovingdon.

Link to Airfield Charts:

https://konbriefing.com/mad/approach-charts/uk-united-kingdom/bovingdon-raf-airfield.html

OUAQUKGF Ops

18th Jan 2024, 23:10

Quoting chevvron 'I don't know when the Rover bus service was introduced (it ran alternately with the 336) but it was definitely in operation before 1950, my earliest memory of it.' ( Was it the 316 not 336 ? ).

'The Rover Bus Service (J.R.Dell) for a long period ran a service between Hemel Hempstead and Chesham which it shared at one time with London Transport. The route was from Chesham to Hemel Hempstead via Bovingdon and Lye Green and was allocated the route number 316. London Transport found that it was unremunerative and pulled out of the joint operation altogether from 6th May 1964.' Extracted from Amersham News and Views. In retrospect if the runway extension had been made and the Chesham Road closed there was as chevvron mentioned an alternative route for road traffic which would have been via Jasons Hill and Lye Green which it seems London Transport used anyway.

chevvron

18th Jan 2024, 23:32

XV490

19th Jan 2024, 10:10

There is to ths day sufficient flat land to provide for an extension of the runway possibly to the 'standard' 6,000ft.
The 336 bus from Chesham to Hemel Hempstead always turned off the main Chesham - Bovingdon road just past Whelpley Hill and went round the land which could have been used for the extension whereas the Rover bus always continued along the main road past the end of the runway.
Pure speculation on my part but could LT have originally planned for the 336 to be routed clear of the possible extension then when it wasn't used, never reverted to the original route.
I don't know when the Rover bus service was introduced (it ran alternately with the 336) but it was definitely in operation before 1950, my earliest memory of it.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1080x1170/screenshot_20240119_105308_baf8e8f543948c8789ca3b6c7b9ce917c 9dd19a9.png
chevvron – Could that bus have used Pocketsdell Lane, in the centre of this 1920s map? Today it's blocked off and presumably 'privatised'.

During and after the war, such a bus would have usefully served the airfield's accommodation sites close to and east of the crossroads near the Three Horseshoes pub.

OUAQUKGF Ops

19th Jan 2024, 17:03

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/900x561/screenshot_2024_01_19_at_17_38_28_raf_106g_uk_686_rp_3277_ae rial_photo_historic_england_11522ee9713f72a95c16418adc608a25 7c1d1801.png
Pocketsdell Lane (diagonal) with a bit of Bovingdon camp at S/E end road junction. RAF Photo circa 1946 ? (English Heritage).

Doubtless it could have been 'Improved' if the Chesham Road had been closed for a runway extension. As mentioned before some trees would have to go to give safe clearance and facilitate the construction of the perimeter track. What would be interesting to know is whether the land south of the Chesham Road was requisitioned by the Air Ministry prior to aerodrome being built.

jumpseater

19th Jan 2024, 19:46

https://historicengland.org.uk/images-books/archive/collections/aerial-photos/record/us_7ph_gp_loc226_rs_4041

1944, and most aircraft look like DC3’s. You can also pick out there was nowhere near as much woodland in the vicinity to clear for any runway extensions.

OUAQUKGF Ops

19th Jan 2024, 23:23

Couldn't resist this rather good aerial from 1954 - by then Pocketsdell Lane was perhaps not much more than a byway.

https://historicengland.org.uk/images-books/archive/collections/aerial-photos/record/raf_58_1472_f22_0324

brakedwell

20th Jan 2024, 07:25

That is a very nice photo of Bovingdon QUAKUKGF. It brings back memories of my mushroom picking from the grass in the left hand bottom corner!

OUAQUKGF Ops

20th Jan 2024, 09:19

Yes, I think I can just make you out !

sycamore

20th Jan 2024, 09:22

Any advance for spotters...?
15 DC3/C47
2 Meteors
1 Valetta
2 Chipmunks
1 P-Provost/Balliol
1 Dominie
6 Ansons or Brigands/Buckinghams(tailplanes look different from Ansons)

OUAQUKGF Ops

21st Jan 2024, 11:07

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/730x664/screenshot_2024_01_21_at_11_15_45_m_s_percy_pig_limited_edit ion_2009_union_jack_collectable_ceramic_piggy_bank_ebay_71fc e53a2f8cd00c35849e2372cb6399124a6325.png

With the Fanfares of the recent Coronation dying away it was back to essential State Business in The House of Commons.........

https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/1953-06-29/debates/fd722bb4-b2c7-4d66-a7a5-7f4f9ee028b2/PigSwill

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/730x730/61pa4cp7bul_piggy_bank_b31d0bb0ec9d71d778ee57c498dbc4f1e6fe7 ee7.jpg
The Stanbridge Family were at Berry Farm, Whelpley Hill. As stated much of their land was requisitioned for the construction of the aerodrome. I've made a very rough outline of land that belongs to Berry Farm today - it is not at all accurate and it might well be that an even larger acreage of the Standbridge's land was lost for the duration of the aerodrome's operational life.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/808x663/screenshot_2024_01_22_at_23_31_25_us_7ph_gp_loc226_rs_4041_a erial_photo_historic_england_3472c806faea43be42fd140b7127cd9 2aa18dba0.png

English Heritage (1944)

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x440/screenshot_2024_01_23_at_11_56_47_whelpley_hill__1ea7d4712b2 3392aaee293da02fe4a1fe46f15a7.png

Views from Whelpley Hill of RW 09/27 with RW 04/22 beyond. Approx date 2014. (Hellidanno700).

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x447/screenshot_2024_01_23_at_11_51_23_whelpley_hill__1f80574006d 8a223e6166eeb4bb6b24ee08b3d0d.png

XV490

22nd Jan 2024, 16:30

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1460/342_fh_000570_1562ec19efd7b394a11e8bd3be4eabc67ec9a1ac.jpg
Bovingdon's tower in November 1943, when the Eighth Air Force's 2900th (Provisional) Combat Crew Replacement Center occupied the airfield. The unit was renumbered 11th CCRC the following month.

OUAQUKGF Ops

23rd Jan 2024, 13:12

A recent video - opens with a view of rusting barns at Berry Farm, Whelpley Hill......

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAdf3WWm274

chevvron

23rd Jan 2024, 14:38

OUAQUKGF Ops

23rd Jan 2024, 16:54

A few months after the aerodrome closed David and I walked along that same stretch of taxiway that you mention and came across some Anson scrappage from which we retrieved an elevator section - it was taken home as a souvenir - goodness know where it is now ...........

OUAQUKGF Ops

26th Jan 2024, 18:53

Nearly all of the photographs are taken at Bovingdon - many by the Press - these may include a few taken by Charles Brown. Most of the shots of aircraft getting airborne were taken at Bovingdon on September 4th 1942. There are a few which are taken elsewhere. For all the images except, one or two, and records I thank The American Air Museum in Britain. Roger Freeman's classic book 'The Mighty Eighth' (1970) has as always been a very great source of information.

The 92nd BG consisted of four Bombardment Squadrons: 325-326-327 and 407. The first B-17s of the 92nd to arrive at Bovingdon on August 18th 1942 were those of 326BS who had flown non-stop Gander to Prestwick, 500 gallons of extra fuel was carried in the bomb bay to achieve this. During the rest of the month the remaining squadrons took the same routing, the last B-17s arriving at Bovingdon on August 28th 1942. These B-17s which were Mark F models were then passed to the 97th BG at Polebrook/Grafton Underwood in exchange for their B-17 Mark E models. Nearly all these B-17Es pictured here had recently flown with the 97th on the first American heavy bomber raid mounted from England when on August 17th 1942 Rouen, Sotteville railway marshalling yards were paid a visit. At Bovingdon the 92nd settled into a programme of combat crew indoctrination and training. This included four combat missions from Bovingdon, the first of which was flown on September 6th 1942 when 14 Fortresses of the 92nd followed those of the 97th to attack the Potez aircraft factory at Meaulte. Two Fortresses were shot down, one from the 97th and one Baby Doll from the 92nd - these were the first Fortress casualties of the European War. On January 4th 1943 the 92nd commenced their move from Bovingdon to Alconbury where their training continued until combat ready, leaving behind elements of 326BS and others to form what became the 11th CCRC.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x551/media_408319_heidi_ho_cc718b4dfdb364ac701da409dda078369656c6 c1.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x587/heidi_ho_419017_90f543c26338a636fb968e7f0d031f72729b418a.jpg
Both 41-9017 Heidi Ho

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x604/media_408311_phyllis_f2b161ee5a9d0f2dfc732197f16c3421f3e16ed 3.jpg
41-9020 Phyllis You might remember that Mrs Roosevelt sat in the cockpit of Phyllis (whose tail had been chewed up by Flaming Mayme while en-route to bomb Lille)

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x568/media_408308_yankee_doodle_ef5044560f3f2fda9767fe320cd2ea4f7 c7c1fac.jpg
Sgt G.F. Murray astride the tail fin of 41-9023 Yankee Doodle

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/741x567/screenshot_2024_01_24_at_18_53_46_41_9026_baby_doll_b_17_bom ber_flying_fortress_the_queen_of_the_skies_9651d6b32bc6abc8a 49bef49bdbdd74be6e1afad.png
41-9026 Baby Doll - ditched English Channel with loss of all crew, the result of enemy action September 6th 1942

A similar photograph of Baby Doll way back on this thread was accompanied by this notice: The B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-9026 nicknamed "Baby Doll" ) of the 92nd Bomb Group takes off. Passed for publication 5 Sep 1942. Printed caption on reverse of print: Training American Bomber crews in England, Sept 1942. Preparing for the day when the might of the American and British Air Forces will strike together against the heart of Germany are many U.S. Army Air Corps bomber crews with their giant Flying Fortresses. They are completing their training over here at airfields which the American authorities have taken over from the R.A.F. and will soon be ready to go into action alongside their comrades who are already bombing the Germans in occupied territory. This picture taken at an American Bomber training school somewhere in England shows a Flying Fortress taking off from an airfield in England.
Handwritten on reverse: Central Press Photos Ltd.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x569/media_408306_251b4e9826006e4d469cfc227bc68de77468e1b1.jpg

41-9042 Berlin Sleeper Bovingdon October? 1942

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/802x601/41_9043_peggy_d_cropped_1e61f9e640da01b330f35b66764215bb53be 9001.png
41-9043 Peggy D

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x377/media_25083_stinky_2_134fc90defc0bbf3f1d419971894be4e597df22 a.jpg
41-9045 Stinky newly arrived at Bovingdon

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x421/reb_touchedtrimmed_4b0d29b3ae090f0d69a7881738f039842f669adb. jpg
41-9089 Johny Reb Image dated September 4th 1942

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/741x589/screenshot_2024_01_25_at_11_03_56_41_9100_birmingham_blitzkr ieg_b_17_bomber_flying_fortress_the_queen_of_the_skies_14c74 abbfaf8d975cdc59b8532ad15c7b1181675.png
41- 9100 Birmingham Blitzkrieg Possibly Bovingdon but probably later at Kimbolton

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x612/prowler_419125_1ab94c69eb646f125ef8197b1205cb09eb4b82b5.jpg
41-9125 Prowler

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x565/media_379179_boomerang_reduced_fd9e5cd78a9baa53bd45f3fae32df d047f5bc993.jpg
41-9148 Boomerang

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/741x560/screenshot_2024_01_25_at_17_39_18_b_17_41_9154_photo_b_17_bo mber_flying_fortress_the_queen_of_the_skies_b4810128d06f6605 f60a39ff26afee292ffecb06.png
41-9154 Bat Outa Hell with only one mission marked up probably Polebrook rather than Bovingdon.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/845x545/media_387885_butcher_shop_enhance_strait_08f07ff9d4034e73eea fb1865b002b0962f3a14f.jpg
41-2578 Butcher Shop (1943)
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/715x429/screenshot_2024_01_25_at_23_17_40_b_17e_flying_fortress_41_9 051_flaming_mayme__25834eb92c043bfa6f84728f9657621390f8fc9d. png
41-9051 Flaming Mayme

Flew into Skiddaw September 14th 1943 while on a navigation exercise Alconbury to Edinburgh. All on board killed. At the time with 482BG/813BS (A new oboe equipped Pathfinder Squadron). Image Ian D.B. aircrashsites.co.uk with thanks.

chevvron

31st Jan 2024, 10:09

Seconds 48 to 55; I took off from that almost straight bit of taxiway for the first ever glider launch from Bovingdon on 21 Jun 1965 at about 6 pm with instructor Paul Duncombe in the back seat. The flight in Mk3 WT871 lasted 4 minutes, Paul was there as a check pilot having flown both our aircraft (a Mk3 and a Sedbergh) in from Halton by aerotow earlier that day, I was pilot in charge so although he was first to land there, I was first to take off, fly a full circuit and land .
On that particular day, having left school early at about 3 pm, I had gotten to Bovingdon using the 362 bus which stopped near my school (my school being directly opposite John Young's house) and terminated at Ley Hill from where I walked/hitch hiked.

OUAQUKGF Ops

31st Jan 2024, 10:18

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/950x387/p1030747_d7bb6c1330c9e5a3cbd7736a8b4df4e6bc4d264b.jpg
41-9154 'Bat Outa Hell' September 4th 1942 - Strawberry Wood beyond. (Roger Freeman)

I'm reading a book called ' Seventy Summers' written by Tony Harman and published by the BBC in 1986 to coincide with a documentary series of the same name. Mr Harman farmed at Whelpley Hill and has written a very entertaining account of his life in that area of the Chilterns. He writes very little of the aerodrome apart from having been mistakenly detained by the American Police on the base one night during the war when his car was 'borrowed' by a couple of blokes. The quote ' A huge bit of countryside spoilt ' in regard to the aerodrome is his. (In retrospect he displays regret at his own hedge removal operations). Looking at the aerial photo of the airfield which Jumpseater posted and the section of Ordnance Survey that XV490 displayed one can see a distinctive pattern of what we today would consider to be smallish fields. These date back to the 16th century, nearly all are named from that time with two or three being sufficient for a farmer or peasant to make a living from. They were all heavily hedged which included trees and remained in that way up until the 1920s when the hedges started to be thinned out. With the availability of Bulldozers during and after the war the removal of hedges and the formation of larger fields gathered pace. The Government, having paid farmers to remove hedges in the 20th century, are now in the 21st century paying farmers to restore them.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/715x952/screenshot_2024_01_30_at_17_07_09_us_7ph_gp_loc226_rs_4041_a erial_photo_historic_england_66d9cc951fcd8b3d04a1edb2a4901ee fdeae0226.png
English Heritage (1944)

Spot the late Bronze - early Iron Age Fort. By comparing the field patterns and woods above with those of the Ordnance Survey of 1899 you can trace the outline of the aerodrome.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1030x787/s_l1600_40b915bf3863d5957783baf7ed348f67360dab64.png
Berry Farm is here named Whelpleyhill Farm

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1030x470/s_l1600_latest_4af5f88cb7ec1dcd614a15db0ea50a65ecca2f42.png

Apologies for indistinct print.......

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/800x548/screenshot_2024_01_31_at_10_02_08_strawberry_wood_and_fluffy _clouds_bovingdon_airfield_15th_april_2012_bdae1bf75f39be7ea e6cda1888423773637b072b.png
Strawberry Wood - Photo by P.S. Parrot

OUAQUKGF Ops

4th Feb 2024, 10:16

I've made these screenshots from XV490's interesting post #640 about the tests on the effects of aircraft noise on covert operations at Latimer House.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1250x167/screenshot_2024_02_04_at_10_55_46_raf_bovingdon_1960s_pprune _forums_8be36307117cc5ab2e02ae763646b635875b3b4a.png
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1253x206/screenshot_2024_02_04_at_10_52_33_raf_bovingdon_1960s_pprune _forums_0c021e12f7a7c575d2e18f63d700deb18a7aafe0.png
The aerial photograph below can be found way back in this thread somewhere. What I have noticed now is the date that the recce was made by the RAF which was 6th May 1942. I suspect specifically in connection with the planned flight by the Halifax to Bovingdon the following day..........?

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/950x1002/eh_723_d30c5da289383ba131a9949e181bc230b26314d1.jpg

Note unfinished state - threshold R/W 04 and typically several dispersals at Whelpley Hill still to be constructed, runways not marked. American Air Museum in Britain.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/200x268/eh_722_threshold_0eddb59ebd516e187d4cd1d89741efa8fdd49a8b.jp g

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/557x298/screenshot_2024_02_04_at_12_15_10_bovingdon_airfield_by_john _young_pdf_33d8a28f384d7bc4775d70f4952b558493901e97.png
Extract from John Young's Diary as quoted by XV490 with thanks to the compiler of the Diary/ PDF Keith Fletcher. As the link to John Young's Diary is hidden in the depths of this thread it may help to display it here:https://www.cheshamgolf.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Bovingdon-Airfield-by-John-Young.pdf

Liffy 1M

13th Feb 2024, 16:42

Some great photos here of the B-17s used in the making of "The War Lover". https://www.flickr.com/photos/64209520@N05/albums/72177720314779999/

OUAQUKGF Ops

18th Feb 2024, 13:50

The tests on the effects of aircraft noise at Latimer House took place in May 1942, supervised by the research branch of the General Post Office (GPO; later British Telecom/BT) – which had overseen the recording equipment at the site.

On May 7th, a Halifax Mk I, which was to provide the noise source, hit obstructions while landing at Bovingdon, as confirmed by https://www.cheshamgolf.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Bovingdon-Airfield-by-John-Young.pdf]John (https://www.cheshamgolf.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Bovingdon-Airfield-by-John-Young.pdf [url) Young, who wrote: “This landed while the metal barriers were still in place over the wet concrete.”

John later climbed inside the bomber while it was being repaired.Two days later it took off to fly several passes over Latimer House at different heights.___________

The GPO report dated May 9th, 1942 described the background and the flight tests:

Tests of interfering effects of Aircraft Noise

About six months ago it was realised that an aerodrome was in course of construction at Bovingdon, some 2½ miles from the P/W camp at Latimer, and it was feared that aircraft might cause serious interference with the listening work.

A series of tests was accordingly arranged for Thursday, 7th May, when a Halifax bomber was to fly over the camp at various heights to be arranged with the pilot on that morning.

The War Office proposed that experienced officers should listen on the equipment while the aircraft was flying overhead and express an opinion as to the magnitude of the interfering effect.

Experience has shown, however, that opinions of this kind are of very doubtful utility and it was decided to carry out articulation tests.

Since it was not possible on security grounds to take experienced testing crews to the camp, recording of logatoms [meaningless words] were made and these would be reproduced on high quality equipment in two of the cells under various conditions of window opening.

The sounds received in the listening rooms were to be recorded and the records thus made sent for transcription by expert Intelligence Officers.

By this means it was hoped that an analysis of the errors would provide some measure of the interfering effect of the aircraft which would independent of personal opinions and prejudices.

Everything was ready for the tests at 10 o'clock on Thursday morning when the pilot of the aircraft was due at the preliminary conference. At 12 o'clock news was received that the aircraft had been damaged by anti-aircraft obstacles when landing at Bovingdon aerodrome.

It transpired that the Department of the Air Ministry providing the aircraft had not contacted the Department of the Air Ministry building the aerodrome and ascertained that the latter was usable!

No standard marking to indicate that the aerodrome was unfit for service was displayed at Bovingdon and the pilot had been unable to see the obstruction until touching down. As the aircraft was too badly damaged to take off again immediately, it was only possible to arrange a programme with the pilot which was to be carried out on Saturday morning.

The programme was as follows. The aircraft would fly over the camp at 1000', 2000', 4000' and 6000' on a specified course, starting about four miles on one side and finishing five or six miles on the other [ ... ]

The weather conditions were perfect to-day and the tests were carried out satisfactorily. Some modification was necessary as the effect of the aircraft noise was considerably less than had been anticipated and, instead of carrying out the last test at 6000', this was altered to 500'. The records have been sent for transcription and on return will be analysed.___________
It is reasonable to assume that, despite earlier misgivings, MI6 and the GPO then gave the green light for unrestricted flying from Bovingdon, although the airfield's size may have curtailed by the orders issued by the War Office in October 1941.

Latimer House War Office Papers WO208/3456

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/660x453/screenshot_2024_02_16_at_14_50_57_latimer_house_old_photogra phs_bing_94e073999f48d6a89329d205f93fe30ac127b387.png
(Image Amersham Museum)

In June 1941 the C.S.D.I.C. became much exercised by the presence nearby of Bovingdon Aerodrome then under construction, of which the Director of Military Intelligence had not been made aware when the decision was made to move part of their eavesdropping operations to Latimer House.* With the perceived threat of aircraft noise interfering with covert listening a fairly concentrated campaign was then mounted by the intelligence services to curtail operations at Bovingdon Aerodrome altogether or allow only 'ground training' whatever that may have meant. At one stage when M.I.19 could be said to have been on their back foot over the matter, they investigated the availability of alternative suitable premises which were not easily had and that factor combined with the already very large expenditure made on extensive alterations at Latimer meant that the idea was abandoned. It appears that M.I.19 did succeed in stopping the construction of an aerodrome at Holtspur near Beaconsfield which would have interfered with their listening operations at Wilton Park.

*' The proposal to construct an aerodrome at Bovingdon was referred to the War Office in February, 1941. The War Office raised no objection. Unfortunately the Director of Military Intelligence, who is responsible for the Centre's administration, was not consulted.' (Note for V.C.I.G.S.)

(C.S.D.I.C. = Combined Services Detailed Interrogation Centre). I've transcribed a few pages from the relevant War Office File concerning Latimer House and its relationship with Bovingdon Aerodrome.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x211/medhurst_letter_0bff24af527a431c4d666f2923bb3b68d83e264d.png
Above letter 26th June 1941 from AVM Charles Medhurst (Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Intelligence) to Major General Francis Davidson, Director Military Intelligence.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x269/post_last_e2dbbd255890db7f630d2bb53aaab974edcec4ad.png

Above Draft Letter from Major General Davidson (D.M.I.) to Vice Chiefs Imperial General Staff 17th October 1941.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/800x604/large_000000_tempsford_c5580b5cca5a331c2f75b5dbbc45a875f8a31 131.jpg

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/800x116/screenshot_2024_02_19_at_16_46_09_royal_air_force_bomber_com mand_1942_1945_9a6629a24f11bfd96d168fbe476c3f255a7b61aa.png
(Imperial War Museum)

Group Captain Archibald MacDonald (d1947) - tasked to 'Provide the heaviest possible Bomber' for the Latimer Tests. Perhaps the mission was flown by a Halifax 11 of 138 Special Duties Squadron ? A piece of cake for them. Incidentally both 138 and 161 Special Duties Squadrons (SOE) were controlled by AVM Charles Medhurst, ACAS (I) who was only too aware of the spat between Latimer House and the Air Ministry.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/850x1299/rcreduced_again_f790838b6e5a8d57a83f74f615b47e2cfa0a1dbf.jpg

WO208/3456 NA The above bit of scrap, notes on preparations for tests on May 7th 1942 which were scrubbed after minor damage to the Halifax was sustained on landing at Bovingdon. Following repair of the Halifax the tests were flown on May 9th 1942. ( TK was Colonel Thomas Kendrick, MI6 Spymaster and overall Commandant of C.S.D.I.C. Mr Doust was the Senior GPO Research Engineer in charge of the tests.).

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x410/test_one_5e21aac0a3a687960bc97ccfbfb61b5710bc25c2.png

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x285/test_page_2_12b7942cdfd7cec49be8b36dc717d4bf0bcd13ff.png
Submitted 10th May 1942 by Wing Commander S.D. Felkin Commanding Officer ADI9 (K) - Air Intelligence to A.C.A.S. (I) Air Ministry copy Lt Col Rawlinson M.I.19, War Office.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x169/gpo_correction_d38a2b34c61641d3dac11c8f52bd6cd0beb222f4.png
Correction read C.S.D.I.C.

Above signed by Doust from the GPO Research Branch, 29th September 1942 to D.M.I. (M.I. 19) and C.S.D.I.C.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x1032/r_658fef8de8199e50da5417ce14a76dc6d844646f.jpg
WO208/3456 NA.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/841x1297/14_map_ae87c91aafa402896fd85aa35d6d59f921ba91a3.jpg
For Your Eyes Only - extracted from WO208/3456 NA

Many thanks to XV490 for his invaluable contribution !

OUAQUKGF Ops

21st Feb 2024, 16:49

This aircraft was serving with 324 TC Squadron European Air Transport Service based at Bovingdon. The sortie was an Air Test following the replacement of Diamond Flying Control Chains. Post accident examination of these chains revealed no defects. The aircraft was crewed by two young and experienced C-47 pilots. I've illustrated a Diamond Control Chain below for those of you (myself included) who have never heard of them before now. I apologize for the fuzzy quality of some of these old documents.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/590x809/screenshot_2024_02_16_at_12_39_38_c_1943_diamond_chain_co_ww ii_factory_poster_c_47_skytrain_waco_cg_4_gilder_orig_ebay_2 739fa04d4aaf257ddd03a8f504b66564251e2a3.png

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/876x878/screenshot_2024_01_28_at_09_37_29_460418_500_pdfinitial_7f38 6cd305b6c58889994bd8a8a356e1c60b6330.png

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/950x793/screenshot_2024_01_28_at_14_58_10_raf_58_1472_f22_0324_aeria l_photo_historic_england_marker_b0dad181ef23bf0008f9216ba997 c44018e97944.png
From the ATC Witness Statement I've assumed (but cannot be sure) that the C-47 commenced its take-off run on R/W 22 from the intersection with R/W 27 which would have given them approximately 3000 ft of runway. It would seem to have been a flap-less take-off which is not uncommon on the C-47. There was a tail-wind of 12 mph.which appears to be of no significance to the investigators.
I've scaled and marked the two impact points where the starboard wing contacted the ground. (A very poor quality sketch map was made on the spot but will not reproduce well).
There were quite a few witnesses - all in an area around the hangars and pan north-east of the Control Tower which I've marked in green.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/851x768/witness_rubenstein_atc__56cbff166e52803eb4c02ab170b241ea9a71 3a7f.png
The Controller remarks that the aircraft appeared to be moving down the the runway pretty slowly - this observation is echoed by another witness. However it could be that they were more accustomed to seeing C-47s moving more rapidly at that point because those aircraft would have commenced take off at the start of R/W 22 and not, as I've assumed in this case, from the intersection.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/851x714/witness_smith__fa2f94100dc47d186ed5b5e1c22e24b4b00423fd.png

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/591x371/screenshot_2024_01_27_at_16_23_29_460418_500_pdf_dak_2_ce689 5c48cf6fd61870a77d368411c894c00e247.png
First Impact Point

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/831x740/witness_swank__7bc71abc130f2ca906defa73826a3af9212eb8c9.png

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/603x383/screenshot_2024_01_27_at_16_24_21_460418_500_pdf_bov_dak_231 c18736cddc0958e75b7e709cb3e85ce6cfa34.png
Second Impact Point

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/867x755/obrien_eng_state500_pdfbright_f13a622e47425bd2fd8d14138dc461 cdf6f42453.png
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/847x880/lessman_eng_state_460418_500_pdf_bright_248415297880a44ed37a f28302c626dc9945db6e.png
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/855x790/accident_summary_024_02_21_at_15_09_02_460418_500_pdf_resize _c7971b45cfb38a5889a207bd96c8b70b733c3a86.png

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/491x417/screenshot_2024_01_27_at_16_35_06_460418_500_pdf_dak_4bright _0ef05b62c8dd09d23ae0f4fe798b64987c7029b1.png

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/855x614/conclusion_6688849c9a249c68fa44d0c13b4f00fa3562482a.png

The Captain poor young Man. He took some finding for his name is widely miss-spelt.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/15408332/donald-e-humpherys

The 2nd Pilot is interred in the American Cemetery at Madingley, Cambridge.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56289598/thomas-dickie_anderson-farquhar

OUAQUKGF Ops

22nd Feb 2024, 11:11

An interesting video here on DC3 Handling Characteristics. In the Bovingdon Accident Report the investigators were unable on the information available to them to come to a conclusion as to the cause of the initial wing drop which resulted in significant damage to the wing. One inexperienced pilot in the case of Bluebonnet Belle - not so in the Bovingdon accident.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNwGwoqvENY

First_Principal

22nd Feb 2024, 18:26

Curious that experienced pilots would permit an aircraft to drag its wing along the ground for such an extended distance (let alone at all!).

Assuming an absence of weather conditions to explain such a thing and while I realise there are two reports (one a priori) stating the 'control column' was correctly rigged, I am reminded of the Avro Tudor II crash that killed Roy Chadwick and others - because of miss-rigged cables.

Although it wouldn't, arguably, have as much effect as a miss-rigged aileron I note there was no statement about the rudder cables ... either way, that it crashed, on an otherwise benign day, directly after new cables were rigged is highly suggestive of control issues to me...

FP.

OUAQUKGF Ops

23rd Feb 2024, 10:37

FP - I've had a look through the documentation to see if there are any technical forms which would throw any light on previous defects on this particular aircraft but there are none. Sometimes one gets lucky and sometimes one does not on these salvaged documents. My gut feeling was and I think remains that this was some form of technical problem. Slightly higher up the Chain of Command I found this from 10th May 1946.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/853x782/screenshot_2024_02_23_at_10_29_19_460418_500_1_pdf_5c24698ac f3f9e8de89d9fa136be93db2d408650.png

Note remark on take-off speed. Is tail-wind (10kts) relevant? Nasty situation with the end of the runway coming up - the wing dropped with 850ft of runway remaining. (I'm no pilot - I had to go around three times on my second solo at Luton). Commencing take-off it would seem that the tail-wheel came up normally before the aircraft was abeam of the Control Tower. Out of interest the image below shows a C-47, having run about 1,900 ft from the start of RW 22, at a point thereabouts where I believe the doomed aircraft commenced its take-off run. The matter for the moment remains a mystery. Any imput by ex Dak pilots, Old Bovingdon Hands or indeed anybody would be welcome.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x446/screenshot_2024_02_23_at_10_39_11_1960_1961_raf_bovingdon_ai rcraft_youtube_3f72ee7a3848bd56a92d9c88cefe411aada6aee0.png
(Bert Friedland)

First_Principal

23rd Feb 2024, 20:38

Thanks for the followup. It's very sad that the pilots weren't able to report their actual experience, but it would seem to me - as is often the case - the simplest explanation is most likely.

Thus giiven the recent servicing and cable change I'd have thought an issue due to this would be the #1 contender.

However it's possible they were simply too slow and stalled at low level, although their experience would suggest this less likely. I am C-47 rated and can say that that they're a pretty forgiving machine, and that 10kts of tailwind, although perhaps not ideal, shouldn't be an issue properly flown. I have no experience at all of Bovingdon though, and should really study the relevant detail before saying anything further, but I guess it's possible they didn't look at the ASI for some reason (or it was malfunctioning) and they thought they were faster than they actually were.

Just to explain the latter (and apologies if you know this already); when you've some experience driving a car, after a while you get used to gauging your speed by external objects and/or the ground passing by, not the speedometer. To some extent it's the same with an aircraft on a takeoff run, however it's the aircraft speed relevant to the air mass that's important for lift, not the ground. If there's a 10kt tailwind then you will need to be doing roughly 10kts more across the ground to achieve the same lift than you might in still air (all other things being equal). If you weren't aware of that and were gauging your velocity solely with respect to the ground then you could end up in trouble, although I can only reiterate that I'd have thought this the less likely scenario given the particular aircraft and crew experience.

FP.

OUAQUKGF Ops

23rd Feb 2024, 22:45

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/700x361/screenshot_2024_02_23_at_23_06_51_raf_bovingdon_1_youtube_do wn_752a861dce7fba58e043506aa70c54ccdda29713.png
(William Schneider)

Very many thanks FP - most interesting to hear it from the Horse's Mouth. I thought you might like this image of the threshold of 04 - you can just make out the threshold designator. I've highlighted the approximate point at which the C-47 left the runway which has a slight incline. As always apologies for poor quality of my 'borrowed' image ! Regards OPS.

I've looked for 04 Threshold Images but nothing really to be found - these are Mosquito stills from '633 Squadron'

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/466x262/screenshot_2024_02_26_at_10_30_54_raf_bovingdon_1960s_pprune _forums_5f3b6131a8b06e76e19cf897b2384148ef19c8fb.png

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/462x262/screenshot_2024_02_26_at_10_21_16_raf_bovingdon_1960s_pprune _forums_71bdb9d3f814607bd5cfd45297128d6519fbdc9a.png

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/601x238/screenshot_2024_02_26_at_10_36_39_raf_bovingdon_1960s_pprune _forums_copy_dca7e5b5f122939fdfcd81e2ec79b79b7476b59c.png

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/593x231/screenshot_2024_02_26_at_10_45_33_raf_bovingdon_1960s_pprune _forums_c3476fa2e82873c02ab45bd51476d83ba7ffb8ec.png

Above - C-47 Starboard Wing dropped at about this point

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/597x236/screenshot_2024_02_26_at_11_29_08_raf_bovingdon_1960s_pprune _forumstrim_7a95228f035ed78ebb3611248db92d06294ca24d.png

C-47 left runway at about this point.

First_Principal

24th Feb 2024, 05:09

Interesting to see that slope, although as you say they were likely airborne thereabouts so it may not have had much input into what happened.

I should say that this particular horse, while rated, is low time on the C-47, so I'd certainly bow to greater experience! However I have studied the DC3/C-47 in some depth and am reminded of an incident a year or so earlier in which one lost 14ft of its port wing and was able to be flown successfully to a landing. Thus, although there could well be other mechanical reasons why control was ultimately lost, in this case I'm disinclined to take the view that a few feet of bent wingtip would be sufficient in itself.

That said they are known for a somewhat nasty wingdrop on stall when under power, and while that is usually portside the bent wingtip and other factors may have altered that characteristic, particularly once they'd got out of ground effect. I mention this because the last sentence or two of the report suggests the pilots (while in ground effect) may have thought they could control the machine and chose to fly it, rather than close the throttles and stop. With just a few hundred feet of runway remaining such a decision seems reasonable, but once fully airborne they could well have found the situation somewhat different - especially if there were control issues, either due to some rigging problem or as a result of the wing damage.

FYI here's a photograph of NZ3501, 21st March 1945, showing the damage it sustained as a result of collision, yet was still flyable. The photograph appears in DC3 Southern Skies Pioneer by Brian Lockstone and Paul Harrison (ISBN 1 86941 390 3) but this image is cropped and lightly enhanced from www.airhistory.net:

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1120x701/nz3501_c47_short_wing_aa489e45693a6d62b9c6b6064934c65213dd88 b5.jpg

FP.

JenniferPaulDuncombe

8th Mar 2024, 11:54

I used to fly at Halton with the Duncombe brothers!!!! Wonder what they are doing now. Bernard Newman was my instructor at Halton.

Ben Newman retired shortly before I started my training ; Phil Plows was CFI. To avoid thread creep, I flew with Mike on my introductory lessons and with Paul just pre solo (Jacko did the solo checks on Pauls recommendation).
My log book reveals the first det to Bovingdon was on 21 Jun '65 and my soaring took place on the next det (we took the aircraft by road this time) on 19 Sep '65. My log book records the day before I'd flown an aerobatic trip with Paul at Bovingdon in Sedbergh XN150!!
Hi
I'm Paul Duncombe's daughter. It's been fun to read some of these posts and memories.
If anyone has more stories about my Dad, please do get in touch. Id love to hear them.
Kind regards
Jen

chevvron

11th Mar 2024, 13:30

There are some references to gliding at Bovingdon in 'Air Cadet gliding pix in the ''80s which I won't duplicate here.

chevvron

12th Mar 2024, 11:22

Very many thanks FP - most interesting to hear it from the Horse's Mouth. I thought you might like this image of the threshold of 04 - you can just make out the threshold designator. I've highlighted the approximate point at which the C-47 left the runway which has a slight incline. As always apologies for poor quality of my 'borrowed' image ! Regards OPS.

I've looked for 04 Threshold Images but nothing really to be found - these are Mosquito stills from '633 Squadron'

Note the white painted tops to the parked Ansons in the right background - very un WW2 like!

OUAQUKGF Ops

12th Mar 2024, 12:05

Yes I think you can also at one stage in ' 633 Squadron ' glimpse day glow on the tail of a Varsity. As far as I can remember in the closing sequences of ' Mosquito Squadron ' a Fairchild Packet C-119 is just getting airborne in the background. I don't know if the following sequence was fully shown in ' The War Lover ' but it includes a rash of Ansons and the only image we have so far of a KC-97 at Bovingdon.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/801x194/screenshot_2024_03_12_at_11_48_08_b_17_low_pass_67421d65a25f e7b70f3ad9642bbf620c07dbfd9b.png

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGGynxYbA48

OUAQUKGF Ops

12th Mar 2024, 13:45

The last of the photographs taken by John Young at Bovingdon's Open House May 17th 1958 are of a Convair C-131A (525790)

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x630/samaritanbovingdon_new_0004_enhance_resize_ac37d3762bc28e4f7 7c7c1a0d5fe13adc793d649_47baf82d8bbce0c480e56ba3a7df5172470d 93b4.jpg

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x619/samaritanbovingdon_new_0002_enhance_resize_c84d3696d55848785 de55e895e729439d73ed3f7v_fa81b0bdd15ec2ff677a699feaafde1e76e 53890.jpg

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x632/samaritanbovingdon_new_0001_enhance_resize_397b01672d87409a1 2f11f67f9bcd91566846c2ab_e0dd2d0bc0a434e5e1ed059cf1aacc5fbd2 90f05.jpg

Of course you can't beat a really good photo of an aeroplane in flight. Taken by Ralf Manteuful, here is the same Samaritan on short finals at Templehof, Berlin in June 1961.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x602/screenshot_2024_03_11_downsize_c8ee6d23766b30553a5f0bbb68920 c9cf5ecc138.png
Credit as captioned with thanks.

I came across some negatives of hangared Ansons taken at Bovingdon on 15th June 1968 - this was shortly before their farewell flypast on 28th June 1968. At much the same time a start was being made on the filming of 'Mosquito Squadron'. PPRuNer Old Photo.Fanatic has very kindly digitalized the negatives - many thanks.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/900x600/bovingdon_anson_tx227_15th_june_1968_down_enhance_f55327d538 017feabac1796cb2e16193684e1e04.jpg

On retirement TX 227 was painted up for her part in 'Mosquito Squadron'

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/639x473/screenshot_2024_03_anson_tx227_daf1fe1e65953be643daf73f5d792 85e952b67eb.png

Another 'Paint Job' followed when TX 227 together with VV 958 was purchased by Mercy Missions from C.Bilson Ltd (Scrap Dealers) for work in Biafra, TX 227 being registered G-AWMH.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/870x526/p1030757_anson_jersey_down_enhance_3b632a3b79f983eee2bca6eb6 7b168d9090ffba9.jpg
Jersey Post

The two Ansons departed from Bovingdon for Guernsey on the first leg of their journey to Africa on 5th August 1968 however adverse weather and low cloud forced a diversion to Jersey (above) where the aeroplanes were grounded for four days due to poor weather. With its final destination as Sao Tome G-AWMH succumbed to an engine failure followed by a forced landing when damage was sustained at Port Etienne, Mauritania on August 16th 1968. After some considerable time the Anson was repaired but never proceeded to Biafra crashing in unknown circumstances in Liberia on June 20th 1969.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/900x590/bovingdon_anson_tx230_15th_june_1968_downsize_95050bc9fe9311 64c3de569c486ae6c9f42721a5.jpg
Immaculate - maintained by Shorts and scrapped at Bovingdon later that year.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x586/screenshot_2024_03_11_at_12_26_57_avro_anson_c_19_tx230_roya l_air_force_down_8bc1f2efcdf5437f8c5e27d7ec1297d342b7973f.pn g
Early Sixties. Thought to have been photographed at Bovingdon. Image Barry Friend with thanks.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/900x572/bovingdon_anson_vm332_15th_june_1968_down_3018d8e140581e0f45 f3ac825243d9f54ec92948.jpg
Scrapped at Bovingdon later that year.

. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x586/screenshot_2024_03_11_at_12_30_02_avro_anson_c_19_vm332_roya l_air_force_2nd_resize_e443b9d40586373f2900247011489edf8fe97 cf8.png
Early Sixties, location unknown. Image Barry Friend with thanks.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/900x589/bovingdon_anson_vm351_15th_june_1968_downsize_3e9b22ac28e67f 7c7404aff7107e77769f313a7d.jpg

This Anson having been kept as a standby for Mercy Missions was sold to John Hawke and registered as G-AWSB on October 21st 1968. That registration was cancelled on November 5th 1968 and the aeroplane was flown to America where it was registered as N7522. The Deputy SATCO of Bovingdon 1967-69 relates on page 2 of this thread ' Another Anson set off in the hands of a PPL accompanied by an air hostess from Luton for the States and on the first leg to Prestwick ended up in Ireland. I don't know if they ever crossed the real pond.'

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x579/screenshot_2024_03_10_at_17_40_09_down_to_the_wire_fab533d5f 89c9908d2c607aa099b1a76e8ac006d.png
Image Crusader 752

N7522 at Georgetown,Texas in 1998. It is rumoured that what remains of this Anson was offered up at $US12,000 for restoration in 2023.

chevvron

14th Mar 2024, 09:14

I had two WO (ATC) on my squadron (2204 Chesham Sqdn) and both worked for Shorts at Bovingdon unitl it closed.
Didn't one of the Biafran Ansons have to drop in at Blackbushe on the way south?

OUAQUKGF Ops

14th Mar 2024, 11:24

Quoting from that excellent book 'Shadows' by Michael Draper (Co-pilot G-AWMG) the initial routing and times for the Ansons were:

G-AWMG 5.8.68 Bovingdon - Jersey 1300-1440 1.40 Diversion from Guernsey due wx.
9.8.68 Jersey - Bilbao 1640-2010 3.30 In formation with G-AWMH.

G-AWMH 5.8.68 Bovingdon-Jersey 1305-1445 1.40 Diversion from Guernsey due wx.
9.8.68 Jersey - Bilbao 1640-2010 3.30 in formation with G-AWMG.

'After landing at Bilbao the starboard main undercarriage of G-AWMH was found to have sustained damage. Closer inspection revealed that a wheel rim had fractured, possibly as a result of the landing at Jersey in poor conditions several days beforehand. Another enforced overnight stay for both aircraft allowed time to organise replacement parts to be ferried down from Bovingdon but in the meantime it was agreed that G-AWMG would ply on ahead.' (That Anson departed Bilbao 10.8.68 routing to Seville onwards to Casablanca and finally arriving Sao Tome on 16.8.68. G-AWMH departed Bilbao 12.8.68 and after further alarms and diversions force-landed at Port-Etienne 16.8.68.)

Source: 'Shadows' by Michael I. Draper. Hikoki Publications 1999.

OUAQUKGF Ops

18th Mar 2024, 12:34

The loss of Gloster Meteor F.4 RA452 based at Bovingdon with RAF Fighter Command Communications Squadron - 19th April 1949.

Well to start off with I have looked high and low for an image of this particular aircraft but like many Meteors it had a fairly short operational life so photographs if any are few and far between.
Making do then with an image of another Meteor F.4........

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/900x600/b26414_zf_4458_84135_1_001_meteor_down_8da3e5af1abc88dce6a9d 15e0f324941da9fece2.jpg
Location unknown. This F.4 was with 209 AFS and was struck off charge after a heavy landing Weston Zoyland 13 May 1954.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/301x197/jet_cuts_hut_in_two_bnl_2f05a6753e140b59760e05786a2b0b023625 ea8a.png

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x800/screenshot_2024_03_17_at_11_06_23_incident_gloster_meteor_f_ 4_ra452_72513dd593b5b0565b6189ea2f8d661276b0fd65.png
Ludgershall is actually in Wiltshire. The American Pilot was believed to have been seriously injured, contra to the above. The Americans categorized this accident as 'CRLoG' (Crash Landing Out of Gas). I have not seen the accident report. A Meteor F.4 would have had a fuel endurance of less than one hour.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x434/bovingdon_to_ludgershall_75bd7f0293fcbf2c9c59d0311ee9bc77ce1 64122.png
Bovingdon to Ludgershall

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x656/screenshot_2024_03_15_at_23_19_12_ludgershall_former_dmed_de pot_copy_chris_talbot_cc_by_sa_2_0_cc468d27c5d2fc5ab0bd5bbea 92f70d9f2f3c85e.png
Image Chris Talbot Geograph. Above - the former Defence Medical Equipment Depot on the outskirts of Ludgershall photographed in 2011.

Quite where in the environs of Ludgershall Col Orr came to rest is, after the passage of time, perhaps unknown to most, myself included. More recently Army Depots, of which there were several about the town, have been demolished or re-developed.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/328x251/jet_crash_downs_53192cf2a631a431048b8540ce249fbf3f5d26b3.png
Here we have a reference to the Meteor forced landing on the Downs.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/900x599/post_66_0_14655600_1369600347_thumb_bhx_otc_1912_game_4c0933 d8f85d84181755016a76cf7c24fa4fde81.jpg
Members of Birmingham University OTC resting on the Downs below Windmill Hill in 1912. I wonder how many survived The War which would shortly be upon them ?
The view is ESE towards Ludgershall. The railway is the branch line to Tidworth from Ludgershall opened in 1901 and closed in 1963. It was primarily built to service the Military at Tidworth.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/900x550/tents_windmill_hill_camp_then_and_now_dbec483c6c0640b53a7f46 47731d25e0da49beb0.png
In the lee of the wood on Windmill Hill. Both the above images courtesy of Terry Carter on The Great War Forum.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/900x532/windmill_hill_panorama_downsize_dfac4d91f3abf86013a0eef4e27c f686f4fa1127.png
Windmill Hill to WNW from the outskirts of Ludgershall.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/852x587/s_l1600_wiltshire_regiment_enhance_390e46c8e91535e18158ef1f8 5ae56b19e46fb3b.jpg

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/854x588/s_l1600_wiltshire_regiment_verso_1d7ead29d1780ce11a1d54e05fa 77b29460a32b6.jpg
Note franked stamp.

I know not much about Meteors but I take the liberty of transcribing this from the UK Defence Forum:

In May 1951, it was reported that the Meteor 4's tail unit lost half its strength when the skin tore, the skin tearing was found to originate round rivet holes, access panels or discontinuous stringers (stress risers). A total of 890 Meteors were lost in RAF service (145 of these crashes occurred in 1953 alone), resulting in the deaths of 450 pilots. Contributory factors in the number of crashes were high fuel consumption and consequent short flight endurance, causing pilots to run out of fuel, and difficult handling with one engine out due to the widely set engines. The casualty rate was exacerbated by the lack of ejection seats in early series Meteors, the high speed that the aircraft was capable of meant that during the bailing out process, pilots were typically subject to high G Forces hindering movement and with the effect of slipstream winds there was also a greater likelihood of the pilot striking the horizontal tailplane. Ejection seats would be fitted in the later F.8, FR.9, PR.10 and some experimental Meteors. The difficulty of bailing out of the Meteor had been noted by pilots during development, reporting several contributing design factors such as the limited size and relative position of the cockpit to the rest of the aircraft and difficulty in using the two-lever jettisonable hood mechanism.

That said I'm sure that many hundreds if not thousands of pilots enjoyed flying these sometimes challenging aeroplanes.

For more about Army Camps in Wiltshire:How Military Camps saved some Wiltshire villages from extinction | Wiltshire at War (http://www.wiltshireatwar.org.uk/story/how-military-camps-saved-some-wiltshire-villages-from-extinction/)

brakedwell

18th Mar 2024, 16:24

When I was on Coastal Com at Bovingdon in 1961/2 Fighter Com had a Very nice Meteor NF 14. Having flown the Meteor 7 and 8 at Nicosia I tried to have a go with the Fighter Com Meteor, but failed,even though they were happy to let me fly their Ansons, including several trips to Jersey!.

OUAQUKGF Ops

19th Mar 2024, 00:29

brakedwell I've been looking around for some fresh images of the Meteor NF 14 that was denied you - alas there are very few. I can only offer you this lovely photograph of WS848 which was posted on this thread a few years ago. It was taken on 17th August 1960 over the Berney Arms which is by the River Yare, not far from Great Yarmouth. Alas the pub has been closed for many years now. There is a railway halt not too far away with a couple of services a day - it is a 'Request Stop'. I don't know what would have happened if you had stuck your arm out to stop the train in the video ! Incidentally in part due to Covid, Berney Arms was the least used Railway Station in Britain for 2019-20 with 42 passengers. I have happy memories of taking the train there with my wife years ago where we then avoided the cows and squelched our way to the pub. It must have been Autumn because flocks of Yellow Wagtails were migrating over the marshes.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/962x746/47490add00000578_5174341_image_a_42_1513162639757_bov_meteor _1960_cad8d3d9d21f23350fc9760e9bedd02fbdfc4737_b2e4e4684da99 bb6a724ee8149b1819e0b5917c0.jpg
IWM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b219A7WaDco

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/912x606/screenshot_2024_03_19_at_00_01_11_rain_is_on_the_way_at_bern ey_arms_mill_series__e63ee72993f14f4a668bf134691a5d4308ccd5b 7.png
Image 'John' Flickr

brakedwell

19th Mar 2024, 08:16

That is the one, although I arrived at Bovingdon in September 1961. It was used rarely, mainly for RAF air to air photography and by the odd Fighter Command senior officer. I really did fancy a go in that one!

OUAQUKGF Ops

24th Mar 2024, 17:49

C-54 42-72673 Overrun November 2nd 1950

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/670x892/c54_page_one_acc_report_def587e23885b0c3edb316622b63fa97def2 579f.png

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/636x871/descr_acc_two_ed044466f51cf444251bb7e37fd5833ec70eb7dd.png

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/660x876/ditto_three_4c4df8375c5939c928bdabc2a6315c6fd3491003.png
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/663x723/ditto_four_d0ca99250a6a9a6d040afc5ee551439620ea1d2a.png
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/680x836/cpt_statem_five_2f6a8a8ba1e4c37fa8dcbbb21d17f916920164fa.png
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/673x828/ditto_six_f6cce587169ca6db95e1d89a68470024fdfbea03.png
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/668x832/ditto_seven_dda6758d2d32a5f38dcffda54d182f0aa9451da5.png
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/661x838/ditto_eight_4bd657fbace6ca5fa75cd9610a2e8398378099c2.png
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/627x816/ditto_nine_7edc2420b764168ddce726c5ff0bf7372b766590.png
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/666x796/ditto_ten_9724cb6fc6e109d1b7aeb9279dacb86a38795273.png
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/617x785/col_cormack_eleven_e8830d69cb8fca8e5cf0b56c2741227098c96c18. png
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/647x558/ditto_twelve_6b7715f313abdafae139d4791e0c9564cc0c973c.png
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/621x818/eo_dodge_thirteen_11bff0cdcdf877f7d66b709076be572922b0ff64.p ng
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/662x718/ditto_fourteen_52b6a673d9f476e9263fd302b9d9e076fc8140d4.png
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/678x862/atc_fifteen_first_download_4872b8af3e75d2ccf8f2536a1c9578186 90c5393.png

Bovingdon was then a Civil Airport.

Part Two to follow but my internet is very slow this weekend.

OUAQUKGF Ops

24th Mar 2024, 18:57

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/693x823/start_here_board_one_2nd_download_d6ebc3a05172d6059700a2e113 5f0fb6fa4b61a5.png
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/670x816/board_two_5954d16d5f08c4beff877832df7df175c5ee4688.png
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/655x778/board_three_72a6a610dad4e1f9a9aa5b019056a2b75d881366.png
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/666x820/board_four_1f43e29558bd4c2f20b9a0e50315c8e1918a2749.png
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/667x816/board_five_84ac0bd6266b5d5ffd9e589a5d034835de50abd6.png
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/648x686/board_six_eaa3c701df0f172f7a5eb59ed63927c77fa39c65.png
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/686x846/finding_copy_4f6cba6eaf1624ec126c3fd649b5837d4d04c861.png

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/671x847/challenge_08_8349f198c7cb164c93848a02a301b54e2ea615a1.png
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/685x851/challenge_09_abf594765bd8dfd3603e671fe6fa26b770bece16.png
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/690x845/challenge_10_88939c657948a17c3d43e0c38564482f6339854c.png
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/688x851/challenge_11_c766dc0fbf1e44ce5e41f0220d15d056974609f6.png
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/676x736/challenge_12_4bc07eb671ebeb45b3349e2ce140394336e2f63d.png
I'm running out of download allocation so I'll transcribe the next page.

It is sent on behalf of The Commanding General, Headquarters 3RD Air Division, New York by Brigadier General J.P. McConnell Deputy Commanding General.

1. This Headquarters concurs generally with the findings and recommendations of the Aircraft Accident Board.
2. This Headquarters does not concur with the preceding endorsement in the allocation of errors, but does concur that the inexperience of the Co-pilot was a contributing factor in this accident. A lack of teamwork did exist, however, teamwork must be promoted by the Aircraft Commander. In this case, the failure of the Pilot to properly brief the Co-Pilot on his duties was a contributing factor to the accident.
3. The fact that an inexperienced Co-Pilot was assigned to duty on a flight involving weather and night conditions indicates a deficiency in supervisory functions.
4. Recommendations and action taken by the Group Commander, as set forth in paragraph 10 of above endorsement, are deemed adequate to preclude the re-occurrence of a similar accident.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/693x834/damage_13_90b8590410cf2152febf213438ec86ef039ea8f5.png
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/657x551/mash_14_cfefa87e13be70a30244042cb91aa91f01609fd2.png

I'm sorry if the text is a bit difficult to read. Nothing to be gained by reproducing any of the Accident Report Images - as always they are very poor.
However I did spend some considerable time looking for an image of C-54 42-72673 without any luck. As a final punt I thought I would check the Bovingdon-Airfield.co.uk link we have with images of USAF aeroplanes and there she was !

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/706x389/72673_bovvy_enhance_e4ceb0ef9139b10fc097b6cdfd692a7556c541c5 .jpg
Here she is at Bovingdon evidently post-accident - you can just make out the void where the fwd baggage door has been ripped off.

jumpseater

25th Mar 2024, 09:52

kcockayne

25th Mar 2024, 17:41

890 ; 450 ?! Seems to me to be huge numbers ! Any particular reason ?

OUAQUKGF Ops

25th Mar 2024, 18:08

Well if you go to post #679 you will find some of the reasons listed. A great many Meteors were built. Post-war Royal Air Force Accident rates were high. Enough to fill an excellent book called 'Broken Wings' 274pp and those listed were only the write-offs - not returned to service. https://www.baesystems.com/en-uk/heritage/gloster-meteor

OUAQUKGF Ops

31st Mar 2024, 15:46

I was never lucky enough to see a Canberra at Bovingdon. I suppose as an occasional visitor they would have been the largest jet that Bovingdon could comfortably accommodate. Was it the Headquarters of Bomber Command at nearby High Wycombe or the bright lights of London that attracted them to the place ? An example was usually on display on the public 'Open House Days' at Bovingdon. As I work from newspaper reports and other unofficial publications and unwilling to travel to the National Archives to read the official Accident Reports, there is a degree of conjecture in what I'm putting down here.......

ACCIDENT TO CANBERRA PR7 WT 529 AT SUDBROOK, LINCS 16TH JANUARY 1956.

Well as usual I cannot find an image of the subject aircraft to display -

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x583/screenshot_2024_03_31_at_12_55_16_aircraft_photo_of_wt503_en glish_electric_canberra_pr7_uk_air_force_airhistory_net_1086 38_d6484b964351fa28950fd0b1a40c2d2438626611.png
Canberra PR7 WT 503 at Biggin Hill Battle of Britain Display 19th September 1959. (Many thanks to AirHistory net and Jerry Hughes).

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/842x790/accident_english_electric_canberra_pr_7_wt529_down_7b1e42513 18e5c749babb7a69fe431bbb35931c7.png
A couple of points here. It appears that this sortie, which originated from West Raynham, Norfolk was an Air Test combined with a visit to Bovingdon. It would seem that no evidence was offered at the inquest that this Canberra had landed at Cranwell, only that an eye-witness at Sudbrook thought that it came from the direction of Cranwell. There apparently was some speculation about what it was doing in the area in the first place and talk of loitering to burn off fuel - forgetting that the crew were tasked with performing an Air Test. Doubtless choosing the less crowded upper air-space of Lincolnshire for this purpose rather than airspace converging on the London TMA.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/903x272/line_raynham_sudbrook_52bcd21bf4d11d9a448b724e8a33e9bb5c99b6 c7.png

This is purely to show the distance in statute miles between West Raynam (R) and Sudbrook. It probably bears some slight resemblance to the actual flight path that the Canberra took.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/950x259/screenshot_2024_03_29_at_12_59_33_google_earth_sudbrook_enha nced_down_darken_da834279fe11b15db51097631c4e690aa260b94b.pn g
Sudbrook viewed looking to the North-west. Almost equi-distant between Barkston Heath and Cranwell.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/934x857/sleaford_gaz_pt_1_907e9d0ea97393ebb824872d15b04e4f192c93d2.p ng
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/205x721/sleaford_gazette_pt_2_967327d7742dc6b4c49f7f11482dc12282eb26 1f.png
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/596x876/sleaford_gaz_inquest_jan_20_1956_eb309921f9a67f22d99dfa2ecaf 9e14ab380de7c.png
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/366x775/grantham_journal_inquest_pt_1_jan_20th_a34d3329156a3fa0e6984 4a2a37d1fd87139f46c.png
Grantham Journal.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/912x790/sudbrook_ovhd_3e8cc8e20476acdd8ebf594e498b7e32a74863ae.png
Sudbrook looking North. The entrance to Manor Farm where the Deans lived and worked is highlighted. Here demolished and built upon. I've arrowed the approx area where possibly the Canberra dived in. There is a small depression there about 16 feet diameter - it could of course just be a water trough.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/648x442/sudbrook_depression_2f6479a23f7751ada2e88e2233468383a2292d20 .png

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/975x245/sudbrook_down_19ee7903ce3006942949f2135e281945d20d9c12.png
Showing new housing on Manor Farm with the probable crash site arrowed.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/461x420/robert_bruce_cole_3f6638f630367bc60d63e7e1cae86ba210c36e14.p ng
Wing Commander Bob Cole DFC. AFC.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x1167/needham_grave_east_raynham_5431f17197ffba27e7459b04066beaab9 66ed5de.jpg
Squadron Leader Needham's resting place at St Mary Churchyard, East Raynham, Norfolk.

https://www.hawkertempest.se/index.php/piloter/summary/385-cole-bob-squadron-leader

.

OUAQUKGF Ops

31st Mar 2024, 17:42

ACCIDENT TO CANBERRA B2 WH915, WIGGINTON, HERTS 8TH MARCH 1957.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x591/canberra_wd965_down_675c65c38aa9217c2be93f05f87a3339f9885303 .jpg
Many thanks to Air Britain and the late Jim Halley.

Above as usual not the subject aircraft but a Canberra B2 of 44 Squadron Honington at Bovingdon during May 1957.

Although WH 915 did not come to Bovingdon it crashed sufficiently near to the airfield, some five miles away, to be of interest.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/842x1032/accident_english_electric_canberra_b_mk_2_wh915_f00510e6dc9a 927a37a48b4a4e329f62367902fb.png
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/492x610/direct_wainfleet_wigginton_e5c6042e23a3b7e7caf98432ac3e02ead 7af5edf.png
The distance is Statute Miles from Wainfleet to Wigginton. RAF Upwell highlighted

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/950x319/wigg_from_east_halton_af_c15f0319219bfd27f2b299ecbdba6566400 588ba.png
The report above mentions the Canberra being seen at RAF Halton flying at 40ft above high ground (i.e.behind Halton) in very bad weather.

Small section of the Chiltern Escarpment. View to east from the noreast edge of the flying field at RAF Halton towards the high ground of Tring Park (left 230M amsl ) with Hastoe Hill (centre 236M amsl). WH 915 crashed on fields 200M amsl. at Wigginton, beyond and below my high light some four miles away from Halton.

The Canberra crashed at about 1100 GMT.

London Airport weather at 1100 GMT.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1286x197/weather_1100hrs_f371d3d2b7135a0dcb85f50326ca9289d76fac41.png
Source weatherspark.com

The Air Ministry Weather Forecast for 8th March 1957 gives the general situation as 'Continuing mild and cloudy with occasional rain and drizzle'.

The cloud base was low enough to produce a rain mist. Quite what the Canberra on its training detail was doing at low height over the Chilterns by Halton is not clear. Whether the crew ever made contact with Bovingdon is not known to me. One might assume that they flew away from Halton directly over Hastoe only to crash beyond, but from the witness statements in the newspapers it appears not.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/550x294/press_photo_tidy_up_402433c4df397956f2d714eb865c4caf61166f7a .png
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/648x575/bucks_examiner_15_mar_8fcd32e3538e1ff4c4045ff928ab63045ffaf7 dc.png
Bucks Examiner 15th March '57.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/396x783/liverpool_echo_8_mar_crash_4be5b6962c7552c68ca96803f91105e39 6555569.png
Liverpool Echo 8th March '57.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/431x691/peterborough_standard_15_mar_4c0179027ba0b7d020e575fe4cb6dc3 77c6b6265.png
Peterborough Standard 15th March '57.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/176x908/northern_daily_mail_9_mar_57_obit_99a683191abe3b58044e84d375 aae5f160ab619c.png
Northern Daily Mail 9th March '57.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/950x422/downsize_d71d49e51ff847ca002b575d5b8ad52b549c5f6d.png
View to south-east from overhead Wigginton. Chesham Road to left running straight down past Champneys. Possible trajectory of WH915 arrowed.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/883x818/wigg_ovhd_2dc9fd3b95f70e02876b8e125a7c675987e4401c.png

With an isolated report of the Canberra said to have been seen near RAF Halton one could be tempted to think that the aircraft would have come down directly over Kiln Farm (Green dot). However Mr Burch and his son who were in the Milking Parlour at Kiln Farm did not mention hearing the aircraft over them. The first thing they heard was the impact and then seeing flames in the fields beyond.
Mrs Collins who lived somewhere along Hemp Lane (Blue dots) thought the aircraft was going to take her roof off and heard the impact seconds later. Mr Rowe who lived at Lower Wigginton or Wigginton Bottom (just off Chesham Road between the upper Yellow dots) was labouring his fields with a couple of young farm workers when the Canberra crashed in an adjacent field. On another trajectory it is always possible that the aircraft brushed the tops of Lesley's Wood (Orange dot) and crashed as a result.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x550/chesham_road_downsize_3b87771a089dc1c30d74646b889881afb9bf17 a3.png
View towards Kiln Farm from Chesham Road, Wigginton.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/576x1532/canberra_aircraft_at_raf_upwood_canberra_days_by_john_kirk_c 1f9c80787b630621df6a4c70330ff5cba9f1dac.png
Cambridge Community Archive Network.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/800x534/large_st_bartholomew_wigginton_canberra_d6589aebd4f0fdae92e0 1383d4a1eb1f7b6b53e9.jpg
IWM

In the Church of St Barts, Wigginton.

kcockayne

31st Mar 2024, 18:13

OUAQUKGF Ops

7th Apr 2024, 18:52

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/650x972/e0kwce_reduced_down_8c17ba9f89da5cbd94113526b85f315b67cf9e6a .jpg

Bovingdon's Constable David Lord chats with four year old David Dalgado on the occasion of the little boy's final arrival at Bovingdon Airport from America, mid-morning 7th June 1950.

I was pleased to stumble across this image because I had briefly mentioned the circumstances of this much delayed War Brides' Flight on the thread last October but never followed it up. With the DC-4 grounded at Bradley Field, Conn, its subsequent slow and devious progress towards England added much grist to the mill for the British Press Corps.

Here I have to admit that I had never heard of Transocean Air Lines until now and recommend a look at their entry in Wikipedia. An American Supplemental Carrier 1946-60. The Douglas DC-4 being the backbone of a very large and diverse fleet. During much of its existence at odds with the US CAB particularly over Trans Atlantic Charter Flights and the licensing thereof.
Nevertheless a major air line who took part in The Berlin Air Lift, and carried many thousands of people from diverse nationalities away from the poverty of their war torn existences to start their lives anew in fresh pastures. 'Forty-four displaced persons varying in age from fifty to babies in arms, sat in the lounge of Shannon airport most of the night. Their Transocean Air Line 'plane was held up by unsuitable flying conditions. They were on their way from Munich, Germany to Venezuela, by devious routes, a distance of 5,000 miles. Most of them were from Estonia and Lithuania and through interpreters said that they had fled from Russian rule. They included farmers whose lands had been confiscated, tailors and musicians whose fingers had been broken, carpenters, painters, locksmiths, a physician and a surveyor.' (Coventry Evening Telegraph 20th May 1948).

In June 1947 the Canadian Government awarded the company a contract to carry 7,000 emigrants from Britain to Canada. The first of these flights left from Northolt on 3rd August 1947 whilst Scottish emigrants were carried from Prestwick later that month. Not surprisingly Air Canada took over the contract at the end of September 1947. In December 1948 Transocean were contracted by the United Nations to evacuate 13,000 Europeans and White Russians from Shanghai to Manila and the Western Pacific during the China Civil War. During 1949 Italian emigrants were flown to Venezuela. 'War Brides' or 'Bassinet ' flights' from the USA to Britain were operated by Transocean during 1949 and 1950 and organised by The Britannia Brides Club of Oakland. The first flight arriving at Northolt from Oakland on 28th August 1949. I believe the majority of these services operated to and from Northolt. These flights were the subject of contention as they didn't strictly comply to the letter of the British regulations which the US CAB were at pains to enforce.
Here is a scarce bit of footage of a Transocean departure from Burbank to Northolt (Quite probably 24th-25th April 1950 when the eastbound service had to call in at Shannon for fuel).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZO6NsNZaBU

To return to Bovingdon.............

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/783x808/screenshot_2024_04_04_at_12_22_27_raf_bovingdon_1960s_pprune _to_enhance_5ae6ae90815eacd1fb91c505966a3846e2287a84.png
The Transocean DC-4 finally arrives Bovingdon at about 10 a.m. 7th June 1950.

ITENARY

Thursday 1st June Transocean DC-4 departs Oakland overnight for Bradley Field, Conn where it seems an aircraft change is to be made to possibly an Iceland Airways DC-4. However Iceland Airways who are said to be joint operators of this particular charter have been refused landing permission in Britain. So it could well be that when Transocean Air Lines (Capt Roach i/c) arrives at Bradley Field, Iceland Airways are not to be found. US CAB will not permit Capt Roach to proceed with his aircraft to England. (Much gnashing of teeth, head scratching, nappy changing over next couple of days ?).

Sunday 4th June Capt Roach departs Bradley Field overnight for Miami and Havana. Reading between the lines It would seem that in order to facilitate a transit through Havana the Cubans want a slice of the much diminished cake inasmuch that they will provide an aircraft to carry some of the passengers from Miami to Havana (DC3?) and another larger aircraft (DC-4 ? Capt Roach names 4 Cuban Flt Deck crew ) to operate the Havana- Bermuda sector while Capt Roach brings up the rear with his aircraft ? Thus at Miami:
'The original group had been split up because no plane large enough to take them all will be available for some stages of the flight'. (Daily Herald).

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/465x828/havana_ed_ev_news_june_5th_1950_3295b9a142ebd206123fafafdb90 ff6704a499d9.png
Edinburgh Evening News 5th June 1950.

Havana Monday 5th June. Four passengers throw in the towel and abandon their journey. 'Britain's wandering war brides, detoured on their flight home as a result of red tape, today formed a committee which called on the British Legation in Havana to help to get them home immediately. Pretty Mrs Ida Johnson who heads the committee protested at "Being shoved around from city to city and stared at like a refugee". The old marble halls of Havana's Sevilla-Biltmore Hotel echoed to the cries of the war brides' babies. Amletto Battisti, the hotel owner said "We will do everything to help the poor mothers - even if we have to tear up the hotel linen for nappies".
(Yorkshire Observer 6th June 1950).

Our Man in Havana.

'British Charge d'Affaires Havana, Mr Thomas Brimelow obtains permission from London for the plane to land at Bovingdon, Herts.'
(Northampton Chronicle and Echo 6th June 1950).

Afternoon ? of Monday 5th June Passengers depart Havana for Bermuda where they will night stop. Note how their onward route avoids USA Airspace and the threat of having their aircraft impounded.

Tuesday 6th June Passengers on Transocean DC-4 depart Bermuda for Gander then overnight direct to Bovingdon.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1030x882/gi_wi_south_wales_ev_post_june_7th_49b4e52242f90becaa6032482 dd311f3278a7149.png
South Wales Evening Post 7th June 1950.

'On reaching London Captain Roach went into the cost of the trip and went to bed with a headache. To keep down costs he will return to America early tomorrow, without passengers or cargo - there is nothing for him to take back. Captain Roach refuses to theorise as to why the flight was made so difficult, but an official of the company associated with his airline Transocean, says the American Government is fighting non-subsidised airlines on behalf of those it subsidises.'
(Daily Herald 8th June 1950).

On 18th July 1950 Transocean Air Lines announced that they would make no more chartered flights to Europe for War Brides and their children. Citing (1) the US CAB ban because War Brides cannot be classified as Religious, Educational or Philanthropic Enterprises and (2) The cost of re-routing such flights.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/782x898/ditching_1_a789e28c0346431fa8205ea10ce64d134382ad28.png
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/610x566/ditching_2_672fdeb4af5c042f1250d3b19279bdcee0f53459.png
Coventry Evening Telegraph 15th August 1949.

A version of the accident report can be found on this link:https://aviation-safety.net/asndb/336352

OUR BOYS IN BRAZIL
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/820x820/1_douglas_dc_4_americano_pousa_em_paranava_e_mandaguari_31a9 7e897e316c9e9d07366c8936b35e5c7291b9.png
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/782x922/2_douglas_dc_4_americano_pousa_em_paranava_e_mandaguari_4a06 b4edd1a2003100145a3fd61fc23cd0b769db.png
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/785x1022/3_douglas_dc_4_americano_pousa_em_paranava_e_mandaguari_579f 22dd0b4d3b43db7117e2cab82ebfaf1f2123.png
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/810x865/4_douglas_dc_4_americano_pousa_em_paranava_e_mandaguari_695f 5a5492a41f778cbd62dff88c8f84b2272e09.png
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/813x870/5_douglas_dc_4_americano_pousa_em_paranava_e_mandaguari_d89d 0c7119819f1ace8b67bc4c1dbf5005568e2a.png
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/791x1072/6_douglas_dc_4_americano_pousa_em_paranava_e_mandaguari_98e1 14ff07e29c222f69a54da01255aed2d20a97.png
The above was written by Jonas Liasch in 2008 and I thank him for this which was published on an Internet Blog 'Cultura aeronautica Brazil'.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/847x338/dc4_brazil_cars_ec6f6ca61c2262c23678e3973f37bb142a38acc4.png

OUAQUKGF Ops

28th Apr 2024, 10:15

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/868x495/screenshot_2024_04_28_at_10_43_48_refuelmosquito_jpg_jpeg_im age_695_396_pixels__dc92ad44e3f0892f648275c8dc86ffcf2820fe3e .png

See Links: https://www.reelstreets.com/633-squadron-background-material/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamish_Mahaddie

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/911x603/hamish_mahaddie_ee3ed6cbe8853d340b84a4a82ca6611ac9be170b.jpg
Hamish Mahaddie at Duxford. (Image Donald MaCarron)

John Crewdson at Gatwick 1956 (Below).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuZyizsLUYo

chevvron

28th Apr 2024, 16:07

Filming for 633 Sqdn including the Mosquito crash scene took place in July/Aug 1963 and the film was released in Jun 1964.
Along with a schoolmate, Mike (both of us being members of 2204 [Chesham] Sqdn ATC) we decided to pay a visit to Bovingdon early in the school summer holidays ostensibly to scrounge a flight with one of the Comms Sqdns.
We sat in the terminal building along with 4 or 5 other cadets from local squadrons when Donald Houston walked in and with a cheery 'good morning' headed for the main toilets with a newspaper under his arm. We were told there was no station flying programmed so Mike and I wandered off to the hangars to watch the filming. Being in 'RAF' type uniforms nobody took any notice of us when we lurked behind the camera (just the one Panavision; no back up VCR in those days) and arc lights while a couple of scenes were shot involving Houston and fellow star Cliff Robertson, then at the front of the hangar we noticed the aircraft for the 'crash' scene was parked on the apron ready for it's big scene next day. We walked over and looked at it and from only inches away those 'bullet holes' were seen to be bits of thin plywood skilfully painted and glued to the fuselage. Regretfully I never thought to note the date of this but as I said it must have been mid/late July and was the day before filming of the crash took place; John Crewdson was hovering in the background.
My log book shows that we both got a flight in Anson PH859 on 5 Jun 1963 and our visit was during July early in the school holidays. My next flight was 2 hours in Shackleton WR966 on 29 August (ie well after the 'crash' scene) but that was from RAF Aldergrove; we were on summer camp at RAF Ballykelly but due to re-surfacing we flew from Aldergrove.

First_Principal

28th Apr 2024, 21:31

I was interested to follow up a little on the British Pathé article, which of course led to 'War Lover' as has been reported on in this thread several times. This link (https://www.pbase.com/easystreet/notes_on_the_filming) gives some more background on that, relevant to Bovingdon, and John Crewdson, I don't think it's been referenced previously...?

Also, while it may be peripheral to this story, I found this video with Gilliam Aldam very interesting (Gillian being John Crewdson's partner):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPIr5QPXvSg

chevvron

29th Apr 2024, 11:05

I happened to see 'Mosquito Squadron' over the weekend. I'd never watched the whole film before for various reasons (eg it was rubbish) however on this occasion, I noticed that when they were practicing the 'Highball' drops at Bovingdon (no practice drops took place at Minley Manor) the run in track to the 'tunnel' was parallel to a slightly 'bent' taxiway to its left.
That taxiway has some signficance to me because that was the 'runway' I used for the first ever glider circuit at Bovingdon.
The late Fg Off Paul Duncombe flew the glider (Mk3 WT871) in from Halton on 21 Jun 1965 and as I had been head of the ground party to recieve him, I was given the privilege of flying the first ever complete circuit just over 2 years after I had been at Bovingdon watching the filming of '633 Squadron'. Paul flew in the back seat as check pilot but didn't touch the controls or even give me any instructions so I was in sole control.
It was 3 months before my 17th birthday so I couldn't drive a car on the public road but I could fly an RAF owned aircraft on an operational RAF station.

OUAQUKGF Ops

29th Apr 2024, 11:15

Thanks very much FP for the interesting link with details of the genesis and production of 'The War Lover' . This has saved me a fair bit of typing. When I came across the footage of John Crewdson and his helicopter trailer it put me in mind of a 'Queen Mary' aircraft recovery trailer. The last time I saw one of these in use was at Bovingdon one day in late 1961 or early 1962 when with great sadness I watched the fuselage of a B-17, having done its bit in the movie, being slowly transported along the Chesham Road and away to the scrap yard. It was very likely N5232V a Boeing PB-1W. Two PB-1W aircraft were used for the film the other being N5229V which I believe was scrapped at Manston following a tailwheel collapse. The third B-17 used was a VB-17G N9563Z. Whilst the two PB-1W aircraft are in appearance pretty much indistinguishable from each other the VB-17G can be told apart by having only two cheek windows on each side of the nose. One should take absolutely no notice of the tail numbers when trying to decide which B-17 is which as they were swapped around along with various other 'modifications' and nose art to give the impression of a greater number of aircraft than there actually were.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/900x616/0661051_n9563z_at_lgw_tim_spearman_a7ee26e183f9e6572b4369e27 567d62f41297506.jpg
N9563Z on arrival at Gatwick 8th October 1961. Markings on tail read: 'Supplied by Aero America, Tucson, Arizona' (Emblem below of John Crewdson's Company Film Aviation Services Ltd).
Many thanks to Tim Spearman for the image.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/900x512/n5232v_lgw_aviation_photo_0077956_boeing_b_17g_flying_fortre ss_299p_columbia_british_pictures_f10e32a2b4942f697f97ba7cbc 5570624962e55c.png
N5232V on arrival at Gatwick with N5229V just visible beyond. Image as captioned with thanks.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/803x541/fuselage_boeing_b_17g_flying_fortress_n9814f_32452_film_avia tion_services_1e531b9180857eaefca88fc8d7ab9d2035e2ae72.png
Arriving at much the same time from Israel and pictured here at Croydon is the fuselage section used at Shepperton for some interior footage. Many thanks to Bill Fisher.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/900x578/mil28608_pb_1w_9a7d04b3c2dbb856afc5e5120825c02e97e4b0d2.jpg
A PB-1W probably Bovingdon - note nicely laid hedge - no nasty mechanical flails which are so common today.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/900x564/screenshot_2024_04_28_at_23_51_4_bovingdon_5ad63a04d69cdab90 15a1a0fbb0f71c376e22784.png
A PB-1W at Bovingdon. Image Duxman Collection via Anthony Clarke.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/900x524/screenshot_2024_downsize_bov_61_b62524c0cc76f11914beaa38324a fc3dbbe73bac.png
VB-17G N9563Z at Bovingdon. Image Duxman Collection via Anthony Clarke.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/900x446/screenshot_2024_04_26_at_10_07_49_the_war_lover_youtube_enha nce_5a4ccef2e3e31d8f9bd58750a9f641cc5c246272.png
N9563Z heading for the cliffs. Image Columbia Pictures.

However all was not Lost !

On 16th May 1962 N9563Z departed Gatwick for the USA and a publicity tour.......

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/900x598/ac1713862861157636_at_la_guardia_c36493315c39fbeedaae0caf252 d6e413a282cd8.jpg
At La Guardia Airport. Image as captioned with thanks.

A Musical Interlude at Meigs Field Chicago.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKSUQ03mGE4

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/900x215/brief_history_air_and_space_com_boeing_b_17_tankers_down_892 fc65626fa18fe5fe547f6d1b8b3be1fcff6d7.png

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/900x592/_n9563z_tanker_24_07_05_74_down_ebbddd754f60be63c82633e55c6b 5eeef0540145.png
Fire Bomber at Falcon Field, Mesa, Arizona. May 1974. Image Peter Foster with thanks.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/900x576/screenshot_2024_04_27_at_10_30_13_n9563z_89_down_9a1cbaf68b8 f411c7276afa513ff899214504c46.png
Open storage at Falcon Field - Nineteen-eighties. Duxman collection via Anthony Clarke with thanks.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/900x626/screenshot_2024_04_23_at_10_45_06_n9563z_boeing_b_17g_flying _fortress_private_matthew_donica_jetphotos_b3d5a0a2a21df6c6a d52e17c6cd01ab910bb5dd9.png
N9563Z at Oshkosh 2005. Image Matthew Donica, Jet Photos with thanks.

And Finally:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DU9wxPvbHw