Which Aerodrome Mk II

[olympus]

Time for another clue...

When I was there in 1982 getting in some Pitts' time, I was told that more aircraft were based there than there were on the whole British register. (That was from a British chap who worked for US AOPA HQ in Maryland)

[RegDep]

Would that be Kendall-Tamiami Executive Airport (KTMB) in Florida, olympus?

[olympus]

It would indeed! Over to you RegDep.

[RegDep]

Thanks olympus!

Here:

http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g472/RegDep/4.jpg

[BSD]

Haven't looked on here in a while, but great to see this fascinating thread soldiers on.

How about Bario, in East Malaysia?

Not that sure though, I think the Bario runway was more east/west than 20/02.

Worth a guess though I trust.

BSD.

[RegDep]

BSD, not in Malaysia.

Far away.

Reg

[Mr_Grubby]

Belize ??

C.

[RegDep]

Belize ??

Correct hemisphere and within +- 25° latitude, Mr Grubby :).

Edit: To compensate for somewhat illogical clue, some more:

In the US. Since taking the picture, the runway has become inactive and a new one has been built.

[RegDep]

Clue time:

This is the home of a charming lady.

[Mr_Grubby]

Is it in Idaho ?

C.

[RegDep]

Not in Idaho Mr Grubby :).

The charming lady may have been a bit tipsy at her prime days, given her name.

[MReyn24050]

Amelia Earhart airport Kansas, ?

[RegDep]

No Mel not her. This "Lady" is still with us. And her name is not part of the aerodrome.

[RegDep]

In a state that has Atlantic coast line....

[Phileas Fogg]

Martha's Vineyard?

[RegDep]

No, Sir, not Martha's Vineyard. No woman in airport name. Water, though, but not sea.

The Lady (not in distress in this case) was less interested in water than something fizzier. Worth goooogling.

[olympus]

Greenwood Lake Airport?

[RegDep]

Olympus,

Greenwood Lake Airport?

Correct, home of the Champangne Lady a.k.a. New Jersey Connie.

All yours!

[olympus]

You were too generous with your clues, RegDep!

Here's an easy one to keep things going...

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg150/gwpcrescue/mini-Airfield8.jpg

[Double Hydco]

Calais - Dunkerque?

DH

[olympus]

Didn't think it would last long. Yes it's Calais-Marck.

Over to you.

[Double Hydco]

Nothing at the moment. Open house.

DH

[Mr_Grubby]

Another easy one to keep things flowing.

C.

http://www.btinternet.com/~simon.gurry/Dadsphotos/airport115.jpg

[olympus]

Time for a clue, methinks!

[Mr_Grubby]

Yes, a clue. Northern Hemisphere & a bit remote.

C.

[RegDep]

Remote from where?

Lihue (LIH) Hawaii

[Mr_Grubby]

Reg.

Warm.

C.

[RegDep]

Hilo (ITO) Hawaii, different island. Must be the same architect :ooh:.

[Mr_Grubby]

Yes Reg, Hilo, Hawaii. The former General Lyman Field.

C.:ok:

[RegDep]

Thanks Mr Grubby.

I almost made it to a spoilsport, because I looked at your clue and thought: Why would an Englishman say 'a bit remote'? It must be on the other side of the world. I thought of New Zealand South Island. But because it was northern hemisphere, it must be on tho south edge. Hawaii! I zoomed in and the first airport was Lihue and it looked pretty good.....

Here is mine

http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g472/RegDep/Bildschirmfoto2011-01-25um162112.png

[chevvron]

Sao Paulo - don't know the name but not the international airport?

[RegDep]

Not Sao Paulo chevvron but correct hemisphere.

[Russell Gulch]

Simon Bolivar airport, Guayaquil, Ecuador?

If so, a very clever photograph, RegDep

[RegDep]

Simon Bolivar airport, Guayaquil, Ecuador?

So is it Russel Gulch!

Google is not always your friend :E

All yours! :D

[Russell Gulch]

Indeed.

Nothing available in the short term, so

OPEN HOUSE
Russ

[descol]

thanks russ - open house so ....

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv14/descol/prune26jan.jpg

[Mr_Grubby]

Eniwetok Atoll airfield.

NW Marshall Islands,where atomic and hydrogen bomb tests were carried out 1947–52

C.

[descol]

Mr G - How you ? correct - some might have seen it as Bikini - but yes its E....
OVER TO YOU

[Mr_Grubby]

Gentlemen.

Please bear with me for a couple of hours. I am having a few problems with the iron brain. I will post a picture shortly.

C.

[Mr_Grubby]

All sorted now.

Try this.

http://www.btinternet.com/~simon.gurry/Dadsphotos/airport120.jpg

[allan907]

Somewhere in Oz? (X marks the spot!)

[Sultan Ismail]

Southern Africa with distinctive water course but no water.

Learnt to fly there or somewhere like that.

[Dora-9]

Watts Bridge Queensland Australia ( formerly known as Toogoolawah) ?

[Mr_Grubby]

Dora-9.

Correct sir.:ok:

You have control.

Clint.

[Dora-9]

Open house then....

[olympus]

Try this one:-

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg150/gwpcrescue/Airfield10.jpg

[evansb]

Nairobi, Kenya ?

[chevvron]

Mahe Seychelles?

[olympus]

If Evansb can be a bit more specific...

[Out Of Trim]

Wilson Airport, Nairobi, Kenya ?

[RegDep]

Given the way olympus puts his words, my offer is Nairobi Eastleigh..... (ICAO HKRE)

Taken back :O. Found the picture under Nairobi West - Wilson Airport.

[olympus]

Out of Trim has it - Nairobi West aka Wilson Airport. When I last flew there its runway changed from tarmac to murram halfway along.

Over to you OOT.

[Mr_Grubby]

OOT.

If you have nothing to post, I have an easy one to keep things running.

C.

[Speedbird48]

Interesting picture Olympus,

I flew that C-150 when it was owned by Rusty Bowker. He was a training captain for East African and I also flew for them.

The performance of that 150 at the density altitude of Wilson, and us two fairly large guys was interesting to say the least!! We spun it over the Rift Valley so that we had sufficient daylight beteen us and the ground to recover!!!

Thanks for the memory.

Speedbird 48.

[merlinxx]

Many a 'head banging' night in the Dambusters:E

[RegDep]

Not really being someone to say something, but why not post your challenge, Mr Grubby.

[Mr_Grubby]

Right then. How about this ?

http://www.btinternet.com/~simon.gurry/Dadsphotos/airport123.JPEG

[RegDep]

Cubi Point Naval Air Station (Subic Bay), Olongapo City, Philippines. Some time ago.

[Mr_Grubby]

Reg.

Spot on !! :ok::ok:

Over to you.

Clint.

[RegDep]

Thank you Clint!

My next

http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g472/RegDep/Bildschirmfoto2011-01-31um170746-1.png

[Mr_Grubby]

Oh come on Reg !

Looks like the British Car Auction @ Blackbushe prior to their next sale.

C.

[RegDep]

No Sir. Not British and was in airport use up until 2007. Not to be found in Abandoned & Little Known Airfields, though.

Edited to add: General Motors cars.

Edit 2: Was an important supply and evacuation aerodrome during a siege.

[Mr_Grubby]

Bit obscure this one Reg, but....

Saint Petersburg Rzhevka Airport.

GM Motors opened up a new factory in St. Petersburg (Stalingrad) and Rzhevka Airport closed in 2007.


C.

[WE992]

Berlin Templehof also closed in 2007!

[Phileas Fogg]

Mr Grubby,

St. Petersburg is/was Leningrad, not Stalingrad! :)

[RegDep]

Bit obscure this one Reg, but....

Not at all obscure Mr Grubby. There was all you needed :)

Wikipedia quotes (via a translator program):

The airport was built in the Leningrad region in 1941 as a military airfield, and was a base for Soviet fighters. In those days it was called "Smolny" and played an important role in the defense of Leningrad.
During the siege of Leningrad at the airbase "Smolny" airport formed an air bridge connecting Leningrad to the mainland: through it, the city was delivered over 5000 tons of food, 138 tons of mail, dozens of tons of medical supplies. The return flights took more than 50 thousand citizens of Leningrad - children, wounded, highly-skilled workers, and conducted an operation to evacuate the Kirov factory.

In 2009: the runway airfield is used only as parking lots for new vehicles local car dealers. In what area will be used as office and storage .....
In 2008 a Moscow Group of Companies bought 36 hectares at Rzhevka the construction of a business park area of approximately 500 thousand m2. This territory will be mainly office properties

The usual story: From glory to industrial park :sad:.

All yours Sir!

BTW: it may still have its ICAO / IATA: ULSS / RVH active, and some part of it is used as light aircraft airstrip.

Edit: WE992, Berlin Tempelhof will become a park, but no car park! No way! http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g472/RegDep/no.gif

[Mr_Grubby]

Gentlemen,

I bow to your superior knowledge.

Any ideas on this ??

C.

http://www.btinternet.com/~simon.gurry/Dadsphotos/airport128.jpg

[Krakatoa]

Looks like Asia, Thailand

[Mr_Grubby]

Krakatoa.

Yes, Asia.

C.

[Max Tow]

If that's the rare combination of a LET412 alongside a YS11, I'd say Zamboanga? O/H if correct as I'm off for rest of today.

[Mr_Grubby]

Max Tow.

Spot on ! Zamboanga International, Phillipines.

What's the connection between the Let 412 and the YS 11 ?

As declared, OPEN HOUSE.

C.

[Max Tow]

Tks Mr.G - connection only insofar as there aren't many places where both types operate...YS11 is a rare bird!

[MReyn24050]

The list of challenges published to date has been updated.
Mel

[Mr_Grubby]

Mel.

On behalf of everybody, may I say thanks for your efforts keeping the lists up to date.

Job well done. Thanks.

Clint.

[RegDep]

As it is an OH, let me drop a small tidbit, which is not really a legitimate challenge. If someone wants to drop a real one, just whistle, and I'll remove this.

http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g472/RegDep/lentoasema.jpg

[Davidsoffice]

The signage and your clue suggests Moscow's Central Air Terminal on the old Khodinka field.

[RegDep]

No Sir. Wrong country!

[Mr_Grubby]

Korea ??

C.

[RegDep]

Not Korea Mr Grubby (not South, not North Korea :)).

[Russell Gulch]

Somewhere in Finland? :}

For a filum, perchance?

Russ

[MReyn24050]

which is not really a legitimate challenge
Reg is this a film set for a film including a scene from Moscow Airport, as Russell suggests?

[Russell Gulch]

Nice challenge, though!

[RegDep]

Yes. Anybody care to name the movie and or the airport?

OK, granted to Russel.

Helsinki-Vantaa (EFHE/HEL) staged life size for shooting Gorky Park (released 1983) to the amazement (and to some, agony) of incoming passengers.

At the time, shooting a spy film, starring i.a., Lee Marvin and William Hurt would probably not have been seen feasible in the real location :E. I think the feeling was shared both sides of the already falling "curtain"

[Russell Gulch]

Helsinki Vantaa, but I don't know the film.

Russ

[Russell Gulch]

Thanks RegDep, nice challenge!

Here's the next offering:

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/868mick/wa37.jpg

Russ.

[Mr_Grubby]

The Lowlands, Holland ?

C.

[Russell Gulch]

Right continent, wrong country.

[chevvron]

Going back to RegDeps 'spoof' entry reminds me of an occurence told to me by Reg Gregory, the FISO at Blackbushe many years ago.
They were filming there and the words 'Flughafen Oostofen' were painted in large letters on the roof of the terminal. Old Reg was down in the cafe for his lunch so the radio was unmanned and he saw an aircraft make an approach to runway 26 and overshoot (sorry 'execute a missed approach). It never did come back!!

[Russell Gulch]

Time for a clue, methinks.

France

[RegDep]

Dunkerque Ghyvelde Les Moeres (LFAK), although I don't understand what the one aircraft in upper right-hand corner is doing in the middle of a field.... No airfield there.

[barry lloyd]

Dunkerque Ghyvelde Les Moeres (LFAK), although I don't understand what the one aircraft in upper right-hand corner is doing in the middle of a field.... No airfield there.

I wondered about that, too, but assume it's an aircraft on short finals? The illusion being caused by the camera angle, perhaps.

[RegDep]

but assume it's an aircraft on short finals? The illusion being caused by the camera angle, perhaps.

Of course. Silly me! You can see the shadow.

[Russell Gulch]

Dunkerque it is.

You have the baton, RegDep

Russ.

[RegDep]

Thanks Russ,

A bit more arid one

http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g472/RegDep/Bildschirmfoto2011-02-03um115033-1.png

Edit: First clue to get things going: The challenge aerodrome is active and in use, however the runway in the picture is not.

[RegDep]

Ok: Last clue before someone gives a try: When I was there (only once) in the late 80s, there were scheduled flights to three capitals in the world, and one of them was Berlin.

[The SSK]

I feel like an impostor, I haven't visited this thread in ages. Nor am I very good at recognising pictures.

Maybe a bit better at deciphering clues:

When I was there (only once) in the late 80s, there were scheduled flights to three capitals in the world, and one of them was Berlin.

Pyongyang? The sort of place you would only want to visit once.

Oh, and I'm afraid I can't follow-up to any pic I might post so If I'm correct - it's open house again.

[RegDep]

The SSK

I feel like an impostor, I haven't visited this thread in ages. Nor am I very good at recognising pictures.

Not so bad...

In fact it is Sunan International Airport (IATA: FNJ, ICAO: ZKPY) - the main airport serving Pyongyang. The runway in the picture is closed, but the one south of it is fully operational.

The sort of place you would only want to visit once.

Not necessarily. Very interesting, I'd say, very interesting, indeed.

And the other two capitals served at the time were Moscow and Beijing (Berlin was Berlin, DDR, Schönefeld). The fourth international destination was Khabarovsk.

The SSK has requested Open House.

[descol]

I don't see this one on the list

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv14/descol/prunefeb3.jpg

[asw28-866]

No idea, but it looks like they built one 'set' of runways, didn't like the shape and started again!

[Phileas Fogg]

It wouldn't be Schiphol would it?

[evansb]

It looks U.S. military to me, a training base, somewhere on the eastern seaboard, perhaps ?

[descol]

evansb - US -yes

[evansb]

Andrews Air Base (Camp Springs), Maryland ?

[descol]

Not Maryland
Think 60s civil rights !

[Mr_Grubby]

Craig Field, Alabama.

C.

[descol]

Yes it is Mr.G - over to you
Des

[Mr_Grubby]

Thanks Des.

That was a tough one !

This should be easier.

C.


http://www.btinternet.com/~simon.gurry/Dadsphotos/airport118.jpg

[Sultan Ismail]

Selamat Datang di Mulu

Bit of a giveaway there.

Mulu Park

Northern Borneo or Sarawak, East Malaysia

OH if correct

[Mr_Grubby]

Sultan Ismail.

Correct !!

But what is the giveaway ? What have I missed ?

Clint.

Open house as declared.

[Sultan Ismail]

The left hand open room is the Arrival Hall with the welcome sign "Selamat Datang di Mulu". Perfect Bahasa Malaysia!

Thus Google "Mulu" and Presto!

Thank you for allowing me to solve one of your puzzles. I have this thread bookmarked as PPrune and pop in several times a day.

[Mr_Grubby]

Sultan Ismail.

DOH !!!
Never realised that.
I always knew I should have studied Bahasa Malaysia at school and not French !!

C:ok:

[sisemen]

In the grand tradition of Mr Grubby. See if you can get this one!

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c92/allan907/Unknownairfield.jpg

[RegDep]

Have we been cheated? THE NORTHAM AIRFIELD

http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g472/RegDep/field-1-2.jpg

Before it was paved (or sealed, as they say).

As said before, GiggleEarth is not always your best friend.

[Phileas Fogg]

Northam, WA?

[sisemen]

I would have put an arrow pointing to the hangar roof but I thought I'd keep it subtle :}

[RegDep]

Not sure if sisemen's subtle message constitutes a call, but in order to keep things rolling, I'll post the following. If I've got the message or the thread rules wrong, please tell me and I'll retract it:

http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g472/RegDep/Bildschirmfoto2011-02-08um143905.png

[sisemen]

Clear to go Reg. I was just having a little fun :} Northam WA it was. The clue was in the ....errr ....hangar roof.

[Mr_Grubby]

Looks a bit German to me.

C.

[RegDep]

It does, doesn't it? However, is not. But if your ballpark is about the size of a continent, in the right ballpark.

And thanks sisemen, it was a bit too obvious a clue not to be a red herring, hence my misgivings of being cheated one way or another :suspect:.

[evansb]

Buran landing strip, Yibileiniy-Baikonur, Russia?

[RegDep]

Interesting shot evansb and not so bad one :). The overall shape matches rather nicely, but the length of the Buran strip is a bit more than twice the challenge, and you don't see much water close to Buran strip.

Go west young man, go west :ok:

[RegDep]

I think a clue is desperately needed: This airport became visible in G*ogleEarth only some time ago, not because it was not there but....

[barry lloyd]

It looks to me like an emergency landing strip. No approach lighting/aids. No significant buildings. Surrounding roads/buildings remind me of rural Russia. Nearby lake and topography suggests north Russia, somewhere near the Urals (in the background). Am I getting warm - so to speak? :)

[RegDep]

No, you are not getting geographically warm.

Consider the possibility (not necessarily the case, though), that the picture could be redacted.

Edit to say: To avoid being overly ambiguous, I believe it is not redacted but the pavement is very new.

[barry lloyd]

Eastern Europe?

[RegDep]

Yes Eastern Europe Barry.

Edit to say: Eastern Europe, but not Russian Federation and the rest of CIS countries (as Europe was used to denote the continent of Europe in an earlier clue).

[Russell Gulch]

Amiko airport, Dakovica, Kosovo (LY90)?

[RegDep]

It is Russell!

Gjakova Airport AMIKO in Kosovo

Following the 1999 Kosovo War, the airfield has been expanded and modernized by the Kosovo Force (KFOR) and is (was?) used mainly for military and humanitarian flights. Since the airfield lies in the west of Kosovo, a sector under the command of Italian forces, the airport is (was?) operated and maintained by the Italian KFOR troops (and I think that's why it was invisible in the G*ggleEarth until recently). The resolution of this pic is not great, but you can see in the front of the picture something which may be the old strip, and even some helicopters that may have been evacuated from the apron during asphalting (my speculation).

Over to you!

[Russell Gulch]

Thanks, RegDep. A particularly challenging one, that was!

Here's the next challenge, with a bonus point for identifying the aircraft being serviced.

Russ.

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/868mick/wa/Image3-1.jpg

[chevvron]

Early days at Schipol with a DC8?

[evansb]

Hmm...American-made vehicles, plus the DC-8-50 Series appears to be belong to United Airlines.(So does the Convair 340 in the background). I'll guess San Franciso, California, (KSFO).

[RegDep]

:D:D:D

Construction Report: A Sneak Peek Inside SFO's New Airport Terminal - Telstar Logistics (http://telstarlogistics.typepad.com/telstarlogistics/2010/11/under-construction-a-sneek-peek-inside-sfos-newest-airport-terminal.html)

[evansb]

Thanks RegDep. Here is the next mystery aerodrome:
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r68/convair640/WAD110210.jpg

[KeMac]

Looks a bit like Exeter.

[RegDep]

Sorry evansb, I just sent what I found to celebrate your response - did not make the call. It should be Russell's.

Sorry for being unruly :sad:.

[evansb]

Not Exeter. You are too far south and west.

[Mr_Grubby]

RAF Wheaton Ashton.

C.

[evansb]

Sorry, not RAF Wheaton Aston. It does look similar, and you are getting warmer. The mystery aerodrome was a training base during WW.II.

[Phileas Fogg]

North Luffenham per chance?

[Russell Gulch]

Well just for the record, evansb was correct. Here's the original picture:

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/868mick/wa/Image2.jpg

and here's what it looks like more recently:

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/868mick/wa/Image1.jpg

It's interesting that a large part of the original building is still extant, including what was apparently the old control tower, later overshadowed. Perhaps it's now used for ground control?

Thanks RegDep for your recognition of the rules; no harm done, so I defer to evansb's challenge.

[asw28-866]

Looks very flat, East Anglia perchance?

[sisemen]

Shobden per chance?

[evansb]

More Cheshire.

[sisemen]

Calveley it is then. :E

[evansb]

sisemen is spot on.:ok: RAF Calveley. Your control.

[sisemen]

Clue: RPT drivers ought to get this one.

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c92/allan907/DSCF0042.jpg

[SMOKEON]

Mildura Airfield,Victoria.

[sisemen]

Spot on Smoke On. You're on.

[SMOKEON]

Thank you,Siseman.
"Open House".
Smokeon.

[Mr_Grubby]

Try this one.

http://www.btinternet.com/~simon.gurry/Dadsphotos/airport127.jpg

[evansb]

To get the party started, is it in SE Asia ? Anything of historical note about the aerodrome we should know ?

[Mr_Grubby]

Brian.

A long way from SE Asia.
Not many people live here.

C.

[RegDep]

Very U.S. looking water tower there......

[chevvron]

Tierra Del Fuego?

[Mr_Grubby]

Well spotted Reg.

chevvron, No.

C.

[Russell Gulch]

Flat, marshy tundra-type land; no sand on beaches. Rather industrial, rather than residential (so fishing-based industry?)

Alaska or Northern Canada?

[Mr_Grubby]

Russell.

No to location but yes to fishing.

C.

[RegDep]

Not many people there....

Sounds like one would be better off starting the search from Maine rather than Key West :confused:

[Mr_Grubby]

Reg.

Maine, good place to start a search.

But Maine, northwards or southwards ? Key West definitely northwards.

Clint.

[Russell Gulch]

Mmmm...thoughts...

North of Key West with a "U.S. looking water tower" (not necessarily the US of A) yet "few people" and probably south of Maine (but not definitively so). (Maine and points north on that side is fairly rocky, rather than tundra-like.)

On a coastline? (freshwater or saltwater not specified) but definitely a fishing community (that narrows it down a bit :)).

So I think a few questions might be in order:

1. Is the "U.S. looking water tower" actually in the US?

2. Is the visible water fresh or salt?

Russ

[Mr_Grubby]

Russ.

Yes the water tower is US of A.

The water is salt not fresh.

The world is your oyster.

C.

[RegDep]

Tangier Island in Chesapeake Bay. Not many people live there for sure.

Probably warmer there than here where I am now, though. We have now only -26°C. Last night -29°C. A couple hundred miles North -39.7°C last night.

Open House if correct, Mr Grubby.

[Mr_Grubby]

Reg.

Correct. Tangier Island, Accomack County, Virginia.

Population about 600. Main industry, crab and oyster fishing.

Wow ! -29C thats cold. Where are you ?

Open house then.

Clint.

[seacue]

I submit this as the next challenge. I expect it to be VERY easy for some on this list.

http://members.toast.net/rcarpen/aero0204.jpg

[Cubs2jets]

Pompano Beach, Florida.

If correct, Open House.

C2j

[seacue]

Yes, it is Pompano Beach Air Park (KPMP). That's a Goodyear blimp hangar in the distance.

I figured that Cubs2Jets or another southern USA lurker would get this one.

He has declared OPEN HOUSE

[Tacklebury]

As it's Open House, I'd like to submit this :-

Tack.

http://www.btinternet.com/~simon.gurry/Dadsphotos/airport126.jpg

[descol]

Tack - it has to be the Pacific -? perhaps Solomon Islands - how about Tulagi ?

[Tacklebury]

descol.

You're in the right part of the Pacific but not Tulagi.

T.

[descol]

I' ll have another go - how about the the strip serving the Shortland Islands ?

[Tacklebury]

descol

No not the Shortland Islands

T.

[Duckbutt]

How about Ponam Island?

[Tacklebury]

Duckbutt.

Well done ! Spot on.

Ponam Island. The Admiralty Islands. A group of eighteen islands in the Bismarck Archipelago, to the north of New Guinea in the South Pacific Ocean. These are also sometimes called the Manus Islands, after the largest island.

You sir, have the helm.

Tacklebury.

[Duckbutt]

Thanks. How about this:

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/Twyler/Puzz-.jpg

[kenparry]

Germany? Looks like a NATO field built adjacent to a WW2 site.

[Duckbutt]

Partly right in your description Ken, but not Germany.

[Russell Gulch]

Even the "new" bit looks disused; is this the case?

Russ

[Duckbutt]

Most definitely in use, Russ. Although I do not have more recent figures, in 2000 the runway at the top saw over 70,000 movements.

I have no reason to doubt that the current figure would be much different.

[Mr_Grubby]

Poland ??

C.

[Duckbutt]

Not Poland Mr G

[Duckbutt]

I'll be back early evening - in the meantime this is a pic taken here a couple of years ago:

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/Twyler/Puzz-a.jpg

[Russell Gulch]

The aircraft is a Rafale (possibly the M variant), and the runway could be from where they train carrier operations? I can't see regular piano keys.

Although I can't imagine that catering for 70,000 operations.

Is it in France?

[Duckbutt]

Your first sentence is factually correct, Russ, the orange truck in the background carries a set of carrier guidance lights for landing aircraft.

The pic definitely was taken over the runway in question but the aircraft type may be described as a bit of a 'hareng rouge' and is not in France.

[evansb]

Fentress Naval Aux. Landing Field, Chesapeake, Virginia, U.S.A. ?

[Duckbutt]

Mr Evansb has it, NALF Fentress VA, satellite field to NAS Norfolk primarily used for train pilots for carrier landings.

Over to you Sir.

[evansb]

Thanks DB. Good challenge! Here is the next mystery aerodrome:
(The photo was taken in 1918)
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r68/convair640/WAD110216.jpg

[igs942]

Could that be Cramlington?

Open house if correct.

[twochai]

Mr Evansb has it, NALF Fentress VA, satellite field to NAS Norfolk primarily used for train pilots for carrier landings.

OK, that explains the very tight spread of black touchdown marks, not more than 300'-400'!! Pretty smart, those Navy guys!

[sisemen]

Sutton Bridge Lincs?

[evansb]

igs942 is correct. :ok: Well done:D As he said, OPEN HOUSE

[Mr_Grubby]

http://www.btinternet.com/~simon.gurry/Dadsphotos/airport117.jpg

C.

[Mr_Grubby]

So, 24 hours and no bites.

This picture was taken in the 1930's and the aerodrome is still active today with gliders.

C.

[Old Bald Pilot]

I'll try Kenley if only to break the silence.

[Mr_Grubby]

OBP.

No not Kenley. Wrong side of the English Channel.

C.

[Russell Gulch]

Is the building extant?

[Mr_Grubby]

Russell.

No. A very modern aerodrome it seems from the pictures.

Flat with gliders only.

C.

[Davidsoffice]

If the building isn't there anymore there's not a lot to go on.... The only French gliding only field I can think of is Buno-Bonneveux

[Mr_Grubby]

David.

Not France but close.

C.

[sycamore]

Could be from further E-NE-N,chips and clogs...?

[sisemen]

Stab in the dark because it's so different from the 30s - Koksijde?

[Mr_Grubby]

Clogs, yes but not Koksijde !

C.

[RegDep]

Saint-Hubert?

Edit to ask: Is the wing in the picture of OO-AKY?

[SMOKEON]

Haamstede Airfield. 1930s
Smokeon

[Mr_Grubby]

Smokeon.

Correct sir.

Airfield Haamstede (Dutch: vliegveld Haamstede) is an airfield bordering the town of Haamstede on the island of Schouwen-Duiveland in the southwest of the Netherlands.

You have control.

C.

[SMOKEON]

Thank you.
Open House.

[olympus]

This isn't on the list but shouldn't last long...

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg150/gwpcrescue/mini-Airfield11.jpg

[Wodrick]

No idea, naturally, but I wish we had those tail docks when I worked on 707s instead of a cherry picker !

[RegDep]

Beirut - Rafic Hariri International Airport

http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g472/RegDep/Bildschirmfoto2011-02-20um005057.png

[olympus]

That's it. Over to you.

[RegDep]

Thanks olympus!

Again a bit unorthodox challenge. Stay tuned for a slight deception.

http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g472/RegDep/bf.jpg

[Cubs2jets]

Judging from the landscape, the gas wells and the "geometric" roads, I'd guess a WWII airfield somewhere in the SW US. Texas or Oklahoma? Possibly New Mexico or southeastern California?

C2j

[RegDep]

No, another continent and another era.

[Duckbutt]

At first sight I don’t know where it is Reg, but may I observe that its nice that you, like most, (but unfortunately not all) regulars on this thread, appreciate that the unspoken price of enjoying and winning the chase is taking the trouble to find a worthy follow up challenge which stretches the detection skills of the rest of us.

[sycamore]

France or Belgium,or fuuurther East ? Could be missile silos ?

[RegDep]

Thank you Dockbutt! This one calls for stretching ones imagination because "it is elsewhere".

And sycamore: Not France or Belgium, but fu(uu)rther East (Sic!). Not missile silos.

[sycamore]

Is Vietnam/Thai/Laos faaarr enough?

[RegDep]

AAAAAAALLLLLLL too far sycamore

The distance between further and fuuurther is about 500 km.

[SilentHandover]

Russia? Or am I barking up the wrong tree with the fuurther?

[RegDep]

SilentHandover not Russia. The clues are a bit convoluted (although complete logical IF you knew what the challenge is :8).

The challenge solution is located within about 500 kilometers from France-Belgium, and, as one clue mentions, maybe on a different location than it is meant to appear to be. (Did I manage in convoluting it a bit more :E ?)

The solution may be something else than a name of an aerodrome.

[chevvron]

An autobahn airfield in former East Germany, or possibly a decoy airfield if the Warsaw Pact used them. Can't tell exactly where but probably east of Berlin as I used to have a map which showed several autobahn airfields in this area.

[RegDep]

Well, chevvron, yes in DDR, but not east of Berlin and not an Autobahn airfield. I am ready to grant this one to you if you get something else right that was not right in your reply (east of Berlin and Autobahn have been used :E by now).

[chevvron]

'Stay tuned' and 'slight deception' were used earlier. I've never heard of the theory but is it possible it is a decoy airfield with radio/radar transmitting systems designed to fool NATO somewhere in the DDR? The pattern of dispersals/taxiways/HAS is more like Standard NATO than Warsaw Pact, so as a long shot, maybe intended to decoy NATO aircraft into landing in the DDR. If so it would probably be situated close to the East-West German border.
Sorry if it sounds convoluted but I read a lot of Clive Cussler novels.

[RegDep]

Chevvron I am going to grant you the Special Prize of Imaginative Aerodrome Guessing (yesterday, we had the Award Ceremony of Berlin Film Festival Golden Bear over here), and along with that the challenge:

This is a mock-up airport about 90 km NNW from Berlin, at the Wittstock bombing range of the Soviet Air Force (N33° 04' 55" E012° 40' 30"), to serve as a training target and representing the Bitburg Air Base (1952–1994), a front-line NATO base during the Cold War and which was the official home of the United States Air Force 36th Fighter Wing for over 40 years as part of the United States Air Forces in Europe.

It was rotated some 60 degrees, but otherwise a good copy. Still clearly visible in GiggleEarth. I did some picture overlay of a screenshot of GE of Bitburg over this area, and it fits perfectly.

So further East from France-Belgium is about 50 km and fuuurther East is about 500 km.

Over to you chevrron :D:D:D !

[Cows getting bigger]

That looks like the old ranges at Wittstock to me.

Ooops, crossed posts.

[RegDep]

Cows getting bigger, sorry for being hasty. So it is, but granted to chevvron already.

[chevvron]

As I couldn't actually name it, in all honour I must offer it to Cows getting bigger who successfully did.

[RegDep]

Cows getting bigger, would you like to take it? I'd be glad to give it to you.

[Cows getting bigger]

I never quite got to see the place having to stop a little short at the Rheinsberg Gap. As well as being a 'range' there were a number of long-range radar sites.

OK, what about this one

http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g476/Cows-getting-bigger/CIMG1114-1.jpg?t=1298270535

[SMOKEON]

Belfast Airport (Aldergrove)?
Smokeon.

[Cows getting bigger]

Well, that took all of 64 minutes. :*

[SMOKEON]

Thank you. Excellent photograph.
Open House.

[descol]

I don't think this is on the list ?

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv14/descol/prune21-1.jpg

[Mr_Grubby]

India ??

C.

[descol]

C. not india

[Russell Gulch]

It's a bit difficult to see, but are they palm trees (or date palms)?

Florida or the Caribbean?

[descol]

Russell - apologies for the scale --I suspect they are palms trees - you are in the right region

[SMOKEON]

Tocumen Airport, Cerro Azul,Tinajitas, Panama.
Smokeon

[descol]

that's it smokeon - all yours

[SMOKEON]

Thank you.
Open House.
Smokeon

[Duckbutt]

Well done Smokey, quickly checking back you must have won about 25 challenges on here now. So, open house (why am I not surprised?), what about this one then:

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/Twyler/Puzz-36a.jpg

[descol]

I have to tell ya DB - I don't have a clue-very odd airport structures !

[Blanket Stacker]

These look like the remains of an airship hangar in the USA. I've seen them at Weeksville, NC and will suggest that location as a longshot, though the trees don't look right. If by some chance I'm right, Open House - I may not get back on for 24hrs or so.

[Duckbutt]

Exactly so 'Stacker, but not Weeksville.

[SMOKEON]

NAS Hitchcock ,TX.
Smokeon

[Duckbutt]

Exactly so Smoky. Open house?

[SMOKEON]

Open House.
Smokeon

[Duckbutt]

Gotta respect a skin as thick as that!

:D

[Mr_Grubby]

How about this place ?

C.


http://www.btinternet.com/~simon.gurry/Dadsphotos/airport124.jpg

[SMOKEON]

Congonhas Airport,Brazil.
Open House, if correct.
Smokeon

[Mr_Grubby]

Well done Smokeon.

That must be a record. Just 8 minutes !!!

As you have declared, Open House.

C.:ok: