Which Aerodrome Mk II

[Mr_Grubby]

B.

Roger.

Thanks.

C.

[twochai]

What I want to know is 'did you clear the fence?'

[Mr_Grubby]

More pictures of Numbi can be found on this site.

Well worth a look.

South Africa: Numbi Trip 2009 - VAF Forums (http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t=48583)

Clint.

[evansb]

Racing Snake most likely won't post a photo, so I hereby declare OPEN HOUSE.

[India Four Two]

bri,

I'll jump in with this one, which I have been to - by four-wheel drive, not by air!

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c309/india42/af1.jpg

[Mr_Grubby]

India 42.

Are we still on the same Continent, Africa ?

C.

[chevvron]

Well there seems to be a rift valley.......

[seagull617]

Looks like Mt Tarawera airstrip.

[TheChitterneFlyer]

I reckon Seagull is correct.

[India Four Two]

I reckon Seagull is correct.


You reckon correctly, TCF - Seagull has got it. I expected a Kiwi would be first with the answer :)

It is the airstrip on Mt. Tarawera (1100 m), southeast of Rotarua in New Zealand, built by the US Army during WWII for training purposes. No longer used.

chevvron, yes, it is a rift valley of sorts. It is a 10 km long chain of interlinked craters created by a devastating (and unexpected) eruption in 1886.

Besides the trip up there in a 4WD bus, you can also go by helicopter or for AH&N fans, you can do a fly-by in an Otter float-plane.

Seagull617, you have control.

[seagull617]

Thanks India 42 - I have control,

Yes, I've been to Tarawera too - but not by 4WD.

Heres another one from my 'archives' ....

I went into this one with a BA Trident skipper in the mid-80's. After we landed he let out a 'very old' lungful of air and whispered "That's slightly out of my comfort zone".



http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii26/seagull617/hunt1.jpg

[seagull617]

The previous shot doesn't quite show you the sharp drop off at the threshold, there are cliffs at both ends so undershooting is not desirable to say the least. It is very short.

So there's no ILS, (or even power or sanitation). You can't even access this one by 4WD and it would take at least a week to walk in (if you were in excellent shape).

So. Admittedly its not Heathrow, but it has got a certain appeal - you can shoot a deer on the runway at dawn or dusk most days, or climb down the cliff and catch a large trout in the river using anything you might want to tie to the line - they are that uneducated.

Here is another shot looking in the same direction. Showing the standard procedure for announcing the arrival of the inbound service. After taking the photo it is a good idea to assume the prone position.

You now have enough clues to solve this one

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii26/seagull617/185.jpg

[tonker]

Compton Abbas:\

[chevvron]

Grande Baie - no I'm only joking.

[seagull617]

Tonker - No not Compton Abbas. I flew out of there once or twice and I remember some of the loveliest countryside in England.

BG

[Mr_Grubby]

Boyd / Oamaru airstrip.

C.

[seagull617]

Mr G,

Neither Boyds nor the Oamaru.

But superb guessing - bang on with the general neck of the woods.

BG

[Mr_Grubby]

BG.

Ok then Alabaster airstrip.

Clint.

[seagull617]

Not Alabaster Clint.

Keep going.

[Mr_Grubby]

Right then.

Running out of suggestions now.

Siberia Valley ?

C.

[seagull617]

Clint,

Siberia and Alabaster are light years away in the South Island.

Try googling your first two.

Barry

[Mr_Grubby]

North Arm Te Wai O Tupuritia Stream.

C.

[seagull617]

Not the North Arm.

But you are so close you can almost smell it. Exactly the right neighbourhood.

B

[seagull617]

Clint,

Think "All Blacks" - as opposed to "Lions" (who are they?)

Barry

[Mr_Grubby]

Landsborough, Haast ?

C.:ugh:

[seagull617]

Landsborough? - Too far away - another galaxy even.

Boyds, Oamaru and North Arm are close to the jackpot.

Nearly there.

B

[Mr_Grubby]

Last roll of the dice !!

Footy Fields Strip ?

C.

[seagull617]

Clint,

We got there! Well done! For more info on the Footy Field click on,

Air Charter Taupo Hunting Trips (http://www.airchartertaupo.co.nz/index.html)

It has an interesting story from when it was made. This was told to me by Graeme, the Chief Pilot of Taupo Air Charter as I wasn't around at the time it happened.

'After the decision was made to open up the area for fixed wing operations a new airstrip needed to be formed. An impossible lack of 4WD access meant that everything had to be airlifted in by chopper. A small Bobcat bulldozer was chosen but unfortunately it couldn't be lifted by a Hughes 500 and there were no heavy lift helicopters available.

No problem, says the team. We'll take it apart and split it into two pieces. This they did, but the Hughes couldn't quite manage a straight lift even then.

No problem, says the team. We will put a half Bobcat on the back of a flat-bed truck, connect the helicopter strop and set off down Taupo airport runway so the chopper can get enough translation to hoist it into the air. This worked fine.

No problem, says the team. While we have it airborne we might just as well take it to the strip site in the hills. This was accomplished safely, followed by a repeat of the flat-bed truck act down the runway for the second half. The two Bobcat halves were re-assembled at the airstrip site and after a while the 'Footy Field' airstrip was borne.

Problem. How do we get it back to Taupo? (No flat-bed truck or long runway). Bugger.

No problem, says the team. We will employ two Hughes 500's to jointly lift the Bobcat halves on a 'V' strop.

Then the second idea came to them.

Before we split the Bobcat into two halves again, lets see if the 2 x Hughes can manage the whole Bobcat. It would save a lot of bother.

This they did, and with a lot of groaning and straining the whole contraption lifted off the Footy Field, got over the end of the cliff and two things happened.

One of the strops broke, freeing up one chopper, and the strop release on the other chopper jammed. This resulted in everything heading downwards despite full collective and power in the 'up' direction. Observers on the airstrip lost sight of the Bobcat/helicopter formation below the cliff level and waited for the bang to occur.

What then happened was the wildly swinging Bobcat banged into the cliff face, which freed up the strop release. Next thing the observers saw was a Hughes 500 emulating a Phantom F4 in full reheat mode shoot skywards, shake itself, then sheepishly land back at the strip. After much muttering and head scratching it was decided to leave the Bobcat in its final resting place at the bottom of the cliff on the river flats by a nice holding pool of huge Rainbows. It is still there in all its rusted glory today.

End of story - The Footy Field - so named because it is shorter than a football field.

You have control Clint

Barry G

[Mr_Grubby]

Hard one that Barry !!

Interesting story behind it.

Here's the next.

http://www.btinternet.com/~simon.gurry/Dadsphotos/airport33.jpg

[ShyTorque]

Something makes me say Alderney but I don't know why. I only went once in a Puma and that was nearly 25 years ago.

[Mr_Grubby]

ShyTorque.

Not Alderney but I can see the road you’re going down.

The 1950’s Detroit Glamour Buckets parked there and the Fire wagon and that Official in a uniform and that large claxon on the roof.

Sorry !!!

Clint.

[evansb]

No students of American Colonial Architecture on pprune? Is it Hyannis Airport, (KHYA), now named Barnstable Municipal-Boardman/Polando Field, located in Cape Cod, Massachusetts ? Home of the Kennedy clan's compound.

[Mr_Grubby]

Yes Brian, it is.

Well done.

You are at the helm. I will be off line for a few days. Festive commitments.

I wish everybody who plays our little game a Merry Christmas and have a great holiday.

Clint :ok::ok::ok:

[evansb]

Thanks MG! Merry Christmas! Here is the next mystery aerodrome:
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r68/convair640/WAD091223.jpg

[Background Noise]

Think that's Hullavington.

[evansb]

Backgound Noise is spot on:ok: Quickly done! Your turn.

[Background Noise]

OK, thanks, here goes (circa 1993):

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

[seagull617]

BN,

Could you do us a favour and nip around the back of the photo for a look. There's a lot of glare on this side?

SG

[chevvron]

Wisley maybe?

[India Four Two]

Wisley? There weren't any large lakes or oceans in Surrey last time I looked. ;)

TDZ markings on a long runway but no airport infrastructure. A satellite runway somewhere in the US?

Christmas Greetings from my temporary location in NZ.

Simon

[Background Noise]

Sorry about the quality - but if it was too clear it wouldn't be so much of a conundrum. Taken through the window of a Puma and obviously into sun. Not in the americas however, nor UK.

[chevvron]

India 42: you obviously haven't flown over this area after a few days of rain!!

[seagull617]

OK. Maybe the long runway could be a shuttle divert site - Istres, France possibly?

BG

[Background Noise]

Not Europe. We are looking south-ish, and it is the weekend there now.

[sycamore]

Former East German airfield

[seagull617]

Mr Noise

Are you sure it is the weekend there already?

It is now 1245 local NZ (summer time) here and it is still only Christmas Day (Friday). We are 12 or 13 hours ahead of the UK and also ahead of most other places in the world and it won't be Saturday for another 11 and a bit hours in NZ.

Does the snow speed up your clocks over there?

Santa came last night by the way.

Merry Christmas (whenever it arrives).

B

[Double Hydco]

seagull617, I think BN probably means it's in a part of the world where the weekend is not Sat & Sun.......

I'm guessing near or middle east?

Pleased to hear Santa made it as far as NZ.

Merry Christmas everyone!

DH

[dixi188]

If it is Arabia, how about Pump Station X?

[Background Noise]

Not Saudi (not quite). Seems to have a new taxiway now and a bit more ramp space.

[sycamore]

Sharm El-Sheikh

[Background Noise]

Close - further north...

[dixi188]

How about AQABA?

[Background Noise]

spot on - dixi has it. Not much at all there in 1993, or in Aqaba itself come to that. It appears slightly bigger now.

dixi188 - the floor is yours.

[dixi188]

Open House, as I'm still having posting problems with this computer.
Old desktop with Windows 2000 works fine, but XP on Company Laptop causes me problems.

All this progress, I think I got on better with 3.1.1!:ugh:

[descol]

G'day all - open house, so how about this one ?
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv14/descol/2-1.jpg

[seagull617]

What a lovely runway! Almost a shame to spoil it with an aeroplane.

Is it American?

B

[evansb]

FYI seagull617, American runway numbering format does not use the zero, i.e. runway 09 would be runway 9 in the U.S.A.

[seagull617]

Thanks for reminding me, I was obviously having a 'senior moment'.

Its still a lovely looking runway.

Nice weather too.

Seagull

[descol]

Yes, lovely weather - runway not US.

[Bigt]

Australia?

[descol]

Yes - Southern Hemisphere -but not OZ

[merlinxx]

Could be Windhoek (the big one 46k out from city), but that's 26/08 if I remember ?

[descol]

Merlinxx - not Windhoek

[merlinxx]

Thks, just thinking in print:ugh: Too much green stuff for "Windy Corner":ok:

[descol]

Time for a clue
Runway is 30m wide and 1800m long and not generally active-was used by Japan Aerospace in 2003 for testing unmaned aerial vehicles (UEVs)
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv14/descol/UAV.jpg

[Mr_Grubby]

Aeon airfield, Christmas Island.

C.

[descol]

Yes Mr. G - correct.
Was it the clue that did it ?
Des
google shot below
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv14/descol/aeonfield.jpg

[TheChitterneFlyer]

Even with the clue and the name of the island it took me quite a while to find it!

Firstly, I was looking at the wrong Christmas Island (south of Jakarta), but then discovered Kiritimati/Christmas Island in the Pacific.

Good post.

TCF

[Mr_Grubby]

Des,

Yes, the clue.

Here's the next.

C.

http://www.btinternet.com/~simon.gurry/Dadsphotos/airport32.jpg

[evansb]

Nauru International Airport, (ANYN), Republic of Nauru, Melanesia, South Pacific.

[Russell Gulch]

How on Earth do you know all these places? :ok:

[sycamore]

Descol,Christmas Island is in the Northern Hemisphere......!

[Mr_Grubby]

evansb.

Yes Brian ! Well done. Over to you.

Clint.:D

[descol]

Apologies to all - Sycamore has corrected me - Kiritmati (Xmas Island) is not southern hemisphere - it is loacted at 1.5deg N.
Descol

[evansb]

Thanks. Here is the next mystery aerodrome:
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r68/convair640/WAD091230.jpg

[TheChitterneFlyer]

It looks very much like someplace in your 'neck of the woods' Evansb...

Alberta, Saskatchewen, or Manitoba?

TCF

[evansb]

Sorry, TCF, not in Canada.

[Tacklebury]

Think it might be Swan Island Airport, Portland, Oregon, USA in about 1935.

Tack.

[TheChitterneFlyer]

I reckon Tacklebury is right.

TCF

[evansb]

Tacklebury is spot on:ok: Located by the Willamette River, the airport closed around 1940, and serves as a ship yard. Aviation did return to Swan Island in the 1960s, when Columbia Helicopters established a base there. The current Portland International Airport is on the shore of the Columbia River. You have control.

[Tacklebury]

Thank you evansb.

This one from me.


http://www.btinternet.com/~simon.gurry/Dadsphotos/airport34.jpg

Tack.

[descol]

A cold day in Northern Europe ?:confused::(:sad:
Happy New Year to you all.

[chevvron]

Habbaniya?

[Tacklebury]

Thank you descol.
HNY to you.

chevvron, not Habbaniya.

Tack.

[Ridge Runner]

There's a runway there somewhere?

[Tacklebury]

Ridge Rider.

The runway is in the forground. This picture was taken in 1951 and Google shows the place much changed.

Tack.

[evansb]

Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany ?

[Tacklebury]

No, not Germany.

Tack.

[evansb]

USAFE La Martinerie Air Depot, near Aeroport Marcel Dassault, Chateauroux, France ?

[Tacklebury]

evansb.

Spot on sir !!!

You have control.

Tacklebury :ok:

[TheChitterneFlyer]

That's truly amazing... how on earth can anyone put a name to such an obscure (and closed) aerodrome? I'd be delighted to know where you find such information as this.

:confused:

TCF

[Tacklebury]

TCF.

If you Google Chateauroux Deols Air Base and look at Wikipedia, there is all the information.

Then have a look at Google Earth. There is a splendid view of the Airfield. I think there is even an IL 76 on the ramp.

Tack.

[TheChitterneFlyer]

Tack,

Yeah, I understand where to find the information; however, I'm intrigued as to how anyone can come up with a correct answer from such an old photograph; especially since the old aerodrome isn't marked as such on Google Earth. Nor is it entirely obvious (from Google Earth) that this once was, indeed, an aerodrome?

Congrats to Evansb... how do you do that? By stealth I imagine!

TCF

[evansb]

The '1951' clue was most helpful, given the quonset huts and tents are of U.S. design. The USAFE began a huge buildup of advance bases in occupied Europe in 1951. Here is the next mystery aerodrome:
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r68/convair640/WAD100102.jpg

[Double Hydco]

Is it in France, or perhaps a French overseas territory?

DH

[evansb]

Not France, and it hasn't been a French territory for over two hundred years.

[Mr_Grubby]

Well,

What about Iles-de-la Madeleine Airport, Quebec

C.

[BAMRA wake up]

Well done Mr Grubby, beat me to it, Google Earth is a perfect match, note the race track in the background + Ile d'Entree due south on the horizon.

[mr ripley]

Lordy, just found it too. Well done.

[evansb]

Clint is correct.:ok: CYGR was known as Grindstone before the frenchification of place names in Quebec. An NDB still bears the name. You have control.

[Mr_Grubby]

A slow starter this one.

So a clue. Southern Hemisphere.

C.

[descol]

As Chevron noted some pages back.
Grande Baie Mauritius - meaning I haven't a clue.
Mr G - you might have to offer another 'clue'

[Mr_Grubby]

Ok Des.

Err.... a bit difficult to know what to say without giving it away.

Volcanoes !!!

C.

[descol]

Tristan De Chuna ?

[Mr_Grubby]

Des.

No sir.

C.

[chevvron]

S'not Grande Baie - too many buildings!
Volcanoes to me = Lanzarote or Montserrat, but it's southern hemisphere with some 'european' in the roof designs so how about Kerguelen?

[Mr_Grubby]

chevvron.

T. not the Kerguelen Islands.

But you are right about the European conection.
The country where this airport is, has strong ties with its Motherland.

C.

[chevvron]

La Reunion?

[Double Hydco]

Jakarta - Halim?

DH

[descol]

Crozet Island(s) - lots of penguins - not sure about an airstrip ?

[Mr_Grubby]

Gentlemen.

It seems like I have made a gross error with this last Aerodrome. I have been doing some research myself and I have got this one completely wrong !! It is not in the Southern Hemisphere and forget about volcanoes.

I don’t know how the mistake has occurred or how I managed to post the wrong picture.

I can only apologize. I will not reveal the identity of the Aerodrome and maybe I can post it again in the future.

Again, I'm sorry.

I think it only proper to declare open house.

Clint.

(falls on sword) !!!!!

[descol]

Mr G. YOU OWE US ALL A PINT !

[Mr_Grubby]

Des.

If it were possible I would willingley buy you all a pint !!

Clint.:ok:

[chevvron]

But I only drink whisky.
Didn't mention those long sheds are very reminiscent of California 'cos you said it was southern hemisphere!

[merlinxx]

Has a look like old Torrance up from Redondo Beach

[Mr_Grubby]

I say again guys, open house.

C.

[Flap40]

I don't think that this will last long.

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj36/jodel_bucket/where-1.jpg

[one11]

Ballykelly, Co Londonderry

[Speedbird48]

Le Touquet.

Open house if correct as I am travelling.

Speerdbird 48.

[merlinxx]

Tis Le Touqe the BCAL 1-11 parked on the old BUA Silver Arrow ramp with the train into Paris. Aaaagghhh memories:ok:

[Flap40]

I told you that it would not last long!

As Speedbird48 said - OPEN HOUSE.

[descol]

If this has been here before - apologies - and if so, can someone let me know how to check without a complete trawl ?

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

[chevvron]

Ballykelly? But the trains across there were 5ft 3in gauge and the one in the picture is obviously metre gauge!!

[Mr_Grubby]

descol.

Yes, it has been done before on 13/9/09 post number 1043 submitted by evansb.

It is Bromma Airport Stockholm 1936.

If you look at the Sticky Threads on the Home Page of AH & N, the second one down is a list of Aerodromes and Cockpits that have been submitted. It is kept up to date by Mel and fine work he does too.

Click on Aerodromes and the list will appear.

Clint.:ok:

[descol]

Thanks Mr.G. I had a feeling it was there before - back to open house then.

[descol]

I did not see this one on the List - - probably easy for some ?
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv14/descol/x.jpg

[TheChitterneFlyer]

Nantucket Memorial

[descol]

Yes - an easy one eh ?
Over to you - in the snowy Chilterns ?

[TheChitterneFlyer]

Actaully, I'm in snowy Wiltshire.

Try this one... my first 'Which Aerodrome'.

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab107/cortonflyer/WA1.jpg

[descol]

Great picture - South Seas- perhaps Pago Pago ?

[emeritus]

Looks like short final for the lagoon at Lord Howe Island, about 400k,s off the E coast of Oz. Ansett ran the last scheduled flying boat service in the world between SYD n LHI
At this stage I do not have the skills to post so Open House.

Emeritus

[TheChitterneFlyer]

emeritus... correct.

Might I try again with something more of a challenge?

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab107/cortonflyer/WA2.jpg

[Bigt]

North of the border - Scotland?

[Gulfstreamaviator]

looks like their fence..glf

[TheChitterneFlyer]

Sorry, but it's not Scotland.

[chevvron]

The white sidewall stripe on the car tyre would indicate USA.

[con-pilot]

The white sidewall stripe on the car tyre would indicate USA.

Or Canada. I'm thinking it is a airport somewhere northern areas of North America. It looks familiar, but why it does I've not a clue.

[TheChitterneFlyer]

The airfield is privately owned by a minor corporate industrialist. There's an oil terminal not too far away from this location.

TCF

[Captain Airclues]

chevvron

I think that might be an alloy wheel rim rather than a white sidewall.

Dave

[Flap40]

Bantry Bay?

Open House if correct.

[chevvron]

Well it does look like a shingle beach in the foreground, but I for one wouldn't risk ally wheels on that surface.

[TheChitterneFlyer]

Flap40 is quite correct. That wasn't too much of a challenge then?

My next clue was about to read... 'Being next to the beach, it did reek of seaweed!' As in "MacGillycuddy's Reeks"...

They were my alloy wheels; just at the end of the tarmac road... no other place to park! But no dammage.

Open House

[Tacklebury]

As it's open house, I would like to submit this.

Tack.

http://www.btinternet.com/~simon.gurry/Dadsphotos/airport40.jpg

[TheChitterneFlyer]

Alhambra Airport... now a shopping centre... and Highway 10.

TCF

[Tacklebury]

TCF.

Spot on.

You have control.

Tack.

[TheChitterneFlyer]

I doubt that this one will last too long?

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab107/cortonflyer/WA3.jpg

[chevvron]

Boscombe Down?

[TheChitterneFlyer]

Chevvron is correct.

You have control.

TCF

[chevvron]

Sorry for the delay, Open House.

[Mr_Grubby]

Thanks chev.

One from me.

http://www.btinternet.com/~simon.gurry/Dadsphotos/airport44.jpg

[aviate1138]

I would so like a strip like that! :rolleyes:

[BSD]

Wow, is it in Vermont Mr. Grubby?

BSD.

[BAMRA wake up]

BSD, I was thinking eastern Norway or southern Sweden, based on the farm buildings ('Falun red' paint), mixed tree types and general topography. One, or both, of us is wide of the mark! Looks as if there are power lines and pylons in a deep valley behind the long barn.

Zooming in, looks like yellow European direction signs at the end of the road. Are American ones green?

[TheChitterneFlyer]

Cool; a grass strip and a tarmac runway... I jest of course!

TCF

[Mr_Grubby]

Bamra.

You are spot on.

C.

[Trolltuner]

OK, Mr. G, exactly where is it??? :)

[BAMRA wake up]

Any ideas trolltuner? Don't think I can home in any further! Doesn't look flat enough for Skane. The hidden deep gorge and lack of the usual Scandi rocks everywhere suggests a fertile easily eroded soil. If it's a summer evening photo the shadows suggest the camera is looking south.

East of Oslo?

[Trolltuner]

Bamra, it looks "eastern Norwayish" for sure - I'll have to do some more research. Nice pix though.

Cheers,

Trolltuner :):)

[Mr_Grubby]

OK guys,

It is Norway. Microlights fly from here.

Clint.

[Trolltuner]

Clint, could it be Haslemoen?

If not, how about another hint - it's a stumper. :)

Tom

[Mr_Grubby]

Tom.

It is not Haslemoen.

Nearby is a large Paper Mill.

Clint.

[Trolltuner]

Flaskerud, not too far from Hønefoss ?

[Mr_Grubby]

Tom.

No.

During WW 2 there was a concentration camp in the same district.

C.

[evansb]

Hmm...interesting. Maybe not. When this thread started, the #4 post, 11th July 2007, by IcePaq, quote " ..fully expects to see an unidentifyable grass field.."

Congrats and good hunting to those who find this field. Also, in the early days of this thread, the goal was to aim at historical and/or nostalgic subjects. Let us hope this one falls into one or both categories.

[Trolltuner]

Clint, it's Skogn Flyplass, a ways out of Trondheim. Sheesh, a tough nut that ! :ugh: Took me all day - the papermill nearby hint helped out. :)

Cheers,

Tom

[Mr_Grubby]

Well done Tom !!

The paper mill is Norske Skog and the WW2 camp was at nearby Falsted.

You have control.

Hey Brian, you having a bad day ? At least this picture had an aircraft in it, unlike so many pictures featured on this thread.

Chill out.

Happy New Year,

Clint.

[BAMRA wake up]

Just as a brief aside (this post is temporary and will be deleted shortly), there's a 'which aerodrome' puzzle on this page which some of the experts here might be able to help with:

COFEPOW - Research Advisers (http://www.cofepow.org.uk/pages/research.html)

[evansb]

I can't find Skogn Flyplass. Do you have an ICAO location identifier ? Thanks.

[Trolltuner]

OK, my first one (after having read through this fascinating thread and its precursor for far, far too many hours.... :ugh::) ):

Locals may recognize some of the background, but for others there are other clues in the pix. If it gets too quiet, I'll answer questions or provide more hints.

Cheers,

Tom

http://trolltune.squarespace.com/storage/flyplasser/NC20770_2.jpg

[simon niceguy]

evansb.

I don't think Skogn has an ICAO code. A bit like so many of your Canadian aerodromes.

Simon.

[Trolltuner]

evansb, no ICAO code, but here's a link: Mikrofly - Finale Skogn flyplass (http://www.plohn.com/mikrofly/finaleskogn.html)

[evansb]

Long Island, New York ?

[Trolltuner]

Evansb, yes, that is very, very impressive.... now what is the facility name? :D

[evansb]

Sands Point, Manhasset Bay ?

[TheChitterneFlyer]

Was it La Guardia?

[Trolltuner]

evansb, you got it - it's Port Washington, the seaplane base where the Pan Am Clipper Boing 314s made their stops during the 1930s.

The picture is from the early 1940s during WW II - the guy on the wing is my Dad. All three were Royal Norwegian Air Force out of training at Little Norway in Toronto and were preparing for a flight (classified mission) to the Panama Canal Zone. They followed the route of the Clippers and got support from Pan Am on the way.

The airplane was eventually sold to the US Navy in the Canal Zone.

evansb, YOU HAVE CONTROL ! :)

[Trolltuner]

TCF, no, but not far away. :)

[evansb]

Thanks, that was enjoyable. Here is the next challenge:
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r68/convair640/WAD100110.jpg

[sidtheesexist]

Seletar..............sorry i havnt checked the list

[evansb]

Not Seletar, but very close.

[Cubs2jets]

Kalang.

Paya Lebar is in the upper left in the distance.

Sorry to say, open house!

John Scott

[Trolltuner]

OK, to figure this one out, a little history knowledge is needed - suffice it to say it was at the aerodrome opening:
http://trolltune.squarespace.com/storage/flyplasser/DP-J.jpg

Cheers,

Tom

[Krakatoa]

Thats T33 heaven

[Mr_Grubby]

Sola ?

C.

[Krakatoa]

On closer examination more like F84's Norwegian Air Force ?

[Trolltuner]

Clive, no not Sola - although the T-33 in the foreground was indeed based there. And yes, Krakatoa, those are RNAF F-84's overhead.

Cheers,

Tom

[Mr_Grubby]

How about Bodo then ?

Clint.

[Trolltuner]

Nope, sorry.

[Mr_Grubby]

Vingen ?

C.

[Trolltuner]

Nope. BTW, where's Vingen?

T.

[Mr_Grubby]

Vingen Nordfjord. Famous for its Stone Age rock carvings and also the home of the Norwegian Model Aircraft Club.

I'll have one more go at Rygge.

C.

[Trolltuner]

Thanks. Have to admit, I haven't been too far north of Hardanger, so what do I know? :)

Not Rygge, Clive. Hint: Joint use.

Tom

[Tacklebury]

What about Gardermoen ?

Is the gentleman on the stand either Oscar Torp or Einer Gerhardsen ?

Tack.

[Trolltuner]

Tack, no it's not Gardermoen. Hint: The gentleman making the speech is Norwegian Defence Minister Nils Handal.

Cheers,

Tom

[Trolltuner]

Hint: The gentleman making the speech is Norwegian Defence Minister Nils Handal

Not so upon further checking. (Sorry to lead you astray :oh:). By the time of the formation overflight (24 Republic F-84s and 3 Lockheed T-33s), Handal had left the podium after the main festivities. The fellow in the picture is actually the director of military airport construction named Muller Ellefsen, who officially handed the aerodrome over to the RNAF (or RNoAF for some later purists :rolleyes:).

Didn't mean to mislead you.

Cheers,

T.

[aviate1138]

"By the time of the formation overflight (24 Republic F-84s and 3 Lockheed T-33s), Handal had left the podium after the main festivities. The fellow in the picture is actually the director of military airport construction named Muller Ellefsen......"

How could anyone hear anything he said with that lot blasting over his head!

Any chance of a real look at the airfield?

Thanks. :)

[Trolltuner]

....Any chance of a real look at the airfield?

I don't have one close by, but I'll give another hint that might help you: The field has a single runway.

T.

[Flap40]

How about Torp?

[Capot]

Or Orland?

[mr ripley]

stavanger sola?

[Trolltuner]

Flap40, Capot and Mr. Ripley: Sorry no, no, and no.

Come on guys, this should be easier by now. :)

Cheers,

Tom

[Gulfstreamaviator]

Was the building of the airport, based on recovered land, or as the curved taxiway suggests, the bank of the river. ?

Back to my history books,

gls

[BAMRA wake up]

Based on the clues so far: Kjeller, north east of Oslo?

[Trolltuner]

Bamra, good analysis of clues, but no, not Kjeller.

Let me repeat a hint from earlier: Joint use.

Tom

[Capot]

Hmmm, Nils Handal was Min of Defence '55 - '61, the occasion was completion of some new construction, possibly a training base with T33.....I get a partial match on Kristiansand Kjevik, but it's very tenuous, not least because it originally opened pre-war.

Joint use, too......

[WE992]

Banak, in the north.

[Trolltuner]

Hmmm, Nils Handal was Min of Defence '55 - '61, the occasion was completion of some new construction, possibly a training base with T33.....I get a partial match on Kristiansand Kjevik, but it's very tenuous, not least because it originally opened pre-war.

Joint use, too.....

Right Capot... but also right, it is not Kjevik.

By now, process of elimination should get you there. Another hint: Aerodrome opening day (as pictured) was 14 September 1955 for military, 2 October 1955 for civil traffic.

Cheers,

Tom

[Trolltuner]

No, not Banak WE992 - try further south. :)

T.

[evansb]

Bergen-Flesland ?

[BAMRA wake up]

Dang! You beat me to it and you're probably right evansb.

No obvious military presence last time I was there, which is why I had discounted it, but officially it is 'joint use', single runway and opened in 1955.

[Trolltuner]

evansb has done it again ! :D Congrats ! :)

.... Not a very obvious military presence, but it is joint use and single runway.

Bamra, true for today - but in the late 50s through the 70s there was a lot of activity at Flesland, even more at Sola where the T-33 in the pix was based with 718 Sqdn. If you're ever at Flesland, look around in the wooded areas - you'll spot the revetments / bunker hangars still there, camoflaged (sp?) with grass on the roof. Presumably empty ? :ooh:), but I remember seeing Northrop F-5s in there when they were operational not so many years ago. Wonder what would happen if I tried to get a tour ?? :)

evansb, the baton is yours to run with ! :D

Cheers all,

Tom

[G-ARZG]

See Bergen on Google Earth
Check those suspicious taxyways east of the 17 threshold, off into the trees and then...

[Trolltuner]

G-ARZG, yes, those are the ones to which I referred. When 17 is in use I always sit on the right side flying commercial to try and catch a glimpse as we taxi by - nothing yet, but I think I'll look into it closer.

Cheerio,

Tom

[mr ripley]

Well I should have got it. Have parked up the hill along the 'suspicious' taxiways.

[TheChitterneFlyer]

I've been up that hill quite a few years ago in a C-130 and I recall that there's a hangar built into hillside... at the end on the right.

TCF

[Trolltuner]

Mr. Ripley, you mean vehicle parked ? To get to the helo terminal ? Or what ? Sorry, just curious.

TCF, that's interesting. Were you bringing Brits here for winter maneuvers, or ? I remember convoys of them driving by my house on their way to Bomoen at Voss. Nice bunch of guys, they were.

The camo hangars are too small for a C-130, right? I only remember fighters in there. :)

There are still some of the same camo hardened hangars at Sola near Stavanger too.

Cheers,

Tom

[evansb]

Thanks Tom. There is an alternate view of Bergen on page 40 of this thread. Here is the next challenge:
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r68/convair640/WAD100111.jpg

[Trolltuner]

....There is an alternate view of Bergen on page 40 of this thread.

evansb, I missed that one for sure, and would have recognized the place right away.

Re: Thread Etiquette question - Is it OK to repeat the same facility already posted, given a completely different view?

Cheers,

Tom

[evansb]

I don't have difficulty with repeat aerodromes, as long as it isn't the same photo. Aerodromes change as time passes, so it presents a challenge. :)

[Cubs2jets]

Bader Field, Atlantic City, NJ.

C2j

[Trolltuner]

Darn, C2j ! You beat me to it ! :) In my research I found this aerial view. The place was closed (:confused:) in 2006. Sad.

Cheers,

Tom

http://trolltune.squarespace.com/storage/flyplasser/Bader_NJ_02.jpg

[evansb]

Dead right, C2j:ok:. Sad indeed that the Vegas of the East couldn't lobby for a downtown executive airport. Here is a more recent view:
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r68/convair640/AtlanticCity_Bader_Field.jpg

C2j has control !

[Cubs2jets]

Trollturner,

If you have a picture ready why don't you go ahead.

C2j

[Trolltuner]

OK, C2j, TNX. Here's one that I don't think I've seen here before: (Check the mountains in the background for a hint):

http://trolltune.squarespace.com/storage/flyplasser/Orken.jpg

Cheers,

Tom

[TheChitterneFlyer]

Tom,

TCF, that's interesting. Were you bringing Brits here for winter maneuvers, or ? I remember convoys of them driving by my house on their way to Bomoen at Voss. Nice bunch of guys, they were.


I visited Bergen during my very early days of flying and I recall that we were tasked to deliver an engine and support crew for a U/S RAF Jaguar. The taxi distance (over compacted and gritted snow) seemed like an eternity and it was quite a surprise to discover the open hangar doors to the 'cavern' where the Jaguar was stored.

The main runway was similarly 'rolled and gritted'... quite an interesting experience!

Might your latest photo be somewhere within 'Area 51' (Groom Lake)?

TCF

[aviate1138]

It could be Tonopah?

[Captain Windsock]

Pic deleted for the moment

[aviate1138]

Are we running two airports? The one with the legless T-33 looks like it could be Albuquerque?

[Trolltuner]

TCF, that's interesting. TNX. :)

TCF & aviate1138: No, not Groom Lake, nor Tonopah, nor Albuquerque - but there is a large dry lake nearby.

Captain Windsock: Kaanapali, Maui, Hawaii ?? (Hey, you're not supposed to be flying formation without PPR :=:):) ).

Cheers,

Tom

[Tacklebury]

Is somebody going to pm the good captain and just explain the rules !!!!

T.:ok:

[Mr_Grubby]

The Dryden Flight Test Cetnter, Edwards AFB CA.

Clint.

[mustpost]

Just popping in to suggest Nellis Air Force Base...

[Trolltuner]

Mr_Grubby. You got it ! Congratulations.

I believe the pix is taken looking towards the approach end of either 22L or 22R. Many years back I had occasion to fly in there in a Cessna 210 (with prior permission) to deliver some test equipment to Dryden. I was cleared to land on 22L (15,024 ft by 300 ft wide !). But since Dryden is at the far north end of the base, I requested and received clearance to land on "the compass rose", a giant circular compass marked in the dry lake bed. From there it was an easy taxi off the sand and up a concrete ramp to the flight line - felt like a "seaplane op". :)

mustpost, good guess but not far enough west.

OK, so over to you Clint ! (Caution Captain Windsock at your six. :) ).

[Mr_Grubby]

Thanks Tom.

Interesting story. Here is the next one.

Clint.

http://www.btinternet.com/~simon.gurry/Dadsphotos/airport43.jpg

[Captain Windsock]

Did realise there were rules :ugh: Sorry. Anyway Tom good guess but wrong.

[Mr_Grubby]

Captain.

Why don't you delete your picture to keep things simple ?

I'm sure that whoever guesses my aerodrome will not have a problem if you resubmit it then.

Clint. :ok::ok:

[descol]

Mr G. - no movement on this one yet ?
I'll start the ball - somewhere in Scotland ?

[Mr_Grubby]

Des.

No, a long way from Scotland.

Clint.

[Trolltuner]

Architecture strikes me as 1940s ? Is it in the USA ?

Tom

[Mr_Grubby]

Yes Tom, it is in the USA.

C.

[Mr_Grubby]

Well chaps.

We seem to have come to a halt.

Trolltuner has established that the aerodrome is in the US of A, not Scotland.

A clue. This place has connections with the American Civil War.

Clint.

[chevvron]

Ok I'll bite: Appomattox? (or more likely Richmond, seat of the Confederate States Government)

[Mr_Grubby]

chevvron.

No not Confederates. The other side.

Clint.

[con-pilot]

Would the airport in question be in New Jersey? If so I have two guesses.

McGuire AFB or NAS Lakehurst.

For now I'll go with McGuire.

[Mr_Grubby]

con-pilot.

No, not in New Jersey.

C.

[chevvron]

Gettysburg?

[Mr_Grubby]

chevvron.

T,

No, not Gettysburg. But in terms of distance you are the closest.

C.

[chevvron]

Williamsburg (yes I am bored; just launched an IFR dep and maybe a circuit basher just started up)

[Mr_Grubby]

T.

No not Williamsburg. Think along the lines of Civil War Heros.

Is it Fairoaks you work at ? If so, do you see Bob Trott ? Nice man. Pass on my regards.

C.

[chevvron]

Clarksburg. The circuit basher shut down.
Bob still comes in but since his heart attack not as often as he used to.