Which Aerodrome Mk II

[MReyn24050]

Welcome to the MK II stage of the "Which Aerodrome ?" thread originated by seacue. I understand that "Which Aerodrome? MK I" has became too large and unwieldy a file and had to be "ppruned". MK II is a continuation of MK I and will continue as it's predecessor did.

A list of all identified aerodromes from MK I is posted at the sticky "What Cockpit and What Aerodrome latest Lists". Future Aerodromes posted in What Aerodrome MkII will be added to the current list

Anyone needing to refer to "Which Aerodrome MK I" will find it in it's place of honored retirement here: http://www.pprune.org/aviation-history-nostalgia/283572-aerodrome-290.html

This is current challenge posted by brakedwell:-
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c32/sedgwickjames/1958.jpg

[MReyn24050]

Posted by Double Hydco on closed thread.

Is it El Adem?

DH

[brakedwell]

I am afraid not MReyn24050.

[Old Bald Pilot]

RAF Tengah, Singapore Mid 50s ?

[brakedwell]

OBP - too far east!

[XV277]

Rashid, Iraq?

(Camouflaged Vampires with fin flash and a line of Furies behind the Meteor)

[Kieron Kirk]

Rayak, Lebanon.

Ciarain.

[brakedwell]

KK & XV 277 - Not Rayak or Rashid, but you are in the right region.

XV 277, you must have brilliant eyesight!

[topgas]

Shaibah, Iraq? It has a hangar similar to that and at one time the airfield was outside the base, hence the wall and gate

[brakedwell]

Not Shaibah topgas

[Double Hydco]

Sorry, I think you closed it whilst I was typing my guess. Or perhaps I just wasn't paying attention?

Anyway, what about RAF Khormaksar Aden?

DH

[brakedwell]

Well done Jenkins - Habbaniya it is. Taken on April 12th 1958 from the flight deck of Hastings TG523.

You have control.

[Krakatoa]

Could it be Amman ?

[brakedwell]

OK JENKINS, I have a few more in the box. This one is a bit of a googlie.

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

[Kieron Kirk]

Indian AF Dassault Mystere IVA?

What appears below suggests "ein schwindel" !

Ciarain.

[nacluv]

OK, BD - I'll open the bidding at Macrihanish. The topography and colour make me think of Scotland, and I am deliberately ignoring the Mystere?? as I think that is the googlie...

[chevvron]

Looks more like Paphos to me.

[Double Hydco]

Is it Istres AFB?

[brakedwell]

I am afraid everyone is wrong, apart from identifying the aircraft as a Mystere!

[Kieron Kirk]

No clues?

Kalaikunda.

Ciarain.

[brakedwell]

The Mystere does not belong to the Indian Air Force and the Airfield is not in France.

[S'land]

As Honduras bought some of these aircraft let's try La Ceiba?

[brakedwell]

Wrong continent. Think club med!

[spook]

So a French AF Mystere? Which would probably make it either Tunisia or Algeria - Tafraoui?

[brakedwell]

Good logic spok, wrong answer I am afraid.

[evansb]

Nicosia, Cyprus ?

[brakedwell]

evansb well done. RAF Nicosia it is. You have control.

[evansb]

Thank you. Do you know when the Nicosia photo was taken? Here is the next aerodrome challenge:
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r68/convair640/WAD090508.jpg

[Mr_Grubby]

Woodford ??

C.

[brakedwell]

Thank you. Do you know when the Nicosia photo was taken?

14th April 1958.

[evansb]

Sorry, Mr Gubby, not Woodford.

[Double Hydco]

RAAF Williams Point Cook Base?

DH

[evansb]

The RAAF combined the administration of Point Cook and Laverton aerodromes to become RAAF Williams. The photo is of RAAF Laverton, VIC, Australia, (just SW of Melbourne).
DH has control.

[Double Hydco]

Thanks evansb.

Off to work early in the morning & nothing readily to hand so open house....

DH

[Old Bald Pilot]

http://i703.photobucket.com/albums/ww34/ericshipley/2ballocated435.jpg

Obviously all you Brits are in bed. So I'm throwing this one in.

[Old Bald Pilot]

http://i703.photobucket.com/albums/ww34/ericshipley/4ballocated038.jpg

It's gone very quiet. Perhaps a few clues are in order.
The Aircraft above is G-BDZX, the year 1987. A Flight Plan was required to go there. I just looked at google earth and it really looks much the same now.:ugh:

[brakedwell]

How about Lydd?

[Old Bald Pilot]

Sorry not Lydd, but it is on the coast.

[Upyer RRR]

How about Bradwell Bay, Essex?

[Bigt]

I dont think its UK.......France?

[Old Bald Pilot]

All the times I commuted from Clacton to SND I never took a photo of the disused Bradwell. Good guess though. Try the Atlantic Coast.

[Old Bald Pilot]

Bigt. Heading in the right direction.

[spook]

Palmeiras/Braga Portugal?

[Old Bald Pilot]

Keep going. You are nearly there.

[spook]

Sines, Portugal?

[Old Bald Pilot]

That's it. Well done Spook, over to you.:D

[spook]

Thanks Old Bald Pilot, - Here's the next one

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c195/phixer/meadow.jpg

[brakedwell]

Supermarine's home - Chilbolton, Hampshire

[spook]

Brakedwell - Perfect! (It had been correctly identified by someone who PM'ed me) However - Over to you.

[brakedwell]

Here we go.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c32/sedgwickjames/SA16.jpg

[Double Hydco]

Is it Guam?

DH

[brakedwell]

Sorry DH not Guam.

[Speedbird48]

Mombassa, Kenya prior to 1970/71.

The SA-16 was operated by Pan Am crews and went to the Sechelles as there was no runway there at the time.

Sorry I can't post as I am off on a trip.

Open House if I am correct.

[brakedwell]

You are correct Speedbird48 - 1965- so as you said - open house.

The Aerocommander parked next to the SA-16 had just flow Jomo Kenyatta down from Nairobi and delayed our departure back to Aden for a couple of hours, so I used the time to take a few photos.

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

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c32/sedgwickjames/Mombasa-1.jpg

[Flap40]

Try this (sorry about the crease in the original). Small clue: it is not in the United Kingdom.

http://gallery.me.com/simon.a.smith/100280/where/web.jpg?ver=12403399500001

[Basil]

Flap40,
Too neat for BGI - Hmm?

brakedwell,
Props nicely squared off :ok:

[Flap40]

Indeed, not BGI.

[welkyboy]

Jersey CI EGJJ

[Flap40]

Jersey is correct.

[Flap40]

In the absence of a new challenge from Welkyboy, I guess that it is open house.

[brakedwell]

A relatively easy one this time.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c32/sedgwickjames/757viewoframp.jpg

[TheChitterneFlyer]

I believe it's London Gatwick.

[brakedwell]

Correct, I didn't think the bout of nostalgia would last long. You have control TCF.

[Tankertrashnav]

Brakewell, while we're waiting for the next pic do you remember what the max payload was for an Argosy flying Mombasa to Khormaksar?

[TheChitterneFlyer]

I was going to add... Open house if correct, because I was also going to suggest Manchester; but I then spotted the circular terminal building. The TriStar 'stop sign' sealed it for LGW.

Open House

TCF

[brakedwell]

TTN I have forgotten the figures, but I seem to remember there were 80 seats fitted and we always flew full. What seemed to be an awful lot of baggage was stowed on the lower the clamshell door. (see pics) The passengers were mostly families who were based in Aden, so a high proportion were women and children. Two large playpens were fixed to the floor in the rear so that the little ones had somewhere to play! Flight time was always five hours and I can't remember ever having to worry about being overweight even when carrying extra fuel.

[flyingwing]

An easy one, but not listed so far.

http://i462.photobucket.com/albums/qq346/buzzbird/DP019376.jpg?t=1242162269

[chevvron]

Cark aka Grange over Sands?

[spook]

RAF Banff, Boyndie, Aberdeenshire?

[Tankertrashnav]

TTN I have forgotten the figures,


Thanks for the detailed answer, Brakewell. However when I was at Khormaksar the rumour was that the max load for an Argosy on that sort of leg was a verbal message.

[brakedwell]

Thanks for the detailed answer, Brakewell. However when I was at Khormaksar the rumour was that the max load for an Argosy on that sort of leg was a verbal message.

A rumour no doubt started and perpetuated by 84 sqn. :E:E

[flyingwing]

SPOOK has it. Banff/Boyndie - home of the Mosquito Strike Wing. Spook has control.

[spook]

Thanks flyingwing - here's the next!

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c195/phixer/quiz1.jpg

[Capot]

Queen Alia, Amman? Haven't time to check on GE, but it's reminiscent of that...

[spook]

Capot - You have it!

[Capot]

Sorry about the delay....Photobucket seems to have become very difficult

Here's the next; I think it's a battle picture. If not it could have been.

Edit; 2nd thoughts, it's probably a reconnaissance pic. No sign of battle.

Another edit; I'm ashamed to say that it's upside down.

Final edit...it isn't now.

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff141/picshooter/Dontcheat1-1.jpg

[Capot]

Time for a clue to move things along?

The fairly obvious nature of the aircraft determines the nature of the location they are in.

They are in their homeland.

Later edit..

Another clue......it's a place of very natural beauty, now.

[sidtheesexist]

German floatplane base at Sylt taken '40/'41 I do believe.........Open house if correct

[Capot]

Sidthesexist

Got it in 1!

I thought the reference to naturism would bring someone out..........

Not sure about the exact date, but obviously before it got plastered in retaliation for Scapa Flow, so the story goes.

[brakedwell]

They are in their homeland.

I would have said Fatherland!

[Capot]

Yes, that might have been better; I think I probably had the word "Heimat" in mind.

[brakedwell]

Danke,
I found this in my box of nostalgia, apologies for the poor quality.


http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c32/sedgwickjames/Picture3-1.png

[TheChitterneFlyer]

Might it be Hullavington?

TCF

[brakedwell]

Sorry TCF, not Hullavington.

[sycamore]

Or possibly Oakington ?

[brakedwell]

Not Oakington or Cosford.

[Old Bald Pilot]

RAF Ternhill.

[brakedwell]

Correct OBP. Ternhill 1956 on one of the rare days 08 was in use. You have control.

[Old Bald Pilot]

Thanks Brakedwell,
Good job the hangars were visible.
Here is the next.


http://i703.photobucket.com/albums/ww34/ericshipley/Shuttle.jpg?t=1242390897

[brakedwell]

Pinewood Studios? :)

Seriously, Edwards AFB

[Old Bald Pilot]

Surprisingly Pinewood is more accurate!

[Flap40]

It looks like Stansted to me.

[Old Bald Pilot]

Correct Flap40.
15th June 1983. STS Enterprise piggy back on a 747-100.
More info at Space Shuttle STS Enterprise at Stansted Airport Essex UK, Sunday June 5th 1983 on Flickr - Photo Sharing! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stuart166axe/3064379554)
Over to you Flap40

[Flap40]

Thanks. OPEN HOUSE.

[evansb]

Here is the next "Which aerodrome?":
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r68/convair640/WAD090515.jpg

[Double Hydco]

Is it RAF Gutersloh, now Princess Royal Barracks?

DH

[Background Noise]

Ah - the old Mess! What's the secretive white rectangle hiding?

[evansb]

DH is correct.:ok: RAF Gutersloh, Germany. White rectangle is a highway route marker Over to you.

[Double Hydco]

Thanks evansb. I was stationed there in the late eighties, and thought it looked familiar!

A great place in those days to see helicopters, many NATO fast jets, transports and airliners mixing it in the circuit.....happy days!

Open house as I'm working overseas this weekend.....

DH

[one11]

Taking advantage of the open house.................

http://i637.photobucket.com/albums/uu98/viscount700/prune2804.jpg

[flyingwing]

Unchecked guess - Zurich?

[one11]

Not Zurich - further afield

[grizzled]

I have a quick question re this thread: If and when I am lucky enough and fast enough to get another turn at providing an aerodrome to identify, may I post a painting that contains enough details for it to be positively identified by keen observers, rather than a photo?

Grizzled

[evansb]

A painting sounds great! Looking forward to it.

[one11]

I guess its clue time as things have gone quiet. This is its nations international hub, and base to the main national carrier which no longer has any scheduled intercontinental passenger flights.

[one11]

Too tricky or is the thread taking a rest ? In the interests of soon getting to see Grizzled's painting, one last pointer before disclosure - check out Latin America....................Doug

[Davidsoffice]

With the clues and a tour round Latin American capitals I come up with Montevideo!
Open house if correct!

[one11]

Congratulations Davidsoffice. Montevideo - Carrasco , Uruguay , home of Pluna

........Doug

[Russell Gulch]

Painting...where's the painting?:p

[Old Bald Pilot]

Here's one whilst we wait for the paint to dry,


http://i703.photobucket.com/albums/ww34/ericshipley/Prune.jpg

[Davidsoffice]

Narssarssuaq

Open house



Point of contest etiquette. The floor isn't yours to give until your answer has been confirmed. (and it's spelled Narsarsuaq) ;)

Play on!

The mods

[XV277]

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb209/Davef68/scan0006-1.jpg

One from a magazine which had a similar idea!

[sidtheesexist]

RAF Kirmington as was/Humberside Airport quite a few yrs ago.........?

[chevvron]

Closest I can get is RAF Middleton St George, but then it could be Castle Donington.

[brakedwell]

It looks like Bristol when props were king.

[XV277]

Well done Brakedwell!! Your ball!

[brakedwell]

Thanks XV277 - here it is.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c32/sedgwickjames/airport4.jpg

[brakedwell]

Correct Jenkins. The Gurkhas and their families were a real pleasure to carry.

You have control

[Double Hydco]

Here's another to try.....

DH

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_yYJ_r1Fv8Go/ShauKPEskRI/AAAAAAAAAcw/7oLIl3ATbEg/s576/IMGP1115.jpg

[brakedwell]

Shoreham by any chance?

[Double Hydco]

Nope, sorry not Shoreham.

[Old Bald Pilot]

Teeside (Middleton St George)?

[one11]

Wellesbourne Mountford ???????

[TheChitterneFlyer]

Might it be Gamston?

[Double Hydco]

It's not Teeside, Wellesbourne or Gamston. It's not in the UK, or indeed Europe!

DH

[Bigt]

Would we be better looking down under?

[SmileAirlines]

The background reminds me of Perth hills... Any chance that it's Jandakot, the busiest airport in down under?

JA

[Double Hydco]

Well done SmileAirlines (and Bigt) it is indeed Jandakot...over to you!

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_yYJ_r1Fv8Go/ShauJyhkSZI/AAAAAAAAAcs/aV1gBjXoGw0/s576/IMGP1108.jpg

[SmileAirlines]

Nothing from me at the moment... Open House fellas!!

[evansb]

Here is the next mystery aerodrome:
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r68/convair640/WAD090525.jpg

[brakedwell]

West Malling in Kent?

[evansb]

Sorry, not West Malling, Kent.

[brakedwell]

A long shot - Hawkinge?

[evansb]

Sorry, not Hawkinge. The photo source has indicated that the photo was taken in 1952, and a water tower is visible on the upper left horizon.

[Shaft109]

That water tower suggests somewhere in the northwest of England - Burscough?

[ZH875]

Odiham, early preparation for a flypast in 1953 ?

[Old Bald Pilot]

North Weald ?

[norwich]

Jumping in with no research (again) Swanton Morley ???

Keith.

[brakedwell]

Hows about Henlow?

[Upyer RRR]

Insworth (or is it spelt Innsworth?)

[evansb]

brakedwell is correct:ok:. RAF Henlow, Shefford, Bedfordshire, England. Canadian-built Hawker Hurricanes were assembled at Henlow, and the shipping crates were used to construct the Flying Club control tower.




brakedwell has control.

[brakedwell]

Thanks evansb. Here we go again.

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

[TheChitterneFlyer]

Could it be Seeb?

[brakedwell]

Not Seeb I'm afraid

[TheChitterneFlyer]

Nicosia perhaps?

[brakedwell]

Not Nicosia

[goudie]

Is it Idris?

[Bigt]

Masirah/OOMA

[brakedwell]

Well done Bigt, RAF Masirah it is.

[Bigt]

Openhouse, i have nothing useful to post at present........

Is that 13 sqn taxying in after taking pictures of sandy places?

[brakedwell]

Yes it is.

[Bigt]

Would that be 1976?

[NavEx]

Going back to link 132, that isn't Henlow. There are no hills in Bedfordshire and there are no woods near the airfield, nor were there ever.

I don't know where it is but I know where it isn't.........

[brakedwell]

The photo was taken on April 25th, 1966. I seem to remember they were 13 Sqn Canberras from Akrotiri, but you might be able to confirm it from this photo which was taken when they were being refuelled.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c32/sedgwickjames/0183444.jpg

[goudie]

Brakedwell, that appears to be a 32 Sqdn B15

Navex That could well be Henlow. The water tower is just outside Shillington, on a hill!

[brakedwell]

Going back to link 132, that isn't Henlow. There are no hills in Bedfordshire and there are no woods near the airfield, nor were there ever.

I don't know where it is but I know where it isn't.........

I think the "hills" are an optical illusion. IMHO the actual spot where the photographer stood is still visible on Google Earth - Next to the low walled signal square with an H in it to the north of the row of hangers along the southern edge of Henlow Airfield.

[chevvron]

Well I would have guessed Upavon anyway; surely the water tower is north east of Henlow next to the A1?

[goudie]

surely the water tower is north east of Henlow next to the A1?


Could well be Chevvron.

[evansb]

Re: RAF Henlow. The water tower is alleged to be the Pirton/Stondon Tower, which is west of the aerodrome. The village to the right of the tower is perhaps Meppershall. Here is a link to a recent photo of Henlow:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3085/2380550301_3c3eac9c8f.jpg?v=0

If serious doubt persists, we should consider RAF Henlow not yet posted as a challenge.

[NavEx]

Two water towers visible from Henlow; to the East is one on the A1, the other to the west is at Stondon. At the time of the photro the view to the west would have the large old HP pickle factory in the way and to the East would be the airfield boundary. The photo shows a rifle range in the back ground, Henlow has only had one range and it isn't out in the open.

[larssnowpharter]

I don't know where it is but I know where it isn't.........

I have to agree. Did my IOT at Henlow and flew in and out of there more than a few times. Not Henlow. No Brussel sprout/cabbage fields!

Looks like a rifle range in the background and the whole set up has a South Downs 'feel' to it. Is that sea in the background? My guess would be a dispersal field in that area. Nostalgic pic though.

[brakedwell]

The photo shows a rifle range in the back ground, Henlow has only had one range and it isn't out in the open.

During World War Two Henlow became one of the largest RAF maintenance units in the country assembling Hurricanes that were to prove so vital in the Battle of Britain, so there would have been a firing range for gun calibration.

The Armament Division of the Technical College moved in from Lindholme in February 1951, and was renamed Engineering and Armament Division - another reason for an outdoor firing range., which was probably demolished when no longer required.

[chevvron]

I don't recall a range on the south east corner of Henlow (assuming we're looking east); the only one I remember was midway up the west side well north of the main hangar complex near some WW! style hangars which were not Belfast Truss type like the main ones. Looking at Flashearth they seem to have been demolished. Anyway the land in the background looks too hilly for that part of rural Bedfordshire so I still reckon it's Upavon.

[Davidsoffice]

If memory serves me correctly, both Upavon and Henlow are grass fields. Would the aircraft photographed be able to be operated there and if not, why were they there? Perhaps there's an "occasion" that would help us pin the airfield?

[evansb]

Re: Henlow. I copied the photo from another Aviation Forum. The original holder of the photo indicated the photo was taken by his uncle, who flew the Meteor in from Leuchars. The occasion for the fly-in is not known. The original poster seemed to agree that the location was Henlow. I cannot find a subsequent challenge to the location on the original Aviation Forum.
It would appear small jet fighters were regular visitors at Henlow.
According to Google Earth, the site elevation of the Stondon Tower, located 11/4 miles west of Henlow aerodrome, is approximately 100 feet higher than the aerodrome elevation.

As doubt persists, I suggest we move on, and a new aerodrome challenge posted.

[brakedwell]

In the late fifties I regularly flew staff from Lyneham to Upavon in the 99 Sqn Anson. I am certain the photo was not taken there and I also think the grass runways were too short and too uneven for a Meteor VIII.

BTW: The Vampire (VZ283) belonged to 613 (City of Manchester) Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force, which ties up with the fly in story.

From Wapedia
In its latter RAF years the grass runways were not wholly appropriate for heavy fixed-wing aircraft, nor any kind of jet aircraft, and so the administrative control of aviation for the whole of the RAF developed in strength at Upavon. HQ No.1 Group was a major component of RAF 'life' at Upavon, controlling operations of the large fleet of transport aircraft.

[Double Hydco]

To kick off a new challenge as evansb sugests, here is another snap (sorry about the quality). To help narrow it down, I can confirm it's neither Henlow or Upavon!

DH

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_yYJ_r1Fv8Go/Sh7Ws-jS51I/AAAAAAAAAeo/3FhKStFlxWQ/s576/img031.jpg

[KeMac]

A wild guess - Aldergrove?

[ACW418]

Having flown continuously from 1979 to January this year at Upavon it is certainly not that airfield. Also trained on Vampires and I doubt you would get one airborne in the 3,500 feet of undulating grass available.

ACW

[TheChitterneFlyer]

Washington Dulles.

[con-pilot]

Washington Dulles.

That would be my guess as well. As I've only been there a couple of thousand times. The Concorde alway parked at the south terminal complex.

Rather funny really, back then to catch the fastest airliner in the world, you had to take the slowest bus in the world across the ramp. :p

[aviate1138]

When I made Concorde flights from Dulles it was always from the Main Building [Eero Saarinen architect]

One booked in, moved to the Departure lounge which when required scissored itself downwards and driven by an FAA licenced pilot, drove out to the waiting Concorde and we all entered without having walked further than the length of the lounge [about 35/40 feet istr ]

Those really Were the days!

[Double Hydco]

It's neither Aldergrove nor Washington Dulles.

aviate1138 - the only other place I think I've seen those drivable departure lounges was at Montreal Mirabel?

DH

[India Four Two]

I vaguely remember there might have been some at Edmonton International when it was first built. All jet bridges now

[Double Hydco]

48 hours and nothing but silence, so time for a clue I think?

The aerodrome in question has been both civil and military in it's history (sometimes both at the same time), and still has a small military presence.

The evening before the photo was taken the two aircraft pictured, arrived within an hour of each other, both on 3 engines!

DH

[TheChitterneFlyer]

How about Prestwick?

I think the other 'old girl' is a Shorts Belfast C1.

JB

[TheChitterneFlyer]

Or Edinburgh Turnhouse.

[Bigt]

Looks like the Belfast in early Heavylift colours........so Far East

[sycamore]

Goose Bay ?

[TheChitterneFlyer]

Or Aberdeen, Dyce.

[Double Hydco]

It's not Prestwick, Turnhouse, Aberdeen, or Goose Bay.

TheChitterneFlyer - you are correct the "old girl" is a Shorts Belfast C1 (my logbook says G-BEPS may she RIP!)

The aircraft is in the "original" Heavylift livery, but alas it's not the Far East.

sycamore is thinking along the right lines....

P.S the frame you can see in the shot is the oil covered, death trap of a ladder that was carried onboard the aircraft to enable the Flt Eng to top up the oils!

[Flap40]

How about Halifax?

[WE992]

How about St Johns?

[one11]

sycamore is thinking along the right lines....

....just by following the clue, Gander ????

[TheChitterneFlyer]

I'm not sure which St John's WE992 refers to; Halifax or Newfoundland. I'm going to go for the one in Newfoundland.

TCF

[evansb]

St. John's, Newfoundland, is over 100 miles SE of Gander. Saint John, New Brunswick, is over 600 miles SW of St. John's, NL. Halifax is a city in the province of Nova Scotia, over 500 miles SW of Gander, NL.

[GrumpyOldFart]

[Thread creep]


Halifax is a city in the province of Nova Scotia, over 500 miles SE of Gander, NL.



SE? You may want to get your compass swung...

:E

[/Thread creep]

[Double Hydco]

It's not Halifax, St. Johns or Gander. Although all have had visits from the Belfast in the past (especially wonderful Gander - it's hard to believe they allowed us to do Base training at 3am!).

But, we are now in the correct part of the globe.....

DH

[Captain Airclues]

Bangor, Maine, USA?

Dave

[Double Hydco]

Well done Dave, it is indeed Bangor, Maine (at one time Dow AFB).

Over to you....

DH

[Captain Airclues]

The last time that I went to Bangor in a 747 we went in and out on three engines.

OPEN HOUSE

Dave

[Old Bald Pilot]

Plenty of clues here

http://i703.photobucket.com/albums/ww34/ericshipley/88Clacton015.jpg

[Itswindyout]

this time with both eyes open
no followup.
windy

[Old Bald Pilot]

Leavesden it is. I always thought it the best airfield in the South. Long gone unfortunately, though looking at Google Earth there is still a Helicopter Pad at the Small Engine Division,
Aaah. DeHavilland!!!
Windy says OPEN HOUSE

[evansb]

Here is the next challenge, which, unlike my previous Henlow challenge, is confirmed by two sources:
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r68/convair640/WAD090603.jpg

[Duckbutt]

Long distance information give me:

Memphis NAS?

[evansb]

Yes, it is NAS Millington, Memphis, Tennessee. Well done:D You are in control.

[Duckbutt]

What about this one:

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/Twyler/Puzz23.jpg

[evansb]

Son Sant Joan Airport, Palma De Mallorca ?

[Duckbutt]

Sorry not Mallorca.

The aircraft is some distance away from its normal home base. Although I don't know for sure I would imagine that the temperature here would be somewhat warmer as well.

[sycamore]

Dakar,Senegal ?

[evansb]

Aeroport International De Oagadougou, (Wagadugu), Burkina Faso, formerly Republique de Haute-Volta (Upper Volta) ?

[Duckbutt]

Good guesses, but not there.

Talking of temperatures, without a doubt the aircraft's next landing but one was in a very hot place.

[Double Hydco]

Is it Sao Tome Intl - perhaps during the Biafran airlift?

Just a guess, but open house if correct.

DH

[Duckbutt]

Definitely thinking along the right lines DH but that was the next landing but two for this aircraft.

[Old Bald Pilot]

Port Harcourt. Just a guess 'cos it never stopped raining when I was there.

[KeMac]

It looks a bit like Casablanca-Nouasser but I think the tower is a bit on the short side.

[Duckbutt]

Although reasonable suggestions, neither Casablanca or Port Harcourt. A photo taken much more recently would seem to show that the tower in the first photo has been superceded:


http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/Twyler/Puzz23b-1.jpg

[handsfree]

Niamey International, Niger. If correct open house - the painting would be nice.

[Duckbutt]

Niamey it is.

I stand to be corrected but I understand the Transair DC-7B was chartered in August 1968 by a Danish priest to fly medicinal supplies into Sao Tomei and was transiting though Niger. The pilot was Count Gustav von Rosen the Chief Pilot for Transair who had previously had a somewhat adventurous flying career. He was persuaded to make a flight from Sao Tomei to Uli, Biafra with humanitarian aid and he did so without reference to his employers.

A little later he organised a rudimentary air force for the Biafrans using redundant Swedish MFI-9B trainers converted to hold twelve rockets in pods under the wing. It was claimed they destroyed at least four MIGs, one Ilyushin 28, two Canberras, a Heron and a control tower!

[handsfree]

Open House Ladies And Gents.....

[evansb]

Here is the next mystery aerodrome:
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r68/convair640/WAD090608.jpg

[emeritus]

That looks suspiciosly like Wynyard in Tasmania with a Dept of Civil Aviation
(or whatever they called themselves at that time!) aircraft.

Open house if I'm correct.

Emeritus

[evansb]

emeritus is spot on!:ok: Well done:D The railway no longer runs across runway 05/23.

[Old Bald Pilot]

Here is one to keep things moving. Sorry about the quality.

http://i703.photobucket.com/albums/ww34/ericshipley/Onground.jpg

[sidtheesexist]

Wild wild guess, Rangoon...........

[Old Bald Pilot]

Tango Charlie has flown over Rangoon at 10000' (with Diplomatic Clearance) in1973 but was nowhere near when this photo was taken.:confused:

[handsfree]

Another wild guess. Walton Airport, Lahore at the time of the Hunting West Pakistan Geological surveys.

[Old Bald Pilot]

Sorry. Wrong Continent.

[sycamore]

Marrakesh,Morocco.

[Old Bald Pilot]

Right Continent

[Old Bald Pilot]

Timefor a clue.
This Terminal is at one of the two International Airports in this African Country.

[brakedwell]

Castel Benito/Idris?

[KeMac]

How about the original terminal at Kano

[Krakatoa]

I will try the other one, Benghazi

[Old Bald Pilot]

Not Idris, Kano or Benghastly.

[one11]

Didn't Hunting do some work in Angola ? Luanda, Benguela ??

[Old Bald Pilot]

Yes we did, Luanda, Nova Lisboa (now Huambo) Silva Porto, Henrique Carvallo, Dundo, Benguela. The other DC3 G-AVPW was hit by rebel ground fire. First Officer Fred Taylor (Later Chief Pilot Brymon) wounded. But I digress it's not in Angola.
Here's another Clue below, what we found in the only hangar there, anybody remember Mike Scarrot on the right, our DC3 Captain?
http://i703.photobucket.com/albums/ww34/ericshipley/Whatwefound.jpg

[merlinxx]

Either Ceuta (JCU) or Melilla GEML/MLN

[Old Bald Pilot]

Aha! You got the Spanish connection but unfortunately it's not Ceuta or Melilla. Here's another clue below. It could be any tropical beach but happened to be just behind the terminal. http://i703.photobucket.com/albums/ww34/ericshipley/Itwasntallwork.jpg

[KeMac]

How About Bata?

[Old Bald Pilot]

Correct KM. Photos taken in July 1970 shortly after the Spanish left.
What they could'nt take with them they destroyed including the hospitals equipment. Rio Muni stayed relatively quiet for many years with only a few attempted coups including the Mark Thatcher fiasco in 2004. Rio Muni has great tourism potential but unfortunately is a little too unstable to develop that way.
See http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/18/world/africa/18guinea.html?_r=1
Happy days!
Over to you KeMac.

[merlinxx]

Well I gotta try, only been to GEML once a long time ago on a LR25:ok:

[KeMac]

Thanks Old Bald Pilot - I have to declare Open House as I cannot upload the pic I have

[Old Bald Pilot]

Try this link I found it helpfull.


http://www.pprune.org/spectators-balcony-spotters-corner/203481-image-posting-pprune-guide.html

[KeMac]

Sorry Old Bald Pilot, I just cannot get it to link - I will keep trying but would someone else like to jump in?

[one11]

Ok, "jumping in " as requested..........Doug


http://i637.photobucket.com/albums/uu98/viscount700/prune0106.jpg

[Schiller]

Vagar airport, Faroes?

Open house if correct.

[one11]

Vagar it is - so Open House is restored............

[brakedwell]

I have posted two photos to make up for the lack of clues. Hope this is not against the rules.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c32/sedgwickjames/airport1.jpg

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c32/sedgwickjames/airport2.jpg

[Schiller]

I feel deeply chuffed at getting one right at last. I used to go into Vagar frequently in the 70's: always filthy weather and the instrument let-down (pre-ILS) was on the interesting side of normal. The airfield was built by the British during their occupation of the islands during the war and flew fighters off the runway and Sunderlands off the sea fiord. For maintenance the 'boats would fly round to the fresh water loch which can be seen at the bottom of the pic and were hauled out there.

One rather sad little story, if the mods will allow.

During the war, newly called-up personnel would be interviewed about their qualifications to see where they could be of best use to the army. A Professor of Ancient Something-or-other was asked what languages he spoke. Dreaming of a cushy number in Cairo, he replied "Ancient and modern Greek, a little Arabic, some Coptic, and I can read the Hieroglyphs".

"Wossat, then", said the Sergeant.

The professor drew himself up. "That, my man, is the language of the Pharoahs".

So that's where they sent him, poor chap. He had a perfectly miserable war.

[Old Bald Pilot]

My first guess was Hickam AFB. Now I see a Mini by the steps of the 707 so I'm researching the Antipodes.

[KeMac]

Seychelles - Mahe?

[brakedwell]

KeMac, correct you have control.

[KeMac]

I have to declare 'Open House' as I am just off to work and I am still wrestling with uploading my picture. What lovely shots those were. I was in the Seychelles in December/January 1970/1971 while the runway was being completed. I did think the mountains were a bit further back.

[brakedwell]

KeMac the photo was taken on 18th April 1973 during a tech stop enroute from Nairobi to Sharjah. I will take the chance to hog it one more time.

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

[bingofuel]

Must have been taken soon after landing as the Engineer has yet to 'smarten up' the propellers, nice picture though!

(Of course I am referring to the Britannia not the Cub)

[Double Hydco]

Is it Exeter?

DH

[brakedwell]

Sorry Double Hydco, not Exeter.

[brakedwell]

Must have been taken soon after landing as the Engineer has yet to 'smarten up' the propellers, nice picture though!

(Of course I am referring to the Britannia not the Cub)

Three out of four isn't bad bingofuel :ok:


Sadly XL639 (cn 13448) "Atria" became G-BRAC and crashed after take-off in severe icing conditions at Boston, MA on 16th Feb 1980 while owned by Redcoat.