Which Aerodrome Mk III

[Noyade]

I couldn't see this on Mel's list...

http://i47.tinypic.com/2qwdm3m.jpg

[India Four Two]

Is Cold Lake too easy an answer? I think so. ;)
I don't expect there would ever have been that many Trackers at Cold Lake. A "Down East" airfield seems more likely.

[Lordflasheart]

HMCNAS Shearwater - Halifax NS ? LFH

[Noyade]

Yes Simon, go East.

The photo was taken in March 1990, about a year before the base closed, and according to Wiki the primary purpose of the Trackers was to monitor foreign fishing vessels.
The Base was on an Island connected by what looks to me, a bloody long bridge.

http://i48.tinypic.com/34g32pw.jpg

[Lordflasheart]

Just crossed. Tis a long bridge, specially in the fog. Must be Summerside PEI. ?

[Noyade]

HMCNAS Shearwater - Halifax NS ?

Posted at the same time! No mate - see above.

[Noyade]

Must be Summerside then ?

That's the one! :ok:

Your control.

[Lordflasheart]

Thanks Graeme - you're up early. I'll see if I can dig summat out in't morning.

[Lordflasheart]

Here you go.

http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj632/LFH99/LFH25_zpsc4e1ce89.jpg?t=1366363386

[evansb]

I can't identify the above aerodrome, however the long bridge mentioned regarding CFB Summerside did not in exist when the photo was taken. The Confederation Bridge (commonly referred to as the "Fixed Link") was completed in May of 1997. The bridge crosses Northumberland Strait, connecting New Brunswick to Prince Edward Island. The bridge is 12.9 km (8 miles) long.

[descol]

south pacific ?

[Lordflasheart]

South Pacific ? Yup. By definition and latitude.

[India Four Two]

So kind with your clues, LFH.

Palikulo Field, Espiritu Santo?

[Lordflasheart]

Sorry Simon, been in the garden. Not Espiritu Santu. Hope this helps - Same field, same photographer, same day in mid- 60s.


http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj632/LFH99/LFH026_zps1f9b140e.jpg?t=1366277038


PS. This'll get the WIWOH brigade going (not me or you I think.)

Say when you want more clues. LFH

[chevvron]

A Hastings in the South Pacific; how about Christmas Island?

[Lordflasheart]

Good guess Chevy, but it's not any of the several Christmas Islands. I think the Christmas you mean ?? is now Kiritimati. Where the :mad: tests took place - that one happens to be just north of the equator anyway. I saw a pic on wiki of a Hastings flying overhead -

This challenge was built by Japanese forces in WWII - captured by the allies and featured ops by USAAF, RAAF and RNZAF while based there. Still operating civil in much the same layout.

I will dig out the precise date and see if it says why they were there. Post more clue later. LFH

[JW411]

It's a 48 Sqn Hastings. They were based in Singapore at Changi.

[Lordflasheart]

Correct JW. :ok: But it was a landaway :E June 1966.

Runway is about 16. The two-tone is explained on the back of the snap as
"Rolled coral surface. Bitumen surfacing taking place. R/W half done."

Bet it din' 'arf complicate the roundout. LFH

[Lordflasheart]

mo' clue ?

The several day round trip appears to have included in this order -
Changi - Jesselton - Challenge - Tontouta - Rarotonga - Nandi - Port Moresby - Zamboanga - Changi.

LFH

[Flap40]

With all those clues and a wander around google earth I think it might be Momote on Los Negros in the Admiralty Islands.

Open house if I've got lucky!

[Lordflasheart]

Well done Flaps, :ok: Momote it is. Apparently the only operating field left in the Admiralty Is archipelago, from about half a dozen all now overgrown. The Brits used two (Ponam and Pitilyu) quite heavily in 1945 in connection with the British Pacific Fleet's "forward" anchorage at Manus - Seeadler Harbour, from their Sydney base, en route to the campaigns off Okinawa, Sakishima and mainland Japan. LFH

Flap40 has declared Open House.

[aviate1138]

OK Peeps......

Not showing in Mel's list so......" Sretno "


http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn77/aviate1138/ScreenShot2013-04-23at120128_zps4d210604.png (http://s301.photobucket.com/user/aviate1138/media/ScreenShot2013-04-23at120128_zps4d210604.png.html)

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn77/aviate1138/ScreenShot2013-04-23at120203_zps94b28c7d.png (http://s301.photobucket.com/user/aviate1138/media/ScreenShot2013-04-23at120203_zps94b28c7d.png.html)

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn77/aviate1138/ScreenShot2013-04-23at114835_zpsf966ad74.png (http://s301.photobucket.com/user/aviate1138/media/ScreenShot2013-04-23at114835_zpsf966ad74.png.html)

[Lightning Mate]

"Stretno" is Croatian - looking........

[Lightning Mate]

I think it's Medulin, Croatia.

[aviate1138]

Stretno - Good Luck - LM You have control. :)

[Lightning Mate]

Open House.

[Lordflasheart]

Open House ? Try this -


http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj632/LFH99/LFH027_zps8921bcc0.jpg?t=1366874978

[Lordflasheart]

Quiet weekend ? There must be something on. Time for a clue.

This photo was taken by the same fellow who took the last two at Momote.

This one in April 1965.

LFH

[sidtheesexist]

Jesselton, Borneo per chance?

[Lordflasheart]

Nice try Sid, but not Jesselton-on-the-beach. No 'oggin, and some distance from the 'oggin. This place was undergoing significant enlargement at the time and saw some "interesting times." Lets say it was within a Hastings range of Changi. A second photo clue available when you are ready. LFH

[sidtheesexist]

I think that offer of another photo would be most generous....

[Lordflasheart]

I think the first pic would have been finals for the northeast runway.

Here's the other detailed snap - this bit appears somewhere in the first pic.

http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj632/LFH99/LFH028_zps029e0b2e.jpg?t=1366875148

chúc may mắn. LFH

[chevvron]

Nandi ????

[Lordflasheart]

Not Nandi/Nadi/Fiji, Chevy. Not with blast pens ! Apparently the fighters were all in blast pens too. Its not among the fields in post 3770 and its not an island. Different trip, different year. LFH

[nacluv]

How about Ubon, Thailand?

[Lordflasheart]

nhận được Vulcan ấm hơn. :cool:

He went to Ubon but not on this trip. Think really significant fields, chaps.

[albatross]

Phu Cat Vietnam?

Play "Misty" for me. LOL

[Lordflasheart]

Nice try there Alby - what a story. Right country, but it seems they didn't start pouring concrete at Phu Cat til 18 month after this landing.

Sân bay này có hai đường băng.

LFH

[nacluv]

Is it Tan Son?

[Lordflasheart]

Tan Son ..... something or other ? :E just for the record, there must be lots of Tan Sons . Reckon you're nearly there. LFH

[albatross]

pleiku ?

Shot in the dark but it looks close.

OH is by some miracle I am correct.

[Lordflasheart]

Not Pleiku Alby. Another place with a history., but as far as I can see only a single runway again. Really just waiting for Nacluv to fill the gap to confirm he knows what he's talking about. LFH
------------------------------------------------------
Added later - On reflection that was a bit harsh.

a) There are no other Tan Son Airbases around.
b) Tan Son Nhut (as it was then) was most likely referred to by the cognoscenti as plain Tan Son.

Saigon Tan Son Nhut it is. (AKA India 42's backyard.)

Well done Vulcan. :ok: Nacluv has control

[India Four Two]

Saigon Tan Son Nhut it is. (AKA India 42's backyard.)

Oh, the horror, the horror! I missed it. :uhoh:

Looking carefully, I can just see the control tower in LFH's original post, which soldiered on until this year:
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c309/india42/waf_1_i42.jpg

It's just been replaced by a non-airside brand new one, complete with ASR, very close to the location of the photographer in the shot above.

Concerning the spelling of the name, Tân Sơn Nhứt is the Southern spelling and was therefore used prior to 1975, when it was Saigon's International Airport. Now it is Tân Sơn Nhất, which of course is the Northern spelling and it is the Ho Chi Minh City International Airport.

Just to add to the confusion, Tân Sơn Nhứt is pronounced something like Tan Son Nyit, whereas Tân Sơn Nhất is like Tan Son Nyut (although neither of my attempts at phonetics do justice to the subtleties of Vietnamese pronunciation).

Finally, I'm amused by the fact that the IATA code for Tân Sơn Nhất is still SGN.

PS LFH, bạn có nói tiếng Việt?

[Lordflasheart]

For I-42.

That's an amazing connection, thank you. It's changed a bit.

Tôi nói tiếng việt? Xin lỗi, không. http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/src:www.pprune.org/get/images/smilies/puppy_dog_eyes.gif

Tôi sử dụng hộp ma thuật. Để giúp các trò chơi. :)

nhưng một số người trong số họ không thể đọc được tiếng việt ;)

And Nacluv has control.

LFH

[nacluv]

Morning chaps.

Thanks, LFH - an excellent challenge! Tôi có thể đọc tiếng việt! Nhưng tôi sử dụng hộp kỳ diệu quá. :O

For the removal of doubt, the Tan Son I was trying to get across is the one which is now Ho Chi Minh Central.

And I42 - you can see the control tower in the original photo? You have better screen resolution that I!!

Here's the next one...

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk252/kwilson1965/nacluv/airfield_zpsaf8018da.jpg

[Cows getting bigger]

RAF UK somewhere.

[India Four Two]

OK. Enough Vietnamese. I can give instructions to taxi drivers, count, order beer and pay compliments to young ladies, but that's it!


nacluv,

I zoomed in on the picture and decided it was wishful thinking (a bit like finding WMD in Iraq ;) ). Looking at older pictures of TSN on the web, it looks like the old tower was not built until a bit later. However, here's a photo of the new tower (probably taken last year):
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c309/india42/7286459824_5e45da4ef4_z_zpsacb5c284.jpg

A typical Asian international airport, you might say, but over in the scrubby area beyond the Qatar A330 are several batteries of radar-controlled AAA, easily found on Google Earth.

Concerning your post, judging by the pressed-steel sectional water tank and the wintery-looking vegetation, I'ld say the UK.

While I was typing my reply, I see cgb has come to the same conclusion!

[chevvron]

Oakington?

[Cows getting bigger]

Wymeswold?

[Lordflasheart]

Is this a relatively recent photo ?
Is this still any kind of "working" airfield ?
Is this too many questions ?

[nacluv]

Sorry for the slow response gents.

I42 - thanks for the info. I had seen the AAA batteries easy enough on GE, although that whole area looks like it's getting quite a make-over, so their days are numbered I reckon.

As to my challenge - yes, UK. Yes, a relatively recent picture. And yes, too many questions. :)

And finally, yes, Wymeswold! Well done, CGB. :ok: You have control.

I didn't think it would last too long, although I have to say that it's nice not to have someone just plonk the photo straight into google images and spoil the party in 5 minutes!

[Cows getting bigger]

OH I'm afraid. (My iThingy isn't so good at playing with pictures)

[India Four Two]

nacluv,

You're right - there is a lot of redevelopment going on in the northern part of that area, but I think the AAA is there to stay, but possibly relocated. If you look at the historical imagery, you will see there was one new battery installed in 2012.

[Noyade]

Not the best pic, but here goes...

http://i40.tinypic.com/315kck7.jpg

[India Four Two]

Graeme,

Bombed-up Portuguese G-91s, so probably in the African colonies.

How about what is now Aeroporto Internacional Osvaldo Vieira, Bissau?


(http://google-earth-fake-url-for-links.google.com/http%3A%2F%2Fmaps.google.com%2Fmaps%2Fplace%3Fcid%3D13304769 822252597204)

[Lordflasheart]

Bombed up G-91s but looks like A-7s in the background, suggests it's too late for African wars - ended by 1975 - and A7s not in service until 1982 so perhaps more like mainland Portugal.

How about the big weapon training field BA 11 at Beja ?

[Noyade]

Aeroporto Internacional Osvaldo Vieira, Bissau?

Very well done Simon! :ok: Your control.

It is/was once BA 12 Bissalanca - Four miles from Bissau. According to my source it was the only runway in the area at the time capable of handling fast jets.

The photo shows Fiat G.91R/4s armed with 750 lb bombs leaving for a mission against aircraft gun positions in Sare-Morso. Not a good photo - but definitely more Fiats in the background Lordflasheart.

Cheers.

[India Four Two]

Graeme,

Thanks. I got lucky. Bissau was the first location I looked up on Google Earth.
Fiat G.91R/4s armed with 750 lb bombs leaving for a mission against aircraft gun positions

Brave guys, going after AAA with iron bombs. The only choice in those days I suppose.

Here's an unfortunate accident:

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c309/india42/WAD_13-05-05_zps7b4d7f14.jpg

[Lightning Mate]

Far east?.....

[India Four Two]

Oui, orient extreme.

[Lightning Mate]

Na San ?....

[India Four Two]

Na, mate! ;)

However, fascinating history at Na San. After the French success with the 'hedgehog' tactical defence, they continued in the same vein and came a cropper at Dien Bien Phu.

[Lordflasheart]

Are we in Tonkin (as was) ?

[India Four Two]

Not Tonkin, LFH

[India Four Two]

Time for some clues.

In the foreground is a Piasecki Shawnee and in the background is some unusual topography.

[albatross]

"Marble mountain" near Da nang?

OH if correct.

[Lordflasheart]

I'd eventually got the H-21 Shawnee bit before the clue, but still floundering as to location. 'Helicopters getting shot down - there's a surprise – 'til Ap Bac' was I think, one of the features of "A Bright Shining Lie"

Howzabout a wild guess - Tan Hiep airfield ? (Prelude to Ap Bac.) LFH

[India Four Two]

albatross,
Right direction from Tonkin, but you landed too soon.

LFH,
You overshot the target. ;)

The topography is a very "big" clue.

PS The H-21 wasn't shot down.

[Lordflasheart]

Not doing very well here. The only VN "Big" refs I can find are to "Big Mountain at Vung Tau" and "Big Minh." :suspect:

There was a series of remote (cable) controlled crash-worthiness testing of old H-21s - on Utube H21 Helicopter Controlled Crash Tests (video only) - YouTube

The last one could have ended up in the position of the challenge and with a similar shaped hill behind, but it claimed elsewhere it was done at Edwards Air Force Base, which to the best of my knowledge is in the USA. I assume we are still talking Vietnam for this challenge ?

None of these is offered as a serious answer. LFH

[India Four Two]

Yes, we're in Vietnam.

Good thinking, LFH, but I think I may have led you off on a tangent with the word "big".

Go back to my clue "unusual topography". What's unusual about it is that it shouldn't be there at all, in this part of Vietnam.

[sycamore]

Must be a volcano,highest is `Haut Dong Nai`...OH if correct

[India Four Two]

sycamore,

You are getting there!

However, Haut Dong Nai is on a plateau. This mountain is described as a volcano, but it might be a volcanic plug and it is not on a plateau. The base is close to sea-level.

[sycamore]

Hows about `bas Dong Nai`.....

[India Four Two]

Nice try but no. ;)

There is no other mountain as tall as this within 70 miles and only a small number of low hills in between.

[Lordflasheart]

Nui Ba Den - Black Virgin Mountain - Tay Ninh province SVN - would make it perhaps Tay Ninh (West ?) Airfield. Lots of action -

but I can't for the life of me make any connection with the H-21.

[sycamore]

Must be Toerong Prong,NE of Dak To..?

[India Four Two]

sycamore,
Sorry. Pipped to the post by LFH!

LFH,

Full marks for perseverance. It is indeed Tay Ninh West and the mountain is Núi Bà Đen (Black Lady or Black Virgin mountain).

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c309/india42/TayNinhTPClabelledsmall_zpsd31e1d07.png

Tay Ninh is just under 50 nm northwest of Saigon, near the Cambodian border, on the northern edge of the Mekong delta. You can see how anomalous the mountain is by looking at the safety altitudes on the TPC above. This chart comes from a great collection of maps here: Vietnam Maps - Perry-Castañeda Map Collection - UT Library Online (http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/vietnam.html)

http://25thaviation.org/4a580b70.jpg

On a clear day (very rare), I can see the mountain from my office in Saigon. Because the delta is so flat, it's a bit like seeing an island come up over the horizon at sea. I can see only the top two-thirds of the 3200' peak.

The H-21 connection is on this page of a site dedicated to the Thunderbirds (118th Assault Helicopter Company) : Photo Album (http://www.118ahc.org/photoalbum.htm). The caption reads:
The story behind this mishap was, while taxiing to pick up ARVN troops at Tay Ninh City airfield, the right wheel fell into a covered "well" or hole. As the CH-21 rolled to the right, the blades killed approx. 8 ARVNs standing in a group. No word as to the fate of the 33rd crew.

Tay Ninh is an interesting place in more ways than one. It was at the southern end of the Ho Chi Minh Trail so there was a lot of activity during the "American War", including an NVA assault on the US communications facility on the summit of the mountain in 1968: Attack on Nui Ba Den (http://www.manchu.org/country/Nui_Ba_Den/)

More information on the mountain here: Story Of The Black Virgin Mountain (http://25thaviation.org/id263.htm)

Tay Ninh is also home to the Cao Dai religion (formed in 1926) Cao Dai - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cao_Dai), which had a private army. During the early 1950s, the army was run by General The (pronouced Tay) (Trinh Minh The - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trinh_Minh_The)), who figures very prominently in Graham Greene's book, The Quiet American and in the 2002 film of the same name by Philip Noyce.

Sorry for thread drift. I hope it is of interest.


LFH has control.

[Lordflasheart]

Thank you Simon, fascinating stuff. I'd been trailing round the hilltops following Sycamore and got lucky. Must do the Graham Greene movie again. LFH

Try this -

http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj632/LFH99/WAD31A_zps57da82ff.jpg?t=1368023433

[India Four Two]

Must do the Graham Greene movie again. LFH

Yes, a great movie. I've watched it many times and like to show visitors the locations. It was originally scheduled to be released in late 2001, but the producers got cold feet after 9/11 because of the movie's not very complimentary view of the CIA.

It was finally released in 2002 after vigorous campaigning by Michael Caine. He should have won an Oscar for his performance as Fowler.

Your latest picture. Are we actually in Tonkin this time?

[Duckbutt]

Looking at range of aircraft types and markings - French air force base? If so one of their former colonies so (thinking aloud) is it North Africa? Or perhaps it's Indo China. Mmm, need a clue I think.

[Lordflasheart]

Sommes-nous réellement au Tonkin, cette fois?

Mais certainement. En avant mes braves.

[India Four Two]

Merci, mon ami.

I'm off to bed, so I'll leave Duckbutt to do the research. ;)

[Duckbutt]

So that suggests that I'm on the right track so I'll dig a bit deeper. As a first guess how about Tan Son Nhut?

Seems a bit too obvious though.....

[Lordflasheart]

My grandad says "When you're innanolelad – stop digging." :)

In ye olden days, Asterix quoth verily - "French Indo-China in tres partes divisa est. Cochin, Annam and Tonkin – south, middle and north in that order."

Not Saigon - Tan Son Nhut. I'm not sure TSN was that active in this time-frame. See posts 3777 to 3793 pages 189-190. Continuez à creuser, Monsieur Duckbutt.

LFH

[Duckbutt]

In my ignorance hadn't realised about the three divisions I'll admit. So more Hanoi'ish then?






Edited to add that with that thought in mind a spot more creusering came up with Bach Mai in Hanoi. C'est possible?

[Lordflasheart]

Spot on Duckbutt. :ok: Hanoi Bach Mai it is. 1954.

Principal military and logistic airbase supporting Dien Bien Phu at that time. According to the writ, there are Navy Bearcats plus Cricquet, Pingouin, C-47, Beaver, Siebel, Beech 18 and Navy Corsair F4U-7 and AU-1 on the field. The pic below is looking towards the Red River with Gia Lam airfield (see page 94 post 1879) in the distant haze the other side of the river. LFH

http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj632/LFH99/WAD31B_zps485996b4.jpg?t=1367937102

Well done Duckbutt - You have control.

[Duckbutt]

Thanks. Mel's listdoesn't seem to work at present so hope this is not a duplicate:

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/Twyler/Puzz98.jpg

[Lightning Mate]

"Macchi MC.200 very low over airfield"

Grottaglie Airfield, Italy.

[Duckbutt]

That's the one LM, all yours.

[Lightning Mate]

Cheers Db, but I'm afraid this will have to be OH.

[MReyn24050]

Thanks. Mel's listdoesn't seem to work at present so hope this is not a duplicate:
Working fine a few seconds ago. The main problem is the mods have taken away it's "Sticky" feature for some reason so one has to go searching for it.
Mel

[Lightning Mate]

Perhaps someone should post something like "to the top" so that it comes back to the top.

[cuefaye]

What's the point of all this??

Simply copy and paste into Google images - not particularly imaginative!

[Lordflasheart]

You won't find this on GI, Q-fay -

I was saving it as being perhaps a bit too difficult, (and a list of jobs as long as yer **** too) but if you want a challenge - albeit Transport not FJ ;) - Yer tez Master.

A modestly significant event was taking place on this day in 1965. LFH


http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj632/LFH99/LFH029_zps95f91461.jpg?t=1366960543

[MReyn24050]

Labuan perhaps?

[Lordflasheart]

Not Labuan, Mel, but a nice day out from Changi. LFH

[MReyn24050]

Not Labuan, Mel, but a nice day out from Changi. LFH

Day out from Changi! RAF Kuching perhaps?

[Lordflasheart]

Mel - not Kuching either. This was not on their regular beat, nor on anyone's up until this occasion. Nor is it on an island. According to the snapper, there is a Buddhist priest somewhere in the snap, saying a prayer or a blessing for the airfield (or perhaps for the aeroplane ?) :ooh:

Jenks - 18th June 1965

LFH

[Duckbutt]

Working fine a few seconds ago. Mel

Yes works fine for me too now. Some sort of hole in the Space Time Continuum when I tried before I suppose.

As always thanks for your efforts.

[sycamore]

New laid asphalt,so,commissioning a new runway somewhere in Malaysia/Burma/Thailand,as the first `new` arrival....but there may be Brits on the ground there already....(3-tonner)

ed; LFH.it may be that the priest `foresaw` another event on that day,on a similar aircraft....(with ackdgnts to OD)

[Lordflasheart]

Jenks - last I heard Guam was on an island somewhere ;). this is mainland stuff.

Sycamore - Very good thinking. "commissioning a new runway somewhere in Malaysia/Burma/Thailand,as the first `new` arrival."

Not sure I'm quite with you on the "foresaw" bit though.Actually the snapper claimed it was the very last (RAF) departure after the handover ceremonythe previous day. This was a very big Commonwealth/Crown foreign aid effort, but there were immediate problems of the NHBC kind which had to be rectified. It now looks pretty much abandoned

The next pic was he claimed - the last but one departure - viz

http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj632/LFH99/LFH030_zpsb2bb1325.jpg?t=1366874202 It probably won't help but its a nice pic. JW - thanks. I will reply.LFH

[cuefaye]

This is more enjoyable LFH! Even though I'm at a loss, and was roughly in-theatre at the time!

No doubt LM is lurking, and will pitch in once enough real stears have been provided!

[nacluv]

18 June 1965 was the opening day of Arc Light. Hence where Jenkins is heading with his suggestion, I'll wager.

But also the Indonesia/Malaysia confrontation.

How about Loeng Nok Tha airfield - which was built and then handed over to the Thai government by Commonwealth troops at that time - Operation Crown?

Also, just spotted this - coincidence?

http://www.creopcrown.co.uk/News/Latest/images/beverley.jpg

The NHBC-style problems were, presumably, related to the tarmac runway which had to be dug up (due to ground water/cracking) and concrete put down to replace it?

[Lordflasheart]

Like Double Wow !! Vulcan. :ok: That's what I call a comprehensive win. Loeng Nok Tha - northeast Thailand it is. Couple of palm trees, a bit of tarmac and an old kite, and he's got the whole story.

The 'day out from Changi' was via Bangkok (to top up the tan) and return direct to Changi. Op Crown is all on t'net (and so is the sad story from Guam)

Nacluv - you have control. LFH

[nacluv]

Thanks, M'Lud! :) I put some effort into this one. What an excellent challenge - I really enjoyed that. I apologise for getting it sooner than perhaps it really deserved.

I can't claim any visionary status in divining the answer from the photos though. Your subtle trail of breadcrumbs was what did the damage - the date being the most significant. Arc Light was an excellent foil, and took me off in the wrong direction to start with! But you said the day before - so I had a look at what handovers took place in the region on the 17th rather than the 18th... :ok: And it wasn't until I found a story about the problems with ground water drainage (or lack thereof) which was lifting the tarmac that I knew I'd got my man.

Here is my challenge in response. I don't think it will last long, and it does appear on the list as a previous contestant, but not in a long time. And as it's one of my own, it should fail the GI test. :p

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk252/kwilson1965/nacluv/Airfield_zps71ed10ec.jpg

[chevvron]

Cambridge!

[nacluv]

Naturally... :ok: Didn't think it would last long!

My travels aren't extensive or exotic as others, and I like to try something which can't be GI'd easily (as has been my failing in the past). I will have to dig through my old photos and see if I can find something a bit more obscure for next time. :)

Over to you, Chevvron! Let's have a good one to get us into the weekend.

[chevvron]

Open house!! Why not try again?
NB; I did my PPL course with Marshalls so I know that view very well!

[nacluv]

OK, try this.

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk252/kwilson1965/nacluv/Airfield_zpse731c9cc.jpg

[evansb]

Siguanea, Isla de la Juventud, Cuba ?

[nacluv]

Not a million miles off, but no.

[India Four Two]

That bush in the background seems to have an African look to it. So Mozambique or Angola?

[nacluv]

Not the African continent, I'm afraid. I have never been there.

Evansb was closer. (Clue - the flag behind the cockpit window ;))

[Lordflasheart]

So it is Cuba then ? Or on reflection, perhaps a Cuban aeroplane on a "landaway" ;) ? LFH

[nacluv]

It is on home turf...

[Lordflasheart]

Holiday snaps ? Skydiving ??

[nacluv]

Yes, a holiday snap, but not skydiving. It felt a bit like skydiving when the taxi driver drove through rather than round an electrical storm on the way back to here.

Maybe stunts like that contributed to this service being shut down a few years after this pic was taken. Well, that and a series of rather more fatal incidents sadly.

[cuefaye]

Varadero Airport, Matanzas, Cuba - I think?

[nacluv]

Closer - but still no cigar. :)

I've been waiting to use that line!

It was a scheduled service from this airfield to a much larger concern across the island - and back again in the evening.

[Duckbutt]

Cayo Largo perhaps?

[nacluv]

"Go east, young man!"

[Duckbutt]

Santiago de Cuba?

[nacluv]

Too far east!

Santiago was actually the destination for this trip; the much larger concern alluded to in a previous post.

[cuefaye]

With those trees - Trinidad?

[nacluv]

Wrong coast - east of here...

[cuefaye]

But there's a Trinidad airport in Cuba - so presumably it's not that!

[cuefaye]

We crossed :)

[nacluv]

We did - sorry. I was trying to be funny but thought better of it!

[cuefaye]

Last before bed - Maximo Gomez?

[nacluv]

No, but you are getting warmer!

[sisemen]

The strip at Granma?

[nacluv]

Wrong coast - try the north!

[Lightning Mate]

Cayo Coco ?

[cuefaye]

Think that's all that's left! Coastal North, that is --

[nacluv]

There are one or two others! North East facing coast...

We were stopping in a lovely coastal resort, and the airfield was within 5 miles (as the AN-2 flies) of the resort.

[evansb]

Roberto Yaguero Airport, Playa Santa Lucia, Cuba ?

[nacluv]

Bingo, evansb! Santa Lucia it is.

The shot was taken by me (in 1996) shortly before boarding the trip to Santiago de Cuba. The back of my deckchair seat broke on the way, and the cockpit door latch was also broken so the door kept swinging around with the movement of the aircraft - and banging into my knees. On start-up, with the cockpit window and rear door open, the whole aircraft filled with the cordite (or whatever it is) smoke from the starter cartridges. Quite an adventure!

On the plus side, the co-pilot asked me up the steps to the flight deck to have a look around, and was about to offer me his seat but for some reason thought better of it. How times change.

On the way back we flew straight through the middle of an electrical storm and we all enjoyed the sight of the pilots wrestling with the columns in an effort to remain aloft. The Co-pilot was almost levering his feet against the instrument panel at one point. Both were out of breath at the other side of the storm. I thought it was very entertaining, but I suspect I was in a significant minority. :O

Best flight I have ever had.

Over to you, evansb! :ok:

[evansb]

I'm envious of your fantastic AN-2 flight! Although I've visited Cuba several times, I've never flown in the AN-2. I have flown in Cubana's IL-18, AN-24, and Tu-154. Loved them all...

Here is a nostalgic shot of a mystery 'drome:
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r68/convair640/400727_501139483268292_546315948_n1_zps765992db.jpg

[Allan Lupton]

Under-researched guess: how about Alexandra Park, Manchester?

[Cows getting bigger]

Instone Air and Daimler Air implies a Croydon or Paris link.

[UV]

Croydon. OH if correct.

[evansb]

It is Croydon. OPEN HOUSE is requested.

[cuefaye]

Thanks nacluv - back to the spirit of things. An offering -- not available on GI!

http://i1340.photobucket.com/albums/o738/HaroldEdward/img185_zps515d6916.jpg (http://s1340.photobucket.com/user/HaroldEdward/media/img185_zps515d6916.jpg.html)

[evansb]

Salisbury, Rhodesia ?

[cuefaye]

Not there evansb. Different continent, and go North.

[KeMac]

Sharjah in Trucial States days?

[Cows getting bigger]

Gibraltar?

[cuefaye]

Not Gibraltar, but KeMac is getting closer

[Lordflasheart]

Australia, perchance ? LFH

[cuefaye]

Come back to the region where Kemac suggested. Clue? A present senior member of the Labour Party knows it well.

[dixi188]

Do we mean TB and is it Tel Aviv

[sidtheesexist]

Corfu, Kapodistrias........................? OH if correct

[cuefaye]

None of the foregoing, but if Jenkins came South, he'd be closer. The MP was born there.

[Airclues]

Aden?

OH if correct.

Dave

[cuefaye]

Well done Airclues. The Aden Airways apron c.1965. I was making a coffee one morning in the 8 Sqn crew room when one of those DC3s was blown up by a terrorist bomb nearby. A 43 Sqn mate of mine seduced/married one of the Airways hosties. But only after he had ejected following an engine failure within sight of my photograph - after Aden, he went on to command ETPS Boscombe Down. The MP is Keith Vaz.

OH therefore!

[dash7fan]

.. and now something complete different:

http://i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u562/dash7fan/bth_File0162_zps9323ee22.jpg

[cuefaye]

--- Ahlhorn?

[dash7fan]

Sorry, it is not Ahlhorn

[India Four Two]

Are those yellow runway markings? Are we in Norway?

[dash7fan]

Ist not Norway and it is south of Ahlhorn

[dash7fan]

Runwaylength is 630 m, which is enough for a Sightseeing flight with 48 Pax.

There is also a lake in the vicinity.

[nacluv]

Is it in Europe?

[dash7fan]

Yes, this field ist in central Europe. It is in the vicinity of the border of 3 states. There is also a lake belonging to this 3 states.

[Lightning Mate]

Hohenems-Dornbirn ?

[India Four Two]

Is the lake the Bodensee/Lake Constance?

[dash7fan]

Lightning Mate is correct! Hohenems near Lake Constance.

[Lightning Mate]

Open House please.

[Noyade]

http://i41.tinypic.com/2ur9rhl.jpg

[Lordflasheart]

Well we've had all day without a squeak so I couldn't resist. I thought to start it might be the VC-4 flight line at NAS Atlantic City NJ but I discovered the RCN did their training in '56-57 on the Drut at Boca Chica Field NAS Key West Fl. (USA ;)) Home base of FAWTULANT.

What a smashing photo Graeme. I was privileged to sit in a Demon (on the ground) at Cubi Point in 1960 - the lock-on radar (well you'd need it for a single-seater AW fighter and it worked on the ground) put our lot to shame.

If correct, apologies in advance for Open House. Off to do a bit of Schuh-plattling in my Liederhosen. Got some good stuff for next week though :E. LFH
.

[cuefaye]

Crikey! --

[Wander00]

Are those airships in the background? (Not "their airships")

[Noyade]

Boca Chica Field
Crikey indeed! Well done my Lord! :ok:

I'll let the caption do the explaining...

http://i44.tinypic.com/2yy8hi0.jpg

We have an Open House situation.

[evansb]

The last U.S. Navy 'K' Class Patrol Airship was retired in 1959.

[Duckbutt]

Gone a bit quiet so here's another:

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/Twyler/Puzz100b.jpg

[Lightning Mate]

Looking at those buildings I would say Germany.

RAF?

[Duckbutt]

Yes, no. ;)...........

[cuefaye]

Butzweilerhof. And it was RAF 1951-1967.

Now, that's neither clever nor quick of me!!

And if you'd also posted this GI of the place, most RAF aircrew would've got it immediately!

http://i1340.photobucket.com/albums/o738/HaroldEdward/754PX1_zps5396bb3d.jpg (http://s1340.photobucket.com/user/HaroldEdward/media/754PX1_zps5396bb3d.jpg.html)

[chevvron]

Sorry but I have to ask; what have a load of sheep got to interest RAF aircrew?

[Duckbutt]

Cuefaye is right, I wasn't sure what how to answer the RAF question without making it too easy or alternatively misleading anyone hence the ;)

I knew it was RAF later but it wasn't at the time of the pic.

Do tell us how the sheep fit in with the RAF (surely not the other way round!)

[Lightning Mate]

Do tell us how the sheep fit in with the RAF

They don't, but do with the navy. :E

[Phileas Fogg]

Is it in Wales? :)

[cuefaye]

Wales and Wellies come to mind!

Open House chaps.

[evansb]

http://www.aviapc.com/member/images/2007cg04.jpg

[cuefaye]

Nice one evansb - I can't think where that might be!

[chevvron]

Er is it in Germany?

[cuefaye]

It must be the sun!

[evansb]

Wasn't really a challenge. Just photos of more sheep at German aerodrome, specifically Tempelhof.

[Noyade]

Already on Mel's list, but probably not this particular shot...

http://i39.tinypic.com/34o1tds.jpg

[Noyade]

Hmmmm....just checked it against Google Image and the SOB can still recognise the airport from a different direction.

Top left...

Amazing! (https://www.google.com.au/search?tbs=sbi:AMhZZiunC-TFrkNAoSSBvwxknZr9SG45rWPV7Twogg5luGNTPdETCUxhwwqea4AMW5JP4Q 1Y3JxOB7iLB92Ooz-oCwBYyPXKuZDPN8-eW3ojix84p2wDBeU9v8lL5A4AxPqVvLoPv7N9UgMvHCAb0rcBkLrVyqWORUi G0nqSNKSmvhnxBiphLPL0AJvaKTz9NYEGVfClKXwhKAwSz2_1XAeybkvnVWD ilVindaAZfrAkd9yIM5hGhGXOsb612s1QTAPMVVLjKETNiNkPXSF_1v_1XUl MBfYQ852CceqF6wyCVM6gkJB-hEyP1Gvej0IkqD-wcK3IZxzf3l1nXUQaYKKq6ZTSPVPQ5PIQ6RwguhSgyWY2ISqgfYwk5lVcCGk sNru_1sVS7P2KGe5O0V0PrSUCKXrt5GboasYBCv-vk7kc6D9xx_1Qk6SvrnN3pmUtEgiSFrjIq5LN6eCpadkGIB3PE8U-234Kt8zVYvHZ4CvZNSyCskpS-h7cP-QkziBlLNPjivacF5EFx2nJWt2n9QhBzrdTCjQH5k5CgF_1sWkYz9bI9NZuiA zMua_1N0DE1oDmqwcxhYY6DewA2i2rbBAjYi47Kb8Xvj1msgOLtzmwOlkXOe WN72mXqgt4hg5WpYNsbQcEpkxN5cvtxzJ8s6Te8MAGelOyFaIRt4bVk_12sg ULBGGtpET63MluO1-u0rIBIgLb-czn-ArWO7V6VpYxxRTVfMLLaj7hljrG8_1FyGoRTxjalPUDrB_1X9IczwmjAKLJX HFIcg9tVvPKMmPnLcXUVPIysrpBhFDrNFg8rtTQF0RCmgXeUIUe4E3pN_1Bf mTPlxn4ioFvzVARmyIoVuG-w3Um3RI_1J6jU9rx_1yrNtPUFaD40ac-dYzk6mYowONxQdix4_1ZX0Wjzp6LEM_1UCzrXKp0NARU5r1GDA1uRBYDYSa6 uFXsiCwno4XN3G8LGPDgCwmR_1_1Lm0KZfFdGY74C2E8RlRm2phTExVCPeS0 spDzo50P0p6lhHlyIpUdF9pb72_1aseM28rgJeHO4n2ChpjWrMmC9Z-P5553DHbfAGNeUZRU7lTwHa18YqJU9rWhKAntWPAelxmBOGZSjXQ5XzmS1nT hKxvxEdM0GIh0xsHRneylQrwXcoqnN7vMZOcXgwiy4jG9zJ6XAFNI6mMhPsN xQZnHp1T5BsiclYWvpaiR3NvnZ1K-dmRrlBsx9HR0SN4aUFH_1M_1MnHLPAGeYopYC12pAVDvmUY53NbDTZtyUIUo U3C-2PRudchw18AlFD4GJyolFjZWhLMAUK9vj7nXxAdQS285Qrwlf0_1ImA&bih=550&biw=1280)

I'll try a different image and another part of the world...

http://i44.tinypic.com/6rsdgg.jpg

[Cubs2jets]

That's the Lake Hood seaplane base at Anchorage International. The Alaska Aviation Museum now occupies the pennensula on the right side of the picture.

C2j

[Noyade]

Lake Hood seaplane base

Well done mate. Your control. :ok:

[Cubs2jets]

Even though it is a holiday, I'm off to work. Don't think it's fair to make everyone wait 8 hours so...open house. If there is no posting by later today, I'll get something in.

C2j

[wub]

I'll chuck this in as open house:

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h269/wub_01/P5050102_zps74a65195.jpg

[sycamore]

French,Naval..?

[wub]

Neither I'm afraid

[TheChitterneFlyer]

Bandirma, Turkey.

OH

[wub]

Spot on :ok:

[Lordflasheart]

It looks like open house - so try this - LFH

http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj632/LFH99/LFHWAD33_zps5b840a66.jpg?t=1369843019

[cuefaye]

Craw Field, Port Lyautey, French Morocco

Yet another GI ---

[Lordflasheart]

Well bless my soul Qfay. I had tested it against GI and came up nil, but not wishing to doubt your claim, I looked again. Discovered after a while that there are more ways than 1 of skinning a google image. Learn something new every day !

Craw Field, Port Lyautey, French Morocco (Africa ;)) it is -
1944 - Blimpron-14 at Anchor.

First traverse of the Alantic by blimp in mid 44. They imposed a magnetic U-boat barrier across the entrance to the Med. MAD detection at 75 to 100 feet - PBYs by day, Blimps by night.

I think the dispersal and blimps are just visible in WAD Mark 1 page 173 post 3450, though its been built over since then.

http://www.pprune.org/aviation-history-nostalgia/283572-aerodrome-173.html

Cuefaye - You have control

[cuefaye]

Sorry - off to Lincolnshire for an Aden re-union. Open House chaps.

[Cubs2jets]

I honestly don't expect this to last long...

C2j

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj200/Cubs2jets/blog-bellanca-14-9l_mg_9924_zpsb5d718c8.jpg

[Noyade]

Sorry mate, couldn't resist this one purely based on the aircraft which I thought was a Bellanca 14-23 Cruisair. Played with the words "hanging" and "suspended" and came up with Charlotte Airport?

But apparently it's a Bellanca 14-9L Junior Cruisair...

http://i40.tinypic.com/5mbrd2.jpg

[Lordflasheart]

AKA the "Cardboard Connie" :) - LFH

[Noyade]

Bet it's heavier than cardboard! :)
I wonder if that would be an OH&S issue, hanging above the public like that?

(Who was that guy (a King?) who was invited to tea and at the end of the meal told to look up and there was sword above him, held in place by a single strand of hair? Well, I think that was the story...)

Looking again, one is painted yellow, the other white and the steel ceiling beams appear different?

[Cubs2jets]

Correct! Charlotte - Douglas International Airport.

The Bellanca 14-9L is owned by the Carolinas Aviation Museum and hangs in terminal D. It was flown by State Airline - established in Charlotte, North Carolina in 1945/6. The existance of State Airline delayed the initiation of airline service by Piedmont Airlines by at least one year. Piedmont eventually merged with U.S. Air to become USAirways - now American.

The challenge foes to Noyade.

C2j

[Noyade]

Thanks mate. It was the Bellanca that helped.

Discovered after a while that there are more ways than 1 of skinning a google imageIt's getting harder and harder to defeat GI mate. Here goes...

http://i41.tinypic.com/jt7979.jpg

[con-pilot]

Wild but educated guess, Walker AFB, Roswell, New Mexico?

From the row of hangars, looks familiar.

[evansb]

Very early C-130 Hercules. I'd guess Yokota AFB, Japan.

[Noyade]

Poor image, so I'll risk a 1000 pixels...

http://i42.tinypic.com/nmyy4k.jpg

It's dated 28th October 1967 and we're in the State of California. I couldn't see it in Mel's list, but sometimes name changes occur. I'll check with Wiki later.

[Noyade]

And for those who prefer an aerial shot....

http://i43.tinypic.com/2qk58d2.jpg

[Lordflasheart]

McClellan AFB Sacramento. (Ca - USA ;))
Nice aerial Graeme, but it was the date what dunnit.
By elimination, it seems the only significant B-47 unit still operating in 1967 was the 55th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron with WB-47Es - principally nuclear radiation sampling. BTW the CO was Col Hiram P Bilyeu and they got an Air Force Excellence award that year. LFH

[Noyade]

Well done LFH. :ok:

Your control.

[Lordflasheart]

Thank you Graeme. I think your flightline is up the top right corner of the aerial. McClellan is now a Coast Guard Air Station.

Here's an interesting one. I guess the photographer didn't want to hang around.

http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj632/LFH99/LFHWAD35_zps08c9d988.jpg?t=1369991203

[Lordflasheart]

This 'airfield' didn't last long.

[albatross]

Russia? Perhaps Stalingrad? WAG.

[Noyade]

Or maybe somewhere near or on frozen Lake Ladoga during the siege of Leningrad?

Road of Life - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Road_of_Life)

[Lordflasheart]

Not Stalingrad or Leningrad or Lake Ladoga. Not Russia, but the chaps "down there" are German. LFH

[Airclues]

Norway????

[Lordflasheart]

Spotttton Dave. :ok:

[evansb]

Forus, Norway ?

[Lordflasheart]

Not Forus, Brian. Further north. This 'field' never had the same 'substance' or 'foundation' found at places like Forus. Though it was only operational for a month or so during the War, there has been some recent aviation 'activity' here.

[TheiC]

Information is sparse, but could it be Elga?

[Lordflasheart]

... could it be Elga? Now that is an obscure 'airfield' TheiC :ok:. Not Elga, but you're within 100 miles, so you're getting warmer. That was/is the big problem at both these 'fields.'

[Lightning Mate]

An ice field then?

[Airclues]

As LM says, obviously a frozen lake. Let's start with Lake Hartvigvannet?

Dave

[Lightning Mate]

Do you mean Lake Hartvigvann ?

[Airclues]

LM

Most of the references to the JU-52 that sank there refer to it as Lake Hartvigvannet.

For example; Junkers Ju.52/3mg4e, 6821, Technikmuseum Speyer (http://www.abpic.co.uk/photo/1165968/)

Dave

[Lordflasheart]

Dave & David - I think they're all the same lake in different tongues. But Lake Hart **** worrevver is close to Narvik, which is way up north. You're right it's a frozen lake. And similarly, several German aircraft sank through the melting ice at the beginning of the Norwegian part of Operation Weserubung. Similarly, one/some have recently been recovered from this lake and these events have been publicly recorded. I get the impression that most of these frozen lake ops were all "Plan B" or " nur im Notfall verwenden !"

See my reply to TheiC yesterday
"... Not Elga, but you're within 100 miles, so you're getting warmer." This challenge lake was apparently used for civil water operations before the war, and briefly by RAF flying boats at the end of WWII.

Call when you need mo' clue. LFH

[nacluv]

How about Lake Svalen/Savalen?

[Lordflasheart]

Not Lake Savalen, Vulcan. Go North.

They used this frozen lake as Plan B when it turned out the target airfield surface was too soft for their "heavy" aircraft. This phase lasted about 14 days til the ice melted.

[Lordflasheart]

Mo' clue -



This makeshift aerodrome commenced ops on 11th April 1940 with 18 JU-52s bringing munitions and spares. A flak perimeter was set up.

Within a few days the ice had deteriorated so that ops could only take place early mornings and evenings, but at one time a max of 36 planes were operating from here, plus a few refuelling stops. It was abandoned on 24th April by which time the originally intended airfield at xxxx had been made useable with a timber runway - A number of aircraft had already sunk through the ice or were otherwise left behind.



LFH.

[nacluv]

Could it be Jonsvatnet then?

[Lordflasheart]

Well done Vulcan. It is Jonsvatnet. A few miles south of Trondheim (Norway;) ) and the intended local airfield was Vaernes.

The photo came from "Coastal Command" An Air Ministry account of the part played by Coastal Command 1939 - 42. The caption for the photo says -

"The frozen lake at Jonsvatnet used by the Germans as a makeshift airfield. A Wellington spotted 22 enemy aircraft on it. As a result the lake was bombed – "with excellent effect."


These websites tell most of the story. JU88.net (http://www.ju88.net/) and World War II Aircraft wrecksites in Norway (http://ktsorens.tihlde.org/flyvrak/index.html)


With regard to allied air activity, I note that a Whitley of 77 Squadron did an "armed recce" on 18th April. The reference to a Wellington of 625 Squadron on 22nd is probably the one in the photo caption, except 625 did not form until 1943 with Lancasters, so it could have been one of the 8 Wellington squadrons in 3 Gp. I saw no other reference to any any bombing in my research. FAA Skuas seem to have strafed the place after the birds had flown. The recovered aircraft are in the Norwegian Air Force Museum at Gardermoen.


Nacluv, You have Control.

[nacluv]

Thanks, LFH. I was on to the Vaernes track, so it was that or possibly Hommelvik nearby.

Sorry to say that I can't find any good GI-'proof' images, so OH please.

[Lordflasheart]

Very good Vulcan :ok:. Ju-52s on floats at Hommelvik.

Nacluv has declared OH.

[cuefaye]

This shouldn't be here long ----

http://i1340.photobucket.com/albums/o738/HaroldEdward/img127_zpse89162ce.jpg (http://s1340.photobucket.com/user/HaroldEdward/media/img127_zpse89162ce.jpg.html)

[nacluv]

- - - - - -

[sidtheesexist]

V long shot............Aden? (Khormaksar)

[cuefaye]

sid, you're an excellent sniper :D
Aden 1965 - taken from the Hunter dispersal at RAF Khormaksar
You have control

[sidtheesexist]

My sincere apologies been away with work etc. Open house. Thank you. Sid

[Noyade]

I can't find any good GI-'proof' imagesSame here mate. This one was continually found by GI until the Space Shuttle made an appearance....



http://i44.tinypic.com/2czxqc.jpg

[Noyade]

And Edward from Twilight. (No it's NOT my figurine!)...

http://i39.tinypic.com/2q87nz8.jpg

[Lordflasheart]

The nearest P-47D (c/n 339 55690) is apparently now in the Rio de Janeiro Aerospace Museum as #4120. Served with the Brazilian AF as #4184. I don't think Nogales Az or Nogales (Sonora, Mexico) were ever AAF fields. (Nor Shuttle backup landing strips.) LFH

[Noyade]

Evening my Lord. We're in the USA and according to Wiki it had two names, both which I don't see on Mels list.

I can provide an aerial view. :)

[evansb]

Las Vegas AAF (now Nellis AFB) Nevada, U.S.A.

[Noyade]

Las Vegas AAF (now Nellis AFB) Nevada, U.S.A.

Well done Brian, your control. :ok:

[evansb]

Thanks mate! Here is the next mystery aerodrome:
http://www.decatur-parks.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Airport-Runway-Aerial.jpg

[Lightning Mate]

Looking at the construction materials and colour, I'll shoot for the USA.

[evansb]

Yes. In the U.S.A. The airport is well kept and well planned for the volume and type of operation. Long term car parking is free of charge.