Which Aerodrome Mk III

[Russell Gulch]

No, but it is north of the equator.

[Russell Gulch]

Clue time:

Formerly an airfield to do with Uranium exploration; now disused.

[Russell Gulch]

Not Alaska, but correct country.

If I said further south, that wouldn't be any help at all :)

Clue2: It was built after the 41-45 war (sic). After it became initially disused in the '70s, the runway was used for drag racing.

Russ.

[Russell Gulch]

Clue 3:

It's in a State beginning with U and near a town beginning with M and ending in oab.

The field was constructed immediately after the war to assist with uranium exploration & extraction. This was on requisitioned Bureau of Land Management land (so one Govt department requisitioned it from another....the Yanks are good at that type of thing.)

In the 70's the jurisdiction was returned to BLM, but the field still exists as you see; almost usable. All buildings have gone, leaving just their foundations. My understanding is that the land rights are now passed to a local college, so there might be some educational benefit to someone.


The town has now expanded to almost encompass the airfield.

:)

[Russell Gulch]

So let someone else post an Aerodrome:

OH

[India Four Two]

Russell,

I've been offline for the weekend, but after your generous clue of Moab Utah, I had to have a go, but it was still surprisingly difficult.

When you first posted, like JENKINS, I thought it might be Alaska or possibly the Yukon.

However, after a Google Earth search, I'll go for a view of the La Sal mountains from the old runway, north of Spanish Fork Airport, southeast of Moab

[dash7fan]

According Russel ist OH:

http://imageshack.us/a/img546/9646/file0076.jpg

[Russell Gulch]

Frankfurt?

Russ

[India Four Two]

dash7fan,

An Austrian Metro but with a Swiss Venom in the background. Are we in Switzerland?

[dash7fan]

No, we are not in Switzerland or Germany

[cuefaye]

Austria then?

[dash7fan]

Yes! it is in Austria

[Phileas Fogg]

Graz Airport?

[dash7fan]

Yes, it is Graz 1986. The Venom is now part of the "Österreichische Luftfahrtmuseum", which opens again in May 2014.

Over to You Ph.F.

[Phileas Fogg]

Thanks, try this:

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3693/11169003963_a3e0970495_z.jpg

[John Hill]

Would that be in Germany?

[Phileas Fogg]

Nope, not Germany

[cuefaye]

Warum das alles Googling?

[Phileas Fogg]

Where? Never heard of it, no :)

[cuefaye]

Gute antwort :ok:

[Lightning Mate]

Warum das alles Googling?

I think he's trying to tell you something PF.

[Phileas Fogg]

Schurke :)

[dash7fan]

Somewhere in Europe?

[Phileas Fogg]

Nope, not Europe

[India Four Two]

How about South America?

[Phileas Fogg]

Not South America

[aviate1138]

How about the Far East?

[Phileas Fogg]

Just checked with Wiki what constitutes the Far East and based on that info "yes", this aerodrome is in the Far East,

[India Four Two]

Does your qualified answer mean we are in India.?

[Phileas Fogg]

This aerodrome is not in India.

Don't become confused, I'm accustomed to continents and when the previous poster questioned "Far East", an expression I hadn't heard for years, I just had to refresh my memory what/where the Far East actually is.

This aerodrome is in Asia.

[WE992]

As this challenge has been going on for a week now, perhaps we are due or deserve a clue?

[cuefaye]

Just Google the damn thing!

[dash7fan]

Just got it, thanks for the hint!

[Phileas Fogg]

I wish somebody would tell me where it is :)

[dash7fan]

Diosdado Magapagal Intl. Airport or

Clark Intl. Airport

Phillipines

OH if correct

[India Four Two]

Aaagh, I knew it looked familiar - I drove down that dual-carriageway two weeks ago! :ugh:

Well-cropped PF.

This is the GA runway. The main runway of Clark Field is out of view to the right. The buildings in the background are part of the infamous Angeles City.

[Phileas Fogg]

dash7fan has declared OH

[Gulfstreamaviator]

Shame I can not post pictures....


This is the flight line for AAG.


Just out of shot is the new SM mall.


Many happy hours spent in the Mall, and environs.


Glf

[dubbleyew eight]

I actually dont know where this was. saddest photo I've ever seen.

http://i1274.photobucket.com/albums/y421/dubbleyew8/auster_zpsf5b062a8.jpg

It was an Auster J1N

[cuefaye]

No fatalities or injuries though.

[BEagle]

I actually dont know where this was. Saddest photo I've ever seen.

This was Auster J/1N Alpha G-AHST and the incident occurred at High Cross airstrip, near Ware in Hertfordshire.

Caused, it seems, by someone trying to steal fuel...

[asw22]

Hello all! Long time no see...

I believe we are in OH mode so, here is another one of my pet war airfields:

http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/3025/0bh0.jpg

This one has very interesting remnants to this day...It is located in my usual sector!;)

Cordially

Asw22
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/706/0bh0.jpg/

[dubbleyew eight]

thanks for the details beagle. good dog, woof :E

[cuefaye]

Very fine Googling!

[evansb]

Former Luftwaffe airfield in Northern France, presently unrecognizable as an airfield from Google Earth?

[Russell Gulch]

I don't suppose that after a week, asw22 would be so kind as to offer a clue?

Otherwise one might lose interest in this thread completely.

Respectfully,

Russ

[DIBO]

Well asw22 is probably still chasing thermals, so I'll give you a clue: it's in the 'departement Pas de Calais'. And that's about all that remains from the large concrete runway, looking southwards. (courtesy of Mr. Google)
http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/ab142/DIBOYOU/PPRune/I-G.jpg (http://s858.photobucket.com/user/DIBOYOU/media/PPRune/I-G.jpg.html)


Taking off on the westerly runway, with the ATC instruction "maintain runway heading for well over 100 miles" would bring you right over Shoreham airfield. Well... "immer gerade aus" would be the more likely "Befehl" from the "Fluglotse" to go and bomb Shoreham

[TheiC]

DIBO, perhaps you'd like to name the airfield and declare OH or post your own challenge?

There's a strange feeling of mild annoyance when we have challenge responses which indicate someone knows the answer, but isn't saying, and motivation to research them ends up somewhat less...

If asw22 isn't around to respond, then what would happen to a correct answer?

Should we just move on? The others (especially cockpit) seem to have atrophied, is this thread going the same way?

[Wander00]

A few days late and a couple of dollars short - sad to see the J1N - learned to fly on that model in 1961, though not in that aircraft. Hope they got the bu@@ers who (allegedly) tried to steal the fuel.

[DIBO]

I didn’t want to steal ASW22’s show, awaiting his return I just wanted to give some clues to keep the quiz going. I tried to find it myself ‘the honest way’, but I couldn’t, so used some CSI techniques but it still took me 15 min. or so to wade through all possible matches. ASW22’s picture was not in the database (and didn’t find it yet on the www). It wouldn’t be very sportsmanlike to give the answer, but didn’t want to annoy anybody by withholding the answer, either. I’d hoped some extra clues would get the quiz going.

Although most of the RWY’s have gone, most of the airfield perimeter is still in use (more or less) and is largely StreetViewed. Never been able to ‘drive around’ that much on WW II concrete.
For those still in the quiz, some more clues:


It is RWY29’s extended centreline that brings you in the Shoreham area, after some half an hour flying at Me109 speeds. ASW22’s picture is north oriented.
For the nature lovers, the main landscape feature in asw22’s picture, the forest, is still in good, similar shape, even having reclaimed the dispersal TWY on the eastern side. With Google Earth from about 25km altitude, you can spot it fairly easy (if you’ve worked out the general area).
Lots of WW I fighting must have been going on, lots of cemeteries. This village has a British cemetery with a New Zealand memorial (haven’t got a clue if this is a sensible clue).

But if you all decide that I just should shut up and give the answer, fine with me.

[Dave Wilson]

Grevillers? JU88 base I think.

[DIBO]

Although it's not for me to decide, but if ASW22 is still with his head into the cumulus, Dave Wilson is spot on, would be my verdict. Made it too easy it seems.
Apologies to ASW22 for the complete hijack of your post. But please give us some more info (and any other nice historic pic's available??) of Irles-Grevillers.

Courtesy of 'Anciens Aérodromes'
Aerodrome-Grevillers-n043_20-03-2010_14-17-03 | Flickr - Photo Sharing! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/2aa/4707994955/in/photostream/lightbox/)
Aerodrome-Grevillers-n072_20-03-2010_15-28-38 | Flickr - Photo Sharing! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/2aa/4708060797/in/photostream/lightbox/)

[Dave Wilson]

Being as I only chanced upon this thread an hour or so ago I'm quite happy to hand over to someone else as I don't know if there are any rules and regs, plus I don't know what's gone before!

[DIBO]

Well Dave, just passing by and having the correct answers straight away, seems to indicate to me that you're more knowledgeable than you care to admit.... I'm not an expert on rules and reg's, but if you check the http://www.pprune.org/aviation-history-nostalgia/311746-what-cockpit-what-aerodrome-latest-lists.html list on what has been published before, find a nice aerodrome picture that is not yet all over Google, you're about ready to make a new entry in this thread; unless you're about to leave on a 2 weeks holiday (without wifi that is). Better still if you have some personal experience or background info to complement the quest at the end.
If non of these are available for the moment, you declare it Open House.

[Dave Wilson]

Crikey just had a look at the list, not a lot left! However...I have this lurking in my photo collection. I took this on the 2nd July 2011. A nice easy one for Christmas.

http://i1081.photobucket.com/albums/j355/thing56/Secretsquirrel_zps3b2acf8d.jpg (http://s1081.photobucket.com/user/thing56/media/Secretsquirrel_zps3b2acf8d.jpg.html)

[Dora-9]

Dave Wilson? Is this Whiz Wilson of CX fame???

[Dave Wilson]

Nope, it's Dave Wilson of no fame at all.

By the way, noting the international flavour of this thread I might add that the pic is in the UK.

[chevvron]

I thought we'd done Binbrook before.

[Airclues]

chevvron

I can't see Binbrook on the list.

Dave

[Dave Wilson]

Chevron has the lead. I couldn't see Binbrrok in the list either. I was at Binners from 85-88 until it closed, what you are looking at there is the bomb dump, although it was actually the missile dump. I worked in the large building lower centre of the dump which was known as FARTS or Firestreak And Red Top Servicing. It's hard to believe that just over 25 years ago it was a hive of activity.

You can't really see it from the air but the top road which leads down to the wooded area was actually a fairly deep valley where we used to keep the warheads and 30mm ammo for the Adens. It was also a haven for wildlife and a great place to skive off to on a sunny afternoon where you had that odd juxtaposition of being in the middle of the English countryside combined with the roar of Lightnings.

[India Four Two]

Dave,

What a sad photo. I have very fond memories of Binbrook. It was the location of my first UBAS summer camp in 1967, when 5AC were there with their F6s.

I flew there dual to deliver one of our Chipmunks, before the camp. We landed at the west end of 09 ( running across the bottom of your picture) and had to expedite across the main runway 04, to make room for a Lightning on final.

We continued to the end of 09 and were about to turn right onto the peri track, when we were nearly run over by the same Lightning, which had landed and taxied all the way back without us noticing! :eek:

I remember they taxied very fast - >20 kts?

[Dave Wilson]

Yes they would run away at idle power, I think the main problem was actually keeping the taxi speed down without duffing the brakes. Also where the taxiway goes around the bomb dump in the photo was a quite steep (for taxiways) downhill bit.

I've landed on that cross runway in a 172, last 50 ft or so is right by the dump which I thought was a bit dodgy!

[asw22]

Hello all!

Merry Christmas to everyone...

I am sorry for my lateness but 5 days after posting the challenge I did not have any answer and I was quite busy at the time so it did slip from my mind!!! Sorry about that...

It is indeed Irles/Grevillers in the french designation, but the Germans did know it better as Achiet. The look on Google Earth will show you that there are indeed quit a lot of remains to see including an half complete runway.
When visiting it is amusing to notice two very distinct qualities of concrete: the good one was made by the locals under British contract (however the airfield was not finished in 1940) , the sh..ty one was done by the same under German tenure...and presumably not the same enthusiasm! The difference is quite spectacular, and this very hastily and badly cast concrete can be found in several former airfields around, especially those from the initial period (2nd half of 1940) .

Amically,

JVM

PS I will be more awake for the next one...or I will have landed (even if these times I am more used to 2nd seat of a K13):):):)

[DIBO]

Asw22, did your picture come from a private collection or book?? Couldn't find it on the web (yet). If it's available on a website, please let us know which website it came from. Thanks.

[Lightning Mate]

"Yes they would run away at idle power, I think the main problem was actually keeping the taxi speed down without duffing the brakes."


For your interest, it was SOP to shut down the no.1 engine after landing and taxi in with the no.2 at fast idle (58% on the throttle detent) in order to keep the AC on line via the air-driven turbine.


If it was necessary, idle thrust could be selected with the loss of AC.


Under such conditions the aeroplane did not run away from you. If the 'chute had candled on landing then one had to be aware that the brakes were hot and caution was required. The Lightning did not have nosewheel steering and taxying was achieved with differential braking.

[chevvron]

Sorry for my tardy response; got some sort of 'lurgy' yesterday and was laid low (not it wasn't too much Christmas cheer!)
In '66 when I went there as a cadet, there was a sort of 'leadership' course laid out in those trees bottom right. Also close to the east end of 09 was the 25 yd rifle range. We used to sit outside when not shooting watching the aircraft in the circuit.

Open House!

[Dave Wilson]

For your interest, it was SOP to shut down the no.1 engine after landing and taxi in with the no.2 at fast idle (58% on the throttle detent) in order to keep the AC on line via the air-driven turbine.
That's it, I knew there was a reason that the idle had to be kept up, couldn't recall it, thank you very much. What did you do in the descent then, or did they windmill enough to keep the gennies online? One other question, I remember a pair coming back low on fuel (been a c*ck up with the tanker I think) and they were running on one engine. Was there a prefered engine to shut down because of the thrust line?

And one other thing...:) did you have a favourite mark? I fly occasionally with an ex Lightning jock and was surprised when he told me by far the best one to fly in terms of handling was the Mk 1.

[Dave Wilson]

OK here's another one not on the list. Taken April this year.

http://i1081.photobucket.com/albums/j355/thing56/SNC10923_zpseffb60af.jpg (http://s1081.photobucket.com/user/thing56/media/SNC10923_zpseffb60af.jpg.html)

[Dave Wilson]

I had to look Bobbington up! Jenkins is correct. Bobbington better known to me as Halfpenny Green, well done that man. How did you ding the prop?

[TheiC]

Also now, according to its owners, but somewhat illogically, known as Wolverhampton Halfpenny Green...

[Dave Wilson]

I've only ever known it as Halpenny Green, right from flying gliders at Cosford late 80's early 90's. I'm pretty sure that's what it was on the half mil. When did they change the name? From Bobbington that is?

[Hen Ddraig]

The name was changed from Bobbington to Halfpenny green in September 1943. Bobbington had frequently been confused with Bovington with fairly obvious consequences.

Hen ddraig
Time to spare, go by air.

[Dave Wilson]

I'll stick one more up being as no one else has. Sporting theme, UK, taken June 2012.

Fore!

http://i1081.photobucket.com/albums/j355/thing56/Fore_zps6aea8d77.jpg (http://s1081.photobucket.com/user/thing56/media/Fore_zps6aea8d77.jpg.html)

The only way to arrive at a golf club.

http://i1081.photobucket.com/albums/j355/thing56/Theonlywaytoarriveatagolfclub_zpsc1a3b4b6.jpg (http://s1081.photobucket.com/user/thing56/media/Theonlywaytoarriveatagolfclub_zpsc1a3b4b6.jpg.html)

[chevvron]

Hen Draig: I think you meant Bovingdon not Bovington. Bovingdon (Herts) was an airfield allocated to USAAF whereas Bovington (Dorset) is an Army base. T.E. Shaw (better known as Lawrence of Arabia, met his demise nearby.

[Hen Ddraig]

Chevvron you are right, just demonstrates how easy it is to get names confused. The same problem happened with RAF Shotwick which became RAF Sealand and RAF Scopwick which became RAF Digby.

Hen ddraig
Time to spare, go by air.

[Dave Wilson]

Crikey, correct again! Well done that man. Have a go, I'm running out of pictures!

[asw22]

@DIBO:

This is an extract of the IGN photo of 1947. It is freely accessible (as is the rest of France) on GEOPORTAIL:

Le portail des territoires et des citoyens - Géoportail (http://www.geoportail.gouv.fr/accueil)

Cdly

JVM

[asw22]

Hello!

Considering the relative lack of activity here (and also that I am back from under my cumulus), I propose this one:

http://imageshack.com/a/img822/8986/zigi.jpg

It should not be very difficult; however I will give a clue there (note that the A/C type is relevant):

http://imageshack.com/a/img833/323/4g6b.jpg

Good luck!

asw22

[chevvron]

There's a fort like that near Hal Far (Malta) and it's been well bombed.

[sidtheesexist]

Aren't they Douglas Devastators? And I was thinking of 1 Sqdn and NW France before the fall.......I suspect I might be heading up a dead end.....Rgds Sid

[cuefaye]

Boulogne-Alprech, France


OH, if so

[asw22]

Excellent Cuefaye!

Boulogne Alprech it is (how did you find out by the way?)!

The A/C were Chance Vought V156F ("Vindicator" in US designation) from the French Navy AB3 squadron. They were destroyed by He 111 on May 10th, 1940.

Amically

asw

[dash7fan]

As OH by cuefaye


https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/972x648q90/836/r87q.jpg

[oftenflylo]

sylt ? or similar

[dash7fan]

No, sorry, it`s further south

[oftenflylo]

thought they looked Belgian but dunno if the Greeks had them.

[chevvron]

Heraklion? (or even Iraklion!)

[dash7fan]

Greece is correct, but not Iraklion. The pic is from 1986. The City is already in the Aerodromelist, but not as Airport.

[10 DME ARC]

maleme?? perhaps??

[dash7fan]

No, too far south

[India Four Two]

Nea Anchialos?

[dash7fan]

No, but try the other side!

[nacluv]

In the interests of trying to keep this thread alive, I'll have a stab at Preveza/Aktion then.

[dash7fan]

Preveza is it, with decoy F 84 and F 86.


Your control.

[nacluv]

Thanks dash7fan.

Decoys, eh? Cool. I see the odd one is still lying around the place, if GE is anything to go by.

Regrettably, I have nothing to hand which will pass (or rather, fail) the GI test, so OH.

[John Hill]

Here is another easy one....:)

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2851/12020326416_6efa2d0222.jpg

[Later]
Ooops, my apologies! That airport has been on already so OH it is!

BTW, it is Kabul.
[/]

[DIBO]

Let's go back well into the past... The sheer size of the building is of course the first clue into the type of aviation that went on here....
http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/ab142/DIBOYOU/PPRune/BalloonAirbase.jpg (http://s858.photobucket.com/user/DIBOYOU/media/PPRune/BalloonAirbase.jpg.html)
and that's what it looks like nowadays
http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/ab142/DIBOYOU/PPRune/BalloonAirbase2.jpg (http://s858.photobucket.com/user/DIBOYOU/media/PPRune/BalloonAirbase2.jpg.html)

[India Four Two]

France or Germany?

[Lightning Mate]

Possibly Antwerp.

[DIBO]

France or Germany?neither of both, but a lot of French was spoken. And the uninvited visit by the germans, marked the end of the lighter than air era for that airbase (and for the airforce as a whole as a matter of fact)
Antwerpnope, although Antwerp has also a history going back to the 1920's (the airport building is still largely the original from that era). But it never had a permanent role as an airbase (excluding the years of those uninvited visitors)

[asw22]

That would be the ballon hangar of Zellik on the NW outskirts of Brussels, I guess...

[DIBO]

Another clue... the base was named after a 'lighter than air' military aviator who died in Passchendaele in 1918 when he was shot down during a reconnaissance mission. By coincidence, the question ‘France or Germany’ from the previous post, can be used here. His first name was of French origin and his last name was of German origin. The airbase had mainly (or even only) tethered balloons in its inventory.

[Edit] oops, I was interrupted while typing the post, and when finishing it, the right answer was already there!! Congrats asw22!!
Indeed, the pre WW II airbase in Zellik, named after Cpt-Cdr. Serge Eckstein, was turned into a military depot after WW II and de-militarised in 1995. This building is about the only thing that remains of the pre WW II era. On GE you can find it at 50°53'31.50"N 4°16'19.00"E
See also Panoramio - Photo of Zellik/Asse, oude ballonloods (http://www.panoramio.com/photo/21476435) Panoramio - Photo of Zellik/Asse, oude ballonloods van de luchtvaartkazerne Serge Eckstein (http://www.panoramio.com/photo/21476462)

[asw22]

Hello!

> DIBO, It took some time to find this one...but with the clue "a lot of french but not France" and lighter than air...that was a nice one!

Here is my last proposal:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/543/lgds.jpg

I will let you look for it a little bit. The general sector is my usual one...If needed I will give one clue later which will make the identifying sooo much easier....;)

[Russell Gulch]

I flew my virtual 'plane up and down the Somme to try to find the location, but failed miserably.

And I know the Somme in person quite well.

So I dont beleive the river in the picture is the Somme so a small clue required please asw.

Russ.

(This "W" thread is so much better behaved than the "Other" (http://www.pprune.org/jet-blast/530347-where-earth-mk-ii-72.html) one :rolleyes:)

[asw22]

OK....Here is the clue:

1945/1/1

;)

[India Four Two]

Marne, rather than the Somme?

[DIBO]

Think you are referring to Operation Bodenplatte (1jan'45). Maybe we should look more north, in the Battle of the Bulge area??

[asw22]

There were not that many airfields targeted in Bödenplatte, and none in the battle of the Bulge area per se...

So look up north, north/north east...

[Russell Gulch]

Denmark?

Plus some letters

[asw22]

Bödenplatte operation, remember, so not Denmark...

[Oldpilot55]

The field pattern looks Dutch to me

[asw22]

If you consider the Dutch airfields targets of Bödenplatte you may notice those were large airbases with concrete runways so....

[sidtheesexist]

Believe it's German. Maitzborn?

[asw22]

Did Bodenplatte have any target in Germany? That would be surprising! You have all the elements to find rather easily the answer to the riddle...:cool:

[sidtheesexist]

I believe not since it was the Luftwaffe's last fling and presumably launched from German airfields close to the Low Countries. Hence my suggestion......I hadn't seen a comment indicating that latest airfield was specifically a target! ;)

Have re read previous posts. Asw22, you are quite correct re target, targeting etc. My suggestion is retracted forthwith!!

[asw22]

I have used the terms "target" and "targeted" already...This should narrow the field of search don't you think?:p:p:p

[DIBO]

Excluding all the other targets, only Metz-Frescaty remains, but can't really match the photo

[Oldpilot55]

Somewhere in Belgium seems possible but I can't find a match

[DIBO]

None of the Belgian (and Dutch for that matter) targets have a wide riverbed nearby
But looking at the picture (and the shades on the ground) again, have to exclude Metz-Frescaty as otherwise the sun would have been shining from the north...

I throw the towel into the ring ...

[Phileas Fogg]

Not by any chance Findel?

[Oldpilot55]

There are 17 airfields listed in Wikipedia as being involved on the BotB but I cannot match them on Google Earth. I'm guessing others have done this but it might save someone else wasting their day!!

[asw22]

It is indeed mentioned in wikipedia...did you (at large) really check all of them:p?

So please have a look there: 50°56'49.92"N 4°23'03.98"E

The contours of the field and various landmarks around are still perfectly identifiable...From a photo interpretation standpoint, it is an easy one!

I will show you soon another one...it will not be easy even with an approximate position...and yet when you know where it is it becomes obvious!

In the mean time, OH please...

[Oldpilot55]

Agreed. The peri track, the river and the road pattern are unchanged. It was 14th on my list and I was getting jaded and not knowing Belgium airfields didn't help.

[Russell Gulch]

I must confess that I see no similarity between what those co-ordinates produce on my map and the original photo.

Perhaps the photo is not north-up?

Russ.

[asw22]

Actually it is NE up...but that should not be such a hindrance in this case (yet it is sometimes, true!):

http://imageshack.com/a/img40/9391/62ky.jpg

Cheers!

asw

[Oldpilot55]

It looks a lovely little strip but Belgium puts a fair number of obstacles to flying there that I doubt if I will ever visit.

[DIBO]

wow, I was really mislead by the original picture. I was looking for a river in a rather wide river bed, so discarded all Belgian airfields, after having a close look on GE just to be sure. I never would have guessed it was Grimbergen (EBGB). And I've flown there, although as a passenger on the Goodyear blimp. It has 2 rather special hangars on the airfield (info in dutch: Vliegveld Grimbergen Loodsen (http://www.rvg.be/loodsen.htm)). Some 20+ years ago it still had the original size with 3 grass runways, but environmentalists forced it to close, later opening again much smaller with one runway. The remainder of the former airfield was turned into a recreational/nature area, where the 2 old runways are still clearly visible. Some more history in dutch Recreatief Vliegveld Grimbergen - EBGB - Grimbergen Airfield (http://www.rvg.be/) (then click on 'Geschiedenis' button). The Sabena aeroclub is still based there.

[Noyade]

Here's another....

http://imgbin.me/image/XYYHAIXH.jpg

[chevvron]

Looks like a development aircraft so possibly Nicosia before it closed?

[Noyade]

Not Cyprus, but it is on an island in the Mediterranean.

[Cows getting bigger]

Decimomannu?

[Noyade]

No mate, but we're getting closer, head South East...

http://imgbin.me/image/CENRUGZL.jpg

[Jn14:6]

Luqa, Malta??

[WE992]

The former Italian F-104 base at Trapani on the west coast of Sicily.

[Noyade]

Sicily, but not Trapani. Go East...

[evansb]

Comiso airfield ?

[Noyade]

Not Comiso, but we're getting closer. We need to go north now. It's just a little north of "Lago di Lentini" and is/was a Naval Air Station.

The photograph is of a Harrier T.2 XW275 taken in 1969.

[Hen Ddraig]

Could this be NAS Sigonella. I suspect the Harrier is XW175 there were only two T2's in 1969 and XW 174 was destroyed in June 1969. There never was an XW275. In 2011 XW 175 was still in storage at Boscombe Down.

HD

[Noyade]

Could this be NAS SigonellaSure is!

Your control Hen.


There never was an XW275. Yup. Caption error....

http://imgbin.me/image/OLSEAOMD.jpg

[Hen Ddraig]

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy111/henddraig/Airfields/015.jpg (http://s783.photobucket.com/user/henddraig/media/Airfields/015.jpg.html)
Try this one
Sorry about the delay, flew Manchester/Toronto this morning, its been a long day

[Russell Gulch]

Well it's 24 hours since.

Not Manchester.

Not Toronto.

Clue, please.

[Hen Ddraig]

Not Buffalo which is were I've been all day.
But it is North America, taken on a good visibility day.

HD

[Hen Ddraig]

Time for some more detail.
Originally a 1942 military airfield with 3 runways, an additional 10,001 ft runway added in 1954. Military finally left in 1995. The airfield is now civilian and has been used for filming parts of "Fast and furious" in 2001 and "The aviator" in 2004.

HD

[Noyade]

Nice clues! :ok:

Possibly here then?....

San Bernardino International Airport - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Bernardino_International_Airport)

[Lightning Mate]

G'day mate.

[Hen Ddraig]

Noyade gets it.
San Bernardino International, formerly Norton AFB
Picture taken on a rare clear day in June 2010 from the roadside at Rim of the World High School.

HD

[Noyade]

G'day LM. Where On Earth have you been mate?

Thanks Hen.
An easy one in return then.

"Look James, is that an aerodrome?!"....


http://imgbin.me/image/NFENTXAD.jpg

[chevvron]

Rio/Santos Dumont. With better definition you would be able to see the international airport in the left background; it's on that 'island' just above the bridge.

Open House!

[albatross]

For added points what type of aircraft is shown taking off from the airport in the movie?

[chevvron]

As far as I recall (I only saw Moonraker once when it was first released about 30 years ago, but visited Rio in 2002) it was a Stratocruiser converted to a freighter but not a Guppy conversion.

[albatross]

Clue : Buffalo Joe owns a couple.

[chevvron]

Sorry never heard of him.

[Noyade]

Electra! :)

Well done Chevron - Open House!

http://imgbin.me/image/FSFHOXUJ.jpg

[dash7fan]

To Keep this thread running:


https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/1598x918q90/29/58d9.png

[evansb]

Buchel Fliegerhorst Air Base, Germany ?

[dash7fan]

It is Germany, but not Buchel. More in the southern part.

[India Four Two]

Ah, an L-Spatz, complete with a rubber band. ;)

The first single-seater I ever flew. Upwind penetration was not one of its strong points, although a friend of mine nearly completed a 300 km triangle in one, which was pretty good going.

[evansb]

Landsberg-Lech air base, Germany ?

[dash7fan]

Not far away, appr. 30 NM in one runwaydirection from Lagerlechfeld.

[Airclues]

Neuburg an der Donau, EDSU?

If correct then I would like to defer to evansb. The only ability on my part was being able to measure 34.5 statute miles in a bing map in a direction of 030 (couldn't find anything in a direction of 210).

Dave

[dash7fan]

Direction 210 from Lagerlechfeld is correct. Distance from Landsberg/Lech is app. 16 NM.


It is not Neuburg. This aerodrom was mainly a trainigsfield.

[Airclues]

Kaufbeuren Air Base?

evansb or OH if correct as my only skill in finding it it the ability to measure distances on bing maps.

Dave

[dash7fan]

It is Kaufbeuren 1960, OH or evansb.

[evansb]

Here is the next challenge:
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r68/convair640/convair640029/Germany_zps6076fc62.jpg

[chevvron]

Er Germany maybe?

[evansb]

Er...nope. Not Germany.

[India Four Two]

Then how about "The Cool Pool"?

[Cows getting bigger]

Indeed. Goose Bay?

[evansb]

Not CFB Cold Lake, Alberta. It is Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador, Newfoundland, Canada. CGB has it!

[Cows getting bigger]

Sorry for the delay, been doing a bit of time travel today (or was it tomorrow? :zzz: )

Sorry, it has to be OH I'm afraid.

[Hen Ddraig]

As it's OH try this one of the tower of this blessed airport.http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy111/henddraig/090.jpg (http://s783.photobucket.com/user/henddraig/media/090.jpg.html)

[John Hill]

Hawarden airport near Chester.

[Hen Ddraig]

Not Hawarden John, wrong continent.

[India Four Two]

St. Catherines/Niagara District Airport CYSN

[Hen Ddraig]

Correct, India four two has control

HD

[India Four Two]

Sorry all, I've been offline. No access to my bag of aerodrome images. Open House

[John Hill]

This one should only take a few minutes...

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3144/13003573023_3f52492ebb.jpg

[siftydog]

Taieri, NZ South Island?

[John Hill]

Spot on siftydog,:D

Your turn now I am off tomy bed.

[siftydog]

I'll have another sift around, but OH meantime.

[dash7fan]

Seems to be OH, so the next Airport:


https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/480x316q90/c/132/kibb.jpg

[evansb]

Don't know the exact location, but...airport cafe/bar with conifers in the background...Continental Europe, possibly Germany?

I certainly like the idea of an airfield bistro-bar:
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r68/convair640/convair640048/flughafen_zpsb01b0f48.jpg

[John Hill]

Someone should be able to recogize the label on the beer bottle.

Beer served at airport cafe in 50's/60's, rules out NZ then!

[dash7fan]

The Airport is in Europe, but not Germany. 1965

[DIBO]

It's a Sabena DC7 and it's not Brussels. Haven't got a clue...

[dash7fan]

It is not Lisbon, but southern Europe is ok

[evansb]

Naples, Italy ?

[oftenflylo]

3 bladed props say DC-6B - not that it helps with location.
stylish railings says Italy

[dash7fan]

Sorry for delay, the Airport is not in Italy

[evansb]

Okay, the beer label is Spanish, so I'll guess Barcelona?..

[dash7fan]

Yes, it is Barcelona 1965. What a place to drink a beer! Glory times!


Over to You

[chevvron]

BARCA! (7-0)
Estrella ain't bad either.

[evansb]

Here is the next mystery aerodrome:
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r68/convair640/convair640056/molly_syrus_zps6aaa5ba0.jpg

[aerobelly]

How about Brooklands?


'b

[evansb]

Sorry, not Brooklands.

[sidtheesexist]

V long shot - Hendon?

[chevvron]

Worthy Down?

[evansb]

Sorry, not Hendon, nor is it Worthy Down. The aerodrome in question is no longer in existence.
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r68/convair640/convair640057/AVRO_zpseea086f6.jpg

[Lightning Mate]

Tut tut Bri..............................

[chevvron]

Watchfield?

[evansb]

Not Watchfield. The mystery aerodrome closed before WW.II. The aerodrome's brief existence is commemorated on a plaque.

[chevvron]

The 'Belfast Truss' hangars would indicate British Isles; other than that I don't have a clue but the distinctive road layout may jog someone's memory.

[WATB]

Alexandra Park/Hough End. The 504 helped! OH I'm afraid.

[buttrick]

Radlett? OH if right

[evansb]

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r68/convair640/convair640058/CPT_DAVID_MODEL_AIRCRAFT_zps71a25923.gifWATB is correct. In 1919, you could fly from Manchester's Alexandra Park Aerodrome to Blackpool, (South Shore Aerodrome), for a mere 9 Guineas.

Why Britain adopted the Guinea instead of the Pound Sterling I do not know...

WATB has declared OPEN HOUSE, to no one's surprise...



Regarding the Hough End Aerodrome, I stand corrected, as the site is not completely without air traffic. On weekends, the site, (Hough End Playing Fields), hosts radio controlled model aircraft traffic. (See above photo, taken at Hough End Park) Nuff said.

[evansb]

People cheat. A lot. I've been informed by no less than two (2) long time ppruners that my photos are easily sourced, so as to enable a quick solution to my challenges. So be it. A gentleman with morals would avert their eyes...
Cheaters cheat. Who knew? Eff you to all who cheat.

[cuefaye]

I suspect then that there'll be only you and one or none others left to contribute. Myself included of course.

[evansb]

Correct!:ok: Play Pink Floyd's "Brain Damage" now..

[Hen Ddraig]

As it's open house again try this one taken by my front right seat passenger about five years ago.
http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy111/henddraig/DSCF0510.jpg (http://s783.photobucket.com/user/henddraig/media/DSCF0510.jpg.html)

HD

[VAT1]

I'll start the ball rolling with Southampton?

[chevvron]

Not UK. The presence of 'barracks' would indicate a military connection but the parked aircraft appear to be civil.

[10 DME ARC]

Which one there is two??

[TheChitterneFlyer]

Which one there is two??

I think it's fair to assume that the airfield in the foreground is the one in question! As for which one... there ARE two; not IS two!

I'll open the bidding with Canada... St Lawrence Seaway area?

[Hen Ddraig]

Not Southampton and not the St Lawrence. There are two airfields and I will happily accept either the smaller field in the foreground or the larger one in the background.

HD

[chevvron]

I thought the further one might be NAS Patuxent River but I can't find a match for the other airfield on satellite photos.

[Hen Ddraig]

Not NAS Pax River, but you're in the right country.

[evansb]

Destin Airport, Florida. Beyond is Eglin AFB.

[Hen Ddraig]

evansb has it. Destin in the foreground and Eglin AFB aka Northwest Florida Regional Airport in the distance. Eglin has been home to a large number of very noisy F35 Lightning IIs for some time now.

You have control

HD

[evansb]

Thank you Hen Ddraig. Here is an aerodrome not on the list:
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r68/convair640/convair640066/inactive_zps743db67c.jpg

[buttrick]

Ex RAF Thorney Island
Former Beverley and herc base

Oops had lat long at the bottom of the pic!!

http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x461/petebutt/Image3.jpg (http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/petebutt/media/Image3.jpg.html)

main runway is now a huge scrappie

[evansb]

Yes, it is RAF Thorney Island. In the past, protocol dictated one was to wait for confirmation before posting a new challenge.

buttrick has control.

[Hen Ddraig]

buttricks challenge would appear to be RAF Folkingham near Sleaford, Lincs.

HD

[buttrick]

Hen ddraig has the con

Remains of the Thor site gave it away I expect


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PGM-17_Thor

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

[Hen Ddraig]

Recognised Folkingham from having flown over it in early February.
On the road South to Sun'n'fun at the moment and can't access photobucket for some reason so I regret I will have to declare open house.


HD

[buttrick]

A new one.

A unique airfield

http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x461/petebutt/image5-1.jpg (http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/petebutt/media/image5-1.jpg.html)

[evansb]

Don Muang Airport, Bangkok, Thailand.

[buttrick]

sorry for Delay.
Yes the famous hold for the golf course!!

You have the con Evansb

[evansb]

Here is the next mystery aerodrome:
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r68/convair640/convair640071/radio_active_zpsfcc3ec43.jpg

[Lightning Mate]

USA ?.....

[evansb]

Yes. U.S.A..

[India Four Two]

West of the Mississippi, east of the Rockies?

[evansb]

The mystery location is west of the Great Continental Divide.

[buttrick]

Great Continental Divide.


.???

[Hen Ddraig]

Great continental divide in the USA = the line of the Rockies from the Canadian border to the Mexican border.

HD

[India Four Two]

It also continues north of the border, where it's referred to as The Great Divide or The Continental Divide, but I don't think I've ever heard it referred to, using both adjectives.

evansb can probably see it from his window!

Further thread drift - at the summit of the Kicking Horse Pass near Lake Louise, Alberta, you can see the aptly named Dividing Creek. Some of the water flows west, via the Columbia River into the Pacific and some flows east into the Bow River and eventually ends up in Hudson's bay.

[Lightning Mate]

Looking at the clues, anywhere near Washington ?

[Airclues]

LM

As it is west of the Continental Divide Continental Divide of the Americas - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continental_Divide_of_the_Americas) I assume that you mean Washington State rather than DC? Judging by the parched landscape I would suggest that it is further south/inland than Washington State.

Dave

[India Four Two]

Airclues,

A lot of Washington state is in the rain shadow of the Cascades and is almost desert. I know, I've driven across it!

With regard to the mystery aerodrome, there is an awful lot of concrete and tarmac to the left of the displaced threshold. I wonder what triggered that shift?

[Lightning Mate]

Well, I meant Washington state.


Goggled "washington state airports" and bingo.


Try it.

[dash7fan]

Spokane Intl. Airport




OH if correct

[Lightning Mate]

Easy then wunnit.

[evansb]

dash7fan is correct. Spokane International Airport, (KGEG), Geiger Field.

As requested, it is OPEN HOUSE.

[buttrick]

http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x461/petebutt/Image1-3.jpg (http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/petebutt/media/Image1-3.jpg.html)

[124brat]

clues required:

Why the grid in the floor of the hush house?

[Davidsoffice]

Perhaps downward facing jet exhaust?
Looks neat and tidy... where did the US built AV-8s get engine tested?

[chevvron]

Shape of the pan to the left suggests UK; burn marks suggest twin jets side by side eg Jaguar, Typhoon, Tornado.

[Hen Ddraig]

That looks to me like the "Home of the Harrier" RAF Wittering

HD

[chevvron]

Yes got it now; about 300m NW of 08 threshold.
(I looked at Cottesmore, Conngsby, Leeeming, and a few others; never occured to me to look at Witters!)

[oldpax]

http://i60.tinypic.com/htzat0.jpg


Sorry for the poor quality!

[Lightning Mate]

Who has control of the thread ?