Which Aerodrome Mk III

[barry lloyd]

Correct! A very interesting history it has, too. Joe Stalin used to admire his air force from there. The photo was taken in 1991 from a 125 we were demonstrating. We were following the site of the MKAD, Moscow's equivalent of the M25!

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

[sidtheesexist]

Thks Barry. OH I'm afraid folks.

[India Four Two]

I didn't realize that Tushino had closed.

Try this. I took this picture last year.

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c309/india42/3F9D6C2F-8823-455D-9094-9F3668E90EE6_zpsigwpymuj.jpg

[Heathrow Harry]

"big place canada - and very flet!"

[India Four Two]

Harry,

Not all of it is flat!
http://www.caingram.com/Canada/Mount_assiniboine_2w.jpg

However, to be fair, this aerodrome is in a mostly flat part of the country.

A clue to its location is that there is no scheduled jet service. I was very surprised to see an Airbus on the ramp as we joined the circuit.

[nvubu]

Why is it that in all the films/TV you see they are able to zoom in on a photo and read the words even though they are only one pixel tall in the original.

Doesn't work in the real world. I've tried with the hanger, and the name is still a blue blob :ugh: Guess it says Aviation - no real help then :)

[India Four Two]

Sorry about that nvubu. My iPhone 6s has a very impressive camera, but it does have its limits.

However, you can make out the airline's name - does that help? ;)

The cloud and the platform in front of the nose are related clues.

PS I just looked at my original. I don't think I'm giving anything away to say that the name on the hangar is "Esso Aviation".

[Heathrow Harry]

Some sort of roll cloud... = downwind of the Rockies??? = high prairies = an area as big as Europe with the population of the Isle of Wight.................

[dixi188]

Possibly Lethbridge.
Concrete apron with tarmac edges and the buildings seem to fit.

[India Four Two]

HH, I think your tongue must be firmly in your cheek again! The small city adjacent to this airport has almost the population of the IOW.

The cloud is a Cb. What comes out of them and "impacts" :E airworthiness?

[India Four Two]

dixi188,

Yes, it's Lethbridge CYQL. We landed there to clear customs while returning from Oshkosh. We had to overnight due to thunderstorms between there and Calgary.

The Airbus had been there since the previous day, after it had diverted from Calgary:

Air Canada flight to Calgary makes emergency landing in Lethbridge after hail cracks windshield | Calgary Herald (http://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/air-canada-flight-to-calgary-makes-emergency-landing-after-hail-cracks-windshield)

You have control

PS Sorry for any confusion caused by overlapping posts. There are some spectacular pictures in the Calgary Herald link.

[Heathrow Harry]

FYI Lethbridge DOES have a scheduled service - three a day according to this

Lethbridge Airport: Lethbridge Airport (http://lethbridgeairport.ca/)

But I'd never have got it from the picture ...............

[dixi188]

I followed others leads and started east of the Rockies around Calgary and found Lethbridge first. Just luck really.

Sorry, nothing to post at the moment. I must sort out my boxes of slides.

OH.

[India Four Two]

FYI Lethbridge DOES have a scheduled service

True, but it's a Beech 1900D, that wonderful flying testbed - "Let's stick one more excrescence on and see if it flies any better."

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c309/india42/4C3BDDE2-BF76-4575-B9F9-B692075FC8FD_zpsoxoyiq0n.jpeg

When the A320 arrived, they had to improvise to get the passengers off:

http://wpmedia.calgaryherald.com/2016/07/passengers-from-air-canada-flight-ac1159-from-toronto-deplan.jpeg?quality=65&strip=all&w=302&h=226&crop=1

I've discovered that Air Canada wants to charge me $350 for a one-way 30 minute flight! I wonder what the loads are like.

[Heathrow Harry]

wet Sunday................. don't give this very long......

http://www.pprune.org/members/326184-heathrow-harry-albums-what-airfield-picture589-60307.jpg

[Mechta]

Sandown, Isle of Wight?

[Heathrow Harry]

Nope - right continent tho'

[Heathrow Harry]

That picture is quite misleading....................

[chevvron]

Brimpton??

[Heathrow Harry]

Not in the UK

[chevvron]

Not in the UK
You mean it's in Scotland (knickerless Sturgeon having just proposed another independence referendum)

[Heathrow Harry]

Ho ho ho.................. not in Bonnie Scotland either

here's another totally uninformative picture........

http://www.pprune.org/members/326184-heathrow-harry-albums-what-airfield-picture590-160517.jpg

[Flap40]

I think that it might be Cork.

[Heathrow Harry]

Bang on!! Atlantic Air Training = a tiny corner of quite a large airfield...

Over to you..................

[Flap40]

Probably won't last long....

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj36/jodel_bucket/31054C1E-FB8E-4449-AA02-40255970207D_zpsfgqbqewf.jpg

[jensdad]

I'm going for Gran Canaria.

[dixi188]

Tenerife south I think.
OH if correct.

[Flap40]

Dixi188 has it with TFS.

OH again.

[Gne]

Let's getaway from the cold and wet.

[chimbu warrior]

Tarawa/Bonriki (NGTA).

Open house if correct.

[Heathrow Harry]

If it is they've put a fence round since I was there...........................

[chimbu warrior]

Fence erected a couple of years ago, but there are still openings to enable the locals to walk across the runway.

[Gne]

Yes, Bonriki, with the new fence, new overlay and about to be new PAPI (both ends), AWOS, radios, Genset and fire trucks.

ADS/B in a few weeks and AGL by mid year.

Gne.

[Heathrow Harry]

who is paying for that? the Australian tax-payer???

[Heathrow Harry]

Two forms of transport for the price of one!!!


http://www.pprune.org/members/326184-heathrow-harry-albums-what-airfield-picture592-160854.jpg

[jensdad]

I'll kick things off with a shot-in-the-dark. Small but apparently sturdy apron. Likewise, small but modern terminal. Flattish countryside. Esbjerg?

[India Four Two]

jensdad,

Certainly flattish country, but I doubt there are that many "Rosso Corsa" sports cars in Denmark. My money's on the Po Valley.

[Heathrow Harry]

Esbjerg it is - over to Jensdad It's a very bijoux airport - and its probably the EUROPEAN Ferrari Owners Assoc annual do - I knew a guy who had two - he went every year.......

Ryanair used to fly there once a day from Stansted - handy for Western Denmark

http://www.pprune.org/members/326184-heathrow-harry-albums-what-airfield-picture593-60821.jpg

http://www.pprune.org/members/326184-heathrow-harry-albums-what-airfield-picture591-160923.jpg

[jensdad]

Another lucky stab in the dark. I haven't got anything to hand that's sufficiently difficult, so Open House.

[bricquebec]

.

I have heard of protestors blocking the runway, but that's ridiculous . . .:O

[Heathrow Harry]

Looks like St Mawgam but that's a lot more developed these days

[Sygyzy]

Same neck of the woods? Dunkerswell?

[India Four Two]

The topography definitely has a West Country flavour. The closest I can find is Predannack, but not the same as Jenkins photo.

[Heathrow Harry]

I'm pretty sure this is another shot of the same place but still can't nail it....................

http://www.pprune.org/members/326184-heathrow-harry-albums-what-airfield-picture595-2017-03-20-220145.jpg

[Heathrow Harry]

Swansea Fairwood Common I think

Open House if correct.................

[Heathrow Harry]

If you delete the original photo from your PPrune album on here the picture disapears from the post

[nvubu]

As it's Open House
https://4rn5za.bl3301.livefilestore.com/y3mTEvpi0wTkC8WskbcKuwnbk3jwsFeM9IG6viRJZm1tBR0ytwZwo7tHu1bQ DgAIrPb4O8Uz3NXBy2y0S3IrXINmW2Z9dfRNhGZkrEZLSPU0NDYr-T163X_UfIgQ2fZOizGpjG-FEgyBmpFB2-ffkLiUuTYm1JU8WjDyZHAJw8d31Q?width=1024&height=710&cropmode=none

[Heathrow Harry]

interesting railway layout bottom left......

[dixi188]

Somewhere in Germany I presume.

[nvubu]

Date is 4th or 6th June 1944

[India Four Two]

D-day softening up? Somewhere in France?

[nvubu]

France it is.

[Kewbick]

If this site was bombed by the USAAF 8th Air Force, the bomb craters visible on the lower right corner of the photograph are mute testimony to the acclaimed "pickle barrel" accuracy of the Norden Bombsight...otherwise the craters are perhaps the results of RAF night time sorties...

[nvubu]

This image is of B-24 Liberators of the USAAF 8th Air Force.

[Kewbick]

Please point out the position of the B-24 bombers. Thank you.

[Heathrow Harry]

Hmmm - not many old bomb craters here so unlikely to be Pas de Calais or near a major target like Cherbourg, Brest or Le Havre -

I'm guessing somewhere in south- eastern Normandy but well back from the coast

[nvubu]

Kewbick - This image is taken from B-24 Liberators of the USAAF 8th Air Force. Any better ?

HH - it isn't Normandy - further South

[Heathrow Harry]

Angers Loire?

OH if correct

[nvubu]

It isn't Angers Loire.

You are still a little bit too far north.

Airfield doesn't seem to have changed much from 1944.

[Heathrow Harry]

If it was south of Angers I can only think they wanted to keep them as far away from DDay as possible... or maybe they were supposed to bomb Caen but went walkabout................

[Heathrow Harry]

Avord looks possible but there have been a lot of changes if it is

[nvubu]

It's not Avord - bit too far south.

Here is a series of overheads taken December 12 1918.
https://clz8ha.bl3301.livefilestore.com/y4m8JkjgGfjE7sPlhCRkIDRTygMvxLP1qV1csNV1dcB436x893h91pQbicBI OpVVf798pyVLrM_ZFoIMcyKrbtI7rCTn7l3o90SxsZZkstvlWL5NDo8DI9Ye KwRKWooU0k6dvJB2FGiJ6BzXjlR-itMy4jzOEWrxHHgW5kHLUdOQobBPxReQl2GNUML1ljR_fXl0Z5Mo6mpiuaLy 89YKBa4Ag?width=1024&height=919&cropmode=none (http://www.nvubu.co.uk/pprune/20170324_01.jpg)
click on the image for a larger version.

There are two aerodromes in this image.


edit to add: I think this is only the southern portion. The majority of the first photo is just off the top of this image.


Further edit: This is the southern aerodrome. Mostly gone by 1944 - Bits of it appear in the first image where it the interesting rail layout was noted.

[nvubu]

It's not Tours.

Was a bomber base during the Battle of Britain, FW190 later on.


edit to add: bit south of Tours

[nvubu]

Well done Jenkins, The first image is of Romorantin-Pruniers, the second is of the Romorantin-Gievres aerodromes.

To match the second, look at the rhombus of roads/rails made by the D976 north of Gievres and the rail that passes through the town.

The multitude of buildings were a balloon assembly plant - close-up of some of them.
https://ozckjw.bl3301.livefilestore.com/y4mtz41mEoCWmTxQsbF44_pU1C4vlDEdMh6JkiCLXPGGWSXe2ThscRk9tG-7c6Gyz0FJuROWevGBTm0EBZieLtBln3xTuP_8u35E9fTxUHumAm3Xn6PL8II vOapG0plVZIiQWmJhHcBJlXhAJ-qoGrcSq5Pn0jBCQXut0Al-se4JhrMVZBdAfYixxMbTzurzsQkU1En4lLYqPZCCYSDJ3BANQ?width=1024&height=707&cropmode=none


Have you managed to sort out your technology?

[Heathrow Harry]

http://www.pprune.org/members/326184-heathrow-harry-albums-what-airfield-picture600-151838.jpg

[Flap40]

Condat sur Vezere?

If not it looks similar but I've not been in there since 1991.

[Heathrow Harry]

http://www.pprune.org/members/326184-heathrow-harry-albums-what-airfield-picture601-151901.jpg

Bloody hell...... that didn't last long !!

it's a bit out of the way but a beautiful area

over to Flap 40

[Flap40]

Thanks. Short, narrow and rather steep if I remember correctly.

I'm away from home at the moment so open house.

[Dora-9]

nvubu:

I'm not for a second challenging you (I wouldn't dare, given your encyclopaedic knowledge and seemingly limitless supply of wonderful photos - btw more, please), but where did you get your information regarding the wartime use of Romorantin from?

According to the comprehensive Luftwaffe Airfields 1933-1945 site (http://www.ww2.dk/Airfields%20-%20France.pdf), the Luftwaffe used it as an aircraft park until 1941 and then again as a ground training base for Luftwaffe recruits 1943/1944. There are no operational units listed as being based there, whilst 1./JG 105 (an operational training unit) was there in 1943.

The site also lists the various Allied raids, culminating in the June 4th effort.

Cheers.

[nvubu]

My knowledge only comes from the source documents I have access to. When I need further info I have to search for it, and in this case I used the wiki page for Romorantin - Pruniers Air Detachment which had the details of use in WWII.

I wasn't aware that document - I have it now so will keep it in mind in future. It is good to be challenged if it leads to more accuracy in the future.

I had the same image in two locations with attributions for both 4th and 6th June. As the sources are both contemporary, I thought it best to include both dates.

I only looked for Romorantin in my WWI sources after posting the first image and came across the wonderful images of the Romorantin Gievres complex and thought I just had to share them. I think I've got all the source images of the composite in large scale as well.

[oldpax]

http://www.pprune.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=1988&stc=1&d=1490535775

[Cows getting bigger]

Ouston, a little west of Newcastle. OH I'm afraid - away with work.

[nvubu]

Royal Navy Airfield ?

edit to add: : Ignore me, CGB looks to be correct.

[Heathrow Harry]

That's Ouston all right - the fenced-in square on the NW runways is an overnight storage area for Trident warheads traveling (by truck luckily) from the Clyde to AWE Burghfield near Reading for maintenance and vv.

[Shackman]

Unfortunately CGB beat me to it. First JP solo there in days when RLG for Acklington.

[Flap40]

Since we are onOH, try this one.

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj36/jodel_bucket/12573904_10153715742026609_1503684533886844223_n_zpsn3cvcun7 .jpg

[nvubu]

Jersey Airport


Same bus in 2005
http://www.devonanddorsetgroup.co.uk/88%20Winkleigh%20%281%29.JPG

[chevvron]

I would guess Guernsey as there's no 'J' on the reg number.

[Flap40]

I knew that the bus number plate would catch someone!

It is Jersey.

Over to Nvubu.

[nvubu]

Thank you - here's the next challenge
https://ozcrjw.bl3301.livefilestore.com/y4mbJOiMP8wGr5TIH63Uw6nOGfxOH7fvfIdrHTsdJe1NzccOfPVSt8DaoDtC Mq_xyz14OZtYaXJZ8Tw_mPwP--16PAzHA4tKXz7HtwPeUFGhS70fmapi1x9zXfbJNfIFzoq2NKapzW_ne4RuIP 09lDfdm4ZMavPUYMw0BtI_8qE3cKAxhZdSMj2e-5fbbAhJ2fCotkGctZ5U7IuySLgFojZ8w?width=1024&height=998&cropmode=none (http://www.nvubu.co.uk/pprune/20170327_01.jpg)

[nvubu]

Hmmm. no takers yet. Here's an overhead. The river is running approx. west/east, with west towards the top of the image.
https://pqvsyg.bl3301.livefilestore.com/y4mjtXwa7mFIGGavzDt0rJTXSacfkJnG7C8_Ssnf4AwbsEy7M8Qpc83PBq2F p8LaYh71QAOUV5p982menXeGnBcB7KCo7J9isn0-UtHLJmxK3FVyjVeB2cuhe0Lwn-ME5Gx0EJf1edJgeQ9V8gqxg2yHIeTFusHsUbbDuDBGoFxjvQC4EPYGWzvX_0 J9Gvv-BdOlbco_GluXWFNtlVaz1tiHA?width=1024&height=930&cropmode=none (http://www.nvubu.co.uk/pprune/20170327_02.jpg)


Still an airport today - but with a much longer runway.

[barry lloyd]

Is it within the USA?

[nvubu]

No, not in the USA - wrong side of the world.

[India Four Two]

SE Asia? ----

[nvubu]

Yes - it is in one of the counties listed on the Lonely Plant definition of SE Asia.

[Dora-9]

Maryborough, Qld??

[configsafenot]

Saigon?

Just thinking that the river could be Vung Tau

[nvubu]

Not in Australia.

[nvubu]

Not in Vietnam either. Vung Tau is much closer than Maryborough.


O/T Is anyone else experiencing strange delays in posts appearing in the thread. I had a notification of Dora-9's post last night, but it didn't appear until this morning, when I replied.

configsafenot's post wasn't there when I replied, but is now. Email notification timed at 10:37.

Very strange

[configsafenot]

Trying to narrow the field a bit.......in the first photo, would I be right in thinking its WW2 era and the tail in the photo is a Liberator's tail?

[nvubu]

WW2 yes, not sure of the aircraft. The airfield is under Japanese control.

[sidtheesexist]

VTBD Don Mueang?

[chevvron]

Just noticed on the first photo there are what appears to be 3 aircraft parked in a field on the other side of the river from the main airfield; look towards bottom left.

[nvubu]

It's not in Thailand.

Same sort of distance away as Vung Tau.

[sidtheesexist]

Sultan Abdul Halim Airport WMKA just to NE of Alor Setar, Malaysia me thinks..

On google maps it's AOR, Lapangan Terbang

Think it was RAF Alor Star in ww2

[nvubu]

Will done sid. That's the one.

It has been through a few name changes, and was called Alor Star back when these pictures were taken.

Over to you.

[sidtheesexist]

Cheers nvubu.One of these days I'll try to get to grips with the picture posting technology. In the meantime it's OH, I dare say HH has a pickie primed ........

[kcockayne]

I would guess Guernsey as there's no 'J' on the reg number.

Correct, Chevvron. It is a Guernsey registered 'bus - but they used it at Jersey Airport when they started to 'bus pax around due to remote parking requirements. My memory fails me as to the date, but it must have been around the 1990s.

[The late XV105]

A nice and easy one! Shot last Sunday.

http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t493/PPRUNE64/IMG_1703251627161.jpg

[Dora-9]

O/T Is anyone else experiencing strange delays in posts appearing in the thread. Possibly problems at my end, nvubu. TC "Debbie" is deluging us currently, all sorts of odd things going on with the internet...

[nvubu]

Correct, Chevvron. It is a Guernsey registered 'bus - but they used it at Jersey Airport when they started to 'bus pax around due to remote parking requirements. My memory fails me as to the date, but it must have been around the 1990s.

The bus has it's own web page - Vehicle History (http://www.devonanddorsetgroup.co.uk/history88.htm) and Restoration (http://www.devonanddorsetgroup.co.uk/restoration88.htm)

[Cows getting bigger]

Late XV105, Sleap.

Sorry, away again so open house.

[The late XV105]

Sleap indeed! I did say it was easy! :)

Good luck with one that requires more detective work!

[Heathrow Harry]

from 1945.................

http://www.pprune.org/members/326184-heathrow-harry-albums-what-airfield-picture602-10946.jpg

[dixi188]

Looks like Silverstone to me.
Just seen wiki. Has the same picture.

[Heathrow Harry]

yup - too easy... OH

[dixi188]

Not posted a photo for a while, hope this works.
Not an aerodrome but an ex RAF station which had quite a large area of grass.
http://s353.photobucket.com/user/dixi188/media/IMG_3847.jpg.html
http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r394/dixi188/IMG_3847.jpg (http://s353.photobucket.com/user/dixi188/media/IMG_3847.jpg.html)

[configsafenot]

Chicksands?

[RichieD]

Given your location.. I'd say RAF Sopley

[Kewbick]

RAF Sopley, Hampshire, England ?

[dixi188]

Well done.

Took that photo today.
Thought I'd get the guard house but that's gone, only a few huts left and they will be gone in a month or two. Lots of new houses.
Better than building on green fields.

[dixi188]

Welcome Kewbick, that was pretty good from so far away.
RichieD beat you by a minute so he has the chair.

[chevvron]

Well done.

Took that photo today.
Thought I'd get the guard house but that's gone, only a few huts left and they will be gone in a month or two. Lots of new houses.
Better than building on green fields.
Wonder what's happened to the bits you can't see to which the guardhouse was the entrance.
I visited during my Area Radar course at Hurn back in '73; you enter the 'guardhouse' and walk down a long sloping passage etc. Above ground was the T80 radar head which was rotating so slowly (4 rpm) you could step into its equipment cabin while it rotated.

[dixi188]

I did an ATC camp there in about 1967. Remember doing rifle drill in the pouring rain.
There was a lot of stuff underground, 6 levels i think. We only went down 2 levels.

According to wiki:-
The only surviving surface features of the site are the guardhouse, which has been refurbished, the generator building and a small blockhouse that doubles as an emergency exit for the bunker. The bunker too remains intact and is used by a private company for data storage.[3]

I didn't see the guardhouse when I went past today.

[Kewbick]

So RichieD,.. where is your challenge?

[chevvron]

He's had over 24 hours; maybe you should post.

[Kewbick]

http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b477/gumpjr_bucket/heathrow20gander20JFK.jpg

[Kewbick]

Clue: the suspension bridge is somewhat famous.

[chevvron]

GUESS: Tacoma Narrows so Seattle/Tacoma?

[Allan Lupton]

Clue: the suspension bridge is somewhat famous.
Since the only US suspension bridge most of us aeronautical folk could name is the Tacoma Narrows bridge, I expect that's Tacoma Narrows Airport.

[chevvron]

Since the only US suspension bridge most of us aeronautical folk could name is the Tacoma Narrows bridge.
Er what about the Golden Gate Bridge; in any case I just barely beat you to it!!

[Allan Lupton]

Er what about the Golden Gate; in any case I just barely beat you to it!!
Not much aerod about the Golden Gate - and I think you'll find Seattle/Tacoma has always been a rather bigger aerodrome than Kewbick's photo shows. It's also in a different location :)

[Kewbick]

Yes, it is Tacoma Narrows/Pierce County Airport (KTIW). Allan Lupton has control.

[Allan Lupton]

Sorry for the delay and this one I happen to have is either quite easy or mind-blowingly difficult depending on who you are!

[chimbu warrior]

Old Lae airport (AYLA/LAC) November 1982 and the aircraft is G-SCHH. Open house if correct.

[Allan Lupton]

Quite correct Chimbu Warrior - as you must have found it quite easy, were you there that day (as I was!)?
CW has declared Open House so I'll offer another which is either quite easy or mind-blowingly difficult depending on who you are!

[chimbu warrior]

were you there that day (as I was!)?

Indeed I was, and hence the date and rego details.

[dixi188]

My thoughts.
England?
1930 ish?
London suburbs under development?
Tiger Moths?
Sun quite low from East or West?
Winter as the trees are bare, so maybe Sun from South around noon?

[Allan Lupton]

As noted above, Hatfield. Sorry, didn't think my comment was that obscure.
It wasn't that obscure to me but as the de Havilland works was at Stag Lane when that photo was taken, one could say you just referred to the aeroplanes.

Anyway, Hatfield it is (in 1932) so over to you.

[Allan Lupton]

I met 146 at Narsassuaq in 1990, it was en-route to a military rear door fitment in USA. One of your 'sales tours?'
No it wasn't as I had moved from Tech Sales to a Future Projects office in 1985 - and never went to North America when I was selling things.

[configsafenot]

I hope no-one will be offended if I slip one in here whilst the previous winner is offline. taken about 18 months ago on my travels aboard a lovely little puddle jumper

Which airport would this be?


http://i68.tinypic.com/jj00hy.jpg

[JW411]

Brussels/Zaventem.

[configsafenot]

Brussels/Zaventem.


And there was I hoping no-one would recognise it....well done :)

[nvubu]

And there was I hoping no-one would recognise it....well done :)


I think the challenge is to get one to last more than 24 hours :)

[dixi188]

This won't last long.http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r394/dixi188/IMG_3849.jpg (http://s353.photobucket.com/user/dixi188/media/IMG_3849.jpg.html)

[India Four Two]

Somewhere in the New Forest or nearby?

[nvubu]

Harrowbeer?

[chevvron]

Somewhere in the New Forest or nearby?

Stoney Cross - it's too open to be Holmesley South.
OH if correct.

[dixi188]

Not Stoney Cross and not Harrowbeer.

[chevvron]

Davidstow Moor?

[dixi188]

Not Davidstow Moor either I'm afraid.
"India Four Two" has the right area.

[Cows getting bigger]

Beaulieu? OH if correct.

[nvubu]

Holmsley


I knew that there were a few airfields in the New Forest. I didn't realise quite how many there were.

[dixi188]

Holmsley South it is.
Picture taken from Forest Road coming from Thorney Hill.

"nvubu" has the chair.

[nvubu]

Thank you - was a good search.

Here's the next challenge
https://qtcmvw.bl3301.livefilestore.com/y4m_6dkhxQId1WbgCsiwd83MhycxggMjCSMqqDr4LAVAgRfNIVBQREi5SW5q twlh5SkenFPDQBwYcH_jhNeodiu-5tKvNkg4BHfQVmt3HfT1lGWtEgMoZBMxcLRjpdqhbUt3h6HaH_qQMZo4MkXQ N6rb1HCvgw7iBTTe8aM152JTM3LteloHk3akYljQ__-MoHFFeEIMNT1ku1PlGRtLWMryg?width=1024&height=679&cropmode=none

[nvubu]

Hmmm... no takers overnight. Here's an overhead view
https://rkuzpg.bl3301.livefilestore.com/y4mRhI8d3rqUvFESXRLlxOURstzUxFWM8V-XE7J2tzOOBDitZZPwyo3vr1koDe4s40yHHkXKntNOkUG6-oPqZ8hrRvM8PbR_G1aBVvVyGgnw17xtv4BQQMsIPVlqdIql57vyCiQKlJcBi uBLuyLx3bCkcsJBG2n8QSNpjhLtkOHxETapcOYqb3H-rwQIN9I-7ZUFAFnTxcFzOYDYJ1UoNHSXQ?width=972&height=1024&cropmode=none

[nvubu]

After the island had been taken over by the US
https://qtclvw.bl3301.livefilestore.com/y4mNJZYeq6jthZHt6TwdGqQVFfLbfXfxpdvo2qweSwItp1V8hacZs05AMxht 8JP7UcIlbs7SNgxb4ncMf0ru276U8_QU6-YZCNzztLhSk1XTP9Ys5OKpKPFEtZRzkdGYbk51LNVh_RuuVqDVZRNCGnNui6 eowLHA4_UqZNAwlhqLxSRVsKdTmykcds8jViP-0fdspx96dnGJV1pWMTvekgzHw?width=1024&height=758&cropmode=none

[dixi188]

Marshall Islands I guess, but I can't find one to match on GE.

[dixi188]

Likiep?
It doesn't quite match.

[nvubu]

Not the Marshall Islands or Likiep.

[nvubu]

Here's a view looking in the other direction
https://eo6bpw.bl3301.livefilestore.com/y4mvnrQggJnTj1_KkBnpvTxbxN7ZeJY77nnKcuTXUQaPtzPHAZw7xnJoLw4F feJfpA8bGy6n8t9DI-k9y_Ak5JqrEStBj-GeZ2tAfhpnnNlTR0qhi5iP6YeV8p0HTQPdmXZbqK8mm1JZfw-QB8l6R_JOCbEOlV6pVXW5kXBUAze5TrHsnzI1_wCLu0G-tDhHIp6eWFIkmwjGyXMI3jjjBVCkg?width=1024&height=773&cropmode=none

[sidtheesexist]

Are we near(ish) to the Bismarck sea? Looks like a lot of bare metal B24s lurking

[nvubu]

Nearish the Bismark Sea is correct.

[sidtheesexist]

Think it's Wakde Island/ Pulau Masi masi, just off Nth coast of Papua. The jungle seems to have done a good job of retaking island. Spent a lot of time on Google Earth. Great challenge, thks.
OH if correct folks

[nvubu]

Well found Sid, Wakde Island it is. Open House it is

[India Four Two]

Not an airfield I have been to, but I would have loved to have seen this while taxying!

http://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o598/simonyouens/WAD%202017-03-28_zpswcu4xjv2.jpg

[The late XV105]

"Runway with train crossing"

Gisborne, NZ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObfxYwKuwaM)

[India Four Two]

And I thought making the picture black and white would obfuscate my challenge.

Nice picture though.

Gisborne it is. XV105 has the con.

PS Is that runway long enough for a VC-10? :)

[Dora-9]

Also Wynyard airport in Tasmania had a railway crossing one of the runways. See Wynyard Airport Rail Crossing (http://www.airwaysmuseum.com/WYY%20rail%20crossing%201.htm)

Sydney (Mascot) while in its original configuration also had this situation; there was a story doing the rounds of an Ansett DC-3 colliding with a train there!

[albatross]

Why does that photo remind me of a "coyote and roadrunner" cartoon?

[chevvron]

RAF Ballykelly had a crossing too; it went diagonally across the runway and, being Ireland, trains had priority over aircraft.

[DaveReidUK]

RAF Ballykelly had a crossing too; it went diagonally across the runway and, being Ireland, trains had priority over aircraft.

I believe that Ballykelly claimed (probably with some justification) to have been the only airfield in the world where a cow had been killed by a train on the main runway.

[The late XV105]

And I thought making the picture black and white would obfuscate my challenge.

Nice picture though.

Gisborne it is. XV105 has the con.

PS Is that runway long enough for a VC-10? :)

Thanks India Four Two - and if the Sultan of Oman's VC-10 at Brooklands is anything to go by, yes! :)

Next up is a location that has personal significance for me.

http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t493/PPRUNE64/WA1.jpg

[chevvron]

Castle Bromwich?

[The late XV105]

A nice try and I can visualise your train of thought but not Castle Bromwich, chevvron.

[barry lloyd]

It's about 50 years since I was there last, but it looks like Rearsby!

[The late XV105]

Not Rearsby, Sir.
Keep Whittling away!

[Allan Lupton]

The clue leads me to Bitteswell but I can't say I think that's the place.

[chevvron]

Nice clue Whittling so it's Hucclecote or if you prefer, Brockworth!
OH if correct.(Did they really do hops in the E28/39 on that short runway?)

[The late XV105]

Yes, indeed; Hucclecote, AKA Brockworth. Glad the clue helped!

My late grandfather was an inspector with the Gloster Aircraft Company, signing off aircraft as fit to fly. One of my most cherished possessions is his 3-volume set of Newne's Engineer's books from this period and one of the stories I wish I had recorded was how he described the surprise of the E28/39.

chevvron has control.

[chevvron]

Don't use Windows so unable to post;OH.
Footnote: Sir Frank's son (Ian) still flies from Fairoaks; I meet him often.

[asw28-866]

As Chevvron has declared OH, this place has a brief military history...

http://i1376.photobucket.com/albums/ah4/CaptNia/Airport_zpsgsdzftvg.jpg

Kind regards

Asw28866

[Dora-9]

Groote Eylandt? OH if correct...

[nvubu]

"Just" across the bay from Groote Eylandt - Mornington Island (ONG).


I'll have to OH this as I'm off out for the day.

[asw28-866]

nvubu has it,

Gununa on Mornington Island, Gulf of Carpentaria. Home to 313 Radar Station, RAAF during WW2.

As nvubu has nominated, it is now OH.

[Dora-9]

Derr! I looked at Mornington Island on GE, and then for unknown reasons typed in Groote!

[asw28-866]

My jurisdiction is QLD Dora-9, so don't venture over the border to NT much! Try this one (I do not expect to last long), another time, another place, but fond childhood memories for moi...

http://i1376.photobucket.com/albums/ah4/CaptNia/twr_zps8gg4yioy.jpg

kind regards

asw28866

[chevvron]

Looks a bit like Wroughton.

[Shackman]

Or even Biggin Hill, with the old Surrey and Kent FS hangar behind.

[chevvron]

I think you're right Shackman; I knew I'd seen that tower somewhere. Used mainly when the RAF weren't operating in their tower which is the one used nowadays.

[asw28-866]

Biggin Hill it is, Shackman has control

Taken in the late 60's when as Chevvron states the RAF still retained their tower and 21/03 runway.

GA flying was conducted on 29/11 which would have been at the picture takers back. Surrey & Kent occupied the 'right' half of the hangar in the background, so out of sight. Left half occupied by Fairflight and their Doves, shared with Sportair and their Fourniers.

Asw28866

[Shackman]

Could even be me taxiing in the background; I recognised the Rover which was always parked by the 'tower'. At the time you could suddenly find all three runways active at the same time - my first solo I found a Hunter landing on the main (03/21 military) runway and a Devon on finals to 24 (?) whilst I was on finals to 29 (?) as one of 6 in the circuit- and no one thought anything of it.

Anyway, here's my offering, although I apologise for the quality - taken a long time ago.

[img]https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2848/33257710563_1a17011fb4_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/SESsEP)

[chevvron]

'C' type hangar comparatively close to the runway; is it Benson?

[Shackman]

Sorry - not Benson, but no clues yet.

[Background Noise]

Perhaps Odiham?

[Shackman]

BN - Correct, all yours.

Didn't think it would last long. Taken from the North c 1976 with Wessex and Pumas on what is now the Chinook pan and none of the new buildings.

[dixi188]

1976 doesn't seem long ago to me!

[Background Noise]

I was living in Laffans Road MQ as a nipper!

I'll rummage around, but in the meantime OH if anyone wants to post ahead of me finding something suitable.

[nvubu]

Here's one for the Open House - there's a larger image if you click on it.
https://igsbbw.bl3301.livefilestore.com/y4mUmbfYLX76--3hJYHRIcec7JvkeL_Gz_ERmHre_6O2syoq7NMm-_A3scBk2snZLupAdsNYM5wOs_0sHJMefSkASNrbLiuP8bUZEIqUf0bLrXwHm NHX-MErnNHc1PpRF-YtrONdhZ9LXho2zVkxvRh8l9ubqYm3xzaFn0FJdD8IiiQJbx3cn0EnkmoR41 F_wvvFOGalrIRnaQu5TaDOdBN3A?width=1024&height=846&cropmode=none (http://www.nvubu.co.uk/pprune/20170419_01.jpg)

[nvubu]

All very silent.:(

Here's a view with some of the surrounding area if this helps.
https://ipdceq.bl3301.livefilestore.com/y4m6_4NJuwnrSZ80E1-WTOFNyITnPQFNdxm6S1nYGr2bRR_8iwrIfDhJ2gvUOxI2IcXTYjAwwWOTJ88 W3N8aMHh9-5gloGqruhuX9NjqC-TxALMgdJhM0HkwhssuHGvC8k9PI7iwOgB_4qD38tNwF710LK4v8AP7rxpJfW 9q9Ntq_zgznYcOVxKnDdtkXmno_I8qLgARjt9zEkGyZ3qbdlP3w?width=10 24&height=863&cropmode=none (http://www.nvubu.co.uk/pprune/20170419_02.jpg)

[Dora-9]

The dispersals, particularly in your second photo, look very Luftwaffe-ish. Somewhere in Italy?

[nvubu]

Yes, in Italy, somewhere :ok:

[India Four Two]

Are those Ju-52s scattered all over the field?

[Dora-9]

Trapani-Milo on Sicily?

[nvubu]

Dora-9 has it - Trapani-Milo on Sicily it is.

2 different raids - First image is 5th April 1943, second is 10th May 1943.

You have control.


Are those Ju-52s scattered all over the field?
There were bigger aircraft than Ju-52s there - link (http://www.forgottenairfields.com/italy/sicily/trapani/trapani-milo-s593.html)
http://www.forgottenairfields.com/uploads/airfields/italy/sicily/trapani/trapani_milo/Milo37.jpg

[JW411]

I once knew a chap who shot one of those down. Sadly he is no longer with us.

[Dora-9]

I'm sorry, it's computer mayhem here currently, so OH.

The clues were your "Italy somewhere" comment, plus I42's "are they Ju 52's?" question, which got me thinking about the Luftwaffe's airlift to Tunisia in late 1942.

The airfield has changed greatly now, although some blast pen walls remain visible on GE. Those odd turning circles on the runway (faintly visible in the original photos and confirming my suspicions as to the location) remain.

[Dora-9]

Photobucket is actually playing nicely this morning, so I withdraw my OH.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a144/Blithering/DSCF8786_zpskrrg8puf.jpg (http://s10.photobucket.com/user/Blithering/media/DSCF8786_zpskrrg8puf.jpg.html)

[Dora-9]

No takers?

Here's some further, and perhaps better known, photos.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a144/Blithering/img694_zpsbvdk764h.jpg (http://s10.photobucket.com/user/Blithering/media/img694_zpsbvdk764h.jpg.html)

[Dora-9]

It has been (very gently) pointed out to me that this airfield has appeared previously. It's Biscari (San Pietro) on Sicily, located at 37 06 04N 14 29 37E.

Initially a little-used Italian airfield, it was greatly developed and expanded by the Luftwaffe in late 1941, becoming a major base. It was extensively used by elements of JG 27, JG 53 and SKG 10 for raids on Malta and the subsequent defence of Sicily.

Having read of it's use in that excellent book "Focke-Wulf Fw 190 in the Battle for Sicily", I couldn't locate this airfield (not helped by the subsequent name change of the village to Santo Pietro). The authors generously provided me with a lot of material so that I could finally find this, as well as several other airfields mentioned in the book.

The photos showing abandoned Luftwaffe aircraft at San Pietro are well known, though sometimes mis-captioned. The hangar (located at the northern tip of the airfield) has long gone, although the large low buildings immediately west of this still remain - otherwise there is simply no trace.

This location saw other, more sinister, events in WW2. This was the site of two massacres by US Army personal of German & Italian POW's, and local civilians. I rather suspect that it was Patton's bland initial dismissal and downplaying of concerns about this event that contributed to his removal, not just the better known "slapping the shell-shocked soldier" incident.

So, with apologies and in order to keep the thread moving, I declare OH....

[nvubu]

This isn't a new challenge but an additional image of Biscari for Dora-9 - for a larger version, click the image

https://j7it5a.bl3301.livefilestore.com/y4mMtsNdqCMELrW9f0oh9uMqFXzz5Ujx6Nxjt4bvBi7wC2bHwgyuSVM2UxVK 4_EjKCIYIf_fWEFum54k8AvFU-HY98fW5ggl2WTSfA3AJFhroJ3bFkOW7q9rpHgB1dWazEAFjVlmHWqmSircE7 2yCIJaZWkcj-HKWGnqLtraQ1TRMC9kzTIbPDgsd4xUqllWJ4iRQwkfUd3Dw2VBrum7GUvSQ? width=1024&height=758&cropmode=none (http://www.nvubu.co.uk/pprune/20170422_01.jpg)

[Dora-9]

Nvubu - neither the background hangars nor buildings fit with Biscari/San Pietro. Any one else have any ideas as to where?

[India Four Two]

I'll start with this evocative picture, but there will be a runway in the next clue, if required. ;)

http://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o598/simonyouens/WAF%200423_zpsvcxzwbo8.jpg

[nvubu]

Dora-9 - the contemporary documents I have state it's Biscari, and that it was used in the Sep 1943 Issue of "IMPACT" However. I do have a comment against this that it might be Comiso.

India-4-2 - India/Burma region ?

[Dora-9]

Nvubu:

Actually, there are three hangars (not two as I previously noted) in the background of your photo, so the caption of "Biscari" is clearly wrong. However, the description of Comiso is "..three large hangars on the SE boundary.". And, a little bit of digging turned up this photo - note the changed hangar alignment and the large buildings adjacent to and between the uppermost hangars - I reckon your
photo was taken from somewhere near the top centre of the strike photo. Doubtless this is Comiso.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a144/Blithering/comiso_sicily60_bombing_zpshtxwdgt0.jpg (http://s10.photobucket.com/user/Blithering/media/comiso_sicily60_bombing_zpshtxwdgt0.jpg.html)

[jensdad]

I42, I've seen similar shaped mountains in Norway. As the photo depicts what looks like pretty ferocious fighting, possibly WW2, I'm going to take a guess at Narvik...

[chevvron]

Like nvubu says, shape of mountains and design of the bridge indicate far east.

[India Four Two]

jensdad,

Interesting thought, but I don't think Norwegian mountains have palm trees.

nvubu and chevvron (why two vees?) are much warmer in both senses. It's within Thud range of my current location.

Picture when I get back to the office. I'm having lunch at 0515Z.

PS When I saw the 190 scrapyard pictures, I immediately thought "What would that pile of junk be worth today?" :)

[mgahan]

Last time I was there was 1976 and it looked a bit like that - Kanchanaburi Thailand.

MJG

[India Four Two]

mgahan,

Right part of the world, wrong country.

http://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o598/simonyouens/WAD%200424_zpspbhpzm68.jpg (http://s1149.photobucket.com/user/simonyouens/media/WAD%200424_zpspbhpzm68.jpg.html)

[jensdad]

I couldn't make out what sort of trees they were on the photo, I42, but yes, palm trees wouldn't last long in Narvik :)

[Terry Dactil]

A US airbase in Vietnam during the war?
Not Cam Ranh bay, so how about Tuy Hoa? :confused:
That is between a river and the sea.

[India Four Two]

Terry,

"Close but no cigar!"

In Vietnam, but not Tuy Hoa.

"Oh, I do love to be beside the seaside!" is a clue.

The beach is not just any old beach!

[Terry Dactil]

OK then.
How about Da Nang East or Marble Mountain Army Airfield?
It is being built over now so its appearance has changed a lot.
However GE's history slider brings back some of the lost details.
The lumpy "Marble Mountains" are only 3 km south and they are probably what is shown in the first photo during one of the attacks (Tet offensive?) when a lot of helicopters were destroyed.

[India Four Two]

Well done Terry,

It's "Marble Mountain Air Facility", which was built to accommodate Army and Marine helicopters when Da Nang became too crowded. The beach in the foreground is the famous "China Beach".

I'm in transit to Singapore at the moment, so I'll post more information on this airfield's interesting history later.

Terry has control.

[Terry Dactil]

Here is what remained in 2002.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/5rhs4ghvpn4p483/Da%20Nang%20East.JPG?dl=1
Nothing to hand right now, so OPEN HOUSE.

[nvubu]

Where might this be?
https://hmvntg.bl3301.livefilestore.com/y4m0SOL-PXHNfnbJYetQm1Qu4M5i8vmshpzjtrTx6pmrvOX0Ql7zFa-MSdYdhikb0dxi9zIGl68PkakO1zdUhMlsfmR1E92Sho_TpURUdHKDAQaI682 Nu9hU_4KDbkpwk7rHWG4HeOTfKrTFNgJI9wBrSLYoA-vo0fU5aIet7DKGn4ssoqYxXAJlykcGdywAaYp-W-6SgjpJ9bRPOMGJKEtag?width=1024&height=751&cropmode=none (http://nvubu.co.uk/pprune/20170426_01.jpg)

[Hen Ddraig]

That looks like the queue to go through No1 Aircraft Assembly Plant at RAF Speke.

HD

[nvubu]

Well that didn't last long - Speke it is - over to you Hen Ddraig

This is also captioned as being at Speke - but I couldn't match it up with anywhere. Would be nice to have it confirmed if it was.
https://pytjbg.bl3301.livefilestore.com/y4mqejbvh7HlstaUpoEo6fpl5PmkejNlN8VIVjvtgM8og5Vq_Pzp96VRUW_C mDf0eU3B0crQfoujyu2GKP3hjQ6W95M5kRZf3LqyG-ebjIBdhiWgz0_38mWmYkDJCn0_P9rit3hWJehdgod9sxfRprAIaybbs477my 4R5AY1uZWbyuF3vCRwVurgCF7YjlPAlDG37lXYXq6Y0x36LeDcVLZNQ?widt h=1024&height=781&cropmode=none (http://nvubu.co.uk/pprune/20170426_02.jpg)

[Hen Ddraig]

The background in the 1st pic was still the same in 1957 when I started flying training at Speke. 2nd pic could have been local there were lots of open fields around the area and the Lockheed operated assembly unit was turning out enormous numbers of aircraft.

OH I'm afraid. Got nothing available until I start to travel again.

[nvubu]

As no-one has jumped in, here's another one from me.
https://ksfpjg.bl3301.livefilestore.com/y4mpnD1fI8eM_9mSrgkygksy6vtLOPOiqgLD4dT9K_gbXgryI-V07fiulH0deiMaNbQstClK8Bk7w6w15thE7pqTWl9au6DnBjERNM2ER2K2_z SDPAjFJDoY-ACDRflfxUQvDjN6oPWwoOIBWuE9ElJwAKhPM1QgUTkngX5M3Acmqy3Tk2w6f OOn4LkZnGetFsKxGWBqaVAOkHtUFM8vBciwA?width=715&height=1024&cropmode=none

[nvubu]

It's all gone quiet again. Here's the view from the ground around the same time.
https://wmnypg.bl3301.livefilestore.com/y4mt2YyZMYOilxKwFxjKDOb56RYc2YprEvyNx41t8jIBC5xi7ZWdcYRypOt-5VSILrNDFWu-_Lc0uwlAhuwn5Tq57m1VA9wGlHWC345cQrMSii-lbxQZo_LF9wD-MRAa8oRVJFat5AtLiukonQY2793lyvP9Ge25fSzaDqZaoGqEGRBrd9g4V-wKr1K5M-gAaf7s5ytEAvxPmXJ-ANK6g89tg?width=1024&height=773&cropmode=none

[albatross]

SE Asia? Looks like the typical WW2 type of airstrip built after an invasion in those areas.
Lots of sand.
Suprising how many you see flying in Burma ( Myanmar ), Borneo ( Malaysia ) or other places. Near one place in Burma where I worked there was a WW2 Japanese strip near the beach. Never got a chance to land and explore. Did some very low and slow passes with the helicopter.

http://www.airspacemag.com/multimedia/these-portable-runways-helped-win-war-pacific-180951234/

[nvubu]

SE Asia - yes
WW2 - no

[asw28-866]

Wild guess, Bikini Atoll?

[nvubu]

It isn't on an island.

[India Four Two]

Well, then let me ask the obvious question. Is it coastal Vietnam?

I thought it might be LZ Betty at Phan Thiet, but the runway orientation is wrong.

[nvubu]

Getting closer - It is coastal Vietnam.

This was the first one of these to land here
https://vvqxba.bl3301.livefilestore.com/y4mCzZ5sRSbhJB8FtUgIQOeECBqPc3t_SeRJfICa-xmsYp5-MjIP5NJISLFHFh4BxF6G958NuHe93t88ofFPCMSDfLoUCttp7vSfqGvjEXQz VU1XXH1sDaTQ00_0gkFlkBytaY4KTwfRoG_wGovUjLg57sbqKkrEzqJNU8o8 80SJbl2RFt82zenueSy7C18o8QPRG8vPq5gH0o49NGhysGZ-w?width=1024&height=667&cropmode=none


But there were also these present
https://iucjyq.bl3301.livefilestore.com/y4m4kgjeNfZIUfBfggNokM6xjaTHIk5XB1BkCHG2cKigcLvxbxW1pzDtschP woSAl7Qz3ZILAsiWKuWM3J0Q4lP7pInRfFh53Y3vs5DcLxtqnlwQKICmQqPI VTdUBE4xTMnKP76K3Z2DStMhxFLESlKixtsmbh88uJ9OJDLBukqVo0MIO4HI 7k6Xxr8CPS2BbOFd27F_gZHUgNXYyidt6camg?width=1024&height=685&cropmode=none

[India Four Two]

Well, well!

It was clear from the hills that this was north of the Mekong Delta, so I was about to start a search. A picture of a C-130 and a grader didn't seem much of a clue, but then I noticed the two-seat Cougar lurking in the background, which lead me straight away to Chu Lai.

Based on the white rudder, I assume it's a Marine FAC TF-9J of H&MS-13 - the only Cougars to see combat.

Open house if correct.

[nvubu]

Chu Lai it is - I wondered which image might give it away. I had a few more lined up if required. Photos were taken late 1965.

Your last challenge got me looking at Vietnam images, and before I discovered Chu Lai, I found a fair number of Marble Mountain - including this one.
https://xbaf1a.bl3301.livefilestore.com/y4mpWsWyWqcIYdOHSifjRSVkKg15eKcNh-qUTBHPGP-TH8f3y3hgR2t0hmCH7efn7TKtoHGxWlk-tPKkrWZS5nu3KIlFBadvu9dWzDnF-GQB2DzitzS-4LbrYzXMTeycKjB3gDoeacXNR8z92Fs4wObqyydDAIftaLA9Iva9ZnmD_vJ3 PkBOiWEbzXAdd6UxzgBB4CWsdtfX_8VQ_YnUCiXPg?width=1024&height=855&cropmode=none


OPEN HOUSE IT IS

[Dora-9]

I don't think this has appeared before - another boring one from me:

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a144/Blithering/img697_zpsd9fhyx4c.jpg (http://s10.photobucket.com/user/Blithering/media/img697_zpsd9fhyx4c.jpg.html)

[zetec2]

looks like could make a good motor race track round the peri track !.

[Dora-9]

Only some of the of the perimeter track and the runway now visible.

[Heathrow Harry]

France? field pattern looks right

[chevvron]

What could be scorch marks (jets or rocket) across the field so maybe somewhere like Rechlin?

[Dora-9]

HH - no, not France.

Chevron - I don't think they're jet/rocket scorch marks. It's located in much warmer climes than Rechlin. Here's a clue: post-war this airfield was closed, although one of its many satellites still remains in use.

[Dora-9]

They say a fast game is a good game, so here's another clue. This Me 210 accident shown supposedly (I'm not convinced) occurred at our "mystery" airfield:

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a144/Blithering/12%20messerschmitt%20me%20210%20crash%20landed%20sandbox%20m editerrania%20luftwaffe%20plane%20aircraft%202_zpsyna00ptb.j pg (http://s10.photobucket.com/user/Blithering/media/12%20messerschmitt%20me%20210%20crash%20landed%20sandbox%20m editerrania%20luftwaffe%20plane%20aircraft%202_zpsyna00ptb.j pg.html)

[Terry Dactil]

Aha! Some good clues. :ok:
Warmer climate than northern Germany.
Me 210 with white fuselage band = Mediterranean.
Dora-9 will know about the captured FW190s, and likes posting airfields that no longer exist today.
So it's gotta be Gerbini in Sicily.

Today: Some remnants of the runway and southern taxiway are still visible.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/sjnrmijtuuhgx8j/Gerbini%20now.JPG?dl=1

Then:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/l9h0u36rl1v20hu/Gerbini%20then.JPG?dl=1
[OH if correct]

[Dora-9]

Well done Terry! To be pedantic (who? me?), this is Gerbini/Main. As part of a complex of some 14 satellites west of Catania (most of which were very basic), this was one of the Luftwaffe's main base areas on Sicily. This airfield is not to be confused with the current Gerbini airfield, which is built on the site of Gerbini/Sud.

Fw 190G-3 WNr 160057, formerly of SKG 10, was captured here intact in September 1943.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a144/Blithering/535739a8ade97_zpsygr1oywk.jpg (http://s10.photobucket.com/user/Blithering/media/535739a8ade97_zpsygr1oywk.jpg.html)

The "Focke-Wulf Fw 190 in the Battle for Sicily" contains this intriguing strike photo:

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a144/Blithering/img698_zpsdfbciey7.jpg (http://s10.photobucket.com/user/Blithering/media/img698_zpsdfbciey7.jpg.html)

The acute angled aqueduct/railway junction (with the distinct kink in the aqueduct) are readily found on Google Earth immediately south of the airfield. Apart from the 2 Fw 190's on the lower RHS of the photo, also of interest are the three "anchor"-shaped blast pens in the top LH corner. If you scroll your GE back to the 2002 images, two of these pens were still there!

Terry has declared OH....

[Russell Gulch]

Try this one, not on Mel's list:

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/868mick/wa/P1070321_zpsndjx0cid.jpg

[Heathrow Harry]

looks like it's in a swamp - Florida? Louisiana??

[chevvron]

Ex Warsaw Pact pattern military, possibly Poland?

[Russell Gulch]

looks like it's in a swamp - Florida? Louisiana??

Right country, wrong State

[Heathrow Harry]

is it still in use?

and did the State have a star on the "Stainless Banner"?

[Russell Gulch]

It is not in aviation use.

And it's not in the south, if that's what you mean?

Russ

[Russell Gulch]

It is not in aviation use.

Clue: And never was, although that's what it was built for.

[Heathrow Harry]

So - quite old - there is a trace of a cross runway in the foreground but with what looks like serious weapons bunkers on the lower right.................

Lots of water around, flat , but no major urban development visible.... maybe no railways either - and no industrial or agribusiness using the site either so pretty rural??

Given the propensity for evey Hicksville to have its own airstrip they have not kept this one open so there must be another, better one, nearby.

[chevvron]

Cancel my last ie Warsaw Pact; it looks to be a 'standard' USAF 10,000ft runway but without the massive parking areas alongside.

[Kewbick]

Richard Bong AFB, Burlington, WI. ?

[Heathrow Harry]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R.I._Bong_Air_Force_Base

certainly looks like it - never actualy functioned as a base at all