Which Aerodrome Mk III

[sycamore]

The Bermudan flag is a red Ensign,UJ in top corner ,Bermudan Coat of Arms lower right...other one isn`t it either...

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Here is another image of G-AHEM. Appears to be same airfield (note fencing). Parked on Bay 3 (Or is it 5?)

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/488x233/8768197_orig_gahem_e20c40d88405358c45ad957c6f0d3612d8b0553c. jpg


Below is Kindley Field - not sure it has the right vibe for our Connie images.




https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1000x669/163689d603f65d814d6092529d2d51bd_7b5a1913e6f2509a2ae11a1f23b be1987e69349b.jpg

[chevvron]

Looks a bit like Antigua to me.

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Here's BOAC 1950 timetable for further inspiration. Perhaps Kingston or Nassau? Or is it The Subcontinent?

BOAC - British Overseas Airways Corporation (http://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/ba5007.htm)

[rog747]

Many thanks to you all for your responses - There seems to be a sort of feel that it maybe Bermuda - but is the Jury still out?

I have searched for obelisk memorials at tropical airports in the 1950's for hours online but to no avail :(

We have now 2 photos here of a Connie in the same location (fencing matches) so is it BDA ?

I gather that the Civil Terminal part was on the other side from the NAS (USAF) The big photo above is the military area.

Well keep the ideas coming!

Seems Adrian Balch may know as he supplied a similar photo to - https://www.yesterdaysairlines.com/.../8768197_orig.jpg (https://www.yesterdaysairlines.com/uploads/4/2/5/5/42559615/8768197_orig.jpg?fbclid=IwAR1afQ24Ubaq249zTquVvtKZtcHU3JvG6u bAliLmFxZ5lUgwrOwEpMAK6zo)
shows same fencing and same a/c - I have pm'd him

Edit -
Just had a chat with a local pal ex CAA ATC/NATS at Hurn - he was born in Bermuda - spent all his younger years there to and fro - he is in his late 70's now. he has also posted the photo on the Bermuda FB groups and got positive response that it is k-field

he assures me (99.9%) that this is kindley field before the Yanks came in (USAF)
so this puts the date just after the war when the RAF moved out in 1946 and a civil area opened

[Shackman]

I just wonder if this is a delivery or proving flight (with pax?) from Long Beach as the aircraft does not have the full civil markings applied (G-AHEM in large letters on fuselage and wings as mandated at the time by the CAA) which would be applied on arrival in UK. Bermuda could be a natural stop (but then so would Newfoundland and it ain't there!)

[rog747]

I just wonder if this is a delivery or proving flight (with pax?) from Long Beach as the aircraft does not have the full civil markings applied (G-AHEM in large letters on fuselage and wings as mandated at the time by the CAA) which would be applied on arrival in UK. Bermuda could be a natural stop (but then so would Newfoundland and it ain't there!)

Just had a chat with a local pal ex CAA ATC/NATS at Hurn - he was born in Bermuda - spent all his younger years there to and fro - he is in his late 70's now. he has also posted the photo on the Bermuda FB groups and got positive response that it is k-field.

He assures me (99.9%) that this is kindley field before the Yanks came in (USAF)
so this puts the date just after the war when the RAF moved out in 1946 and a civil area opened.

Re BOAC liveries - 1945-1949: Blue Speedbird Natural metal (1945-1951)
Natural metal fuselage, small BOAC titles and speedbird on nose. Large blue registration.
1946-1949: Blue Cheatline Natural Metal
Some Connies wore a scheme with a blue cheatline, small registration. (From YESTERDAY'S AIRLINES)

[Shackman]

Further to that, a search of images of AHEM show her with the fuselage letters applied by May 1946, so as she was only delivered to (picked up by?) BOAC on 22 May 46 there is a very narrow time frame and area for this picture to be taken

[Max Tow]

The stone wall & distinctive black/white fencing in Op's original photo looks similar to the old Nassau airport Oakes Field in the attached link, and I believe BOAC did op Connies to there from around 1950?
https://drifttravel.com/the-bahamas-celebrates-70-years-of-partnership-with-air-canada/

and I think the obelisk is the Harry Oakes monument near what became the racing circuit.

[Shackman]

Having now seen the photos of the memorial I think Max Tow has hit the nail on the head. Added to which, further research into delivery flights showed that Oakes Field was the departure point for most RAF flights for long range aircraft (particularly B-24s) from US to UK in the latter stages of the war, and would be a natural place for BOAC to use, and probably one their crews were familiar with.

[Asturias56]

That was a great search!! Sir Harry Oakes Monument in The Bahamas. Photos, videos, opening hours, tickets, travel informations. (http://hikersbay.com/historic/bahamas/Sir%20Harry%20Oakes%20Monument?lat=25.0578155&lon=-77.3617555&lang=en) has the location of the monument and here is a picture

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/276x183/download_48c0f33ae51d33c4602adc92d8bc7c169bc9a2d2.jpg


I guess we go back to Open House?

[Asturias56]

Nassau doesn't have Street view but this GE overhead shows the monument (white square centre by the road junction ) and the park which contains the National Stadium

It looks as if the original photo was taken from the car park of what is now the Customs House Dept (large building lower left) the L left with the Connie parked pretty much at the modern road junction
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/736x803/2020_11_17_134907_fd6cb24705996a793a16f45ecb08aa0f25cef989.j pg

[Max Tow]

Asturias - yes, OH, but was just awaiting for OP to confirm that he is happy with Nassau as a resolution...

Original three runway pattern shown here:
https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C277945
is still quite visible on Google Earth.

[rog747]

By Jove - all the sleuthing has paid off!

I had thought of Bahamas or Jamaica initially (photo has a UK policeman in shot)
Despite my local pal born and was living in BDA, we spoke again and although he thought it was 99% Kindley something still was nagging him that it was not.

Yes it seems to be Oake Field Nassau - I have even walked past that memorial to Sir Harry on my visits to the Island from both Nieuw Amsterdam and Queen Victoria liners.

Thanks everyone!

Guess it is OH onwards....

[nvubu]

And for the Open House

https://am3pap004files.storage.live.com/y4mRbOTWk-XXF5OxDBIrzXrWKXS6UETkZGzyPIBEr-A0S51X5LRG8QCbVaZD-IoyKRDtsufhuH-WPIDNLpWuZOcnhqEIHBe9qR3r4U3yOeFfZ6blJ_gQ-C3XqQNiqpk0-BiSGDsCfvJk9zB7Kj5MSkQ3toQigRdBlfQ7fM_3L-8ZiBAd-7ODk8eAX4ZYEt883A0?width=847&height=598&cropmode=none

[sidtheesexist]

Long shot ...Comiso?

[nvubu]

Quite a good first attempt, but we aren't on Sicily.

[nvubu]

Captured weapons on the airfield

https://am3pap004files.storage.live.com/y4mup1HKAkTxwwvWkZBoCJoDHAHDOwQAbN2ek8O0MPicFagjR71PKReLHaMM dc973C2GBwpool-d0QC_-KBQLoBbOE13NsB8UZuFebarE1X6MU6FRumNC_WPeWo_9142US3fFSt28PKrs dc6la9SIgdn6jT91STUVhpskDNMs3xxUB3-bh4trIzzORaQesJlA4j?width=849&height=600&cropmode=none

[Shackman]

Are we in Italy though?

[Asturias56]

Biplanes? CR-32's??? Spain?

[nvubu]

Yes we are in Italy.

Captured personnel on the airfield.

https://am3pap004files.storage.live.com/y4m_Z-gz34UcELnCITxQ0YTJaI6frZbBbyTjE-tIhYmO5e7nrYgJgmS-ThNIgg2sKw2g2iej2Iwu8B_EuTvI1cIJuARAR9IVU1uR1Yk-ZEK-ka5Q55dWFzuoAZrl5ACPQUoybhnn335GC_u9zXbNXuG8Cn34Vhpp8VoyQkH3 LLEfD2ujXQdAfCn6J8_2Qfa1VRu?width=832&height=589&cropmode=none

[Self loading bear]

Marghana had 2 of those fortified underground hangars?

edit: and those are still there:

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x490/cf6a8449_2338_4548_a09c_d0c1a8eb11b8_34fb1d53c1c56dcae8195e1 6edf2b18d304a9d0f.png

[nvubu]

I thought the underground hangars were rather a large clue - however, when I searched for Marghana on GE, it sent me to India :cool:

But you are correct it is Marghana on the island of Pantelleria

https://am3pap004files.storage.live.com/y4mQlOQHTgTeOzaB6VklkWDHR0TKDnvSjSJy3tLTPPoNkix_XGUUVQ-hF3HKiA-649M3my4JM67bEfKFWNn3woS0JSZ_rb8WW0O79VXr4Qr5vHI3uiPZqaF-6CIuzCfa3s9DoBcXI_z-RN1EPnK4O26d0O8voYntRmUnrcUIprF7RSuRjIDqAFtxUd2s1eQ85gm?widt h=850&height=606&cropmode=none


The hangars are still there.

[Self loading bear]

Thanks,
Is this one too easy?

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/960x880/d9671c51_ade0_4f11_b590_c72107ea37a6_53db1601f3100346c5c4f83 1505d518f00c1d084.jpeg

[India Four Two]

Is this one too easy?

It is if you are an oilfield geologist who is familiar with Los Angeles! :)

This is Chaplin/Rogers Airfield* at the intersection of Fairfax Avenue and Wilshire Boulevard. The houses in the distance to the north, are in what is known today as Hollywood Hills West.

The area looks a lot different today:

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/751x679/screen_shot_2020_11_19_at_19_27_01_0b44d4a01321679937f91ac9a 85df5a169f5cd11.png

* The airfield was established by Sydney Chaplin, Charlie's older brother. It was later bought by Emory Rogers and renamed.

Aviation History of the Miracle Mile (https://miraclemilela.com/the-miracle-mile/aviation-history-of-the-miracle-mile/)

I cannot find the name of the oilfield but immediately to the east (right) of the picture are the famous La Brea Tar Pits and the Page Museum.

[chevvron]

Ta Qali on Malta had those undergeround hangars too..

[Self loading bear]

Indeed Rogers Field or in 1922 when the photo of air fair was taken: Chaplin field.
Next it was Mille field.

The oilfield must have been the Los Angeles City Oilfield.
There is 1 well left which is still producing 3,5 barrels a day.

Take it away India!

[Self loading bear]

Ta Qali on Malta had those undergeround hangars too..

Are you sure?

On the Internet I found several sites mentioning underground repair shops and also that an attempt was made to start cutting out hangars in the west ridge of Ta Qali.

But these attempts proved the rock was too soft. As the attempts were also discovered by the Germans, they did a heavy bombing.
After the Bombing, hangars doors were painted on the ridge in an attempt to lure further attacks to this further unused area of the air base.

[nvubu]

Very interesting to read up.

Is the remaining well this here (https://goo.gl/maps/vY51P31PZC5ZJRD89)

[Self loading bear]

I would be surprised if that would be a well, but it is the only likely spot in that street.
It shows that there are more active wells which are part of this Oil field. It seems that the name differs per well
More wells in LA (https://www.lamag.com/citythinkblog/hidden-oil-wells/)

[India Four Two]

The oilfields of the Los Angeles basin have a really interesting history. Anyone with some time to spare when leaving LAX in a rental car should drive through the Baldwin Hills oilfield between LAX and Downtown. This oilfield was used as a backdrop for the motel scenes in L.A. Confidential.

No oilfields here:

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/675x426/wad_2020_11_19_0e5e3f59361b202e1b4168c472f8eaf063bd53e9.png

[Asturias56]

That truck looks very N american - are we in Canada perchance?

[India Four Two]

are we in Canada perchance?

"Elementary my dear Watson!" You know me too well.

A possible clue - after I had posted this photo, I noticed the shadow, which combined with the location of the signal square, indicates that the tower is on the north side of the field. This surprised me as the current tower is on the southern side. A search on GE indicates vague traces of the former tower's location.

[Self loading bear]

This must be Victoria’s YYJ old control tower.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/319x449/12d67192_9d7b_4f2e_9110_7beac5cad9f9_503f5407e0948e947b1b74a 0452fbf5a22fded74.jpeg

Question:
The 8 indicates the direction of runway to be used?

[India Four Two]

Yes, it is what used to be known as RCAF Patricia Bay and is now Victoria Airport (CYYJ).

I think you must be right about the runway number. They were using the other direction when my picture was taken. I had assumed that 26 was the elevation, but it is actually 64'.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1000x703/pat_bay_1943_ag_04111_141_8d54d7a73b750b97149f532e082d615dd6 2c8418.jpg

I was planning these further pictures, if required:

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/595x363/wad_2019_11_19c_30a1d3c3c1269fe7aad64467bfde94ef76ca13d8.jpg

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/594x401/pat_bay_rcaf_pby_boneyard_early_50s_by_stango_may23_12_efbde a8e7eb2578440eaa97c0f174c19170ebc98.jpg

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/381x292/wad_2019_11_19b_d2bf43ae8105a3fd3402a2f9ec8f734fc05ea261.jpg

Slb has control.

[ea200]

Thank you Bear. Generous with the clues there.

Not much left of this airfield, but some of the original building are still around.


https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/508x305/airfield_1120_1a7fbf57f4c0bbb791c1f641d9a1ee57b5fd5b41.jpg

[UV]

Sawbo Airfield?

[ea200]

Indeed UV, RAF Sawbridgeworth. Three runways matting on grass. This is what is left now.


https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/610x477/sawbo_c8b333d246bd9f38ad88cb864e6ccfc99fa79bf2.jpg

UV has control.

[UV]

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/640x480/9c235515_ad88_493c_967d_1f19d3ba240f_b20655d19327b89e774d205 8b7b7688f13cfab4a.jpeg

I have control....

[Asturias56]

doesn't look like Essex... Europe?

[UV]

Affirm Europe

[jensdad]

Some quite pointy mountains there. I'm thinking the Pyrenees?

[UV]

Not Pyrenees

[UV]

A clue.
The Great Escape....Chitty. Chitty Bang Bang.....

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Is Julie Andrews going to put in an appearance?

[Asturias56]

With a clue like that... its Vulgaria - or Fussen in Bavaria to the common, unlettered herd......

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Niederoblarn Airport? Whoops just noticed above......!

[UV]

Another view I took looking in the other direction

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/640x480/7a4e18e4_44af_4fe3_9164_38c409ad1bae_031f0f48a6f49dcca2527fd 5eb62545864f2c115.jpeg

Asturias56 ....near enough Fussen Gliding site!

All yours.

[Asturias56]

We took the kids to the stage show years ago in London.......................

Lets try this one......


https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/382x357/2020_11_25_164659_660a652ea655bf191d208033b8cbd0d08ad287b1.j pg

[descol]

South Pacific - maybe Bonriki ?

[rog747]

Looks Tropical - Tin Roofs, Palms - Caribbean TAB or GND, or just maybe old terminal Maldives Male airport?

[nvubu]

wriggly tin roof, largish drain - tropics? Africa?

[Asturias56]

Definitely not South Pacific, Maldives nor Africa - tho I can see why you might think so

tropics yes

The picture was slightly misleading - most of it is a lot more modern
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/247x296/2020_11_25_163925_8600b0ce4dc2ef4908fc905e7a956ad90dc21dc1.j pg

[nvubu]

Caribbean then?

[Asturias56]

heading in the right direction

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/518x318/2020_11_25_164722_e7e0e8a8bc58d303f1f873c6078899e42561ba85.j pg
International Airport - even intercontinental

[descol]

Princess Julianna ?

[Asturias56]

No - its not - it's got a reasonable amount of traffic tho' its not a supersized spot

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/357x159/2020_11_25_163619_0f055cbc062efc327cd246f6f764c235e2716628.j pg

[rog747]

got a reasonable amount of traffic tho' its not a supersized spot

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/357x159/2020_11_25_163619_0f055cbc062efc327cd246f6f764c235e2716628.j pg

I was racking my smaller Caribbean Islands brain last night - one of the BVI's or USVI's ?
I discounted most the Leeward and Windward Islands -
Thought it might be a tiny Grenadines...or Turks & C's?
Or maybe one of the ABC islands (lower Dutch Antilles)

Now I see its quite flat Bahamas?

[Asturias56]

Caribbean was "heading in the right direction" - not a location................ it's not on an island

[Asturias56]

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/221x247/2020_11_25_163856_80de8f867820693dd008cc3bf320da3590a1b09c.j pg

[rog747]

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/221x247/2020_11_25_163856_80de8f867820693dd008cc3bf320da3590a1b09c.j pg

Maybe a bit Floridian - Gulf or the Keys....

[Max Tow]

Liberia?

(OH if correct)

[Asturias56]

Liberia is a very long way from the challenge I'm afraid (and by the way we need an airfield not a country) - those sniffing in the Caribbean are much closer

Rog747 is also incorrect - this is in the tropics and no part of Florida is, sensuo stricto, tropical

Until CV19 you could fly here (occasionally) from the UK

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/246x394/2020_11_25_164613_fabb56b9e63e293c73a34a34da49475d9f53752c.j pg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/606x560/2020_11_25_164946_7f35e7bf8eae130ad18c6311891f0aa0087e744b.j pg

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Barcelona Airport Venezuela ?

[Asturias56]

Understand the mods have reimposed the 24 hour rule - no answers until

[Max Tow]

Sorry but I meant LIR, Liberia the town/airport in Costa Rica...

[Asturias56]

I can't comment for 24 hours.

See the post on What Cockpit - mods have reintroduced the 24 Hour rule to stop machine gun posting..............

[Senior Pilot]

I can't comment for 24 hours.

See the post on What Cockpit - mods have reintroduced the 24 Hour rule to stop machine gun posting..............

I’m not sure why this has to be explained again but the intent has always been that a challenge should not be verified within 24 hours. That does not mean the OP mustn’t post a reply for 24 hours; if a correct answer is posted then it shouldn’t be advised as such for 24 hours after the challenge was put online.

We had this same discussion at the beginning of the year so I hadn’t expected to have to explain it again. This challenge has now been running for about 60+ hours so there is no reason for Asturias56 not to say yea or nay to the last two replies.

[Asturias56]

Sorry - the problem was there was confusion over Max Tow's post -hI thought he meant Liberia - the independent country in W Africa but he meant Liberia in Costa Rica - which is correctI had it as Aeropuerto Internacional Daniel Odubo Quors. Regular flight to the USA, Canada & even TUI used to fly to the UK

really nice part of the world - beaches, mountains...... Max has declared OH


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1140x847/2020_11_25_163546_165044a70744de04a08b36ec8e94dc8362876b22.j pg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/283x445/2020_11_25_164857_6bb4557299d00f313b008596184a36cc0d1d432f.j pg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1237x546/2020_11_25_163826_c8f10f8765fed0ded3a342af5382422462d577a8.j pg

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/293x193/bbf8a00da89a38af30df3b8eccb0c0dd_reduced_92eb7f0cd7faf1ff54f 48b2cf2c2cd850fbbda5d.jpg

[Asturias56]

as The Master said "very flet, Norfolk" so I presume we're elsewhere from your ivy covered cottage?

Can we punt on the Himalayas?

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

I'm afraid not.

[Self loading bear]

The leafless slender trees are probably Italian poplars.
This tree originated from Iran but is spread over Europe.

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Not too distant from the airfield...........
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/392x290/trees_1ba128043c1d091f856f579c4d6043ef8abaf643.png

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Have a poke around Asia but not to the south. Better go east from Izmir. I'll post a clue when I put the dog and myself out last thing tonight. No ivy on the house but plenty on me.

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/224x225/index_pam_ayres__5ccd6be663f316d17792f8ee786cf4a97e917d01.jp g
Location: Pam Ayres......


https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/500x770/mountain_field_twoo_eb64540fd92b8d0b2fd5a6211afa131abe7de6a5 .jpg
An earlier visitor to the town. Perhaps someone can give a rough date based on the aeroplane type?

The River a tributary of The Oxus borders the airfield to the East and Afghanistan from mid-stream to the West.

[India Four Two]

The "Аэ" led me to the Polikarpov R-5, so the date would be 1930s.

From the Oxus clue, I deduce this aerodrome might be in Tajikistan?

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

India you are spot on with Tajikistan. I'll put some images on and then perhaps you, if you're not in bed, or somebody else will locate the aerodrome.

Single Runway 1840 x 49 M Elevation 2080 M.



https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/564x371/bbf8a00da89a38af30df3b8eccb0c0dd_9c955259807899343c5fd5a8227 46fa9772c3bb8.jpg
Credit: Bruno Otto Braun.


https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/746x500/tajik127_61b076e159639104bebb671de1c875ce50624a42.jpg
Summer. Plenty of Honey produced in the foothills of this part of the world. Bear please note.
Incidentally the city is known for its Poplar trees that dominate the flora.


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1355x608/958a2521_9669_4ee9_b280_ec8a4acf4b62_b4d9b25a3d21b6b563e7c2a 4f888ad6f54ae05d5.jpeg

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/921x293/ourairports_ab7b9ba46ac47d2055c73b21890d0379c8f27b41.png

Final Clue: Autonomous Region......

[ea200]

UTOD Khorog I think. OH if correct.

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Good for you ea200 Khorog it is. Have a short ride in a fast machine:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34uhCv6XKac

Open House!

[India Four Two]

Great video!

Are we allowed to ask WHY you/they went to Khorog?

Great video indeed. Are we allowed to ask what is the Pam Ayres connection? :)

Can you post the unclipped Polikarpov picture?

[Self loading bear]

I found this one on aviadejavu
dated 1928.
Also on alamy

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1300x988/6d81fa02_7992_44ea_b090_9c10430d023c_7d22ee5b923ff1353828f3a 51b146870fe4348d6.jpeg

[grizzled]

A similar environment but more recent

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/808x607/apr_2007_1c_a62ed33b1590a0ff7569e49968b244337afe1d01.jpg

[Asturias56]

Are we in Asia?

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Are we in Arabia - possibly Oman?

[grizzled]

Yes, we are in Asia, not Arabia

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1095x968/apr_2007_2c_a6d6e583658db0bc26bd4def3b13b82aead3fe1b.jpg

[grizzled]

More clues needed I see...
On approach
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/788x591/apr_2007_5c_a0c888023872826f6edeb19960d9ebe1109f2331.jpg

[India Four Two]

Afghanistan?

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Flying on behalf of The United Nations?

[Asturias56]

that desert type is fairly distinctive - it sort of reminds me of bits of Outer Mongolia

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

I'll try Sheberghan - Afghanistan?

[grizzled]

Hi all.. I'm on the other side of the world from most of you right now, so the 24 hour rule is helpful. I just woke up, poured my first cuppa, and most of you are probably heading off to bed - or have already done so.

Well done O Ops! -- Sheberghan it is! I thought it would take longer as there are / were many similar places in Afghanistan (the pix are from 2007) but noting the terrain (slopes on the edge of a desert) likely helped a lot. Here is another view on arrival. We always had to verify (quickly and accurately, both before and after landing) whether the greeting party were "ours" or "theirs".

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1097x823/apr_2007_4c_91a62f47ecfafd39c780ce1ae07c7e7f13896401.jpg

Take it away O Ops!

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Thank you Grizzled. Your visits to this airfield in the nature of little bit of discreet diplomacy perhaps? India Two Four thanks for pointing me in the right direction....

Open House.

[grizzled]

Yes, discreet is the right word -- and always a logistical quagmire...
As you say, India Four Two sighted you in, and interestingly, Asturias comment was right on as well: when I was sorting some of my photos, I found some that I thought were from Afghanistan but they were actually Mongolia!

[washoutt]

whether the greeting party were "ours" or "theirs".
What could you do, if it were "theirs"?

[grizzled]

What could you do, if it were "theirs"?

That's why I said "both before and after landing". This is certainly not the place for discussing how one ascertains / confirms that the people on the ground waiting are the people you were expecting, but, as people who have operated in certain environments could confirm, there are ways to do so. If, for whatever reason those waiting turn out to be other than those you were expecting, and "antagonistic" (for want of a better word), the situation could well deteriorate quickly. What you could / would do at that point would depend very much on the specific situation and your (or your organisation's) protocols. Nuff said on that.

'Tis Open House!

[Asturias56]

This is one that wasn't around for very long but has associations with a famous flyer or two -- the straight road runs right through the site as far as I can tell

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/397x551/2020_11_30_131814_4aa55df3ef7952e38c93fbbb83e8e4ef921fdcf1.j pg

[Asturias56]

These brave lads operated out of there for a while

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/748x528/2020_11_30_132047_e6320f31a716c57f6bb0aa0b64cd0c36857e68bf.j pg

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Is the Officer, middle front a member of The Imperial Russian Air Service ?

[Asturias56]

Good spot there - and the whole back row are his juniors I believe.

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Thanks, I'm none the wiser !

[grizzled]

Asturias: While I still have no idea where the aerodrome is / was, I've thoroughly enjoyed wandering around the internet learning (more than I'll ever need to know) about the Imperial Russian Air Service! All the young men in that photo would have had such interesting tales to tell. Thanks!

[Asturias56]

The airfield was owned by a nearby factory. Many thought it could lead to a rather sticky end to those using it. I think it was only in use for 2-3 years

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/714x413/2020_11_30_131547_360bebfc88a748db3c34a8b3683938b3a96936b3.j pg

[SMOKEON]

Coley Park Airfield,Reading,Berkshire. RFC/RAF 1916-1919.

[Asturias56]

Yup - that's it - I came across it when I was reading about Cpt Johns of "Biggles" fame - he trained there apparently. The site was owned by the Co-Op Stores jam factory

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/244x248/2020_11_30_132331_43ead51ec5599ade4f6122586f3ff3488dd02b01.j pg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/409x244/2020_11_30_132307_1ff2628d474b5659e6a4aff1a520b4d92e0a2320.j pg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/799x436/2020_11_30_132009_0debacc0c32d3eef92b377923129c7d98d2cce1a.j pg

[SMOKEON]

Thank you.
Open House

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/800x581/wpc_2011_0010_001_acc_refuel_06b4ec2477434d41ee1eb2e2f69c8b1 48cb608cd.jpg
1934 - Imperial Echoes

[rog747]

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/800x581/wpc_2011_0010_001_acc_refuel_06b4ec2477434d41ee1eb2e2f69c8b1 48cb608cd.jpg
1934 - Imperial Echoes

Ceylon? I recall the local boys dressing like that...

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Sadly not.... tho' on the right track. I'll Post this clue:

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/620x620/screenshot_2020_12_09_stars_webp_webp_image_620_620_pixels__ 172c941a33a47aac072d9f75015b077f87ff231c.png

[rog747]

Well we are on def on the Equator LOL

[Asturias56]

Part of the British Empire?

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Yes indeed (tho of course no longer)

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Well we are on def on the Equator LOL
Rog, The Constellation is seen South of the Equator and the Aerodrome is North of The Equator.

[Shackman]

Well Gan was originally South of the Equator, but after Frank Easto (supernav on 205 Sqn) found he was 2 miles north of track on arrival after a 10 hour sortie from Changi., he spent the rest of our SAR detachment taking star and sun shots and proved Gan was not where it was supposed to be, but just North of the Equator.

Just a little snippet of info, 'cos it don't look like Gan.

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Perhaps someone can identify the Constellation ? I mean the stars not Indian Navy.......

[Get me some traffic]

ISTR Gan is 73.10E 00.31S. 31nm south of the Equator. However, most of my time on Gan the ground was moving, thanks to "Tiger" and "Southern Comfort!"

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Southern What ? It ain't Gan.

[Self loading bear]

So we know there is a peculiar tree at the south of the airfield.
With a hill to the south-south east.
somewhat above te equator.
Already existing 1920/30s
Not Ceylon Sri Lanka

I stab at Andaman& Nicobar?

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Bear the Constellation was not photographed in the Northern Hemisphere. I do need somebody to name the Constellation which will then allow me to post the relevant clue. I'm hoping some of our night owls who live south of The Equator will be able to name it..... Incidentally I'm sure the pilot in the next image would be very familiar with both the Constellation and the Bay of Bengal. (Oh yes and the airfield too.) I believe the waters immediately around the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are Quite Warm but are beyond swimming distance to that part of The Empire we are trying to discover. Nevertheless a good call.


https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/800x510/screenshot_2020_12_09_a_passage_to_india_sir_alan_cobham_24f 46b4e3265116cea5a35eee79fc2b0c3d1e617.png

Dated 1925.

I'm putting myself and the dog out now. More tomorrow with luck.

[sycamore]

Possibly Jean Batten in Singapore...May 1934...?

[Max Tow]

Slight extrapolation of Sycamore's excellent steer, from the night shift here in sunny SYD.

The constellation is of course the Southern Cross, well known in these parts, so that suggests a Kingsford Smith connection.
The pilot, however, in the DH 50 photo is Alan Cobham on his proving flight to Burma, with pax Sefton Brancker. Kingsford Smith was lost off the coast of Burma. So in view of these clues, Akyab perhaps, as Jean Batten also stopped over there?
In addition to her flight, 1934 was also the year of the air race to Oz for which Akyab was an en-route stop for some, but I don't think it included any bi-planes? OH if correct!

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Well done Max Tow Akyab Burma it is. Sycamore good stab at Jean Batten. I thought it might be her Gypsy Moth in the first photo but the snap was taken in October 1934 and Batten was there in May. Frank Stewart took the photo. He was travelling in this Dragon Rapide with S/L Hewitt and F/O C.E. Kay, pictured at Akyab. They came 9th and last in The MacRobertson Melbourne Trophy Air Race.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/800x572/refuel_61790a9ff728bf90555140c06d3bfe76306a5910.jpg


https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/700x387/gull_405582da10af67d00ed4ec759b552c9ed8dbb988.jpg
Photo credit Geoff Goodall.

Kingsford-Smith's 'Miss Southern Cross' seen above in Western Australia in 1933 following his record breaking flight from Lympne. He night-stopped at Akyab 8/9 October 1933.
He carried the mails in Southern Cross from Darwin to Akyab and back in April/May 1931 on behalf of Imperial Airways following the loss of their DH66 City of Cairo.
As you say he disappeared over The Andaman Sea in 'Lady Southern Cross' 8th November 1935.
Akyab was well used as a staging post by a host of potential record breakers and race competitors, to name but a few: Poulet 1919, The Smith Brothers 1919, Parer and McIntosh 1920, Cobham 1925-6, Kingsford Smith 1933, Batten 1934 and 1936 and Earhart in 1937. Amy Johnson diverted from Akyab to Rangoon due wx and bent her aeroplane on landing 13 May 1930.

Some snaps from 1945 after the Japs were kicked out.


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/624x480/4090966_dak_trim_990053743abd3e5c54e24a71c90e77c9ee83026e.jp g
Photo credit Australian War Memorial Museum
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/619x449/3916966_daks_d8bc7805cd55fd765fce49c07b9492944af9520d.jpg
Photo credit Australian War Memorial Museum


https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/800x749/march_11_45_crash_1dba721e72bd9116af8898ff755edcf5cac1d614.j pg
Akyab March 11th 1945. Beaufighter of 177 Squadron (based Chiringa) Crew: Bill Wilson and Edward Cheshire.


https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1104x623/screenshot_2020_12_08_vysw_aky_sittwe_airport_random_aiports __fd7ad46b24c03ae2474217e0d3a016da419e497b.jpg

[Max Tow]

Thanks - your wrap-up was a mine of information, as ever! OH.

[Asturias56]

Let's try something seasonal!!!


https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/483x725/2020_12_12_175253_ce8695189748cf3547532838843e3307f2527c43.j pg

[jensdad]

Neither Asturias nor Ferrara, but somewhere a bit cold in Japan? Kushiro?

[Asturias56]

Well there's a player from the past! Long time no see!!!

Yes Japan but no Kushiro - new pic in summer

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/308x301/2020_12_12_174823_0057513315f0f4f70b1291078657206b82b41c2a.j pg

[jensdad]

Haha, thanks Asturias. I drop in here occasionally these days, and the 'JAL' logo on the vehicle prompted me to have a long-distance effort. The snow made me think of Hokkaido, so I'll have a final (for the moment) try at Chitose?

[Self loading bear]

It seems that after the big earthquake, much control towers have received an external steel beam reinforcement cage. I assume your photo is of pre quake date?

It changes the silhouettes considerably.

[Haven't a clue]

Memanbetsu

OH if correct

[Haven't a clue]

Here it is when I visited in 2017.


https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/320x240/mw_77cac432db932f5e4882bdd69e83df9d8e8c474e.jpg

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/320x184/mw2_c989adad981e899106192886f32aba0fcae1a574.jpg

[Asturias56]

Memanbetsu/Abashiri Hokkaido it is (note I never said it wasn't Hokkaido!!) - nice spot but a gets BIG SNOW in winter

Clue has the con


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/775x386/2020_12_12_175405_eb0bfb3ba862679945782f92c9a7ec4036e7348d.j pg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/254x308/2020_12_12_174527_c63d463893f2ec800ab7ace39a28fba84c592b03.j pg

[Flap40]

As HaC has declares OH, try this.


https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/648x511/where_b230590796314be0dcd189bf02b33a0226a4a597.jpg

[Asturias56]

That looks like Royal Air Maroc old colours to me - and the terrain could be N Africa???

[Flap40]

Yes to N Africa. No to Royal Air Maroc.

[Self loading bear]

For whom it may help:
Probably Swissair Convair Metropolitan.
Or transferred to Belair or Telair.
(Athough I doubt if the belly would then still be polished aluminum)

[rog747]

As HaC has declares OH, try this.


https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/648x511/where_b230590796314be0dcd189bf02b33a0226a4a597.jpg

It is an Iberia Airlines of Spain Convair 440 and I reckon this could be Spanish Morocco somewhere?

Apart from Northern Spanish Morocco, Spain in the late 1800's, also acquired the Western Sahara,
parts of it later known under the name Spanish Sahara, so is it somewhere served on of those Iberia flights done from the Canaries?

I was initially going to say Gando Las Palmas but not with those big hills... Lovely photo BTW

Edit to add Sahara Ref...

[Max Tow]

Thanks Rog747 - once again the N.Hemisphere does 99% the hard work in narrowing down to the aircraft, airline & country! So as a final tap into goal - Sidi Ifni?
OH if correct.

[Flap40]

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x650/4ddd35b2cb0741483c383fea142d8e3f_19e07c4d96f5d1c5aed6091164e 226e515d7b3ff.jpg

Obstacle on approach.

[Flap40]

Well that's the 24hrs. Max Tow has it with Sidi Ifni. The Cable car ran from close to the southern threshold out to a deep(er) water anchorage and was used to get cargo ashore.
The outline of the runway and taxiways can still be seen but I don't think it has seen an aircraft in many years.


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/606x1030/screenshot_2020_12_15_at_15_58_12_15eaf2cae1f3e9f35279477e3c 879e8b5fc83994.png

[rog747]

Well that's the 24hrs. Max Tow has it with Sidi Ifni. The Cable car ran from close to the southern threshold out to a deep(er) water anchorage and was used to get cargo ashore.
The outline of the runway and taxiways can still be seen but I don't think it has seen an aircraft in many years.


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/606x1030/screenshot_2020_12_15_at_15_58_12_15eaf2cae1f3e9f35279477e3c 879e8b5fc83994.png

Sidi Ifni part of the Spanish Western Sahara, was returned by Spain to Morocco around 1969.
This saw an end to both Iberia and Aviaco flights who had been plying across from Las Palmas with Convairs DC3's and F27's.
I read that the airfield has been OOU for about 40 years.

[Flap40]

Just in case no-one spotted it, Max Tow declared Open House.

[old,not bold]

Not the best picture ever, but just to fill the silence.......this was an international airport at the time of the picture...there might be too many clues,

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/400x265/dc3_9c87ca1fb51e5895672445508cd459297f6b1fa0.jpg

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Is it Dubai ?

[dixi188]

Gulf Aviation?
Bait Al Falaj?

[Asturias56]

There are several pictures of it around Abu Dhabi/Dubai

[Self loading bear]

Also a photo in Bahrein

[old,not bold]

Sorry, been away, you're fishing in the right pond, but no catch yet...................I'll give you Gulf Aviation......on a scheduled service turnround.

1970 or '71. Here it is departing from the International Airport...the oil drum is the terminal seating ....the picture quality is part of the challenge (!).....

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/640x413/dc3_2_a0a3c64679bf6730e8ccc1d759f1305feb1dbe72.jpg

[rog747]

We know it is a Gulf Aviation Dakota, G-AGKE in the Middle East, Trucial States, say late 1950's or early 60's at an International airfield.

I don't think it is Dubai,or Doha -
So I think it maybe Al Mahatta Sharjah's first airport?
Sharjah’s strategic location contributed to mark a significant change in the Empire's international air routes. The Imperial Airways decided to shift their air routes from Persia and launch a new flight route through the Arabian Gulf region to their destinations in the Far East. The new route included Cairo, Basra, and Sharjah Air Station as main stopover airports.


Sadly Gulf Aviation lost 2 Dakotas in the region -
On 10 July 1960, the 16 passengers and 4 crew on board a Gulf Aviation Douglas C-47 VT-DGS died when the aircraft was mysteriously lost during a flight from Doha to Sharjah. As the wreckage could not be located, the cause for this worst accident in the history of the airline could not be determined.

On 17 August 1966, a Gulf Aviation C-47 G-AOFZ crashed after take-off from Muscat/Azaiba aerodrome. The aircraft was unable to climb or maintain altitude after take off due to lack of engine power on the port engine, and crashed into trees 560 yards from the end of the departure runway. The 18 passengers and two crew survived the accident.
Loss of engine power due to the carburettor air intake shutters had been selected to 'Hot air' instead of 'Ram air'. On other C-47 aircraft operated by Gulf Aviation, the air intake control levers were positioned the other way around.

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Al Ain Old Airport?

[old,not bold]

I think we're close enough to 24 Hours...

Bingo, OUAQUKGF Ops has it and has control. It was Al Ain, somewhere around 1970/71, weekly service from/to Dubai, then a very bumpy 4 hours Landrover ride from Al Ayn.

It had the world's first on-board Immigration office; a Dubai official would ride both ways and check passports on route. Abu Dhabi didn't care who got on or off. This was all prior to the UAE coming into being.

The character nearest the camera is the FISO/Baggage Handler/RFFS Driver and crew/Ticket Seller/Passenger Handler/Marshaller/Yours truly.

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Thanks Old not Bold.
Must say I loved the photos of Gulf Aviation's Dakota. G-AGKE phased out in 1971 as was G-AMZZ. When I joined Gulf Air in 1978 'ZZ' was standing derelict on the edge of the 'Ops Car Park'. I sometimes went and sat in her cockpit sweating in the humidity and covered in wind-blown sand. She was eventually taken away to the Bahrain Defence Force Camp at Hamalla presumably for anti-hijack exercises. A Dakota in Sharjah Aviation Museum bears this registration but in this respect is not the genuine article. Gulf Aviation Pilots I remember include Rex Edwards and Jimmy Stokes.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/925x694/screenshot_2020_12_18_al_ain_webp_webp_image_1024_768_pixels _scaled_90__3f51c1c19fefbb0cb65011759ce5e6f000ddb4cb.png
Thanks to Laurence Garey for his photograph which I found on Pprune!

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/457x486/screenshot_2020_12_13_e508980240977ba0ca6eb8115a191dc003bc95 e1.png

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/512x403/35_squadron_ed919c1f4270d900c876ff0dbed2745604351e62.jpg

A strong cross-wind would often put the airfield off limits, particularly to larger aeroplanes.

Period of Operation: 1941 - 1944.

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Approximately 1000yds Grass East to West.....


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/791x510/screenshot_2020_12_12__ed7aa04354407b33d9e65d01ce6eb0c6c0c71 ba8.png

[JENKINS]

RAF East Wretham?

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Good try Jenkins but not in Norfolk.

A Pilot wrote: ' This strip was hardly the sort of place where one would expect to be asked to land a Halifax. To start with it was by intent, difficult to find from the air, the only positive point of identification being a pond, a small but readily distinguished area of water near the western end of the strip. A small copse on the southern side of the strip approximately opposite the touch-down point from the west, narrowed the landing area at this point to perhaps 200 yards and because of the proximity of the trees, it was often bumpy. This left little scope for heading a large aircraft like the Halifax into wind, so if the wind was strong and across the strip, we just could not go in. '

[JENKINS]

Thanks. Norfolk was a guess, but Halifax country narrows the search. Watching rugby first though.

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Thanks Jenkins.... to save you and anybody else spending hours searching 'Bomber Country' I suggest that you direct your efforts to looking South of The Thames.
You can enjoy this without leaving home. Stay safe! If needed I'll post another clue just before bedtime. Blasted cat has just brought in a Mouse. Having a real Tom and Jerry up them there stairs

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1356x1848/ata_ea551c15ec972adfd4670b8c08fcfe38180c5a79.jpg

Busy, along with others, in Spring and early Summer of 1943 ferrying Halifaxes to the 'airstrip' from the factories. Here the aeroplanes received the airframe modifications necessary before being flown out to St Athan for the installation of centimetre ASV Radar Equipment. I have quoted from her book on post #19657.

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Last throw of the dice here...... I'm sorry that I've not been able to source any images of the airstrip during war-time. The image of the 'Super Robin Hangar ' I obtained using Street View. There were said to be up to 20 of these hangars in the woods bordering the airstrip. Aircraft were also concealed under the trees on the edges of the airfield. The place was operated by an aircraft manufacturing company and was used as a dispersal airfield with facilities for test flying and post-production engineering.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/800x572/_iwm_a_9731_supermarine_seafire_cc3ed923560f94c55df94f365492 9f93ac4fa904.jpg

Several sources state that Seafires were manufactured at the airfield, however I can find no evidence to support this. They were however manufactured nearby by a sub-contractor to Supermarines. The sub-contractor operated the airstrip.


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1500x697/airacobra4_da1fe8af52639f9e201b7902b9b51ce58253d96d.jpg

The 'sub-contractor' also assembled the dreaded Airacobra again at their factory nearby. Here seen at Duxford (I think). They were not a success in RAF service. As a result a large number were stored at the air-strip before being crated up again and sent to Russia.

[Asturias56]

Seafires = Westland & Cunliffe-Owen

I have a feeling we might be in the Westbury/Trowbridge area but ................

[Max Tow]

The lady is the amazing ATA pilot Lettice Curtis, but sadly I don't have her autobiography.
I thought the Airacobras were assembled at Colerne?

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

If I were you I would head off south-east to join the A303 take that road until you reach the M3 junction and then take your pick.............

[washoutt]

The 'sub-contractor' also assembled the dreaded Airacobra said Quaquk. What was so dreaded about them? I always thought that a tricycle u/g was a joy to land (not a pilot myself).

[Self loading bear]

QuaqUkgf,
First my compliments for such a nice challenge without any pictures of the site itself.
I think it should be a challenge for our fellow posters to come up with some photos of the site.
The company you are referring to must be Cunliffe-Owen. The site must be Marwell Manor Eastleigh.
May I ask why you choose to post this challenge?

edit:
I found my answer here:
Solent Sky (https://www.solentsky.org/post/secret-files-the-cunliffe-owen-story)

[Max Tow]

There's a photo of Marwell Hall here...
MARWELL HALL (http://www.hampshireairfields.co.uk/airfields/mwh.html#)

[JENKINS]

The zoo car park is more apparent here. I should have breakfasted earlier. Grandchildren there several lockdowns ago; sadly they were released, ho-ho. Some of the production was hidden at .......... I posted that some time ago, close to me.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1440x1080/earth_postcard_1608460770_7f0894b3342190fa6ee106807060133313 2e2e96.jpg

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Well I chose the challenge because about 35 years ago I was visiting friends who had worked at Marwell Zoo. We took a walk about the place and they told me how there had been an airstrip here with Spitfires from Eastleigh during The War. I'm not at all sure that the father of one of my pals hadn't worked there.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/703x538/mh47_21b66455db06595ef3eb143a817b99e8376a7c05.jpg
Photographed in 1947

All yours Bear.

[Allan Lupton]

What was so dreaded about them?
Vibration was the problem, I think, a consequence of the solid-mounted rear engine with shaft-driven front propellor.
I think I remember that in his ATA Pilots' Notes Hugh Bergel referred to the whole aircraft becoming a blurr even if viewed from the pilot's seat.

[Asturias56]

The Air-cobra failed in RAF service for several reasons

Firstly the main problem was it was useless above 20,000ft - at the time they didn't have a decent turbo charger and it simply ran out of steam

The UK bought it on the basis of the performance figures of the prototype, which reached 400 mph . In service they found max speed was around 350 mph at 15,000ft - totally useless by 1941 in W Europe. The 37mm gun only carried 30 rounds and was slow firing 3 rounds a second. Because of the cockpit design it was difficult to get out in an emergency and it didn't have a clear view windscreen.

The Russians loved it - altho' most history's say they used for ground attack that's not really true - they used it as an interceptor at low levels above the battlefield taking out Stuka's , Bf 110's etc

AFAIK the engine position itself gave no real problems

[Self loading bear]

Thanks Quaqukgf,
Before I post the give away clue
First this one:

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/780x846/41800168_105c_43ae_9052_648178cf54c1_a0875a59988facecf45f30b 2e8116ea0e870ec35.jpeg

[JENKINS]

Lugano perhaps?

[Asturias56]

Is it a LET410 of South East Asian Airlines? Now SEAIR & Xplor ASia?

[India Four Two]

In the Philippines?

[Self loading bear]

It is further East than Lugano
But the others strayed to far
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/605x454/5c711f69_43e2_4e03_87ed_90af55a4a4cf_a79ae3bfdcb0757f6754478 94c66e295a7b8552f.jpeg

[rog747]

It is further East than Lugano

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/605x454/5c711f69_43e2_4e03_87ed_90af55a4a4cf_a79ae3bfdcb0757f6754478 94c66e295a7b8552f.jpeg

Caucasus region. the prop is a LET-410 of Vanilla Sky of Georgia - Could it be the small field of Ambrolauri ?

[Flap40]

The first picture suggests the runway is 02-20 so I'll try Mestia.

OH if correct.

[Self loading bear]

Flap40 has it with Mestia.
I stumbled into this one when searching for the Khorog challenge lately.
Since 2010 they have a very contemporary architectural terminal.
They are trying hard to develop the area into a skying destination.
But so far better known for the svaneti tower houses as can be seen in the background.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/468x377/85d193d5_436a_477e_bd43_89b59796aca6_f8278422cf3f4805d70c5c1 3818701e52c9ad57b.jpeg


https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/700x645/dd8e4f13_a8d9_4ebb_94e9_14de1704a869_6acd9c562800b47d45f3c79 5c3943a08b729c1ff.jpeg

OH called

[Flap40]

Thanks. Like you say, amazing architecture. Is that a Sea Fury?

[Self loading bear]

Thanks. Like you say, amazing architecture. Is that a Sea Fury?

It indeed does look like a Sea Fury
Even black an white allied D-day striping.
But I could not find any confirmation.

[Max Tow]

It indeed does look like a Sea Fury
Even black an white allied D-day striping.
But I could not find any confirmation.

Could it be a Lavochkin LA-5 as these were manufactured down the road in Tbilisi?

[Self loading bear]

Could it be a Lavochkin LA-5 as these were manufactured down the road in Tbilisi?
It misses the air scoop on the top like LA-5 and are there any flying ones left of those?

[Max Tow]

You're right - Sea Fury (though perhaps Korean War stripes). Odd location - RC model perhaps?

[chevvron]

Long time since I've seen a Sea Fury but didn't they have 5 blade props? The aircraft in the photo has a 4 blader.

[India Four Two]

The Fury prototype had a four-bladed prop, although this would be an unusual location for it to be spotted! :)

[Asturias56]

here' a challenge
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/321x143/2020_12_21_120219_0e1e1f69aec6cb77a5c61e816bc6e80bfa5b6ccb.j pg

[India Four Two]

The Emerald Isle?

[Asturias56]

No - somewhat colder in winter............. ​​​​​​​ mainly used for internal flights with the occasional international charter
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/449x787/2020_12_21_120642_de9bb6e2683161e60cb273a25cadbf789624c520.j pg

[Self loading bear]

South Lapland Airport
Vilhelmina Sweden?

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

I must congratulate you on your first image. A really whacky windsock and the stump of Christmas Tree - presumably that which is later displayed........

[Asturias56]

No not Sweden Bear - and to keep OUAQUK happy ... here's another light - this airport is less than 50 years old I think

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/649x623/2020_12_21_120708_8add6fc2ddc4a4ecb889c58ea278857ccbcc2c75.j pg

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Thanks, I'm none the wiser. Wonderful that this thread keeps going. Just the ticket in these difficult times.

[Self loading bear]

The Emerald Isle?

India you were thinking of this one?

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1200x883/5adc3809_a581_4d11_aa9d_a3e7fbc4acf0_de63e7faa2016d09f2c630c 95c4b3c8009043e59.jpeg

[India Four Two]

Slb,
No, I hadn't seen it before. What a great picture!

Asturias,
If not Sweden, this mountains indicate Norway, to me.

[Asturias56]

To you they might - to the people who live there - definitely not!!

This place is currently very quiet but it is constantly wracked by an east v west conflict that has caused vast damage - the challenge occasionally has some military activity
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/277x395/2020_12_23_083131_d4322aeb91fb79b1b3d0817cc1a3c739d89bf0bf.j pg

[Self loading bear]

To you they might - to the people who live there - definitely not!!

This place is currently very quiet but it is constantly wracked by an east v west conflict that has caused vast damage - the challenge occasionally has some military activity
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/277x395/2020_12_23_083131_d4322aeb91fb79b1b3d0817cc1a3c739d89bf0bf.j pg

A Hermes 900 but where?

[Asturias56]

Well it's got rather a smart terminal building - tho TBH there isn't much traffic - it's not the home of anyone really famous and not a lot has actually ever happened here as far as I know - even the local town isn't that old


https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/212x234/2020_12_21_115933_e05b9fcfdde8dc8359b229ea9249e60a55b7986f.j pg

[Self loading bear]

Egilsstaoir Airport Iceland
Maritime patrol Hermes 900 are deployed from here.

[Asturias56]

Well done that man! - A mince pie and a Christmas Cracker for you! It is indeed Egilsstaoir in Iceland , which we all know sits on the Mid Atlantic ridge and is being pulled apart cm by cm -. The airstrip is heading towards Norway I think........ A very Merry Christmas to you all!

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/535x462/2020_12_21_120603_913177d8b62649cc3a70f6a77b4550fb562d28af.j pg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/403x124/2020_12_21_120511_8cc95bf2f452cc7048edd1374a9845d5363975b7.j pg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/262x475/2020_12_21_120730_5a8860e2ca8ac23c6946bc7912d8d1109b396758.j pg

[Self loading bear]

Thanks Asturias,
The tectonic plates, I didn’t get that clue about East and West!
All of you also a very merry Christmas!
Stay safe!

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1060x744/e36b14f9_bc9e_4618_ab08_d11a9d577743_36d74f52ec807752626e7ec 930a338f529ed11a9.jpeg

I found an even colder spot than Iceland:

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/747x799/836d2b0f_4b33_4369_ad25_4b807c124151_45001f2f9108432f1f7adf3 9867f99cd2eeff889.jpeg

[Asturias56]

Large power station in the distance? Associated mine?? By the sea side?

[Self loading bear]

Large power station in the distance? Associated mine?? By the sea side?

Sorry, as I understood the 24 hr rule also applicable on clues.

[Self loading bear]

Large power station in the distance? Associated mine?? By the sea side?

Definitely not a large power station.
Probably only fuel tanks for the aircraft.
No mining
Indeed at the seaside.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1331x448/ca6b223b_8ae0_400b_9895_f97e81bc1215_d3efee2def7ab9fa16dd374 ba8d7e6bb97fd6779.jpeg

[3wheels]

In Russia?

[Self loading bear]

In Russia?

Yes Ice bear country

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1056x414/8d56f8d4_8b10_478d_83cf_51a725da8cf4_2af539690199524dd24d981 e12b51243df113021.jpeg

[Asturias56]

Big place Artic Russia.... definitely Sea side not river side?

[Asturias56]

I thinlk it's Varandey Airport (IATA (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IATA_airport_code): VRI, ICAO (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ICAO_airport_code): ULDW) an airport in the Nenets Autonomous Okrug (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nenets_Autonomous_Okrug), Russia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russia). It serves the Varandey (https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Varandey&action=edit&redlink=1) [ru (https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%92%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%B9)] settlement on the Arctic coast of the Nenets district.It is capable of accepting aircraft of the third class ( An-24, An-26, L-410, Yak-40 and the like) and other types of aircraft of the 3rd class, helicopters of all types. The maximum take-off weight of an aircraft is 25 tons. Classification number of runway ( PCN ) 18 / F / D / Y / T.

The airport is used for delivery by helicopters ( Gazprom Avia ) of personnel to the Prirazlomnaya OIRFP, where a helicopter platform operates from 2010 [2] (in Varandey the personnel arrives by An-24 and An-26 from Arkhangelsk and Orenburg).
OH if correct

[Self loading bear]

Asturias, you think correctly with Varandey.
The helicopter terminal has been recently renewed.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/800x400/98524c2b_dee0_4dab_beb7_38d7147eaec6_bdce687008d425a80d19e54 04430cac24869b4c6.jpeg

OH has been called.

[India Four Two]

Interesting. Note the building is supported above ground on piles. This is done to prevent the permafrost melting due to the building heat.

The only time I’ve noticed this is at Churchill, Manitoba, although probably a common practice at many Arctic airfields.

I note that the passengers are boarding an Mi-8. When I worked in Vietnam, the local helicopter company had Mi-8s and Super Pumas. The Vietsovpetro JV used the Mi-8s and the foreign operators used the Super Pumas. The Mi-8s weren’t acceptable due to inadequate emergency exits.

[Asturias56]

Tough challenge Bear... I only got it due to some personal history. Ok it was Russia and beside the sea - well it was clearly Tundra country so the Far North (a bit like the N Slope in Alaska TBH). But it was unlikely to be right on the N Coast as you get ice driven up the beaches in a bad winter storm - certainly far enough to reach the "tarmac" (you see this in the Great Lakes as well) - so not facing the Arctic, and not in the Murmansk area ( hard rocks on the coast). Way back I was involved with some studies for a Russian outfit and looked a exporting oil and gas from the Timan-Pechora (Nenets) area and I remembered they were just designing Prirazlomnoye and going to do helicopter support from a coastal location in Nenets rather than Archangel. Still a large area but not impossible to search between Christmas Dinner and deep sleep!

:ok::ok::ok:

[Senior Pilot]

Sorry, as I understood the 24 hr rule also applicable on clues.

No, it isn’t and never has :confused:

[Self loading bear]

No, it doesn’t and never has :confused:

Name that flying machine post 1886
25 November from Pprune Towers
Says it does.

Anyway it is not unreasonable to ask everybody to search for themselves for a few hours before feeding extra clues. But in the future in such cases I won’t refer to the rules.



Just to remind you and others, SLB, https://www.pprune.org/aviation-history-nostalgia/629089-posts-about-ah-n-24-hour-rule.html

Merry Christmas

SP

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/800x473/screenshot_2020_12_23_landscape_df33d9f8b73927a5d464e069f0a7 7bc55c4e2b03.png
I thought it was a road.

[Asturias56]

hmm - I'd like to see the approach plate and missed approach for this one - I'd assume both that require large amounts of reserve power and prayer?

Some rather blocky apartment buildings and a place painted in the ubiquitous Russian Blue & White suggests the FSU somewhere?

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

FSU embraces a host of possibilities.....

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/770x550/north_rw_7fd1f1dade5b6dfe2159c209d6a53eac341263ea.png
Runway Length 1740 Metres.


https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/563x425/yak40_1st_8c510cd4ec7b361fc437b19b99ba5e4aacc4956a.jpg
Photographed at the airfield. Date unknown.

[Asturias56]

That's a lake or the sea in the foreground- if it's the sea then it's the Caucasus but in my adventures in that part of the world I don't remember any airstrip aimed directly at the mountains other than Gelendzhik and it certainly isn't there so we're almost certainly east of the Caspian - are we in a -stan or Mother Russia??

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Perhaps this image will help you? There has been an airfield here since the 1930s. However since the early 2000s it has been closed to fixed wing traffic due to the failure of the airfield operator to comply with safety regulations. It is still used by civil and military helicopters. Further clue at UK lunchtime. And yes - east of The Caspian with which there is something in common.



https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/770x550/south_rw_5d38ace3f265cf039168e4e1aed3023a209162a2.png

[Flap40]

Cholponata? Just over the ridge from Almaty.

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Flap40 has it. Cholpon-Ata Airport Kyrgyzstan. Soviet Era Resort on the Issyk-Kul.



https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/666x660/screenshot_2020_12_22_google_maps_1__edf63363cea17387343caf8 cf3ac152680134b49.png


https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1001x679/2242172_chopper_12f967dfff71263ca1e3f1a31034ad650f078b78.jpg



https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/564x423/ac44a10c997c74f69f1b211db3c84b35_petroglyphs_6c4ef7893982154 cb1a714ec51a9a74b8327b6ed.jpg
Petroglyphs Museum (Just north of the Runway)


All yours Flap40.......

[Flap40]

Many thanks. I'll start you with this one...


https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/822x406/screenshot_2020_12_27_at_12_14_36_a204bb855772a99347f4cd0f4c da581883ad666f.png

[dixi188]

St Helena perhaps?

[Flap40]

It is not St Helena.

[Self loading bear]

At first I could not make out what I was looking at.
Lava rocks in the foreground but was that a shed or bunker with the yellow/black chevrons?
I went looking around for airports on volcanic islands.
Then I saw similar chevrons on La Gomera on the embankment at the end of the runways.
However I think El Hierro North end of the runway is the best fit.

[Flap40]

Well done. It is El Hierro.

[Self loading bear]

Thanks Flap.

Is this easy?

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1066x800/b270ef8e_4f74_4a21_884e_26044220df9f_65cc0cf5cb1658ea082b3fe 36537ef7175376190.jpeg

[Asturias56]

Is it Maasvlakte Heliport Bear?

[Self loading bear]

Is it Maasvlakte Heliport Bear?

I featured Maasvlakte some months ago.

[Asturias56]

I know but this is a different picture

Is it in the Netherlands?

[Self loading bear]

I know but this is a different picture

Is it in the Netherlands?

Yes, it is in the Netherlands.

[Self loading bear]

Overhead view North is up

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1145x493/2289b9fb_5142_4d4f_95e1_30ad7b1b2697_b44b0d98968cbf3f01c4a9f 25f52cd59036f1eaa.jpeg

[Asturias56]

Ah! Ijmuiden Heliport?

Not one of the Netherlands Garden spots IIRC?

[Self loading bear]

Yes IJmuiden heliport
EHHE
Not one of the cleanest spots in the Netherlands indeed.
Just North of it the “Hoogovens” (Tata steel).

As far as I know only used for pilot service and Dutch coast guard.
Asturias on the stick

[Asturias56]

Let's try for an easy one

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/630x555/2020_12_15_141915_bce63cf27b20a7abf54902aa159cc4ccc8df83ba.j pg

[chevvron]

Scotland Farm?
(I'm hoping that's a 2 stroke engine; I'd hate to fly behind a 4 stroke emitting that much oil smoke.)

[Flap40]

It looks like an RV-8 and there are quite a few of those about with smoke systems fitted. No idea about the airfield though.

Is it an airfield rather than a private strip?

[Asturias56]

Sorry for the delay but I've been infringing the 24 hour rule occasionally recently I suspect.....
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/657x523/2020_12_15_142002_d0843779161fece295c567c2ce5214fcfc9624ff.j pg


No its not Scotland Farm but its not too dissimilar

It was privately owned I believe but now is in Group ownership and is open to all subject to prior permission

[Asturias56]

Happy New Year!

the challenge field is in the midst of an extension - it also hosts a very active group of model flyers (flyers of models... not perfect pilots)

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/456x404/2020_12_15_141715_0f06a301cd49b2c752584798dea444dbe0642624.j pg

[Self loading bear]

Happy New Year!

the challenge field is in the midst of an extension - it also hosts a very active group of model flyers (flyers of models... not perfect pilots)



By no means an easy one for me and especially for any non Dutch I assume:
Assuming not to be in a city extension, I will go for a polder.
Most polders have little forest.
But Noord Oost polder has some more.
I will go for Glider club Noordoostpolder
address Voorsterweg Markenesse
Just east of the National air and spaceflight laboratory.

[Duchess_Driver]

Looks a bit “Brimpton”ish to me....

[Asturias56]

well it's dawn and no additional input from the far side of the Moon ..

Yes Brimpton in Berkshire it is - rather a nice spot as long as you remember to PP and the need to stay north of the runway line

The Duchess has control!

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/308x306/2020_12_15_141821_058a11b111f4c3054b186e71900b03da34c3c2ca.j pg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/227x407/2020_12_15_141659_9f28f9c9becbcac6b4a00982808eb6871e7a5879.j pg

[Duchess_Driver]

Sorry, it’ll have to be open house.

[Mark 1]

Allow me to fill in. The runway in the background and the place in the foreground are related'
I've not partaken for a while but still look in regularly.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1333/dsc_2200a_018ee91646416b44306f4405d97382aaf0486481.jpg

[Asturias56]

Hearst Castle Airport San Simeon?

[Asturias56]

remember ............... Wait 24 hours to confirm!
as Senior Pilot said (What Cockpit post # 1350 07/01/20) "Quite simply, you can post and discuss to your heart's content from the moment a challenge appears, but the declaration of a winner will not occur until 24 hours has elapsed. This applies to all three competition threads: a reference Wiki also covers the airfield thread.I would emphasise that all threads should respect that this is the Aviation History & Nostalgia forum with an expectation of historic images and/or subjects please."

[zetec2]

wonderful view of the airfield, but bet she gets cold when the wind blows ?.

[Mark 1]

Asturias56 got it after only 11 minutes!. I'll have to try to be more obscure next time.

It is indeed the Hearst Airport in San Simeon close to Hearst Castle and very much a private affair for the Hearst corporation and its guests.

Occasionally obstructed by the herd of Zebra that roam the nearby hills.

[Asturias56]

San Simeon is one of my favourite spots in the whole USA - we stop there every time we're in state so it was a very familiar view - my dear wife took one look over my shoulder and got it! Do not despair - I think someone did me over in 4 minutes last year


So let's go somewhere far away from Hurst, St Simeon & Citizen Kane

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/301x190/2020_12_30_163236_e40d0ee2f80de1d4deb695217de095d10b3ccd2b.j pg

[Asturias56]

This area (at least to me) has only graced the pages of history on one occasion - but quite famous

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/669x499/2020_12_30_163027_a107e09a585cb611be448d12eac4254b85cc5656.j pg