Which Aerodrome Mk III

[jensdad]

Good morning A56,
Hmmm. A wild stab in the dark, based on the 'graced the pages of history only once' clue: Somewhere around the Gelibolu peninsula in Turkey, otherwise known as the more Ferrarese-sounding 'Gallipoli'?

[chevvron]

Saint Helena? The airport surface looks new with no oil staining.

[Asturias56]

regretfully neither of the above - though in rather odd ways both of you are slightly warm

there isn't a lot of commercial traffic - mainly in country flights but seems popular with private aircraft

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/272x275/2020_12_30_162923_26c7db040382a78c432f224b605f934472e1aa04.j pg

[albatross]

Could it be Tenerife?
OH if correct.

[Asturias56]

Alas no....... the moment of fame involved a famous non-national...........

[Self loading bear]

Alas no....... the moment of fame involved a famous non-national...........

Elba Marina di Campo Italy

[albatross]

I think SLB has it.

[chevvron]

Damn. selected Elba on ZoomEarth and the airport was 'Federico Fellini'; didn't know there was an 'Elba' on the mainland north of Taranto!!

[Asturias56]

yes Bear strikes again!

Elba (the island) - Chevron gave me a worry with St Helena, napoleon's other, less salubrious island home

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/227x215/2020_12_30_163942_ee3dcc93b31c9b60810ed810d3da5073b0b6dfc1.j pg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/314x279/2020_12_30_163357_e5d9662f27a9c5f6800e2f08fa10c4e73b92edc4.j pg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/566x237/2020_12_30_163745_d98211eb7d8198b01a98f270e6c8c11199fd4efb.j pg

[Self loading bear]

Thanks Asturias,
When St Helena was called slightly warm, I had sufficient clue.
Confirmed by the non-national.
However why Gelibolu would be warm eluded me.

Now this:
Not too far from our exiles:

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/627x494/c779c811_5f49_4aab_94de_ec44fb7e60e3_764902e5a63d9fa80b73d34 038a88ca6024a0cb5.jpeg

[zetec2]

Is that an A26 getting ready to line up, Turbo Porter following ?

[Asturias56]

Bear - I meant warmer as in closer - Gelibolu was the closest guess to date..

Back to the challenge - are we in the Netherlands?

[kcockayne]

A wild guess ...... Texel ?

[Archer4]

Good one SLB.

EHOW, Oostwold

The picture is a bit older though. It was a lot busier during the last edition of the air show.

[Self loading bear]

Good one SLB.

EHOW, Oostwold

The picture is a bit older though. It was a lot busier during the last edition of the air show.

Archer has it with Oostwold.
Close to the Veenkoloniën (Peat colonies)
These were the areas that the City Groningen owned and where the peat came from for use as burning/heating.
Later in the Veenkoloniën some “re-education camps” were build where many paupers, poor and homeless from the large cities in the West were re-educated.

It was indeed an A26 visiting the airshow.
Perhaps Archer can share some pictures of the last airshow?

[Archer4]

I have a few. Unfortunately not from the air. I was too busy flying my plane to make nice overview shots.
But it does give some overview of how busy it was.

Including the Fokker four display team.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1124/20190610_111830_ba74b88cec47718ddcd316b11d40a4de8d91ce2a.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1124/20190610_112109_339e7c2dfb53633e2e67ee5a8753d03150dc74bd.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1124/20190610_120114_aaeccecc1f029db281300e5e2650d2bc6384b375.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1124/20190610_124515_400fa6dbd2aa49793eddad2898e7d557c998b24d.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1124/20190610_131158_bed2e4a07a5344cf5f326505468c7a327e872bfe.jpg

[Archer4]

And next the Airodrome to find:

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1333/dsc_0430_1c301d28478f9ff4556c93c8589493bb6562e5da.jpg

[Flap40]

Is it Duxford?

[G-ARZG]

Is it Duxford?

Sir, please sir,
Any extra points for identifying the Stansted-bound 747 in the background?

[Archer4]

Can't answer until 24 hours have passed :)

[chevvron]

Charles Church's strip at Roundwood Farm.

[UV]

Sir, please sir,
Any extra points for identifying the Stansted-bound 747 in the background?

If it is Duxford then he’s a bit low to be inbound to Stansted. Maybe inbound to Cambridge?

[Archer4]

Flap40 has it with Duxford. And extra points for answering within a minute. I expected it to be fast. But not that fast.

The view is to the South East. Could be Stansted yes.

[Flap40]

Many thanks. The fields are more recognisable than the airfield.

Try this for size.....
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/800x548/screenshot_2021_01_09_at_17_30_18_c51f5cd1f986e096ab36668026 57f9b99127c88c.png

[Self loading bear]

It might be that Brighton City Airport
(Shoreham) has similar scrubs to the west of the runway.

[Asturias56]

Thats N766AM at Shoreham I think - linked to various dodgy UK financiers IIRC

[Flap40]

It is not Shoreham but I know why you thought it was.

[washoutt]

If an Australian posed a challenge for "Name that Aerodrome", and a New Zealander answered with the correct name within a minute, the Australian would have to wait 24 hours to give the solution. After, say, 22 hours, a Frenchman (just an example) also gives the correct answer to the same challenge, then who would win?

[Self loading bear]

If an Australian posed a challenge for "Name that Aerodrome", and a New Zealander answered with the correct name within a minute, the Australian would have to wait 24 hours to give the solution. After, say, 22 hours, a Frenchman (just an example) also gives the correct answer to the same challenge, then who would win?

The NZ of course
(unless the answer of the French would be more detailed as may be required and up to decision by the Australian)

[Shackman]

Could it be Ascot HLS?

[Flap40]

No, not Ascot.


https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/800x778/screenshot_2021_01_09_at_17_35_33_cfcf1d39b168e9ce40d84fe186 1ae7732bcaaed9.png

[India Four Two]

Finally, my arcane railway knowledge might help! That's a Southern Region "Hastings" DEMU. I had to look up the headcode. There are three choices:

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/295x49/screen_shot_2021_01_11_at_7_51_48_am_3cf7504acd3cf7988c53ccc 7a0a728745ddfa771.png
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/411x48/screen_shot_2021_01_11_at_7_53_03_am_5550dc2bc6e881fea37b018 4982ea0aa3ad3dfb0.png
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/409x51/screen_shot_2021_01_11_at_7_59_51_am_ebd20831255f1b80bf0387e ead1b170b3059afe1.png

[Flap40]

This was an enthusiasts special. The line did not normally have a passenger service.

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

South Marston?

[Flap40]

Not South Marston.

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

What was the 'LEC' airfield at Bognor?

[Shackman]

Or even Aintree!

[Flap40]

No, Not Aintree or the Lec airfield (Which seems to have had some attention judging from Google Earth).

[Flap40]

Now that the antipodes will have awoken time for a clue.

This was a very active airfield until about 40 years ago.

Taken from almost the same spot.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/800x488/screenshot_2021_01_11_at_17_41_34_33ae31edf62c5f986ba9ab3212 bc4704e11130e6.png

There is also a connection with the VC-10.

[asw28-866]

Stab in the dark from my home county of Kent. Lydd?

[Flap40]

Not Lydd.

One of India Four Two's trains would probably have passed the end of the runway.

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Is it Hamble?

[Flap40]

Which one?

[Flap40]

I'm kidding. Here's the complete image of the train.

https://www.rcts.org.uk/photographs/mystery/G-288-35.jpg

There were actually 2 airfields, North and South.

The VC-10 connection... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03ppjh8lg_8

Over to you.

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Well a really good challenge- particularly your last question which caught me out (duh) and had me hammering the keys of the pc as if I was playing the organ at the Albert Hall. As I have Control I would like to leave this as Open House for The Night Brigade on the proviso that if no challenge is forthcoming from them by 0900 I can post my own tomorrow.

[Flap40]

I was really surprised that Hamble had not featured before.

[India Four Two]

I was really surprised to see that there is a railway on the airfield at Hamble. While looking for information on it, I stumbled on this photo, which must have been taken from the enthusiasts special mentioned by Flap40:


https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x663/hamble_867b554002af3fb45e962e807b5f6e03ecc7dc24.jpg

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1079x594/imgexec_6964_504_db397329630148fd030ad46c530549d71d4afe6b.jp g
Will drop a clue tonight.

[washoutt]

If the NZ would win, being close to the Australian, then the time zone is not relevant, so what is the purpose of the 24 hour rule?

[Asturias56]

The 24 hour rule came about because a number of W European posters (mainly Brits and NL based) started to do little else but post on this and similar threads.

New posts from the same people were coming up at 10 minute intervals at one point - this really meant that those outside W Europe, or with a life to lead outside of PPrune, unable to contribute. It then got worse as if you (say as OP) didn't answer them IMMEDIATELY you started to get hassled, PM'd and on a couple of occasions IIRC someone tried to declare the challenge closed because they had to wait 24 hours for an answer.

So we were given the 24 hour rule, and it was rigorously enforced. Some of the offenders flounced off, some were banned but the majority reformed.

The rule is not perfect - I for one would prefer that a correct answer can be accepted by the OP at any time but that the number of posts be limited (or say you can only make a single contribution on any thread each day but the Mods have spoken. And they check up quite often

Its not perfect but it's a lot more civilised

[Asturias56]

OK - to the challenge................ this is a very tenuous trail..............

Looks like a civil Avro504K to me - only 300 on the register so....

last letter of the Reg looks like it's a L - if so (Very big IF) we have

G -EAWL - which seems to have operated for the Welsh Aviation Co out of Neath - can't find a single picture of the company or the old airfield,

EAUL & EAOL were owned by Vickers and I doubt they have had a big AVRO sign on the side

same goes for those owned by Handley Page G-EATL & EASL,

sort of leaves G-EALL that operated out of Northolt & Shoreham for Central Aircraft Co as a trainer

The hangars in the challenge look a bit more Northolt than Shoreham to me

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Well here are a couple of images to go on with and I'll put a decent clue on at bed-time.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1800x1396/050405_f_1234p_006a_dh4_e00f0edf3b789d8431eeb2f3c9e8344bb1f9 ebe1.jpg


https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/362x500/0348ec07c9777afbae3f3bcfb21d59ca_fry_002cb526bbe8dd5dbec91fa 5ff3e170edd8ba391.jpg

[chevvron]

Bristol Whitchurch?

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Sorry Chevvron not Whitchurch. I follow your logic but that clue is a bit of a red herring that will become clearer in the morning if not sooner.

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1600x1127/0d0e9846ed522072eedc14d2b6931165_mystery_airfield_1d3fb0625c 0326c76182ab8e9e1fd5026837b0b7.jpg
Not our Aerodrome - but somewhere in Germany. A distinguished visitor is on board (without gloves).

[chevvron]

Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle?

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Count Von Zeppelin. The Commander is thinking about something else.


https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/381x490/gbee100_statue_two_e3d05a21045138765b96208d59b21154819c3136. jpg
"They don't like it up 'em!"




https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/436x650/6dc8b85f_5049_406b_9c56_4735459852d_resize_750_91a9dc930c6c9 160ae2d7a1d7640875b7710817d.jpg

[Max Tow]

Assuming that's Peter Strasser, Great Yarmouth (target of first Zeppelin raids?) Not sure about the Fry's cocoa or Britannia statue, though... will need another of your fascinating commentaries to explain!

p.s. OH if correct.

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Well done Max Tow. RNAS Air Station South Denes, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk. Active 1913-19 but used as an airfield up until the 1930s.


https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x971/zeppelin_lz_112_navy_l_70_balloons_dirigible_nara_20807830_c ropped__fe209867f5cb8806b1ef63076671de72b050520f.jpg
Destroyed over The North Sea near Wells Next Sea Norfolk on August 5th 1918 by Major Egbert Cadbury DSC DFC (Pictured previously. Later Managing Director Fry's Chocolate) with Captain Robert Leckie DSO DSC DFC in the rear cockpit of their DH4. They were stationed at Great Yarmouth.


https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/382x610/811f129adbaa1b3e69588e946d273890_439db28e743b323210ed5abdd97 001f114d281a1.jpg

Fregattenkapitan Peter Strasser, Commander of The German Airship Service, perished.

Photographs of the Great Yarmouth Air Station are a bit difficult to find so I hope you will tolerate all these pics:


https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/640x360/air_station_3_best_image_bd294a14c07c85c34c01d17ed7800dfddee 68260.jpg


https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/701x417/screenshot_2021_01_06_south_denes_undated_fa12380c3018626d33 0e77fa668317a98d532106.png
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/580x553/eaw008162_south_denes_1947_87c07103365628b54dd01fed5d4a3b4f8 917548c.jpg
Photographed in 1947. A far from ideal aerodrome for land planes. A ridge, just discernible, ran down the spine of the field, so most activity took place to the east of it. Another hazard was the fishing nets left out on the field for drying and repair. Note Nelson's Monument in foreground, both a hazard and a landmark (its top sometimes visible in a Sea Fret.) A request from The Navy to Yarmouth Corporation to illuminate the Trident was turned down.


https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/640x480/yarmouth_s_denes_a5d733cdab41039b3bbc45d7e89a2fe5e3b452a9.jp g
A more recent image looking north. Photo Credit Capt W.H. Farnham.


https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/800x439/sopwith_anzani_3_seater_at_yarmouth_1913_3fb89a57389ffde2617 c19d7ac26d50af5d14c92.jpg
Sopwith Anzani Sea Plane Great Yarmouth 1913.


https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/800x469/sopwith_ss3_scout_1915_cefa11786479f13b39df3b857d6f4fcc0ee7c 39a.jpg
Sopwith 80hp SS3 Single Seat Scout Great Yarmouth April 1915
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/659x800/seaplane_4f3759b4aad15f33699a11a769f2d067a8153f9c.jpg
Sopwith 100hp Gnome Float Plane No 880 Great Yarmouth May 1915.

All photographs of Sopwiths credited to Kingston Aviation website.


Finally the first aeroplane to arrive at Great Yarmouth in 1913. Thought to be the Maurice Farman F7 Longhorn Number 69 which saw stirling service with the RNAS at Great Yarmouth.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1127x715/screenshot_2021_01_13_time_and_tide_museum_image_f3e723199d4 642c935b76bb9487accbeabb7a22b.png
Photo Credit Norfolk Museums Service (Great Yarmouth Museum).


A reminder OPEN HOUSE.

[Self loading bear]

Great Challenge!

I can place your clues except for the first AVRO 504k.
Do you know the registration number of that one?

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Well Asturias did a lot of splendid spade work but there were very many 504ks with the reg starting G-EA. That particular aeroplane was photographed at South Denes in 1919. It is from a Postcard. I wondered whether it was G-EAOE of Martin Aviation of Cleethorpes which was written off in 1922. However it seems that this livery was not uncommon and of course one can't read the whole registration. Here is a snap of a similar 504 taken on the Airfield at Cottenham Cambridgeshire. Undated. Probably Pleasure Flying. Best Regards.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/538x344/51070230309_538x344_09c97268eeeae8913922fdc32295583b1d835883 .jpg

[Self loading bear]

Like there appears to be a larger spacing at the top between the 2nd and 3rd letter.
There also appears to be a larger spacing at the bottom between 3rd and 4th letter.
Then G-EAFE is the most likely candidate.

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Yes, that makes sense. However I guess we will never know for sure.

[India Four Two]

That was one of the best challenges for a long while. The Fry’s ad had me looking in the Bristol area as well

This one should be easier:


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/284x200/a7899206_5673_4fe8_87cc_4fa62a68216b_eeac5f6c67a6dc24d80ee84 984b143a364016a7f.png

[Asturias56]

Can you post a slightly bigger picture I42?

Are we in N America?

[chevvron]

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/284x200/a7899206_5673_4fe8_87cc_4fa62a68216b_eeac5f6c67a6dc24d80ee84 984b143a364016a7f.png
The Fry’s ad had me looking in the Bristol area as well
Great minds think alike!!

[Max Tow]

Can you post a slightly bigger picture I42?

Are we in N America?

or Italy, perhaps?

[India Four Two]

That's the largest size I have. We are in North America.

Same mountain, different era, but same airfield of departure as the F-18:


https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/594x289/screen_shot_2021_01_15_at_10_59_37_am_facfc1a4d7de8b1e33173e 8aeb15ae23e234b0f3.png

[chevvron]

Mount St Helens or Mount Rainier?

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Well - not USAAF so quite possibly RCAF...........

[Max Tow]

I have a suspicion that airfield and mountain may be in separate countries?

[India Four Two]

Max Tow,

I would follow up on your suspicion! :)

[Max Tow]

Well, no more takers from N.Hemisphere so I'd guess Mt Baker and therefore Abbotsford. OH if correct...

[India Four Two]

Well done, Max Tow. Abbotsford (CYXX) it is. Here are the Liberators at their home base:

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/780x451/world_war_ii_bomber_engine_recovery_ebe31edcc78cf91d78d68810 5a3f4009875056a6.jpg

Mt. Baker is the northernmost of the Cascade Volcanoes and not as well known as its southern neighbours. Like many places around the world, named by George Vancouver, after his third-lieutenant Joseph Baker, who first spotted it. Over 10,000' high and only 15 miles south of the Canadian border and 30 miles from Abbotsford. Here's a view of the mountain with Abbotsford's Gate Guardian in the foreground:

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/680x382/voodoo_img_8981_f91c49e5ae40f178fd1f6611b12bb82b72116476.jpg

On a clear day, Mt. Baker (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Baker) dominates at the skyline of the Lower Mainland. Here's a telephoto view from Passage Island, looking across English Bay to Downtown Vancouver. Mt. Baker is 78 miles away:

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1072x550/passage_island_vancouver_img_8976_61db00fe8b25ebdabd643e3f30 b676356c97cf77.jpg


If there is ever a Mt. St. Helens-type eruption towards the northwest, it could have a serious impact on a relatively heavily populated area:

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/907x550/passage_island_view_1a480eac37cf780bc49586914af483e1426b9507 .jpg


Max Tow has declared Open House.

[Max Tow]

Thanks I42 - I've been to YVR a couple of times but never noticed a volcano - perhaps that telephoto adds to the effect! Original thought was Etna & NAS Sigonella which look remarkably similar. OH.

[UV]

Try this place....


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/640x480/b5d4fd56_a0e7_479e_84ea_c5aa0d42edbb_4d2d0f2a308bce1c8d13995 6a553818bc4426eb3.jpeg

[India Four Two]

Thanks I42 - I've been to YVR a couple of times but never noticed a volcano - perhaps that telephoto adds to the effect!

As I said, a clear day is required and certainly the telephoto shot exaggerates Mt. Baker’s proximity to Vancouver.

However the mountain is often very obvious from the East coast of Victoria or when on the ferry to Vancouver, particularly in the late afternoon when it is illuminated by the setting sun.

[Asturias56]

I have a nagging feeling I've seen the challenge somewhere.. the TV dish on the Camper is probably pointing south (-ish) if we're in the N hemisphere

I suspect its Europe?

[India Four Two]

Asturias,

I think it’s the US. That fifth-wheel trailer has a distinctly North American appearance.

[UV]

Yes, N Hemisphere.
Not Europe or the USA

[sycamore]

Highway strip in Scandi...?

[UV]

No Brian....a LOT further east!

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Aah - Poland perhaps...............

[Self loading bear]

Aah - Poland perhaps...............
Poland is part of Europe
Perhaps a LOT destination but doubt that they would fly to such a small airport (by the looks of it)

[UV]

East...further, much further!
And yes it is (was) small.
Anoher view I took yesterday


https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/640x480/8ff1ef26_bce8_4672_87a9_deb5679decbb_2b68499cc738c76666a7430 220972bf3c08dc9e8.jpeg

[sycamore]

You back in Bangkok again...?

[UV]

Getting warm!!


https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/640x480/73023820_10b1_4c9f_be3b_5db5346b2e9f_0a3f7219e4c3c15420d9140 a3cf39f502bf32baa.jpeg

[India Four Two]

Pattaya Airpark?


https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/884x556/screen_shot_2021_01_19_at_2_51_09_am_f6fca9d359513a3823e69e8 53da7cbbc37b3318f.png

[sycamore]

UV, moonlighting on holiday ,again.....

[UV]

UV, moonlighting on holiday ,again.....

A CovidEx...running away!

[UV]

I 42. Correct. You have!

Sadly deserted nowadays.

Up for sale as the owner was killed in his 17th flying accident...if you can believe this!
https://www.pattayamail.com/news/pattaya-air-park-owner-perishes-in-plane-crash-21267

[India Four Two]

I think I would have given up flying long before having that many accidents!

I was sorting my pictures this morning and came across this unlabelled picture, taken from a 172:
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1280x960/unknown_airfield_8be19ed00686a19570082085052e393296354748.jp g

We must have had it before, but I cannot name it.

[Asturias56]

looks s bit like mangrove - I thought it might be in Queensland but not sure...................

[sycamore]

More of a `capitol street`,especially today...

[Self loading bear]

....
We must have had it before, but I cannot name it.

Does that mean you have no clue yourselves?

Then It seems Sycamore has recognized it and could perhaps fill in some blanks?

I have searched al kind of runways 07-25, but nothing matching up to now.

[sycamore]

Roosevelt Roads,..Puerto Rico
Sorry,OH...

[India Four Two]

Thanks sycamore. We must have had it before, because that is the only reason it would be in my Quiz folder but unfortunately it was not labeled.

It’s Open House.

[Asturias56]

Try this one - this pic is from a few years back - a lot of development around the airport recently

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/285x288/2021_01_07_122124_7bdb5c64bd2fa39c81ccd86f08b6cbc732f46b3d.j pg

[Asturias56]

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/507x687/2021_01_07_122344_3820c1042c8f1214bdffc92311b8c556095a381f.j pg

[India Four Two]

Red soil and what looks like a Mosque. SE Asia?

is the cigarette a clue? Kretek? ;)

[Flap40]

No idea but the first picture looks like it is a screen shot from a flight sim and the second would appear to be backwards if the runway numbers are to be believed.

[Asturias56]

I42 - I can't be certain but the probability is fairly high .
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/236x236/kretek_3_4bb106fca7c61e93aef29f57db2ba0cb8128849c.jpg


Flaps - yes the second is reversed - quite how I have no idea..................... and no it really look like that tho I think it's an old photo - here's a newer one - it's on an island..............

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/259x313/2021_01_07_121956_b37d3e0d2c478b0ce7c930cb05aff7228d21efee.j pg

[India Four Two]

it's on an island..............

I expect most of the 16,671 named-islands in Indonesia don’t have runways, so that narrows down the search a bit.

East or west of Wallace’s line? ;)

[Asturias56]

Some folk just can do nothing but complain......................

East of the Wallace line - I've been to his house in Ternate - they've turned it into a small museum

The challenge has a regular air service but not international

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/279x208/2021_01_07_122052_ae685d5e8d3b563846ff09fea93bb9405c6728b1.j pg

[India Four Two]

Are we in Papua Barat?

[Asturias56]

Too far east........................

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/440x313/2021_01_07_121543_bc153469f114891fd657f31e8ad805ce3eeb0971.j pg

[BSD]

Malaysia perhaps?

[Flap40]

I believe it is Soroako in Sulawesi.

OH if correct.

[Asturias56]

Congratulations - Soroako it is - rather a nice spot apart from the mine which just keeps growing all round it

Open House has been called!

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/850x638/2021_01_07_121513_88cd4bb9d1904ed90d52efd91c9481c3a3a0e341.j pg

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/625x400/_flight_shed_resize_b611f77e011d797277b0559c006277a7a1f1dde1 .png
Photo Credit Richard Flagg.

[chevvron]

RAF Henlow?

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Morning chevvron. Alas not Henlow. I'll post some more clues this evening.

[Duchess_Driver]

RAF Sealand?

[chevvron]

RAF Hendon?

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Sorry chaps. You are in the right country with the right heritage.

[Shackman]

A manufacturing location but no longer an airfield?

[Get me some traffic]

Bracebridge Heath near RAF Waddington?

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1069x602/s_l1600_park_1900ish_807f2fbc7d66a65fb1cd2d66c1157446b71b2cb 8.jpg
Nineteen-hundreds.


https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/499x478/epw039736_trim__c2d821ebc76ee8456fdb12f5b1ac920dfc76daf2.jpg
Nineteen-thirties.






https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x719/airfield_4229_1953_10_25_2b4e88c5873f7e3067a8bd866f425ec53cb 142d2.jpg
Nineteen-fifties.



Shackman your observation is correct insamuch that it is no longer an airfield. A large area it now embraces Housing, Education, Retail , Storage and Manufacturing.

[Shackman]

I'm sure I've seen it fairly recently, but can't remember where. Penderford (Wolverhampton) perhaps.

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Sorry Shackman... distant echoes of Wolverhampton perhaps but not it.


https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1810x1104/_1906_halt_resize_4799103cf6ce1c0aab576f3738c765226a5cd6e6.j pg


https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/875x513/467_1_pow_f55c5b2a831de9d08e996276956bea4645af5975.jpg
Late Nineteen-twenties - early Thirties.

[Asturias56]

I'm sure I've seen it fairly recently, but can't remember where. Penderford (Wolverhampton) perhaps.


I have the same feeling - I 'm sure we came across a similar picture when searching for another challenge.......

[nvubu]

That is Sidestrand Halt near Cromer, but apart from Northrepps, I can't find any airfield near Cromer :(

[Max Tow]

Well, Boulton & Paul who made the Sidestrand used Mousehold Heath before moving to Penderford, so perhaps there if the railway station is an indirect clue? (and in your local area!)
OH if correct.

[Self loading bear]

Edit beaten by Max:
Mousehold heath Norwich

Mousehold was also part of the Kings Cup air race 1931.
What a fabulous quest again!
What was the link with Sidestrand Hall railway station?

Edit probably one of those two hangars
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/722x931/400f5f0a_aec9_44bb_905c_1ef7467d413a_2991c057120aa26455d5981 b409eceac4c2d3ce3.jpeg

[nvubu]

Assuming it is in Norfolk from the railway station, the only airfield that seems to match, being active in the 1920s & 30s, and is now a housing estate and light industry, would be RFC Mousehold Heath.

Damn. beaten to it as well.

[Max Tow]

Sorry guys but Shackman rang a Boulton Paul bell with Pendeford and then of course Nvubu's Sidestrand led to a search for the factory. Team effort, for sure, as with many recents on these wonderful challenges.

p.s. Looking forward to learning who is climbing out of the F2b as seems there is quite a reception group?

[Shackman]

J8430 was the personal mount of HRH Prince of Wales in the late 20'/early 30's before the formation of a specific Royal Flight (and he flew in to Norwich either 1928 or 29).

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Well done chaps. Mousehold Aerodrome, Norwich it is. I thought you were going to miss the train! A few snaps to follow. Active 1915-1939. RFC First War and No3 Aircraft Acceptance Park 1917 for duration receiving aircraft from Norwich manufacturers such as Boulton and Paul and Mann Egerton among others.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1680x1190/aerodrome_and_training_camp_1917_resize_127c8686e6c5c3e255c9 07e210a249f30a09b651.jpg
The aerodrome was established on the Cavalry Training Ground.

Boulton and Paul maintained an assembly and manufacturing facility on the aerodrome until 1934 when their aviation division moved to Wolverhampton.


https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/829x585/014r0ae300ex_sidestrand_2a69447203446434691a8f6190c75f4c815c bab4.jpg


Boulton and Paul Air Frames were manufactured in the city. Initially at Rose Lane and then at the huge Riverside Works. They were then transported some distance to the aerodrome for assembly. A light railway was built on to the tram network at Mousehold to facilitate the transit of airframes and armaments to the aerodrome.


https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/640x344/street_scene_dd407ef847e2935a1a3a7af7d3dba96943294e75.jpg
Leaving Riverside Circa 1924


https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/650x496/salhouse_road_barnards_1_orig_02b9a5c1302271285fec4941f2d24c 20007575f2.jpg
No prizes for guessing what this is ! Later- Engine compartment Boulton and Paul P12 Bodmin.

Norfolk and Norwich Aero Club established at Aerodrome in 1927. The photograph of the Bristol Fighter depicts The Prince of Wales' personal aeroplane. I don't know when that snap was taken. However this next image was taken on July 21st 1933 on the occasion of The Prince opening The Municipal Norwich Airport. (He flew himself to the aerodrome in a DH Dragon).
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1599x1143/s_l1600_sidestrand_792e3eb39227829e9068e1d3e4a9247986a3c611. jpg
Prince of Wales and Sidestrand of 101 Squadron at Norwich Aerodrome 21 June 1933. Photo credit Chaz Bowyer Collection.


Boulton and Paul a very diverse manufacturing company. This building typical of their work. Note its presence in my clue earlier.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x739/48023391021_15d20c4a70_b_pavilion_3fe83fa29d691c3f55f8e579b0 0b5408bbcdb495.jpg
Today this wooden built pavilion functions as an eating house.

Max Tow has declared Open House.

Finally select videos on this link:https://www.abct.org.uk/airfields/airfield-finder/mousehold-heath-norwich/

[siftydog]

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1519x1013/131_dba05872248744338e0702357b176877aa12742f.jpg
Don't think we've had this one yet...

[Asturias56]

Not as warm as it looks - are we in Europe?

[siftydog]

A long way from Europe...

[Max Tow]

Fascinating stuff, thanks OUA. I do wonder about the aerodynamic effect (not to mention wind chill) of the chap standing up in the rear cockpit!
More here:
https://www.britishpathe.com/video/VLVA38NLR7MJHQVOT94A5K20K2XY2-NORWICH-AIR-PAGEANT/query/AIR+PAGEANT

Re the new challenge. Is that a perhaps VH prefix on the wing?

[siftydog]

Getting very warm Max.

[mgahan]

Are we in Queensland, possibly Bundaberg.

[Checklist Charlie]

With a Holden Panel Van in the background and the gent in the suit looks very much like Sir Donald Anderson I would say Australia is a good bet.

CC

[siftydog]

We are indeed in the lucky country but Queensland it is not.

First clue: the fight originated in Victoria.

[Asturias56]

Tasmania? Somewhere like Devonport?

[siftydog]

A bigger island than Tasmania...

[siftydog]

A second clue now our Antipodean cousins are stirring:

This Ansett ANA ‘Victoria Skycoach’ service operated in Spring 1964 (photo).

[wakefield]

Tullamarine?

[Max Tow]

A second clue now our Antipodean cousins are stirring:

This Ansett ANA ‘Victoria Skycoach’ service operated in Spring 1964 (photo).


Most kind, but lacking an opportunity today to trawl through the old strips of the Aussie outback, can I at least assist with the following to boot back to the N.Hemisphere day shift, which I'm hoping will be useful in the context of the second clue:

https://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/an2/an6412/an64-09.jpg

p.s. As brown dirt and Holdens (sadly no longer) were pretty ubiquitous down here in the DC3 era, if siftydog is feeling really generous, we might get him to tell us in due course which day of the week it was?

[Max Tow]

Tullamarine?

I think you'll find Tullamarine only opened in 1970.

[Terry Dactil]

I'll go for a bit of history then: the place where Ansett started in 1936.
Hamilton?

[Checklist Charlie]

The colour of the dirt and the type of scrub says Mallacoota to me.

CC

[siftydog]

Well done Checklist Charlie! Mallacoota it is, photo taken en-route to Merimbula which in Max Tow's well researched schedule was 30 minutes further on. CC has the helm.

[Asturias56]

Jeez - a First Nation Tracker on the scene.............. all sorts of talents on here............. ;)

[siftydog]

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/919x609/capture_446916596aa0f94f483440134d23dbca285e59f8.png

[Checklist Charlie]

Afraid I don't have access to my airfield pics, so open house everyone.

CC

[siftydog]

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/916x612/inkedcapture_2_li_20ee3a2fc12549b4c7995855fe4b32bf49ec14df.j pg
OH has been called... I don't think this will last long.

[Max Tow]

Well done Checklist Charlie! Mallacoota it is, photo taken en-route to Merimbula. CC has the helm.

Before you send us off across the ditch, your earlier photos tell of happier times.... as you probably know, the Mallacoota area was devastated by the bushfires just over a year ago. The airport was the focus of an evacuation by the RAAF, followed by the RAN from the beach.
You might be interested in the following clip re these brave flyers (the second embedded video works better):

https://www.ipswichfirst.com.au/hellish-what-flying-though-a-bushfire-looks-like/

[jensdad]

Looks like an Austrian Airlines Viscount? But the English language 'Unauthorised Persons not permitted etc.' sign would argue against Austria.
Couldn't be an early Manchester Ringway could it?

[Terry Dactil]

Both Taa and Ansett paint schemes had solid stripes along the window line completely filling the spaces between the windows, so I do not think we are in Australia.
Pity the photo's resolution is not good enough to read the name on the aircraft's nose, or recognise the pilot's cap badge. It looks like a BP logo on the refueling equipment though.

[Terry Dactil]

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/640x400/hl3011_vickers_viscount_nac_800x500_3_35ca69cd16ef49bc3ab32e 58d701d1c33b804b87.jpg
OK. so we might be in New Zealand.
The terrain looks fairly flat, so I'll take a stab at Christchurch.

[Max Tow]

The colour of the tarmac and type of trees says Whenaupai to me. Even if not, it's a great excuse to post this line up...is that a BOAC Comet at the end?

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/750x425/10b971e0_98ff_4aa9_9209_6ca6637fc604_1_201_a_9e6c06e48854515 152feeee616cfe1ebca806bd7.jpeg

[siftydog]

Max Tow sleuths to the truth!

NAC Viscount 807 sits resplendent at Whenuapai airport on a warm May 1964 day, the year before Mangere became operational. In response to the query on the B&W photo; yes, there was at least one Comet 4 visit to Auckland at that time.

Max Tow has control.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/916x613/capture_2_ca1245b260bc87fa1610900daf946222b3276e93.png

[Max Tow]

Thanks Siftydog. It seems that the Comet was a twice weekly service via SYD and at the time, the only jet able to get into Auckland before the new airport with its longer runway.
OH.

[Self loading bear]

May I put forward this beautiful picture as the next challenge?

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1536x800/b75523a2_c824_4c32_9857_02572b814929_f6fac32ae6f82e062c84df5 3b6c48b0c5ab4e5f8.jpeg

[Asturias56]

A G560 - and an image that's been used a lot IIRC....................... but where???

Western USA?

[Self loading bear]

A G560 - and an image that's been used a lot IIRC....................... but where???

Western USA?

Your guess is as good as mine,
I also don’t know the answer.
Only clue I can give is that the runway nr is 15-33.

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Wot Flaps up already?

[Terry Dactil]

Wot Flaps up already?
They did such a great job Photoshopping away a great long selfie stick and arm out of the front windo, so maybe they did the flaps too. :E
Great photo.

[Asturias56]

"I also don’t know the answer."


Ahhh it's London Heathrow!! I claim my prize :)))))

[Self loading bear]

"I also don’t know the answer."


Ahhh it's London Heathrow!! I claim my prize :)))))

You will have to wait till 21:00 pm whether your claim can be granted.
Untill then I advise to look into alternative proposals!

[Self loading bear]

Sorry, although a suitable candidate at first sight I think Heathrow’s runway 15-33 was probably closed before the first flight of the G650.

[Asturias56]

Ha! Well then it is probably west of the Mississippi - 15/30 seems to be more common as you go north & West in the USA

[sycamore]

As56, 15/30 not very common...

[Checklist Charlie]

15/30, that's a 'kinky' runway.

CC

[Self loading bear]

In the mean time I have found the answer myself.
That enabled me to give some more clues:

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/982x571/058edafc_4e70_4ab8_9597_53d8064d6ee5_a8235f0b22072c227390103 668e40da46dc979cd.jpeg

[ea200]

As soon as I saw your latest I thought I'd seen it somewhere. Pretty sure it's Page, AZ.

[chimbu warrior]

Definitely Page KPGA.

[Self loading bear]

As soon as I saw your latest I thought I'd seen it somewhere. Pretty sure it's Page, AZ.

Indeed Page Arizona.
Take it away EA200, you have control.

[ea200]

Thanks Bear. Spent a bit of time around there. Great scenery.

How about this one?


https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/299x168/airport_21_6d5b55207ae2fbfa5417dc63e58c28dcea19ab88.jpg

[teusje]

Complete stab in de the dark really, but the first place I thought was, was Split.

[mustbeaboeing]

Dubrovnik Cilipi LDDU. DBV
Open House if correct

[Max Tow]

My mountain experience is limited to INN & CMF, but the latter does have a distinctive control tower which stays white even after the winter snows, so perhaps Chambery if there's a lake at the end?

[chevvron]

Berne/Belp?

[ea200]

Some good guesses there but Max Tow has it with Chambery. I was surprised we haven't had it before but it doesn't appear on the list. There is indeed a lake at the far end. The instrument approach is over the lake. Pretty quiet in summer but very busy in the ski season.

Max has control.

[Flap40]

We have had it before. I posted it about 5 years ago.

[Max Tow]

Try this - an historic airfield. The aircraft type is a good start
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/883x641/d2cedd1e_4f2e_43f3_875a_b06398ffd14a_1_201_a_4821f3d15d9c8da 078d1d1d19f3e944beafb9328.jpeg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/504x284/40faf1ab_e604_4b93_9480_aa3ea390770e_4_5005_c_ffde2b13561d7f 8073c6aaa9044b3ec4f3450314.jpeg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/422x283/0f7cce0c_47e2_4675_8244_ca0a021a8580_4_5005_c_de044e982bcb8b dd629e018f74400cb358a772c3.jpeg
...

[chevvron]

Efrica????

[Max Tow]

I'd suggest that the scenery is far too lush for those bullet holes to have been inflicted in the back and forth of the N.Africa campaign.....

[Asturias56]

Is that a CAC Boomerang?

[Max Tow]

No, afraid not. Another photo might help as the day is drawing on in Oz

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/463x379/55f5d681_61fa_4167_8e56_005ee0fd2067_1_201_a_7678e313e26962b 57e918b34fac503afebd1d12e.jpeg

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Burma Campaign ?

[sycamore]

Malaysia...?

[Max Tow]

Yes, one of the above is correct.. The aircraft type will lead you there. If not, here's a bit of the runway which found a new home and the countryside a few miles North - you'll not get the aerial of the runway just yet.
Bed time in Oz now so answer on my desk by the morning please!

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/648x505/0725ffce_2fe9_4212_ba5a_0da0946fd6ec_1_201_a_515f375d0152471 d86cd3a699f7fdf4a6a6af1cf.jpeg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/874x547/df6ae455_9cba_49b9_92c0_c15d0ccd97f3_1_201_a_f30b3b7179b3cf2 aa282a08dafb894e170f4aabc.jpeg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/879x583/a12f9fd2_d4a6_4ba5_a330_4d6711e9f50a_1_201_a_92590ab0cac0c22 d31a93585aa16ef24d8939d43.jpeg

[sycamore]

Curtiss P-75 Mohawk,possibly 5 or 155 Sdn....?

[BSD]

East Malaysia perhaps?

[Shackman]

Well, Changi had a PSP runway post Japanese occupation, which was still a taxiway until the development of the airport when the PSP was removed, and Kallang was the only airfield still operating till the surrender (and also had PSP). Go north from both and you get the causeway/Jahore River and various islands (and at the time Singapore was part of Malaya).
So - Kallang!.

[Asturias56]

Doubt that's Singapore - no shopping centres in sight and that river bends and twists in a most un-Singaporean, indisciplined manner

[Max Tow]

Morning all!
No, not Kallang or East Malaysia, but I can see why you say that recalling approaches to Changi from the north over similar looking coastal Malaysia & the waterway of the Johor Strait.
Sycamore - very good, in fact, excellent, but I have a slight issue with "P-75". Other than that, you're still well on the road to a successful I/D.
A couple more clues to lead you in and I'll check in again later on after brekkie cuppa & school run.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/840x471/363ea6f3_3b3c_478d_ab9f_d50f304145e4_1_201_a_c87a3692990e1b5 ecb827115738b7fd7e2c44708.jpeg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/679x373/2e8e4a7b_ff50_4b26_a475_a4c95d602ac0_1_201_a_354c95938f9159f 06b75541d0a99837d9a3c1ed2.jpeg

[sycamore]

ok, Curtiss model-75 Hawk,aka P-36,aka Mohawk1V...
Maybe Cox`sBazar,or Chittagong.....

[Max Tow]

Sycamore: That's the one...a rare bird in RAF service. Getting warm on the airfield location - you may have missed clues in my previous post.

[India Four Two]

you may have missed clues in my previous post.
Burma Campaign? Imphal?


https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/580x463/screen_shot_2021_02_09_at_6_28_36_pm_aa9ff84eeb0752dbebf5bd2 7404d4b037833a16f.png

[Max Tow]

I42 - Definitely warming up, but not Imphal. And for our Canadian friends, that is a maple leaf in the earlier photo.
The "American-Indian named aircraft" connection is about to be renewed with a different tribe and this airfield may once again be involved in an altercation.
Also, there's a nearby wonder of wartime engineering that is perhaps a bit too subtly hidden in my prose. Still, we'll truck on....

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/443x523/9d9333da_3ed9_4ea0_b128_f4f442fd31cc_1_201_a_6f88573f8b1a597 9b543e43825b174b5a3c42cc0.jpeg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/344x245/a155218b_d4fe_4935_8d48_2e702d2d17d3_4_5005_c_956a59f694ad4e 21f74294ae5068670c64c79d59.jpeg

[India Four Two]

Also, there's a nearby wonder of wartime engineering that is perhaps a bit too subtly hidden in my prose. Still, we'll truck on....

Burma Road?

[Max Tow]

Getting there! To split hairs, the Burma Road was just pre WW2 and the original supply route from Burma to China, before the Japanese overran the Burmese ports. It connects to this wartime construction, which lies 50km from our airfield.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/920x708/65e6542f_946d_494e_b7be_847b0b5b819b_1_201_a_0e9ba22fc67c3bc 2612ae66eff847d50a7940207.jpeg

[sycamore]

5 Sdn operated from DINJAN....

[Max Tow]

Tik Hai Sycamore & well done, especially as I didn't have to resort to an aerial photo (there is a contemporary one on Goggle).

Dinjan in Assam it is, the home of Nbr. 5 squadron RAF for a few months in 1942 before the USAAF moved in during the" over the Hump" airlift to China, for which the base is far more famous (but that would have been too easy!)

The pilot in the first aircraft photo is Flt Lt. Keith MacEwan, surveying damage after the Mohawk's first enemy encounter, a "Dave" floatplane in July 42.

The maple leaf cowling belonged to Canadian Flt Sgt. Rod Lawrence, who was later credited with a "Lily" bomber kill, albeit in Oct 42, shortly after the squadron moved south from Dinjan to Agartala. Brave men, all.

Plenty of books about the Hump airlift, but may I commend to any who are interested in this lesser known aircraft (well, to me, anyway!) the excellent "P36 Hawk Aces of World War 2" which includes the above and many other tales.

The waterway may look like the sea but is of course the mighty Brahmaputra.

Other clues explained, with apologies if they didn't help:

The "still well on the road" and "still we'll truck on" - I hoped might help identify the photo of the amazing Stilwell Road (as it's now known, formerly the Ledo Rd) built during the conflict to carry supplies over the mountains to China following the loss of Burma and which starts its 1000km journey nearby.

My "cuppa" mention was intended to suggest tea and, thereby, Assam, specifically the Dinjan Tea Estate where the airfield was built. It's a truly beautiful part of the world, with the river, mountains on both shores and the Kaziranga Wildlife Reserve (refuge of the one horned rhino).

The American pair with the cub is a bit of a mystery. It was definitely taken at Dinjan so I thought it might allude to the flights conducted by the Flying Tigers, however probably not as it does look more like a leopard.

The "American Indian tribe" reference was to connect Mohawks to the impending reactivation of the air base with a detachment of new IAF Chinook helicopters, to provide heavy lift capability during the current India/China eastern Himalaya border tensions.

Finally, the initial rather blurred colour photo of the derelict airfield building was included just so that I could share the accompanying trip report from the unfortunate Sgt. Bikash, repeated below. Hopefully the place has been refurbished before the IAF helo crews move in......



https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/509x375/7e132c21_059b_4cc1_9997_abc6e7b8c051_1_201_a_72d519933d16b0f 5d3bbf36419c299801b8fab0a.jpeg

[sycamore]

Terima kasei,la,Max, but it will be Open House....

I sympathise with Sgt Bikash and his cobras, when having a shower in Borneo with Ghurkhas ,the call went out "Cobra,Cobra,Sahib,Big cobra....!! Well,soaped -up,wearing flip-flops,grabbed my towel,this is no time or place for flute playing,ran out and tripped into a monsoon drain....another place cobras hide...! My orderly,a Gurkha lad of about 16,picked me up over his shoulder,and ran me to the medics,as I had a bleeding foot...That got sorted by the Doc,who gave me a sarong to wear as the towel had `disappeared`...The story had of course been the rounds amongst the troops that `Punka-wallah Sahib`had been attacked by a monster cobra,but had bravely `retreated` and had been injured,,the cobra had also retreated having seen P-W Sahibs bottom.....
For the next few days ,every Ghurkha I met gave me the biggest smile and smartest salute,and `how is your foot Sahib`...? I think I may have given my orderly a bottle of rum as thanks( via his QGO...)

[Max Tow]

Thanks Sycamore - a fine tale for the grandkids!
OH declared.

[India Four Two]

Nice challenge Max Tow.

Although I'm quite familiar with history of the Burma Campaign - I've read a lot and my dad was at Imphal - it was only during my searches for this aerodrome that I realized that the Burma Road essentially heads east and not northeast as I had assumed.

[Max Tow]

I42 - thanks. Yes, it's always interesting to follow the side stories in these searches, and easy with the internet. I hadn't realised that of the 10k or so Americans involved in the building of the Stilwell/Ledo Road, 60% were African-Americans. Also that Churchill regarded it as a waste of effort, which seems to be at least partially true as the vast majority of cargo went by air before the Burma ports were retaken. Understand that there are moves afoot to restore the road but I guess events in Burma may delay that idea.

[Asturias56]

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/456x428/2021_01_29_100422_a46f924c55113d7564632101b9e06e4d81367408.j pg
Here's one I'd never heard of ..................... or rather I never realised there'd been an aerodrome there

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Joyce Green, Kent ?

(A little later) Well I thought it was a Vimy but it's a Handley Page O/400 so I'll have a guess at Cricklewood Aerodrome ?

[Asturias56]

No but we are in the UK - its a well known (but rather surprising) location

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/528x286/2021_01_29_095849_f2bf8b2b66b76b972c01fb5326e24a0c3c206a85.j pg

[chevvron]

Hawkinge maybe?

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Yapton (Ford Junction) Aerodrome with HP manufacturing facility. Later Ford Airfield Sussex ?

[nvubu]

Stonehenge ?

[Max Tow]

[QUOTE=Asturias56: No but we are in the UK - its a well known (but rather surprising) location


Is it now a sports venue?

[chevvron]

Is that an airship shed just above the hangar?

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Well having done a bit of poking around I think nvubu will be our winner.........?

[Asturias56]

As I'm off for the evening I'll confess a bit early - yes it is Stoenhenge -& nvubu has it

Surely the UK's Most Historic Aerodrome - I was astonished they built one there right beside the stones..............
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/293x248/2021_01_29_100356_b8d43d48b103d497af510357fb00434297d97112.j pg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/457x345/2021_01_29_100246_9917ddd47cf0070612b5fd00f300655126ed6570.j pg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/448x118/2021_01_29_100227_b04da13f042216c63ed9a1a45610c08b8d74e350.j pg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/824x644/2021_01_29_095835_774f0f9d04c4d82af70cfc78f2d26f1688122e3a.j pg

[nvubu]

Thanks - I guessed at it based on your clue about the surprising location - before going and looking up the challenge I posted in 2018 :)

Here is the next challenge - the airfield is under the smoke. Will provide more images later.

https://am3pap004files.storage.live.com/y4mUevdXAtWuNxm6xCzjzKtpj8JxjCh4szjJECyWjx-f1xZ3SO8nze5Oz4QGTRSMiVfIiNgFeKE46ARtqN39Yp5SJKdCv7lWaa8iytc SWiK5pHRKJlbOydZAsPlJiQBqBoR_2oY-qcADeyXBaQfGaiTirwPeqY67XkVsv0-iFTBihr1qyI4wtVbmsRY0_Z_Jaks?width=1024&height=778&cropmode=none

[Self loading bear]

I feel lucky today:
A few years back I did a hole-in-one when answering (tong in cheek) Udvar Hazy on a very hazy picture.
If this is a German airfield where they have problems with smoke extraction, then this must be Berlin Brandenburg airport (then Schonefeld)

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Is it Metfield, Suffolk ? (Bomb Dump Went Up)

[nvubu]

SLB - you aren't lucky this time as this airfield isn't in Germany.

This isn't bombs going up, but rather bombs going down - having been dropped by the aircraft in the picture.
https://am3pap004files.storage.live.com/y4mw4JyFE5gVXQdoFp6Zj0JscXAMyeNYlWfidXB-zc0kKBMqIOYwAdIJLs8iXreUxtd99XaCdy3SkXTLyaOEcB_oiwTzstjGzH-uMyDEhMLqOlK30N4Fk99Scl82iCLEAChYLe9duS-Nzi5Dq7LJgvPpeMB71OhDWSexeS6WJ1e5WoeEr9fpCoR15PPU0js6Y0t?wid th=1024&height=771&cropmode=none

[Self loading bear]

Volkel then perhaps?

[nvubu]

Or perhaps not :)

you're a 6 to 6:30 hour drive away from the target location.

This image should provide a little more context.
https://am3pap004files.storage.live.com/y4mrr89qv6y5WNyqLci6o7kKn7IHdAtelmOkQ_gwMJSkTqvngbz4keLPClPp SUT5d1DU6mLkpDvso2nJyzV1f3kkUbB604WUzwBU2NayZIFq-EM95RsRCeSOp5bXNk4FwAA-OODWu54ZoCLfVNfUC66OvPE0pN3bkmdM-GgNusIlUav2X_QWMh2guP0X4PPIADI?width=1024&height=827&cropmode=none

[India Four Two]

Are we in the Po Valley?

On second thoughts no. Apple tells me that's an 11 hour drive for Slb. Paris is in the six hour plus range, so northern France?

[nvubu]

Yes, we are in France, but about a 2 hour drive beyond Paris.

[Asturias56]

Could be in the Chateaudun to Blois area - somewhere like Blois le Breuil

[Max Tow]

I think Asturias has hit the target with Chateaudun (a bit difficult to verify the layout on satellite photos as the current airbase is deliberately obscured, it seems).
Incidentally, I was having a look at the history of one of the B24s in the 14 Jun 44 raid (presumably the second photo) and it certainly had a busy schedule in its one year life from delivery to scrap...I guess that the chances of surviving so many raids were much higher as the German air defences collapsed?
USAAF Nose Art Research Project - Dumbo (http://www.usaaf-noseart.co.uk/plane.php?plane=dumbo#.YCpMBS0RpQJ)

[nvubu]

Sorry for the delay, busy at work. Yes, A56 has it with Chateaudun. If you use Google Earth historical views and go back a couple of clicks, the pixilation goes away.

Some of the dispersals on the images I posted are still recognisable once you go back in time.

Over to you Asturias

Who is going to win the prize for being the one to get to 1000 pages :ok:

Edit to add:
On my last image, around 9 o'clock, Would that be the ammunition storage for the airfield? It is rail connected - although I think no longer used as such, and seems very overgrown.

[Self loading bear]

...

Who is going to win the prize for being the one to get to 1000 pages :ok:
.

Or the 20.000th post?
or the 2,5 million views?

[Asturias56]

No - I only pointed out the area (which was pretty big) and then plumped for Blois le Breuil

it's MAXTOW who looked closely - over to her/him

[Max Tow]

Tks Asturias. Try this:

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/685x567/b2e537e9_45c6_4de9_b37f_98f2031cc3ff_1_201_a_64e307760bd5d42 074f28e3ce634a0369ad842b8.jpeg
Then...
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/620x498/94b747a3_d67e_4399_9bf7_7fe79005c3d4_1_201_a_6bbd7705ef7c0a2 57a90adeb56b300a81a39f9b4.jpeg

...and now (I'll admit defeat to anyone who can read the road sign!)

[India Four Two]

Norfolk pines, palm trees, driving on the left. Australia?

[Max Tow]

Yes, Australasia as your observations could also apply to NZ. Signing off till Weds!

[Asturias56]

Saro London - probably RAF 204 Squadron visit to the nether regions in '37-38 5 aircraft in the longest formation flight ever

[Asturias56]

Could be Rose Bay , Sydney?

[Dora-9]

Crawley Bay, Western Australia? That looks remarkably like the University of WA in the background.

[Max Tow]

Asturias: Yes, a Saro London flying boat K9686, later lost on a mission to Norway in 1940. Not Rose Bay, though.

Well done, Dora-9 - it is indeed RAAF Crawley Bay /Pelican Point, starting point of the 3500nm Double Sunrise flights to Ceylon. As a sad footnote, the 4 Catalinas used were unceremoniously flown out to Rottnest Island and sunk in order to avoid payment to the U.S.A. under the terms of Lend Lease.
https://www.ozatwar.com/ozatwar/ducrawley.htm

Over to you, Dora!

A few more tales here for those interested:

https://gregoryno6.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/the-double-sunrise-story.pdf





https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/855x590/1e74dd9b_c55a_445e_9639_80dd3f9e15bd_1_201_a_e1f0e1eda4cf05d 2825e5f3c90a08469a4d5dd37.jpeg
Sunrise for the Black Cats
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/613x362/04deb53f_fc1f_4eb6_943a_544a172aa79a_1_201_a_7b1485f9bf3590b f9f7522933a908ff175bbb2d9.jpeg
Crawley Bay & Pelican Point some years later
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/441x432/2d5aee85_2229_495b_b24c_7fb6f299f341_1_201_a_f9b55125de42d60 841d8fcf67be8677eb0db835a.jpeg

[Dora-9]

My old stomping ground in fact. Nothing to hand, so OH.

[India Four Two]

That looks remarkably like the University of WA in the background.

Doh! I spent a long time looking at pictures of Australian churches! A university never occurred to me. :)

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWl9LxJqJRs




To avoid confusion this is an adjunct to the above challenge and is nothing to do with my next challenge.

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/513x336/screenshot_2021_02_18_google_maps_trim_01210a504859628ab98eb 7f44323d3b61570944f.png






A hangar was used in the construction of this building in 1921. A bit more tonight.........

[chevvron]

Poole Harbour?

[dixi188]

The newsreel says Plymouth.

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Sorry chaps I didn't mean to confuse you. The film clip of the Saro Londons was an addition to gen on the previous challenge not this new one.

So sadly it is not a 'Chippy' in Poole or Plymouth.

[Asturias56]

New Zealand?

[SimonPaddo]

That would be fush and chups though 😂

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Sorry Not New Zealand.

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/617x436/hangars_64a3c5921b0595edfa7c6f07be29e4bc9b33898d.png

Photo credit: Maritime Archaeology Trust.


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1753x677/screenshot_2021_02_17_google_maps_8f5761af119bee62c67e341e9e bf3822a46f5685.jpg

[Max Tow]

East Anglia coast, perhaps?

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Further afield than East Anglia.......

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Dated 1920


https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1083x787/aerial_from_north_east_1cab29781c5fcaf0577fb13ae3900f37cedef ef6.png


Photo credit: Britain From Above. (English Heritage).

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/400x320/bs_d57211b556e810ca69c3804a864d9047391d239c.jpg
This Hotel was next to the Seaplane Station. Enlisted Men were billeted here.

[Max Tow]

Well, definitely England with those pink knees. South coast WWI seaplane base...?

[chevvron]

Use of the term 'ATM' instead of 'Cash Machine' on the chippy and 'enlisted men' rather then 'junior ranks' billeted at the hotel would indicate USA/Canada or possibly Windies.