WHAT, WHERE and WHEN
I'd guess at Brooklands/Weybridge but that's as far as I'd go.
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A Valetta?
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It is an RAF Valetta transport aircraft and my best guess is either a new build at the Brooklands factory in 1950, or more likely at Brooklands for modification to nav trainer in the middle fifties. Parked on the grass with wheels covered is normally indicative of an extended stay.
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I took the photo on one of my many visits during school holidays,to my dad at work, (a civvie working for the 'ministry').I would ride in on my bike through the main gate(security?), past the beautiful black Hunter and silver Meteor. Why didn't I take pictures of them?
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Tangmere used to have a Meteor and Hunter as gate guardians............but a clipped wing (extra maneouverability whilst engaged in supply dropping during the Malayan campaign ???????) Valetta ?
Just had a thought..........the two black hangars...............Farnborough ???
Just had a thought..........the two black hangars...............Farnborough ???
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1 ITS Bridgenorth. Closed 1963, so- 1961?
The Hunter was F.5 WP191, Meteor was F.3 EE405, scrapped when station closed. On the parade ground, exposed to elements and boys, were Hurricane LF686, now in Smithsonian, and, latterly Spitfire Vc AR614, now airworthy as N614VC.
The Hunter was F.5 WP191, Meteor was F.3 EE405, scrapped when station closed. On the parade ground, exposed to elements and boys, were Hurricane LF686, now in Smithsonian, and, latterly Spitfire Vc AR614, now airworthy as N614VC.
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Not Tangmere, Farnborough or Bridgenorth. I dont know if it was the parade ground but there was a large area full of Swifts being dismantled which my brother and me played in.
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We also played in a bomber that I was told at the time was a Stirling, but have since discovered was a Lincoln. Looking back I remember some of the engines on the grass under the wings were straight , not round!! Great fun in the cockpit though, for a 12 yearold.
Have you seen Catterick recently? The army have gone and built houses close to the runway! Normally they just put up a fence inside the peri-track so the runways can still be used, but you can't get off the airfield.
Anyway the airfield isn't Halton, the hangars are the wrong design, but it could be Bovingdon, which did operate Vallettas.
Anyway the airfield isn't Halton, the hangars are the wrong design, but it could be Bovingdon, which did operate Vallettas.