RAF Bovingdon - 1960s
Thread Starter
The marks in this portion of the aerial shot (in #197) look suspiciously like bomb craters.
Last edited by XV490; 1st Oct 2019 at 08:43.
Is this Whelpley Hill? In the late 1950s a sort of shanty town of huts and caravans was on the dispersals there. I remember years ago walking from there with my Dad in the rain down the taxy track to the perimeter by the threshold of 09 and watching a C54 land and trundle past us as we waved and got a wave back. Happy Days! Be interesting if you can find out if the airfield was ever bombed. I know a Doodlebug took out a house in the village in 1944.
The definition on these aerial views is not as sharp as the originals as I have to re-scan them to load them onto Pprune.
The definition on these aerial views is not as sharp as the originals as I have to re-scan them to load them onto Pprune.
Thread Starter
OUAQUKGF – The area is just south of the end of the main runway. Running lower left to right is Ley Hill Road; the curved road off it is Shantock Hall Lane.
The site's buildings included one of two officers' messes and the base gym. I'm not aware of any specific attacks on the airfield, but it would of course have been a target of opportunity throughout the war.
The site's buildings included one of two officers' messes and the base gym. I'm not aware of any specific attacks on the airfield, but it would of course have been a target of opportunity throughout the war.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peo...a1127288.shtml
'WW2 People's War is an online archive of wartime memories contributed by members of the public and gathered by the BBC. The archive can be found at bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar' Contributed by Susan Nolen Article ID: A1127288 Contributed on: 30 July 2003
'WW2 People's War is an online archive of wartime memories contributed by members of the public and gathered by the BBC. The archive can be found at bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar' Contributed by Susan Nolen Article ID: A1127288 Contributed on: 30 July 2003
Last edited by OUAQUKGF Ops; 14th Jul 2019 at 06:49.
G-AJZY Halifax LAC 8th March 1951
The attached appears to be a summary of the official accident report, note misspelling of Bovingdon.
This accident occurred in an area of The Chiltern Hills between Great and Little Missenden where the land rises from the Misbourne Valley to a height of between 500 and 600 feet amsl. There is no indication of time but perhaps one could guess that the crash happened in the evening. Note the traces of snow.
Click top r/h Full Screen:
.https://www.britishpathe.com/video/plane-crash-1
https://www.baaa-acro.com/sites/defa.../04/G-AJZY.pdf
Bucks Examiner 7 September 1951. Source BNA.
Here is a clipping which dates from a couple of weeks before the accident. 21 February 1951 (Manchester Evening News BNA).
This accident occurred in an area of The Chiltern Hills between Great and Little Missenden where the land rises from the Misbourne Valley to a height of between 500 and 600 feet amsl. There is no indication of time but perhaps one could guess that the crash happened in the evening. Note the traces of snow.
Click top r/h Full Screen:
.https://www.britishpathe.com/video/plane-crash-1
https://www.baaa-acro.com/sites/defa.../04/G-AJZY.pdf
Bucks Examiner 7 September 1951. Source BNA.
Here is a clipping which dates from a couple of weeks before the accident. 21 February 1951 (Manchester Evening News BNA).
Last edited by OUAQUKGF Ops; 15th Jun 2023 at 11:30. Reason: Newspaper extracts added
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My first job on leaving school in 1947 was with KLM at Croydon Airport when due to weather several of their regular C47/Dak flights were diverted to Bovingdon. I can still recall the mad flurry of activity as the Croydon ground staff collected up the necessary forms and documents required and made their hasty departure by road to Bovingdon. Leaving me as the sole rep of KLM at the Croydon office.
Just wondering, having lived in nearby Chesham from 1948 (when I was born) to 1971, when was Bovingdon handed back to the Air Ministry by the Ministry of Aviation?
In my recollection, there were alway things like Meteors flying round in the early '50s; I remember them because that 'wailing ' beat of the engines used to frighten me when I was about 3 or 4 years old and I used to run indoors to hide until the day my older brother shut the back door and wouldn't let me in!
In my recollection, there were alway things like Meteors flying round in the early '50s; I remember them because that 'wailing ' beat of the engines used to frighten me when I was about 3 or 4 years old and I used to run indoors to hide until the day my older brother shut the back door and wouldn't let me in!
Sorry Chevvron cannot answer your query.
According to Graham M Simons (Airfield focus 80 Bovingdon) the Royal Air Force based communications squadrons continuously at the airfield until 1969, the first arriving from Northolt in July 1947. The USAF arrived with the 7531st Air Base Squadron in May 1951 and were present until 1962.
At the risk of massive thread drift were you lucky enough to be a passenger on 'The Chesham Flyer' when it was hauled by steam?
I can recall several such journeys on this pretty Metropolitan branch line when I was a child. No problems with Power Cuts then!
Last edited by OUAQUKGF Ops; 10th Aug 2019 at 19:01. Reason: Additional ramblings.
PLEASE it was called the 'Chesham Shuttle'!!!
I travelled on it many times prior to electrification in 1961 probably from '48 or '49 as my dad couldn't afford a car (and I remember travelling on a DMU which was tested on the line in the mid '50s) and on the last day of steam operation I was lucky enough to travel from Little Chalfont to Chesham in the cab of the loco.
I'm guessing your photo, taken from Raans Road Bridge, was on the final day as you can see the 3rd and 4th rails clearly and there are people hanging out of the windows.
Those carriages are still in use and can be travelled in on 'The Bluebell Line' in Sussex apart from one which I believe is on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway (might have been moved to the LT Museum at Covent Garden), but beware, they're not gangwayed so whatever compartment you get into, you're stuck there until the next stop.
There were 2 sets of 3 coaches and they were rotated every 2 weeks I think; converted from the first EMUs to pull and push.
Amended to say I lied.
Thinking back, I recall both sets of coaches were transferred to the Isle of Wight for their services from Ryde Pier Head (meeting the boats from Portsmouth and Southsea) and remained in service until the line was electrified in 1967 using ex LT tube trains. Four coaches then went to the Bluebell Line, one was returned to LT and one remained on the Island.
I travelled on it many times prior to electrification in 1961 probably from '48 or '49 as my dad couldn't afford a car (and I remember travelling on a DMU which was tested on the line in the mid '50s) and on the last day of steam operation I was lucky enough to travel from Little Chalfont to Chesham in the cab of the loco.
I'm guessing your photo, taken from Raans Road Bridge, was on the final day as you can see the 3rd and 4th rails clearly and there are people hanging out of the windows.
Those carriages are still in use and can be travelled in on 'The Bluebell Line' in Sussex apart from one which I believe is on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway (might have been moved to the LT Museum at Covent Garden), but beware, they're not gangwayed so whatever compartment you get into, you're stuck there until the next stop.
There were 2 sets of 3 coaches and they were rotated every 2 weeks I think; converted from the first EMUs to pull and push.
Amended to say I lied.
Thinking back, I recall both sets of coaches were transferred to the Isle of Wight for their services from Ryde Pier Head (meeting the boats from Portsmouth and Southsea) and remained in service until the line was electrified in 1967 using ex LT tube trains. Four coaches then went to the Bluebell Line, one was returned to LT and one remained on the Island.
Last edited by chevvron; 12th Aug 2019 at 11:01.
https://www.britishpathe.com/video/V...teor+bovingdon
Short and Sweet..........
Alas I recently came across this Newspaper Cutting dated June 15th 1953:
Short and Sweet..........
Alas I recently came across this Newspaper Cutting dated June 15th 1953:
Last edited by OUAQUKGF Ops; 5th Dec 2022 at 08:29. Reason: Newspaper Cutting
Just come across this. Appears to be Bovingdon in 1943. With Thunderbolt and Lightning carrying out passes on R/W 35. Thunderbolt is 27921 personal aircraft of Lt Col Cass Hough. Note how he stubs his fag out before climbing into the cockpit.
Last edited by OUAQUKGF Ops; 2nd Oct 2023 at 09:24.
In 1942 Hough dived a P38 from 43,000 feet near Bovingdon during which a speed of 525mph was indicated at 35,000 feet; this was the longest terminal velocity dive successfully undertaken at that time. (With acknowledgements to Roger Freeman author of The Mighty Eighth 1970).
Last edited by OUAQUKGF Ops; 12th Aug 2019 at 23:02.
Lip Readers Required
Here is more footage of Cass Hough (1904-1990) at Bovingdon. He amassed over 34,000 flying hours pic before loosing his licence after heart surgery at the age of 77. He gets airborne at 0401.
Last edited by OUAQUKGF Ops; 13th Aug 2019 at 17:47.
Lt Col Cass Hough
https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=...201944&f=false
Associated Press Photo August 1943. Captioned on reverse 'Faster Than Sound Pilot' Credit American Air Museum Roger Freeman Collection.
Hough, much photographed, at Bovingdon beside his P38 which sports his Skunk mascot.
One can speculate that this and the film clips were part of a small propaganda campaign centered on Hough's rapid descent from 43,000ft in a P38 near Bovingdon on September 27th 1942. Certain elements in the USAAF claimed incorrectly that in doing so Hough had broken 'The Sound Barrier'. Although dated 1944 on the titles the film footage was probably shot in 1943. Hough's featured P47d 42-7921 was written off at Bovingdon on December 20th 1943.
Several publications in the USA carried the Sound Barrier story. This one continues on page 26.
Associated Press Photo August 1943. Captioned on reverse 'Faster Than Sound Pilot' Credit American Air Museum Roger Freeman Collection.
Hough, much photographed, at Bovingdon beside his P38 which sports his Skunk mascot.
One can speculate that this and the film clips were part of a small propaganda campaign centered on Hough's rapid descent from 43,000ft in a P38 near Bovingdon on September 27th 1942. Certain elements in the USAAF claimed incorrectly that in doing so Hough had broken 'The Sound Barrier'. Although dated 1944 on the titles the film footage was probably shot in 1943. Hough's featured P47d 42-7921 was written off at Bovingdon on December 20th 1943.
Several publications in the USA carried the Sound Barrier story. This one continues on page 26.
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USAAF/USAF/RAF Bovingdon - VE Day Commemorations
Hi all,
My name is Kane and I'm the events manager at Drift Limits, a driving experience company that reside on part of the Bovingdon Airfield site, at Runways Farm.
I'm arranging an event to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of VE Day, on Friday the 8th of May 2020 - a special National Holiday to coincide with the date.
Considering the incredible importance of the site, I thought it would be heretical not to. The whole event will also be raising money for local charities including Community Action Dacorum and The Willow Foundation who arrange incredible experiences for persons over 18 who are critically ill. The day is also in partnership with Hertfordshire County Council's HERTFORDSHIRE YEAR OF CULTURE 2020, a year long celebration of people, art, creativity and history through the whole of Hertfordshire.
I'm reaching out to all persons with knowledge, connections and with any media of the site in it's active years as a military base.
On site we will be showing continual slideshows of photos from personal collections that people have been courteous enough to share on our multiple television screens and offering a room with presentation facilities for those with knowledge to talk, display and share information and memories with visitors. We're also hoping to show videos, have opportunities for talks and presentations, which may be transmitted on radio, if agreed to!
We're planning food and drink, music, dancing, period dress, decoration, artists, vintage vehicles and hopefully passenger rides in our supercars. Gearing up to be an amazing day.
Obviously there's absolutely loads of content in this thread, which would be perfect for us to share. It's going to be a mammoth task but if you read this and have posted some pictures and can give permission, please do. I don't want to be a content thief and obviously want to make sure that anything utilised is given the right respect and due formality.
If you are in the area and can give up a small amount of time on the Bank Holiday Friday, we'd absolutely love for a few people to stand up and talk and educate, or simply attend and talk with people.
It'll be a great day to attend anyway so why not be part of it?
If you have absolutely anything that could be shared with our visitors, please do get in contact. You can use this forum to message me, I have turned on emails from members.
Anything shown will of course be credited and as it is a charity day, entirely not for profit. All our proceeds on the day will go to charity, vendors will be donating too.
Thanks so much for reading.
My name is Kane and I'm the events manager at Drift Limits, a driving experience company that reside on part of the Bovingdon Airfield site, at Runways Farm.
I'm arranging an event to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of VE Day, on Friday the 8th of May 2020 - a special National Holiday to coincide with the date.
Considering the incredible importance of the site, I thought it would be heretical not to. The whole event will also be raising money for local charities including Community Action Dacorum and The Willow Foundation who arrange incredible experiences for persons over 18 who are critically ill. The day is also in partnership with Hertfordshire County Council's HERTFORDSHIRE YEAR OF CULTURE 2020, a year long celebration of people, art, creativity and history through the whole of Hertfordshire.
I'm reaching out to all persons with knowledge, connections and with any media of the site in it's active years as a military base.
On site we will be showing continual slideshows of photos from personal collections that people have been courteous enough to share on our multiple television screens and offering a room with presentation facilities for those with knowledge to talk, display and share information and memories with visitors. We're also hoping to show videos, have opportunities for talks and presentations, which may be transmitted on radio, if agreed to!
We're planning food and drink, music, dancing, period dress, decoration, artists, vintage vehicles and hopefully passenger rides in our supercars. Gearing up to be an amazing day.
Obviously there's absolutely loads of content in this thread, which would be perfect for us to share. It's going to be a mammoth task but if you read this and have posted some pictures and can give permission, please do. I don't want to be a content thief and obviously want to make sure that anything utilised is given the right respect and due formality.
If you are in the area and can give up a small amount of time on the Bank Holiday Friday, we'd absolutely love for a few people to stand up and talk and educate, or simply attend and talk with people.
It'll be a great day to attend anyway so why not be part of it?
If you have absolutely anything that could be shared with our visitors, please do get in contact. You can use this forum to message me, I have turned on emails from members.
Anything shown will of course be credited and as it is a charity day, entirely not for profit. All our proceeds on the day will go to charity, vendors will be donating too.
Thanks so much for reading.
Thread Starter
Kane - As the originator of this thread, I wish you well with the event.
It's a credit to PPRuNe members that the thread has become such a rich source of information and memories, which show no sign of slowing up.
It's a credit to PPRuNe members that the thread has become such a rich source of information and memories, which show no sign of slowing up.
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Hi XV490,
Thanks so much for your reply and kind remarks.
I must say this is a truly incredible forum and I've been amazed at the scope and quality of the replies.
I'd say with the members here alone we would rival a
I do look forward to hearing from all parties in due course and am thoroughly excited about the day.
Please note that the best way to get in touch with me directly, is via email / forum message.
I move around a lot and may not always be in our offices, however always have access to my emails!
Kind Regards,
Kane
Drift Limits.
========================
Until you have a posting history you don't have access to private messaging and adding urls.
Thanks so much for your reply and kind remarks.
I must say this is a truly incredible forum and I've been amazed at the scope and quality of the replies.
I'd say with the members here alone we would rival a
I do look forward to hearing from all parties in due course and am thoroughly excited about the day.
Please note that the best way to get in touch with me directly, is via email / forum message.
I move around a lot and may not always be in our offices, however always have access to my emails!
Kind Regards,
Kane
Drift Limits.
========================
Until you have a posting history you don't have access to private messaging and adding urls.
