2nd Mar 2020, 14:35 - Wikipost
|
|||
|
|||
|
Here is a read only link to the Aerodrome Database - WhichAerodrome.xlsx. Up to date as of 1/5/2019. Catching up slowly - up to May 2019 now (Mar 2020).
Here are some "rules" for Which Aerodrome. These are based upon the original suggestions from the very first thread, and have a few additions. Also please be patient as when you are active others may be asleep.
 Thanks to Self Loading Bear for suggesting that we use a wiki. Which Aerodrome I Which Aerodrome II nvubu. 
|
Which Aerodrome Mk III
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: herts
Posts: 1,838
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
not Badminton - although there is a horsey link.
nor Radlett - but getting closer
further clue. Aircraft assembly took place here during the war.
Further research reveals that there might only have been one runway - the shorter East West one, so possible apologies for the earlier info.
The USAAF were also based here.
nor Radlett - but getting closer
further clue. Aircraft assembly took place here during the war.
Further research reveals that there might only have been one runway - the shorter East West one, so possible apologies for the earlier info.
The USAAF were also based here.
Last edited by nvubu; 21st Jun 2012 at 21:29.
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: herts
Posts: 1,838
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Woodley is closer than Radlett - you're 12-13 miles away 
Ther airfield was used in the 1950s, and almost probably into the 1960s.
Ther airfield was used in the 1950s, and almost probably into the 1960s.
Last edited by nvubu; 21st Jun 2012 at 22:03. Reason: added distance
Can't be Hanworth or Heston 'cos they've been done before. Smith's Lawn was used for aircraft assembly but no USAAF presence that I know of. This leaves Aldermaston which had an MAP area and was used by USAAF.
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: herts
Posts: 1,838
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
chevvron has it, but by exclusion, as it is Smith's Lawn.
The photo is of TRH Prince of Wales and Prince George flew by Imperial Airways Argosy G-EBLF City of Glasgow (Captain Gordon Olley) from France to Smith’s Lawn, Windsor Great Park, on their return home from a South American tour.
The Duke of Edinburgh used to fly from it, and it is now a Polo Field.
The airfield was also mentioned a few pages ago, whick reminded me that I had this photo of it.
chevvron has control
The photo is of TRH Prince of Wales and Prince George flew by Imperial Airways Argosy G-EBLF City of Glasgow (Captain Gordon Olley) from France to Smith’s Lawn, Windsor Great Park, on their return home from a South American tour.
In 1940 an air-raid on the Vickers Armstrong aircraft factory at Weybridge forced VA to relocate to Smith's Lawn where from the 1920s a grass airstrip already existed for use mainly by the Prince of Wales. The site was used for the assembly of, for example, high altitude Wellington bombers.
There were two brick hangers, one situated near the road that comes in from Cheesemans Gate where fuselage sections were built. the second hangar, the Flight Hangar, was where the aircraft were completed. During the war, 64 Wellington Mk VIs were assembled on Smith's Lawn and some aircraft were modified to carry an airborne lifeboat quite possibly tested on Virginia Water which still had some water in it. Two examples of this lifeboat, that would be dropped to ditched airmen, remain at Brooklands to this day.
The airfield was camouflaged with dummy hay stacks and canvas lorries. The east-west runway was always grass and unlit. A compass swinging base was located near Smith's Lawn Cottages.
For most of the war, this whole area, including Virginia Water, was closed to the public although young lads sometimes sneaked through the surrounding woods to watch what was going on.
In 1940 the airfield had been used by Hawker Hurricane fighter aircraft, designed by Sydney Camm born in Windsor and educated at the Royal Free School.
Douglas Dakotas (DC3s) were permanently stationed at Smiths Lawn and later the 27th Transport Group of the United States Army Air Force (USAAF) who set up an operating base of wooden and canvas huts near Cumberland Gate, under the large trees. The camouflage nets covering the hangars were very effective and from a distance looked like ploughed fields.
On one occasion an air battle took place overhead resulting in a German Messerschmitt ME 109 crashing in the Cavalry Exercise Ground. Amazingly the pilot came out of the aircraft almost unhurt and was taken prisoner.
There were two brick hangers, one situated near the road that comes in from Cheesemans Gate where fuselage sections were built. the second hangar, the Flight Hangar, was where the aircraft were completed. During the war, 64 Wellington Mk VIs were assembled on Smith's Lawn and some aircraft were modified to carry an airborne lifeboat quite possibly tested on Virginia Water which still had some water in it. Two examples of this lifeboat, that would be dropped to ditched airmen, remain at Brooklands to this day.
The airfield was camouflaged with dummy hay stacks and canvas lorries. The east-west runway was always grass and unlit. A compass swinging base was located near Smith's Lawn Cottages.
For most of the war, this whole area, including Virginia Water, was closed to the public although young lads sometimes sneaked through the surrounding woods to watch what was going on.
In 1940 the airfield had been used by Hawker Hurricane fighter aircraft, designed by Sydney Camm born in Windsor and educated at the Royal Free School.
Douglas Dakotas (DC3s) were permanently stationed at Smiths Lawn and later the 27th Transport Group of the United States Army Air Force (USAAF) who set up an operating base of wooden and canvas huts near Cumberland Gate, under the large trees. The camouflage nets covering the hangars were very effective and from a distance looked like ploughed fields.
On one occasion an air battle took place overhead resulting in a German Messerschmitt ME 109 crashing in the Cavalry Exercise Ground. Amazingly the pilot came out of the aircraft almost unhurt and was taken prisoner.
The airfield was also mentioned a few pages ago, whick reminded me that I had this photo of it.
chevvron has control
Never thought I'd get that one as I was totally unaware the USAAF used Smith's Lawn.
Years ago there was a book called 'Beneath the City Streets' which mentioned an 'underground aircraft factory' under nearby Wentworth Golf Course. I've often wondered if the Wimpeys assembled at Smiths Lawn were actually built in this factory.
Open House
PS: Further to the remarks by Tacklebury; the only time I've used 'the web' to provide an answer is when the photo is a 'vertical' of an airfield, otherwise I've used personal knowledge either from my own explorations, or from Plaistow books or Action Stations books. (sorry about the adverts but I think it's justified)
I think it's too easy if you can just find the exact photo on the internet anyway.
Years ago there was a book called 'Beneath the City Streets' which mentioned an 'underground aircraft factory' under nearby Wentworth Golf Course. I've often wondered if the Wimpeys assembled at Smiths Lawn were actually built in this factory.
Open House
PS: Further to the remarks by Tacklebury; the only time I've used 'the web' to provide an answer is when the photo is a 'vertical' of an airfield, otherwise I've used personal knowledge either from my own explorations, or from Plaistow books or Action Stations books. (sorry about the adverts but I think it's justified)
I think it's too easy if you can just find the exact photo on the internet anyway.
Last edited by chevvron; 22nd Jun 2012 at 10:15.
