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Old 2nd Mar 2020, 14:35   -   Wikipost
PPRuNe Forums Thread Wiki: Which Aerodrome Mk III
Please read: This is a community-maintained wiki post containing the most important information from this thread. You may edit the Wiki once you have been a member for 90 days and have made 90 posts.
 
Last edit by: nvubu
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.
  • A historic picture of an aerodrome will be posted. Newer pictures are allowed but the theme here is to compare/contrast old with new as well as identifying aerodromes which no longer exist.
  • The person who correctly identifies it will be declared the 'winner' by the original poster.
  • That winner shall either post another challenge or declare the floor open. Anyone may then post the next challenge.
  • If the winner of the challenge does not respond to the notification of their success within 48 hours, an Open house can be declared when there is consensus between multiple other posters which are on line.
  • When the poster of a challenge does not respond within 48 hours of a posted answer, this poster can be declared winner if the answer is considered correct in a consensus of multiple other posters.
  • If Open House is declared, regular posters should not jump in immediately, but time should be given for those who are not great at naming the correct location as they may have some good images.
  • There will only be one challenge running at a time.
  • Try to use elderly photos and not Google Earth, Zoom Earth or any other search engine, pics
  • Try to post images that are not already present on internet, as Google Image Search will find them if they are.
  • Personal photos are acceptable as they show the aerodrome as it is now.
  • When confirming the correct location, the location and winner should be stated to negate any deletion of posts.
  • Please don't delete your posts, let everyone see your successes, failures and challenges.
Anyone can edit it so long as they have been here for 90 days with 90 posts. Let's get consensus before changing and not go crazy Thanks to Self Loading Bear for suggesting that we use a wiki. Which Aerodrome I Which Aerodrome II nvubu.

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Which Aerodrome Mk III

Old 16th Nov 2020, 20:28
  #19501 (permalink)  
 
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The Bermudan flag is a red Ensign,UJ in top corner ,Bermudan Coat of Arms lower right...other one isn`t it either...
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Old 17th Nov 2020, 08:00
  #19502 (permalink)  
 
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Here is another image of G-AHEM. Appears to be same airfield (note fencing). Parked on Bay 3 (Or is it 5?)




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






Last edited by OUAQUKGF Ops; 17th Nov 2020 at 08:30.
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Old 17th Nov 2020, 08:40
  #19503 (permalink)  
 
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Looks a bit like Antigua to me.
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Old 17th Nov 2020, 08:57
  #19504 (permalink)  
 
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Here's BOAC 1950 timetable for further inspiration. Perhaps Kingston or Nassau? Or is it The Subcontinent?

BOAC - British Overseas Airways Corporation
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Old 17th Nov 2020, 10:06
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is it BDA kindley field?

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
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

Last edited by rog747; 17th Nov 2020 at 10:51. Reason: more news
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Old 17th Nov 2020, 10:45
  #19506 (permalink)  
 
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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!)
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Old 17th Nov 2020, 10:57
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Originally Posted by 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!)
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)
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Old 17th Nov 2020, 11:04
  #19508 (permalink)  
 
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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
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Old 17th Nov 2020, 11:31
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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-...th-air-canada/

and I think the obelisk is the Harry Oakes monument near what became the racing circuit.
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Old 17th Nov 2020, 12:08
  #19510 (permalink)  
 
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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.
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Old 17th Nov 2020, 12:43
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That was a great search!! Sir Harry Oakes Monument in The Bahamas. Photos, videos, opening hours, tickets, travel informations. has the location of the monument and here is a picture




I guess we go back to Open House?

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Old 17th Nov 2020, 12:54
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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

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Old 17th Nov 2020, 22:03
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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.

Last edited by Max Tow; 18th Nov 2020 at 06:12. Reason: Add link to old aerial photo
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Old 18th Nov 2020, 06:58
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Nassau!

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....
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Old 18th Nov 2020, 19:24
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And for the Open House


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Old 18th Nov 2020, 20:30
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Long shot ...Comiso?
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Old 18th Nov 2020, 22:02
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Quite a good first attempt, but we aren't on Sicily.
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Old 19th Nov 2020, 12:22
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Captured weapons on the airfield


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Old 19th Nov 2020, 13:51
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Are we in Italy though?
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Old 19th Nov 2020, 15:10
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Biplanes? CR-32's??? Spain?
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