Sorry for the slow response gents.

I42 - thanks for the info. I had seen the AAA batteries easy enough on GE, although that whole area looks like it's getting quite a make-over, so their days are numbered I reckon.

As to my challenge - yes, UK. Yes, a relatively recent picture. And yes, too many questions. :)

And finally, yes, Wymeswold! Well done, CGB. :ok: You have control.

I didn't think it would last too long, although I have to say that it's nice not to have someone just plonk the photo straight into google images and spoil the party in 5 minutes!

OH I'm afraid. (My iThingy isn't so good at playing with pictures)

nacluv,

You're right - there is a lot of redevelopment going on in the northern part of that area, but I think the AAA is there to stay, but possibly relocated. If you look at the historical imagery, you will see there was one new battery installed in 2012.

Not the best pic, but here goes...

http://i40.tinypic.com/315kck7.jpg

Graeme,

Bombed-up Portuguese G-91s, so probably in the African colonies.

How about what is now Aeroporto Internacional Osvaldo Vieira, Bissau?

Bombed up G-91s but looks like A-7s in the background, suggests it's too late for African wars - ended by 1975 - and A7s not in service until 1982 so perhaps more like mainland Portugal.

How about the big weapon training field BA 11 at Beja ?

Very well done Simon! :ok: Your control.

It is/was once BA 12 Bissalanca - Four miles from Bissau. According to my source it was the only runway in the area at the time capable of handling fast jets.

The photo shows Fiat G.91R/4s armed with 750 lb bombs leaving for a mission against aircraft gun positions in Sare-Morso. Not a good photo - but definitely more Fiats in the background Lordflasheart.

Cheers.

Graeme,

Thanks. I got lucky. Bissau was the first location I looked up on Google Earth.
Brave guys, going after AAA with iron bombs. The only choice in those days I suppose.

Here's an unfortunate accident:

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps7b4d7f14.jpg

Far east?.....

Oui, orient extreme.

Na San ?....

Na, mate! ;)

However, fascinating history at Na San. After the French success with the 'hedgehog' tactical defence, they continued in the same vein and came a cropper at Dien Bien Phu.

Are we in Tonkin (as was) ?

Not Tonkin, LFH

Time for some clues.

In the foreground is a Piasecki Shawnee and in the background is some unusual topography.

"Marble mountain" near Da nang?

OH if correct.

I'd eventually got the H-21 Shawnee bit before the clue, but still floundering as to location. 'Helicopters getting shot down - there's a surprise – 'til Ap Bac' was I think, one of the features of "A Bright Shining Lie"

Howzabout a wild guess - Tan Hiep airfield ? (Prelude to Ap Bac.) LFH

albatross,
Right direction from Tonkin, but you landed too soon.

LFH,
You overshot the target. ;)

The topography is a very "big" clue.

PS The H-21 wasn't shot down.

Not doing very well here. The only VN "Big" refs I can find are to "Big Mountain at Vung Tau" and "Big Minh." :suspect:

There was a series of remote (cable) controlled crash-worthiness testing of old H-21s - on Utube
The last one could have ended up in the position of the challenge and with a similar shaped hill behind, but it claimed elsewhere it was done at Edwards Air Force Base, which to the best of my knowledge is in the USA. I assume we are still talking Vietnam for this challenge ?

None of these is offered as a serious answer. LFH

Yes, we're in Vietnam.

Good thinking, LFH, but I think I may have led you off on a tangent with the word "big".

Go back to my clue "unusual topography". What's unusual about it is that it shouldn't be there at all, in this part of Vietnam.