The Army Aviation centre has had an interesting past.

I was on duty in Amberley tower in the early 1970's when the Cessna's, Porters, Kiowa's and Bell 47's which compromised 16ALA took off, headed East (yes, East) and then overflew for Oakey en masse.
MJG

G'day mate.

Definitely goes to CC.

OH folks. Nothing in my phone to test you all.

CC

I have a 'phone but have not used it for about eight months. I don't go around bumping into people or lamp posts.

http://i67.tinypic.com/2j0y33m.jpg

Just too easy: That's Deci to the well acquainted.

IG

I knew someone would recognise it easily.

Some good stories about that place.

Over to you.

Thank you Dook, said in my best Yorkshire accent:

While Mme Image and I were visiting a French Lady for tea the other day, she brought out her album.

I thought, here is a serious challenge and so I reproduce it here for your contemplation.

I also believe that some among us have visited, or operated from here in the past

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....727fad125d.jpg


IG

All I can make out is what I think is a TWA Connie.

Are we in France by any chance ?

Not France,

A bit more of a clue, a large, almost oriental, tropical island


IG

Might it be Duong Dong airport, Vietnam? OH if correct.

Indonesia ?

Quite a way from Vietnam I'm afraid, this will be more familiar to most who have visited:

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....cdb07972e4.jpg

IG

Christmas (humbug) Island?

Sri Lanka (Ceylon)....?

I asked if it was Indonesia but you new image might be Ceylon. Looking

Katunayake ? It was a V-force staging post.

Are we in the Pacific? If so, French-speaking Polynesia?

Sycamore is on the money

Am I wrong then with Katunayake ?

My apologies Dook, had to go out and replenish ship's biscuit.

You are indeed correct - however: It was originally known as RAF Negombo

The airport began as a Royal Air Force base during the Second World War, RAF Negombo. In 1957, when SWRD Bandaranaike removed all the British Military Bases from Sri Lanka (Ceylon), the base was handed over to the Royal Ceylon Air Force (RCyAF) and renamed Katunayake. Part of it still remains an Air Force base.

In 1964 Anil Moonesinghe, the Minister of Communications, commenced the building of a new international airport to replace Ratmalana, with Canadian aid. The new airport was completed in 1967, and Air Ceylon, the National Carrier, commenced international operations from it using a Hawker Siddeley Trident and a leased BOAC BAC VC-10. The airport was also a Trans World Airlines (TWA) hub for a short time.

It was named Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), after SWRD Bandaranaike, in 1970. It was renamed Katunayake International Airport in 1977 but was changed back to Bandaranaike International Airport in 1995

Over to you Sir,

IG