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-   -   Which Aerodrome Mk III (https://www.pprune.org/aviation-history-nostalgia/459713-aerodrome-mk-iii.html)

sycamore 16th Nov 2020 20:28

The Bermudan flag is a red Ensign,UJ in top corner ,Bermudan Coat of Arms lower right...other one isn`t it either...

OUAQUKGF Ops 17th Nov 2020 08:00

Here is another image of G-AHEM. Appears to be same airfield (note fencing). Parked on Bay 3 (Or is it 5?)

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....12d8b0553c.jpg


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




https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....987e69349b.jpg

chevvron 17th Nov 2020 08:40

Looks a bit like Antigua to me.

OUAQUKGF Ops 17th Nov 2020 08:57

Here's BOAC 1950 timetable for further inspiration. Perhaps Kingston or Nassau? Or is it The Subcontinent?

BOAC - British Overseas Airways Corporation

rog747 17th Nov 2020 10:06

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

Shackman 17th Nov 2020 10:45

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!)

rog747 17th Nov 2020 10:57


Originally Posted by Shackman (Post 10928596)
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)

Shackman 17th Nov 2020 11:04

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

Max Tow 17th Nov 2020 11:31

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.

Shackman 17th Nov 2020 12:08

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.

Asturias56 17th Nov 2020 12:43

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

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....169bc9a2d2.jpg


I guess we go back to Open House?


Asturias56 17th Nov 2020 12:54

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
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....0f25cef989.jpg

Max Tow 17th Nov 2020 22:03

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.

rog747 18th Nov 2020 06:58

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....

nvubu 18th Nov 2020 19:24

And for the Open House

https://am3pap004files.storage.live....&cropmode=none

sidtheesexist 18th Nov 2020 20:30

Long shot ...Comiso?

nvubu 18th Nov 2020 22:02

Quite a good first attempt, but we aren't on Sicily.

nvubu 19th Nov 2020 12:22

Captured weapons on the airfield

https://am3pap004files.storage.live....&cropmode=none

Shackman 19th Nov 2020 13:51

Are we in Italy though?

Asturias56 19th Nov 2020 15:10

Biplanes? CR-32's??? Spain?


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