Abingdon
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In the late 70s I went to Abingdon's airshow and vividly recall the chap displaying an autogyro crashing it I don't know if it was Wg Cdr Wallis). He wasn't badly hurt but of course for someone aged 12-13ish, seeing a crash made my day!
Neil
Some more from my album in addition to those above, All date from summer 1959.
And Brigitte Bardot stars in the film "Babette Goes to War" some scenes from the film were shot at RAF Abingdon in 1959.
Here she is out of her parachute kit for publicity shots taken in London at the time.
So, am looking for pictures from: No.1 AMS (Jags either inside F Hangar, or outside on test, 2AMS - same thing but with Hawks, Buccaneers in D hangar, RSS,AS&TF , JATE, 1 PTS, No.1 Overseas Ferry Unit, Airdays, AOC parades, Ab Town march thru's & any aerial pics from over the years over the airfield or specific building pics (like a ****, i photographed most of the buildings for archive purposes in the RAF / Army handover in late 92, to any loose the roll of film - Doh!) - all of course will be credited to the owner..
And Brigitte Bardot stars in the film "Babette Goes to War" some scenes from the film were shot at RAF Abingdon in 1959.
Here she is out of her parachute kit for publicity shots taken in London at the time.
Last edited by Warmtoast; 4th Jan 2011 at 21:18.
A couple more photos from my 1959 album:
An ILS was installed at Abingdon in the summer of 1959. This shows the team from the Radio Engineering Unit (REU) at RAF Henlow who installed the new facility. Also with the team but not shown here was a civilian technician from the manufacturers (Standard Telephones and Cables).
The interior of one of the airmen's barrack blocks.
An ILS was installed at Abingdon in the summer of 1959. This shows the team from the Radio Engineering Unit (REU) at RAF Henlow who installed the new facility. Also with the team but not shown here was a civilian technician from the manufacturers (Standard Telephones and Cables).
The interior of one of the airmen's barrack blocks.
Warmtoast, thanks for reminding me of the accomodation I was in when I done my movers course in late 1967. The "secret" was to occupy the bed two down from the stove as the occupant nearest was responsible for keeping the damn thing burning. If the fire went out, that yellow wax floor polish was pretty good at getting the blaze going again!
After I finished my course, my boss sent me back - "Because I knew where Abingdon was" - to 'assist' with the preparations for the RAF's 50th celebrations; including painting the *****ing coal yard!!
After I finished my course, my boss sent me back - "Because I knew where Abingdon was" - to 'assist' with the preparations for the RAF's 50th celebrations; including painting the *****ing coal yard!!
SMOKEON
You are wrong. It most certainly IS Brigitte Bartdot.
Another photo taken in London at the same time (April 1959) when she posed with her co-star in the film and soon husband-to-be Jacques Charrier. Same hair style, similar suit, bunch of flowers etc
Regarding your post #22, the young lady pictured in the last two photographs is most certainly not Brigitte Bardot.
smokeon
smokeon
Another photo taken in London at the same time (April 1959) when she posed with her co-star in the film and soon husband-to-be Jacques Charrier. Same hair style, similar suit, bunch of flowers etc
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Agreed,the hairstyle is the same, but I say again, it is not BB. Facial characteristics are quite different, and she is considerably heavier than BB. The suit is nothing like the one in the photograph.
smokeon
smokeon
Smokeon
See here:
Brigette Bardot 1959 in London Photographic Print - AllPosters.co.uk Bardot London&f=t&FindID=0&P=1&PP=9&sortby=PD&c=c&page=1
But I say again, it is not BB. Facial characteristics are quite different, and she is considerably heavier than BB
Brigette Bardot 1959 in London Photographic Print - AllPosters.co.uk Bardot London&f=t&FindID=0&P=1&PP=9&sortby=PD&c=c&page=1
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I would suggest that the London Photographic Print Co.should confirm the provenance of the so called "BB" photograph. Far too much thread drift and waste of bandwith here I am afraid, let us just agree to differ.
smokeon
smokeon
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Warmtoast - smashing photos, ILS piccy is interesting, that building still survives today.
The old Control Tower in the NW corner is possibly being bulldozed due to the vandalism over the years since approx 1999 - up until then after the RAF vacated in 92, the building was good, and the electricity / air conditioning was re-instated i think for the 2 weeks 'Roaring Lion' exercise involving 15 plus C130 & used for other uses.
Tis a shame, structurally i believe it is fine, its just the insides and the most of the windows that have been buggered! Waste of a good building.
The old Control Tower in the NW corner is possibly being bulldozed due to the vandalism over the years since approx 1999 - up until then after the RAF vacated in 92, the building was good, and the electricity / air conditioning was re-instated i think for the 2 weeks 'Roaring Lion' exercise involving 15 plus C130 & used for other uses.
Tis a shame, structurally i believe it is fine, its just the insides and the most of the windows that have been buggered! Waste of a good building.
Tis a shame, structurally I believe it is fine, it's just the insides and the most of the windows that have been buggered! Waste of a good building.
Waste of an excellent aerodrome to use it as some pongo lorry park.
Drove past the place on Honeybottom Lane the other day - sad to see the state of the tower and just a few Vigilants flying. But thank heavens that at least the Air Cadets are still using this excellent, historic aerodrome.
When ULAS moved from White Waltham to Abingdon in 1973, I recall our boss at the time saying "Well, at least they'll never close this place down!".
Sadly he was wrong......
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Drove past the place on Honeybottom Lane the other day - sad to see the state of the tower and just a few Vigilants flying. But thank heavens that at least the Air Cadets are still using this excellent, historic aerodrome.
.. with regular inspections of the airfield now.As you say Beags a waste really...... Brize bung some of your C130s here!!!!!!!
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Chaps & chapesses - i have now permission from Abingdon Town Council to compile an RAF Abingdon archive section which will be permanent feature as i think its important to recognise the value of its past.
The Town Hall is currently undergoing works but will re-open in April - May 2012, but i have been asked to put together the info and carefully selecting past images of its RAF past as soon as possible for possible viewing pre- opening!
So any old photos please email me at: [email protected] together with a brief description and copyright name.
Many thanks
The Town Hall is currently undergoing works but will re-open in April - May 2012, but i have been asked to put together the info and carefully selecting past images of its RAF past as soon as possible for possible viewing pre- opening!
So any old photos please email me at: [email protected] together with a brief description and copyright name.
Many thanks
