Vickers Valiant – but where?

Thanks to all those that contributed. So i’ll settle for it being taken at Alconbury…….. unless? 😀

Rob

They would appear to be the pair of nose dock hangars that stand on the north side of the runway.

All the best,
PB

Agcats’ pictures pretty well confirm AR! I was unaware those hangar types were there I must admit.
I’m sure they would be much appreciated at AIX if you could post them there.

Things do change, and not an exact match but good enough for Government work. Taken at the Alconbury USAFD on 10 August 1971.

I take your point about relying on then and now photos, but its the position of the hangars and runway intersecton at Alconbury that caught my eye.

99.9% sure its UK, as i have no recollection of dad ever mentioning an airshow or indeed a trip overseas during that sort of era.

Rob

I don’t think AR had curved hangars of that type, the two hangars together are T2s (and the one opposite).
The problem with relying on airfield buildings is that they, and the area around them can constantly evolve, Gaydons tend to have cut outs in their apex to handle V bombers tails, but I think they were added later.
It does look like a 707/C-135 behind.
Just a thought, is it definitely UK Rob?

Good call Agcat. According to this photo Alconbury certainly had two hangars in the same approximate location.

Rob

Alconbury?

Now thats a different view, thanks Consul. I know absolutely zippo about Gaydon so cannot argue either way.

Anyone else?

Rob

James – interesting suggestion. Unless someone else confirms otherwise i think thats our best bet to date. Although in the distance to the left there is what looks like a fin / fuselage of something else, possibly a KC-135 or 707. Is that possible?

Pretty sure it was taken with the family box brownie. Just a shame though he never had a cine-camera.

Baz – Cheers mate.

Rob

Not convinced it’s Gaydon – compare with this aerial view of the hangars at Gaydon when in use (link to picture on RAF Forum). The respective position of the two hangars and also adjacent buildings etc don’t seem to match.

http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l366/PRACHUAP/GaydonHangars1955.jpg

Lovely pic Rob

I’m thinking Gaydon. The two Gaydon type (named after the station) hangars were inline with each other, but I think the angle of the shot may make them appear next to each other here, measuring off the screen one does seem further back than the other.
Nice shot, looks like the next few seconds could have been interesting!