Flying Control Caravans – Info needed

BTW there are two types of caravan these days, the one I mentioned above which is a fully self supporting truck, manned for arrivals and departures and back up to air traffic control. The second is usually a trailer or towable affair which is used when the main air traffic control is closed or unmanned, usually for glider or trainer aircraft use. This has been around for a while and I wonder if this is what is shown in the picture taken at Leuchars.

Also there was the GCA / radar, PAR, and standby local (usually fixed and semi burried) caravans – they’re another topic.

Meteors! That’s me (as you know). You definately have my interest now.

I thought I might. 🙂

Mark

Meteors! That’s me (as you know). You definately have my interest now.

That’s an amazing photograph Mark 12. Dare I ask – got any more like that?

Just the one roll of 35mm in colour. Nothing much..mostly Meteors.

Mark

It really is, so redolent of the post-war period.

What are the parked aircraft in the background? They look like Meatboxes to me.

Moggy

That’s an amazing photograph Mark 12. Dare I ask – got any more like that?

Theres a nice story r.e a control caravan, on Robert Truemans Control towers website, the guy towing said caravan, decided to give his jeep some stick , and the pot bellied stove inside (and still alight) fell over, and burnt the control caravan down to the ground!

the runway caravan controller operated as the last moments eyes for a departing or approaching aircraft, if he considered it fit to land he would fire a green verey, and if not (due to aircrafts condition), a red would be fired.

Perhaps you’d care to explain that to the runway controller at Binbrook in Sept ’77 when OC 5sqn landed XR752 without the benefit of wheels.:D

Unless I’m much mistaken Old Buckenham still have theirs.

Moggy

I think they do, i was sheltering next to it during the airshow.

Item 294 is an Airfield Control trailer!:)

http://www.witham-sv.com/tender/lots.php

Probably looks like this.;)

http://www.witham-sv.com/infopage.php?ID=1451&Overide=1

Unless I’m much mistaken Old Buckenham still have theirs.

Moggy

A colour shot from my uncle’s album/collection. He was OC 222 Sqn. at RAF Leuchars.

c1951, I do believe a colour image of a Martinet.

Mark

Thanks for that. If anyone has any more info or pictures, please post them. I have a friend who is planning to build a caravan to tow behind his Dodge Weapons Carrier, also finished in flying control colours. He’s currently looking around for equipment and accessories to go with it.

Steve

Generally speaking (ie not particular to USAAF) the runway caravan controller operated as the last moments eyes for a departing or approaching aircraft, if he considered it fit to land he would fire a green verey, and if not (due to aircrafts condition), a red would be fired. There was usually radio contact between the Caravan and Air Traffic Control. Besides the radio, verey pistol and cartridges, and binoculars I doubt much more would have been carried.
The caravans varied between Humber pick ups up to more substantial glazed trucks.
Alot of the war time runways were built with the caravan in mind, and there would be a parking circle adjoining each end of the runway and to the left of landing aircraft.
There were alsorts of incidents involving the caravan and uncontrollable aircraft (due to proximity to runway) and I know one guy whos truck was hit by Shackleton.
These days they have seperate air conditioning, self sufficiancy generator, multi frequency radios, tvs and all sorts!