Airfield Maps

Ford

Hi there – thanks very much, please let me have your e-mail address (via the message service) and I will pass over an aerial photo and a copy of the map that I hold my map, marked 10370/55 also has “amended February 1945 written on it” – below from the 125 Airfield (as it then was) ORB describing how the ground echelon got there from Detling:

15/4/44

Punctually at 08.30 hours the convoy making up ‘A’ Party commenced to form up on the road out of Detling, and on the time scheduled, moved off, the C.O., commanding the convoy we looked back wistfully at the static comforts of our winter home and set our radiator caps firmly southward, towards a more Spartan life. The journey of eighty four miles were executed without incident, and right to the time table, actual arrival being thirteen minutes ahead of E.T.A. at Ford. Immediate activity was forthcoming on the erection of tents as the over cast sky promised rain. Sure enough our induction into wigwam life was to the accompaniment of an appreciable downpour.

I also have a photo of my father, and his colleagues from the telephone section of 125 Wing HQ getting injections before going to Normandy – photo taken late May ’44. I will send that as well so you can see how happy he was about that experience !! – cheers Allan125

Didn’t say it was free! RAFM charged 2.85, which is fair enough. The FAAM stuff was sent gratis, which was unexpected.

Ford

Hi Macky42 – interesting comment that the FAAM and the RAFM sent you stuff – I had to pay for mine from the RAFM, despite supplying them with a map of B.60 Grimbergen/Bruxelles which they didn’t have – even though I offered it as a swap !! If you have anything readable from 1945 I would love a copy as Dad was there from April – June 1944. cheers – Allan125

For those interested in such things, both FAAM and RAFM came up trumps.
FAAM sent me A4 maps of the field as at 1918, 1945 and 1958. They also sent lists of the units resident, and a copy of an Airfield Review article which gives a lot of history.
RAFM sent an A2 detailed map, on which I’m ruining my eyes trying to read the key. It’s all there though.

Thanks for the leads!

Maps of Airfields – Ford

125 Wing was stationed there between 18 April and 25 June 1944 – with 602 (City of Glasgow) Squadron AuxAF, 132 (City of Bombay) Squadron RAF and 453 Squadron RAAF – all with Spitfire IX’s – moving from Ford to B.11 Longues-sur-Mer on June 25 – cheers – Allan125

Ford was used by the Fighter Intercption Unit, which was based there, as well as several Mosquito Squadrons, from time to time. Squadrons that I know were there 256,418, 456 & 605. These Squadrons were based there between 1942 & late 1944.

Cheers,
Neilly

RAF Ford

Hi Guys – delighted to say that the RAFM does hold, and more importantly sell, a copy of a map of Ford because I have one. They are available in A4 and A3 format. very detailed as well. hope that helps – cheers – Allan125

I’ve had a positive response from the FAA museum, they have a map and will let me know details shortly. Thanks to all who replied.:)

Airfield Maps

Hi

Apart from RAF Museum Hendon Archives ( doris ), the is also PRO at Kew.

I actually keep a database of the location of airfield maps, so if you give me the names of the ones that you are interest in, I can give you, where to look and the reference no.s of the maps.

Regards Martin Burney

I know from experiance that the RAF museum may not hold the FAA maps but it is worth a try perhaps they do have one. The maps from the RAF museum for RAF airfields are very detailed and have almost every building listed but the maps from the PRO don not. Also if you want to see a plan of a particular building then the RAF museum also hold a copy of the building plans which the PRO do not. Just give them the ref number on the airfield map for a building and they will send you a building layout plan if they have it.

FAA airfields in my experiance are more difficult to get a map but not impossible. I got one for a FAA airfield and while not as highly detailed it had what the main buildings use were and a few other details. It has since become known that there is a maze of underground tunnels and conduit piping which a local group hold the plans for. Contact local groups and perhaps the Airfield Research Group as they might be able to point you in the right direction for your research.

http://www.airfield-research-group.co.uk/

Steve.

No problem, keep it as long as you need.

Ant.

I thought about Ford being a naval station as well, but seeing as the RAFM kept copies of all the USAAF station maps, I’ve a feeling they have them all.

Regards,

kev35

Kev, I still have your Kimbolton map. I was hoping to bring it to Duxford for you on Sunday but I’ve not managed to get it copied yet. Would you mind if I keep hold of it for a while?

I could be leading you up the garden path here Macky,but being as Ford was a Naval Air Station for much of it’s active life it might be a good idea to get in touch with the FAA Museum aswell as the RAFM.
It might also be worth getting in touch with the guys at Tangmere.They have close links with Ford,being as it is only just down the road from Tangmere,to the extent that they include Royal Navy aircraft in thier collecting policy.The museum has a substantial archive section,so there may be something useful in there.

Macky42.

Sorry, address follows.

Department of Research and Information Services,
Royal Air Force Museum,
Grahame Park Way,
Hendon,
LONDON
NW9 5LL.

I think if you ring the RAF Museum they can put you through. That way you could find out the availability of any plans and the costs involved.

Hope that’s a bit more helpful.

Regards,
kev35

Thanks for that Kev. I’ll follow that up. Is DORIS a person or an acronym?:)

Macky.

I would try DORIS at the RAF Museum. I had a large scale map of Kimbolton from there a number of years ago and it was excellent.

Regards,

kev35