Hercule Poirot Sunday night

For those who were convinced it was Shoreham, I probabyl should have mentioned, it has been used, twice I think. I’m not sure of any episode titles, but I think there is one where someone is murdered by a poison dart whilst flying on a DC-3 and I think that used Shoreham.

Given their desire to find 1930s buildings, they might well have used the interior of Shoreham’s terminal as something other than an airport, so that might explain at least one of those.

Hello,

The location used looked remarkenly like South Cerney, which played “RAF Kingsmere” in LWTs (same company that made Poirot ?) “Piece of Cake” made in 1988.
this also featured Cambridge airport dressed up as “Le Touquet”.

Cheers

Right. Thought about this.

Confusion and Solution.

Marshalls was used for people arriving at an airfield. Now, if not this episode then it was an episode where Marshalls was used was as a mock up for maybe Toulouse? Had a look, can’t find the newspaper cutting/ magazine so . Didn’t see it the other night so relying on memory.

I have absolutely no doubts that the airfield was West Malling. Irrespective of wheter it could have been anywhere else, it wasn’t. I have just watched the footage again, upto the point where Mayfield informs the Minister that he intends to use the ‘Kestrel’ plans as a trap.

The filming took place whilst 618VGS were resident on the airfield. Metair had use of the main hangar that features behind the control Tower. The ‘Mayfield’ T2 was the northerly most hangar.

Well a bit more seaching has confirmed that it was MH434 but I dont think that was disputed. The tower was definitely a purposed built RAF type tower (I’m not precisely sure which one but it looked like one of the more substantial designs) so civvie fields like Shoreham are ruled out, but it still leaves a lot of places it could have been.

Given how long ago it was filmed, its not inconceivable that the location may no longer exist (or at least not in the same state). All I can remember was that the tower was painted white and there were some darker (possibly green or grey) buildings such as hangars immediately behind the towers.

Having visited ControlTowers.co.uk I note that there was a similar design of tower dating to 1936 which would have been more appropriate if the researchers are trying to get the period right. This tower was built at five stations including RAF Shawbury.

Poirot – The Incredible Theft

Chris, perhaps we are referring to either different Poirot episodes, or different parts of the same one.

Right from the opening scene of The Incredible Theft, the flying, taxiing and hangar sequences were shot at West Malling. Mayfield and the chap from the Air Ministry discuss the strength of the main spar stood in front of West Malling’s Tower followed by MH434 with Ray Hanna at the helm, taxiing back in with 618VGS HQ in the background.

At this point my archive record ends as there was no further flying that I recall. Presumably the Cambridge footage was after this point.

Perhaps certain bits were shot at Marshalls, the rest at Malling? I’m almost 100% certain the truck strafing sequence (which is the only thing I can recall of that episode, except of course the Spit!) was shot at the latter place.

The art deco building featured in the film is the present reception building at Marshalls airport. A feature on the make over for the filming was in the Cambridge Evening News and one of the monthlies at the time it was filmed.

Its why I posted it was Marshalls originally. :confused:

Which just helps to re inforce the fact that as stated earlier it was Marshalls reception at Cambridge………….

What was at Marshalls reception?

Which just helps to re inforce the fact that as stated earlier it was Marshalls reception at Cambridge………….

This shot was taken just a few months ago, West Malling Tower.

Septic.

It was most definately filmed at West Malling. A T2 hangar was painted with the name Mayfield.

It was back when the blast walls were still in place which would put it circa 1991.

I’ve looked at some pictures of West Malling and I’m sure it wasn’t as ornate as that, curses for not taking enough notice and concentrating too much on the a/c, I’m sure that the tower had a black board with white identification letters top right.
Incidentally, I’d be interested to know how long it took them to demolish the rc blast pens at Malling, we once had the bright idea of taking a ladder to the Warbirds display in order to sit on top of one and get the perfect view, unfortunately, we didn’t have a car between us that could take it, I think the ladder was longer than my MGB.

Checking the scores on the doors……

West Malling..3
Cambridge…..1
Duxford………0
Shoreham…..-1

The scenes were filmed at West Malling.

Septic.

I didn’t see it, but Mrs Paul F did, and she said she thought some of the airport shots were filmed at Shoreham, as she recognised the art deco buildings?

Paul F

Definitely not Shoreham, I live nearby and saw that place everyday of my life for more than five years. The tower is atop an art deco terminal whereas the tower in the program was a standard RAF spec watchtower (albeit with possible additions), circa 1941/42.

I’m sure I read someplace that the truck-strafing sequence in that episode was shot at West Malling, too.

I only saw a few moments of the programme whilst at work, and I thought the control tower and hangers in the background looked suspiciously like West Malling 🙂 pre alterations by Messrs Rouse Associates into ‘Kings Hill’…….. 😡
Ah, fond memories………almost certain certain it was not Shoreham.
Regards

Keith

Cambridge, also an art deco structure, sounds more likely.

Moggy

I didn’t see it, but Mrs Paul F did, and she said she thought some of the airport shots were filmed at Shoreham, as she recognised the art deco buildings?

Paul F