Sharing some old photos

The Air Torpedo Development Unit at Gosport operated Anson NK790.

Mark

I also don’t think they’d be dropping torpedoes in the Solent what with all that shipping in the area.

???

Stokes Bay torpedo dropping zone
The purpose of the Stokes Bay range was to observe the performance of torpedoes when they were dropped from aircraft. The torpedoes were not carrying any explosives and the anticipated use of the range was four drops per day.
Between 1930 and 1932 the Torpedo Development Flight flew out of RAF Station Gosport, situated at Grange Airfield between Forts Grange and Rowner at Gosport. The Torpedo Training Unit (Feb 1937 – 19 Mar 1940) also flew from RAF Station Gosport. The Torpedo Development Unit (1939 – 11 Nov 1943) then used the station and finally an armed services section known as the Air Torpedo Development Unit (Flight Section) ATDUFS maintained and flew various aircraft out of Grange airfield and launched torpedoes at the Dropping Zone sited off the beach at Stokes Bay from Nov 1943 – 18 May 1956. The aircraft used included the Vicker Vildebeest and the Bristol Brigand whilst numerous others underwent torpedo trials at Stokes Bay, such as the Blackburn Firebrand TF.III in 1945…
…In 1947 the ministry of Supply informed Gosport Borough Council that it wished to continue using Stokes Bay sea area as an aircraft range for research on torpedoes and torpedo installations in aircraft, as an air to sea range, and aircraft torpedo development unit; The Council agreed but wanted assurances that no torpedoes were to be dropped on Stokes Bay Beach!
In 1951 it was reported that the torpedo range at Stokes Bay was no longer satisfactory. The torpedo trials unit was moved to RNAS Culdrose in 1956 when RN Air Station HMS SISKIN was closed down and the airfield became HMS Sultan.

http://www.fortgilkicker.co.uk/torpedo.htm

That said, I do agree that the image doesn’t look very Solent-y.

15-Aug-38 TUTOR K3221 of C Flt Gosport crashed on take-off, Northolt.

Although in the Baffin picture, the land visible looks nothing like the land north of the Solent. Looks far too high and mountainous with the high ground too close to the coastline. I also don’t think they’d be dropping torpedoes in the Solent what with all that shipping in the area.

Thanks to you all for your input on these pictures. I assumed they were Gosport related somehow. I had never heard of “Guynemer Stork” but a quick Google brought up masses of info. Thanks John Aeroclub for pointing me in that direction.

If any of you can see RAF Chivenor in the stamp on the Anson photo you have a good imagination. I had looked at it many times and cannot see Chivenor. It could easily be correct, I will have to rely on you guys for that.

Also the Baffin picture l0cation still looks like the Solent for me, looking N ie with the IoW behind the photographer.

Thanks to all, your thoughts are much appreciated.

QP
.

As Steve (Bond) says. all the aircraft are associated with Gosport. The badge on the Anson is the Guynemer Stork.

John

Those are wonderful, thanks for posting!
Background to the Baffin looks a bit Mediterranean for the Solent to me, what does everyone else think?

I agree, it does look like Chivenor. Apart from the Anson all the others are Gosport based aircraft with either A Flt or C Flt.

The background hill certainly wouldn’t rule out Chivenor (if that makes sense!)

DD

…. I think it possibly says RAF Chivenor at the top.

Both 3 & 5 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit would fit with that.

Does this fit with the Graphic?

Mark

It certainly says Official at the bottom left but I think it possibly says RAF Chivenor at the top.

I think the back of the Anson photo says RAF OFFICIAL.

These are lovely old photos – really nice to see them!

Avro Tutor K3221. Nothing known at all.

Quoted from Avro Aircraft Since 1908 on the Librarun website –

The only versions significantly different from standard were the Avro Prefect and the Avro 637. The first was a specialised navigation trainer developed for the R.A.F. via a conversion of the Tutor K3221 illustrated on page 285. Seven built to Specification 32/34 replaced the old Mongoose Trainers at the School of Air Navigation, Andover, in 1935. They were merely two seat Tutors brought up to full Avro 626 condition (but without the third cockpit), and equipped with tail wheels and modified aileron circuits.

Unfortunately doesn’t go as far as the page with the illustration (unless you register possibly)

Anson – Free French?

Many thanks for posting these – really interesting photos.

That’s a great Nimrod picture and a very interesting serial – only 3 after K5054!

Very nice photographs, thank you for showing them.

I have tried to enhance the image somewhat. Maybe thiswill help.

QP

Why don’t you post up a picture of the writing on the back of the Anson picture? A fresh set of eyes may help. 🙂

I have shown this to quite a few folks here and no on can interpret the station. Good Luck.

QP

Why don’t you post up a picture of the writing on the back of the Anson picture? A fresh set of eyes may help. 🙂

I can’t help with any info, but they are lovely – thank you for posting them!

Adrian