I read this webpage about the making of “The War Lover” with interest ….
http://www.aerovintage.com/warlover.htm
…. but it raised a question in my mind.
I was quite young then but I have a memory of being taken to Bovingdon to see the B-17s there because they had some sort of special open day. I recall going out on to the tarmac, right up the aircraft and even going (or perhaps just looking) inside. There were others there doing the same thing.
It was 55 years ago and I have found no reference to this elsewhere. Can anyone reading this throw any light on this?.
By: T J Johansen - 22nd February 2017 at 17:50
I did download some photos a couple of years ago showing the B-17s at some sort of open day at Bovingdon. I can’t for the life of me find the site by googling, although I have the date I downloaded the files as well as when they were created. Unfortunately there is no copyright on them. But anyway, here they are. If you are the owner of said images and want them removed, let me know!
[ATTACH=CONFIG]251508[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]251507[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]251509[/ATTACH]
T J
By: ianwoodward9 - 17th February 2017 at 17:30
I have been delving in my ‘archive’ (i.e. boxes in the loft and the garage) and found my notes for Sunday, 11 March 1962. They are partly in pencil (which is much faded) and partly in biro (which is clearer) but the writing is small. Also, my eyes are less strong these days , I guess. Anyway, this is what seems to be written.
The page is headed “Bovingdon At Home” – perhaps that was its official name. My day started at Denham (nothing noted), went on to Bovingdon (of which more later) then to Luton (DC-4 G-ARXJ, Hiller 360 G-ARTG and three Jet Provosts XP570, 3 and 5), Panshangar (Monospar VH-UTH and others), Hatfield (a Canberra), Elstree (Auster AP-AHI and Tri-Pacer N31022 – or perhaps it was N3102Z) and finally Radlett (nothing noted).
My notes for Bovingdon include two B-17s, three USAF C-47s and a Magister. If you come across any photographs taken that day, I’d be pleased to see them.
By: ianwoodward9 - 17th February 2017 at 13:53
There was an ‘open day’ on 11 March 1962. I was there and have a couple of photos somewhere.
Thanks for that information. I’m a lapsed enthusiast but have kept some of my “stuff” from way back then. Having seen the webpage I cited earlier, I had assumed that it was in 1961. When I dug out an old notebook from 1961, I could find nothing about it. That is what perplexed me, as my memory was relatively clear, despite the passage of time.
I have to go out now but, once I return, I’ll see if I can dig out anything I have from my ‘aircraft days’ in 1962.
By: Steve Bond - 17th February 2017 at 13:31
There was an ‘open day’ on 11 March 1962. I was there and have a couple of photos somewhere.
By: Mark12 - 17th February 2017 at 12:41
I remember that. The word around was that some B-17’s had landed at Bovingdon and we all bundled in to somebody’s car to investigate.
The aircraft were parked on the dispersal bays. Not to be dissuaded by the fence we climbed over to get a closer look…and some crew there invited us aboard to have a look around.
About five years back I linked up with an old school pal and fellow enthusiast Dave Grimsdale who sent me the attached shot of us both.
I have no recall of an official open day.
Mark
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February 17, 2017 at 12:17 pm