As a very brief outline, P-51s delivered to Liverpool were trucked to Speke for assembly by Lockheed Overseas Corporation. Then test flown by British test pilots (possibly there were Americans involved as well). When satisfactory they were collected by USAAF pilots from Ferrying Squadron detachments and flown to Base Air Depot No 2 at Warton which was the main reception for P-51s. Some, however, were handled by BAD No 1 at Burtonwood. They were then prepared for operational use and again flown out by ferry pilots to the southern UK or Europe. P-51s also passed through Avonmouth for assembly at Filton and, I believe, some went via Clydeside to Lockheed at Renfrew. BAD 3 at Langford Lodge in N Ireland may also have handled small numbers, but I’m not sure about that. The subject is complicated but extensive research in the archives is currently in progress.

It is indeed. The Oxford was AT667 of No 11 SFTS, RAF Shawbury. An engine cut on a low level training flight.

New to me too. Brief mention here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/88/a2188488.shtml

Looking at Ledbury on GE, there are several industrial complexes around the outskirts which or may not be recent builds. Or they could have adapted and/or added to those hangars. A Streetview scan might identify something

I don’t remember the pond from my 1960s visits either but it features in a number of other wartime photos known to have been taken at Prestwick.

Excellent. Thank you.

This was a wheel and tyre from Halifax G-AIHU which crashed on Cwm Mt above Prestatyn. When I went to photograph it in the 1970s at the garage where it was out front to advertise their tyres, the guy in charge told me it was from an aircraft which had crashed on the nearby hill. It later found its way to Grange Cavern Museum. When I saw it there in the 1980s it had the ‘Lancaster’ label. I believe it is now in the Fort Perch Wreck Museum at New Brightion.

Will an executive home development at Molesworth be known as Pneumonia Hill, because that’s what the 303rd Bomb Group called it …

I sent a link to this thread to my friend Zdenek Hurt in Prague who researches Czechoslovaks in the RAF. He says:

“About W/O V. Smolik´s suit I´ve got a report already yesterday. He was really ranked F/Lt. when released from RAF in 1945. When escaped in 1948 and rejoined RAF he was offered only as Pilot 4 and then went up with his ranks as NCO until 1968 or so and gained W/O in his service final. Smolik´s fate in post-war RAF (concerning much lowered rank obtained) isn´t a big exception amongst other Czech ex-RAF involved. For sample, Karel Posta DFC who went across border to the West in 1948 started his service with 17(AAC) Sqdn. on Spit 16s as Pilot 2. After his exceptional performance in 1950 at Farnborough he obtained back his final wartime rank F/Lt. soon.”

Dave Smith