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T-21

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Viewing 15 posts - 451 through 465 (of 1,117 total)
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  • in reply to: Billing airfield,Northampton #1119567
    T-21
    Participant

    Blue Max and Chris Parker . The Mackaness family sold the Aquadrome in 2006 to Park Leisure . There is a book called “600 Years of The Mackaness family ” I will try to look up in Northampton library/record office next week . I wonder what aircraft Charles flew there in 1936 A Gipsy or Puss Moth ? Thanks for your help and input . Anybody out there can assist further please ?

    in reply to: Billing airfield,Northampton #1119595
    T-21
    Participant

    It was a strip or meadow I have not quoted a full blown airfield but still an airfield it does not have to have hangars or a control tower does it ? Lets find out its history not argue over airstrip v airfield ?

    in reply to: Billing airfield,Northampton #1119653
    T-21
    Participant

    There was a private air strip at Billing Aquadrome used by the Mackaness family notably Charles circa 1936 of Billing House,Great Billing ( their business was in quarrying). It was on a 40 acre meadow on Home Farm later known as the Flying Field. Its precise location is between Willow Lake and the River Nene,adjacent to Billing Mill and the locks. Later the air-strip was used for pleasure flights notably Chrisair using DH Dragon G-ADDI. By 1964 the site was overtaken by caravans and campers.It is possible that post war use was made by No.6 Reserve Flying School using Tiger Moths from Sywell.
    Do not confuse this site with the airfield at Denton further to the South. If you look at any 1950 aeronautical chart Billing is marked at 170 ft AMSL. Poorly recorded and documented anybody further details please ?

    in reply to: Old film gliding @ Podington 1963/4 #1120024
    T-21
    Participant

    Brilliant response about a lesser known airfield. The films were shot by Tony Barrow I am certain, RAFGSA and ATC gliding instructor thats him in the T-21 also. I know Derek Wilcox from my gliding at Lyveden,often aero-towed me home from out-landings. For Blue Max click on Topcameraman on YouTube It gives profile/contact details. Do you have a date for the newspaper cutting ? Harvey Britten(not Britain) and Colin Goodman ? started the Tiger Moth Flying Group I believe. Any further anecdotes on sixties Podington ? At the same time there was USAF Flying Clubs at Molesworth used Auster J/4 G-AJXY and Chelveston Aeronca 7AC ?

    in reply to: Old film gliding @ Podington 1963/4 #1134235
    T-21
    Participant

    Hi Dave,
    I met and knew Rex not Reg when at No.616VGS Henlow on Ventures. Flew alot of No.460 ATC Squadron cadets did you know Alan Gibson(Ark Royal Buccaneer landing fame ) ?

    in reply to: Ryanair – still a lo-co airline? #549126
    T-21
    Participant

    Please give me allocated seating everytime. Despite priority boarding with Ryanair it is totally disgusting to see other passengers rushing to get on/off the plane. As we landed at Malta they were unbuckled and trying to get their belongings as we were taxiing off the main runway. The cabin crew had to make an annoucement to sit down. :rolleyes:

    in reply to: Proctor 4 RM169 returning to England #1135539
    T-21
    Participant

    RM169 served with No.4 Radio School at RAF Madley.

    in reply to: Unknown RAF bomber base #1135548
    T-21
    Participant

    Thanks for the blow-up difficult to tell,most of the aircraft have the square fins of the Halifax B.3 . The smaller plane has an elliptical wing possibly DH.93 Don ?

    in reply to: Unknown RAF bomber base #1135635
    T-21
    Participant

    The more I look at the picture you can see contractor work on the taxiways. The fuel trucks could be contractors sand/cement lorries. It looks like the possible upgrade to Pathfinder Force from 01 April 1944. Quite possible that there are Halifaxes and Lancasters in the photograph. I reckon the photo was taken early 1944 ?

    in reply to: Ryanair – still a lo-co airline? #549153
    T-21
    Participant

    You have to watch Ryanair. Been to Malta with them only 15Kg baggage allowance per bag in hold,Air Malta give 20 Kg. They charge you 20 euro for every kilo that you are over,not much room for shopping and gifts and you really have to think about reducing clothes to take. Prices on flight too expensive 4.50 euro for a small beer Air Malta give you a meal. I should have paid the £20 supplement and gone Air Malta from Birmingham. Yes Ryanair were on time and easier to get to Luton,but wish food/drink cheaper on a 3 hour flight. Any drink you take thru Security is confiscated so you are stuck in a Catch 22 situation.

    in reply to: Unknown RAF bomber base #1135645
    T-21
    Participant

    No 35 Sqdn moved into Graveley August 1942 using Halifaxes until March 1944 when Lancasters took over. Note the small plane parked in the SE corner possibly a Proctor . The first use of FIDO at Graveley was on 19/20 November 1943 when 4 Halifaxes of No 35 Squadron landed using this system.

    in reply to: Unknown RAF bomber base #1135654
    T-21
    Participant

    The eastern end of RAF Graveley, notice FIDO equipped,and No.35 Squadron Halifaxes dispersed. The village to the left is Graveley the tree area called Duck End. The storage tanks in the foreground are fuel tanks and note what appears to be a line of parked fuel trucks.

    in reply to: Mystery aeroplane #1152061
    T-21
    Participant

    Potez family ??

    in reply to: Who's your favorite Aviation Artist? #1099142
    T-21
    Participant

    Gil Cohen,his paintings are so detailed and convey the atmosphere.

    in reply to: Who Is Your Favourite Aviation Author? #1099146
    T-21
    Participant

    Desert Island Discs(Books !) Roger Freemans “Mighty Eighth ” trilogy,”Lancaster At War” books by Garbett/Goulding. “Bomber Squadrons of the RAF” by Philip Moyes. “Catch 22” by Joseph Heller.

Viewing 15 posts - 451 through 465 (of 1,117 total)