Great idea.
Lest some forget.
Assuming we’ve nailed the location – it is possible that you took the above shots from the albeit limited viewpoint from ground level to the right of the old terminal building, alongside the spiral staircase that was a spotters favourite at the time. I certainly did the same, and suspect my shots which are stashed in the loft show the same angle from around the same time period before airport security ended the access point I mention….
Hm, don’t think so as if you look at the pics you’ll see I’ve been wandering among all the aircraft, not being static. Damn, I really thought it was Elstree especially after looking at it on Google maps :confused:
My dates are also obviously way off because of the registrations. Could it be Coventry? as that’s just up the road and I went to the museum there once…
9 July update: just found more pics of the same place, and same aircraft??? Anyway, can’t be Elstree as in the background of one is a set of aircraft steps, possibly dark blue or black, indicates large aircraft. I’m still puzzled.
Couple more pics which may help id from those knowledgable about registrations and where based.
Ok, thanks I’ll accept Birmingham, it’s not far from me, but I’ve no idea when I went there – or how I would have got access to the apron. Just found another batch of negs which might be the same place, have to get them scanned in and compare.
Birmingham? :confused:
OK, in my second post with the other photos I said I was sure it WAS Elstree, well I’m 99% sure anyway. If I’m wrong then I really need to know where I was 😀
Definitely NOT Norwich, |Southend, Blackbushe…never been to any of those.
If you use Google maps you will see it has been completely redeveloped. If you don’t know the layout of Kai Tak you’d be hard pushed to work out what was where. In your picture on the top left hand side of the ‘waste ground’ there is a large white building which I believe may be the accommodation block as it was the only building of that size we had. Is it possible to get a closer view?
@Flanker_man – the swimming pool was next to the accommodation block where I lived!
Here’s a view from my room across the airport. The low white buildings in the foreground are the 28 squadron offices/ready room/ground crew rooms
A few Kai Tak visitors from me:
Malaysian Airline System, Royal Brunei, Air Nauru and Sabena at Heathrow
So many memories.Wait a minute, think I need to get a zoom in as there’s a building left standing which looks very familiar 🙂
These photos were taken from my room, excellent view whatever the weather. Landings could be a little hairy, I took flying lessons there and we often had to slot in between jumbo and 707 or similar. 😀
Nice pics, especially the Bonanza. I remember the days when they were common. 🙂
Never been to Southend. The reason I think it’s Elstree is that I had to go to a business meeting there so being at an airfield I took my camera. Just googled it and I’m sure it is Elstree, best guess is 1995. Pics are a bit small as I ‘m wary of my limit on file space. Anyways, for Arm Waver here’s some more, same time same place. TSM belonged to TSM Holland so maybe PH-TSM.
Thanks for the reminder of the Kenley memorial, time I went down there. My uncle flew with 615 Squadron from there in 1941.
Nice selection of photos. We didn’t see too many 737s at Kai Tak but I’ve got a few which I’ll post when I can sort them.
If only !This is a photo of a photocopy out of an ‘autograph’ book belonging to a young lady friend of Peter’s. I’ve got one or two taken of him during RAF training somewhere, have to find those.
To put flesh on the stone, if I may. This picture of Peter Waghorn was taken on 15 June 1940 when he’d sewn on his newly awarded wings. He served with 111 and 249 Squadrons flying Hurricanes during the Battle of Britain. Ten months later, aged 20, he lost his life defending Malta. (His brother Bryan, a Spitfire pilot, lost his life 6 months later in October aged 19). Second photo taken April 2001, 60 years almost to the day.
Thanks for posting. I visited to place wreath on my uncle’s grave back in 2001, the 60th anniversary of his death. Sgt Peter Waghorn. Feel free to post if you have a picture of his resting place.