The 'Introduce yourself' Thread

Thank you PNK. I agree about the golf. Its up there with launching yourself of a snow covered hill on two planks of wood.

......and throwing yourself out of a perfectly serviceable aeroplane. Welcome to the forum Nick

I have to admit, I have done that, twice.

Hi All

I am very pleased to have come across this most interesting site.

I have recently taken an interest in WWII aviation history, and just became a Friend of Duxford, which is around 20 minutes from my home in Saffron Walden, near to the former RAF Debden. My place of work at High Cross Lane East, Little Canfield, was a formerly a WWII supply base for the USAF at Easton Lodge. Whilst searching the internet for information, I found the following link:

www.disused-stations.org.uk/e/easton_lodge/index.shtml

"Beyond the level crossing a loop line was installed on the up side in 1942. From here loop a siding ran across the road serving the United States military store for Easton Lodge Airfield. After the war the siding was closed but on 1.3.1962 it was shortened and reopened to serve the Geest banana ripening plant, remaining in use until 17.2.1972".

From the Google link below, you can still see some of the concrete bases for the Nissan huts on site, and a few remaining huts can be seen on the premises next door. Check out the following Google satellite search for CM6 1TH:

maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=cm6+1th&um=1&ie...-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wl

Any information or suggested reference material to further my knowledge and research of local WWII airfields would be greatly appreciated.

I could post a scan of an aerial photo of the Little Canfield site taken around the early 1960's which shows more detail of the concrete bases and ground layout, along with a few remaining huts, if anyone would find it of interest.

Many thanks

Olebluenose

Please do post any information up that you can, if it is airfield related, then it is more than welcome. As you are too, welcome to the forum!

hi paul, i live half a mile from the airfield and know its history and layout, i have ww2 plans and some great old photos, i would be happy to join you on your walk round, you have to be very carefull about where you walk up there, most of the land is very very private and permission is never given by the estate owner, this is due to the whole landing ground being what they call a live game shooting estate?? anyway the chaps that monitor the site are used to me and allow me to wander round, i usually take some eggs with me from my chickens, keeps them happy! its a very quiet place now and the landing field has changed very little since ww2, anyway email me and i will give you my phone number etc This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
cheers

Welcome to the AIX forum, Olebluenose !

If you want to find out about your local WW2 airfields, then there's enough information on this splendid forum to keep you occupied for some considerable time !

There's a section for Essex Airfields (under Airfields, Northern Home Counties), but I expect that you'll find many items of interest in the other sections too.

If you're interested in the B-26's that were based at Easton Lodge, then I'd recommend that you take a look at "DIARY OF THE 386TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP" at www.b26.com/historian/chester_klier.htm , which covers the periods when the group was based at Boxted and later at Easton Lodge.

Denis/SXS

Thanks to you both for the warm welcome. The link to the 386th is much appreciated. I will try and post the scan of the aerial view of the military store for Easton Lodge Airfield tomorrow evening.

Brgds

Welcome to the forum Olebluenose. Just realised that Easton Lodge was an alternative name for Great Dunmow. 'Action Stations' also calls it Little Dunmow, however the most common name I've seen has been Little Easton. All a bit confusing.

However are you aware that your place of employment is very close to an 'airfield that was never built'. Station 177, High Roding was allocated in August 1942, but construction was postponed indefinitely on 6 Dec 1942. It would have been a satellite base along with Rivenhall, for Boreham. Though nothing ever happened there is a Site Plan available from the RAF Museum, Hendon (High Roding 11748/42) which could prove interesting. You could wind up your work colleagues about it being plans for London's Fourth Airport. (just hide the date!)

Graham