The 'Introduce yourself' Thread

Hi there mudcake, Welcome to the forum, Thorpe Abbotts was also one of the very first 8th Air Force airfields that I explored back in the mid eighties. As you say; ''There is definitely something about the place'' I used to call there every other sunday on my rounds for about 7 years, loved it. Haven't been for about a year now....long overdue !!

Harvard T2B KF211 , CFS , aircraft was seen to enter a spin between 4000 and 5000 feet and was also seen spinning at a lower altitude but aircraft failed to recover and crashed in to the ground killing the crew of two ;
Master Pilot Francis Hubert Bloomer
Sergeant Barry Peter Morgan

Drop me a PM lyndamoore and I will help were I can .
Good luck !

mudcake;120086 wrote:

Thanks guys.
I'm mainly interested in WW2 US airfields in Britain and anti invasion defences. I'm no expert, just enjoy the combination of walking in the English countryside and exploring the past, not to mention all the military museums.
Thorpe Abbotts is my favorite. It was the first place I ever explored and there's something about the place that keeps bringing me back.

Thorpe Abbotts is just round the corner from me, only a couple of miles away. One of my fovourite airfields too.

Will you be visiting there again when you head over?

Welcome to AiX too.

My Father Kenneth Hughes was in ND948 when it was taken down by AAA on raid 24th June 44 to attack V1 at Prouville. I have now found images of the crashed Lanc in parts on the ground.

My father was sent to Bankau so my interest is to find everything I can about this short term camp - and the dreadful forced march on the 19th Jan 45. I have recreated a scaled image of the camp in its precise location.

Post-Crash investigation report.

discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/details?Uri=C424258

You've have to order it on-line or pop down to Kew to take a look/copy.

Hello, my name is Al and I have joined this site because I have a huge interest in airfields particularly disused airfields and buildings. This also includeds facilitied such as Thor missile and HQ sites. I spent 24 years in the RAF and am now a Cabin Manager with Easyjet based at Luton. I am also interested in photography and aviation.

Hi
My late father served on a Starfish site in Cheshire which as far as I can recall was to replicate Warrington marshalling yards (but I may be wrong!). I know he spent time at Shepperton studios learning his 'craft'. At a later date he was seconded to the RCAF as ground control, and was with 39 Recce unit, a photo reconnaisance unit for 2TAF comprising 400, 414 and 430 sqdns all Spitfire Mk 14? by 1945. Landed in Normndy on D day +2 and followed the front line all the way to Luneburg and was there when the Germans capitulated. Then went on to Sylt on flying control until demob.
He was also employed in the building of St Athan in 1938 working with the surveyors as a 'chain man' presumably setting out the site.
I am interested in any part of his life and hence joined here when I came across it. I am interested particularly in Starfish and Saints but also any connection to RCAF
Llanarth

Welcome to AiX Llanarth.

You need to track down a copy of the following book which is 'the bible' on the history of Decoy Sites. Your local public library should be able to order up a copy or you can try Internet sources:

Fields of Deception - Britains Bombing Decoys World War II - by Colin Dobinson, ISBN 0-413-74570-8

It would have been interesting to talk to your Dad about his experiences on a decoy, first hand accounts are now rare.

If you are a Google Earth user, you can find (through AiX) a KMZ file to download into GE that shows the locations and names (and cover) of all military and civil decoys. Perhaps one of our members can give you a link.

As you have probably found, St Athan features in AiX and we have many knowledgeable members with a specific interest in that MU/Airfield so any questions, ask and you should get assistance.

If you have any contemporary photographs from your father's service career we should be interested in seeing them.