I recently came across this photo but question it's location!
Having read the history of Hedon Aerodrome, I cannot see that this photo would have been of Hedon due to it's proximity to Hulls Barrage Balloon Squadrons, and I haven't read anywhere of the PSP decking ever having been used there!
Can anyone shed any light on the pic?
The OA code on the Beaufort indicates 22 Sqn, who were based at North Coates Apr 40 to Jun 41. Is the surface actually PSP? I don't think it was in use then. Could it be Somerfeld track?
It must be North Coates as you cannot operate a torpedo unit without the proper facilities for torpedo preparation and maintenance, all of which required special buildings. The PSP is an effect, I suspect, cause by tyre marks made by the towing vehicle. The torpedoes also appear to be a mix of live and practice, assuming the dark tipped ones are red and the others are not yellow and we can't see the difference. Never did find out what red and yellow heads meant
I assume the "near Hull" reference was a wartime caption and slightly less vague than somewhere in England. I would also say that Brough is out of the question for the torpedo reason and I doubt torpedoes were brought in specially for a photo.
No Amount Of Evidence Will Ever Persuade An Idiot (probably not Mark Twain)
North Coates without a doubt, taken in 1940. 22 Sqdn Beauforts and 812 Sqdn Swordfish. Just on of a set of around 4 set piece photographs taken by the Air Ministry
Hangars look right for North Coates, as does the QA code, but I am surprised nobody has mentioned Catfoss, which was the home of No 2 (Coastal) OTU. What type hangars were there?
North Coates without a doubt, taken in 1940. 22 Sqdn Beauforts and 812 Sqdn Swordfish. Just on of a set of around 4 set piece photographs taken by the Air Ministry
Brian should know !
here are two more from the same series from the IWM
Mark XI aerial torpedoes being taken out on trolleys towards a Bristol Beaufort Mark I, L4516 'OA-W', of No. 22 Squadron RAF at North Coates, Lincolnshire. Shortly after this photograph was taken, L4516 was destroyed when it stalled after a night take-off from North Coates and hit the ground near Marshfield, detonating the mine it was carrying.
Beaufort L4516 of No 22 Squadron with an array of torpedoes at North Coates in early December 1940. This aircraft was lost later in the month when it crashed on take-off.
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