Where is this?

Hi Folks,

I wonder if anyone can identify the location of this image? The aircraft is a 238 Squadron machine, probably circa 1947. I suspect it may be Abingdon, but I am not familiar enough with the site to be sure.



Any ideas?

Tom

Hello Tom,

Abingdon was a pre-war built airfield with excellent quality permanent accommodation including 'C' Hangars.

The photograph that you have posted does not show any architecture that indicates Abingdon. Behind the aircraft is. possibly, a Watch Office/Control Tower fronting a hard surfaced aircraft parking area with stanchion mounted floodlights. The buildings on the right appear to be temporary built hutting. On the left appears to be a Blister hangar.The hill to the right of the 'hangar' does not match the topography around Abingdon.

The photo may have been taken around the time of the Berlin Airfilft the destination invariably being Gatow but from what airfields in Britain did 238 Squadron fly in cargo as their contribution to the airlift?

Hi Peter,

Thanks for the useful insight on Abingdon. 238 was, as a transport Squadron, pretty nomadic. Between late 1946 and late 1947 the Squadron was officially based at Abingdon, although the overwhelming majority of aircraft and personnel appear to have been on a semi-permeant detachment to Schwechat (Vienna). The ORBs list a massive number of different airfields visited, all around the UK and Europe, so it could, in theory, be just about anywhere.

If we assume that you are correct about the image being slightly later (and you could very well be right), that might bring Oakington into the frame. The Squadron moved there around Nov/Dec 1947 and it does appear to have been the Squadron's primary UK base for the Berlin airlift period. Would Oakington fit with any of those features? Could it be a European airfield?