Jessie The Jeep

We drove on down winding lanes, barely wide enough for some vehicles, then turned off through a forest for some 'ever so slightly' off roading! I think some of the staff car drivers were slightly concerned, but the track wasn't too bad. Part way through the forest, we all stopped and it gave those of us who came prepared, time to have lunch! The grassy track and woodland also made for some nice photo opportunities.

We assembled back at the vehicles and then drove further around the airfield onto the main runway, heading back in the direction from where we entered the field. There was a brief stop for doughnuts and wartime recollections by the tours special guests, before walking to the memorial for the laying of a wreath. Upon making our way back to the vehicles, there was a brief chance to chat before the plug fell out of the Pacific Ocean and it decended on Suffolk! ( Oh how thankful I was that my wooden doors were on the Jeep ). Others were travelling open top, but I imagine that rapidly changed! Before too long, the rain had eased and we were back on the road again.

Once the rear of the convoy arrived and parked up, we were free to explore several of the technical site buildings close by. Buildings that were assembled in a hurry, were considered temporary, but have lasted six decades, but are in a poor shape after 60+ years of neglect. They have a sad presence about them. Despite this and the hoards of MV owners looking around, it was quite easy to let your mind slip back in time and imagine the scene at the height of WW2. In the furthest building, which had poor natural lighting, there was a great deal of interest caused by a stack of very old packing crates!!! How long had they been standing there I wonder?

With much anticipation, the briefing at around 9am on Friday morning, was well attended. The first day of the tour was to be a shorter, less busy day as we all settled in to what was probably going to be the largest MV convoy in the area for many years. Nobody knew exactly how well it was going to work, but we all had our instructions and convoy numbers, and made our way to the vehicles to assemble in two rows; Green Convoy and Red Convoy. Two cones on the airfield perimeter track, marked the start point of each convoy. Most people go into approximately the correct position, though much moving was needed to squeeze in the late starters with early numbers! Not long before 10:00 hrs, the Green convoy set off, shortly followed by Red. Several motorcycle outriders were riding ahead to block off road junctions to alow the convoy through, though most of the route was planned to avoid main roads. A group of local school kids visiting the Parham Museum waved us off. They would meet us again later at Debach. The first four pictures show the convoy assembling, a view to the rear of my Jeep as we left Parham Airfield, Waiting on a private road near the first airfield, for Red section to meet with Green, and a double row of vehicles parked on the perimeter track at Leiston, an 8th Air Force Mustang base and the first Airfield on the tour. Because of time limits and flooding, some of the bases were missed off the tour, but this in no way spoiled the weekend.

Clive must have had a hard paper round! and Paul must use beauty products to keep him looking young!!

Some of the tracked vehicles were there or arrived on Thursday too. The Sherman was there when I arrived, and a Halftrack delivered late in the day. I was a little disappointed not to see the Sherman on the 65 mile drive on Saturday :-D but I'm guessing without selling off a small country, Adrian couldn't afford the fuel for that!! :roll: That's all for Thursday, but coming to a forum near you soon, Day 1!! Steve

As the afternoon slipped into evening, further vehicles arrived, boosting the numbers of vehicles to around a third of the expected entry. Some vehicles were driven, others brought on trailers. Longest milages had to come from the group from Wales and also those from North Yorkshire. Bodge would have possibly been the most Northern member if he hadn't blown up the engine on his car about 20 miles from HQ. He spent the rest of Thursday heading back North on a recovery truck.

Lynne and I had been on a camping holiday about 25 miles North of Bolero HQ for the previous week. On the Thursday morning, it took us around 3 hours to get up, pack the tent and jeep away and be ready to leave our camp site. After only about 20 minutes drive, we arrived at Bolero HQ around noon, and spent another 2 hours setting everything back up again! While quite windy, it was bright, sunny and warm. Several vehicles were already there plus a small but growing camp, based around two of the wartime 'Frying Pan' dispersals on the North side of Parham Airfield. It didn't seem long after setting the tent up that a low loader with two GMC's arrived, along with R Cubed and Rosemary. One of the GMC's was finished in Olive Drab with a hint of Pink! No sooner was it unloaded than the notice board was updated for all to see!!!!

I also forced Lynne into her HBT's for a photograph looking like she knows what she is doing with a spanner! Afterwards, I put on my flight kit for some other pics around the tower. While looking strikingly like 'Texas' George ( who is from Chicargo Mrs Jack! ), we are not related!! That concludes my Bolero Prequel. More of the real thing soon!! Steve

My picture recreation fortunately had good sunny weather. The original picture featuring the Group Engineering Officer, Eugene "Butch" Rovegno, was taken from the balcony of the tower, looking towards the Night Flying Equipment Store. The positioning of myself and the Jeep isn't exactly right, but close enough. While in uniform, I took the opportunity for some other pics, one of which is me on the tower, waiting for the bombers to come home.

A few days later on the 27th June, I headed off to Station 139 - Thorpe Abbotts, one of the Bolero destinations. For some time now, I've wanted to take my Jeep there and recreate a wartime picture that my Jeep scheme was based on. Having the Jeep in the area gave me the ideal chance. The museum itself began in 1977, and is probably the best museum to the 8th Air Force in England. The pictures below show the tower as it was found in 1977, and as it is today. A great deal of work has been carried out over the years expanding the buildings to create more display areas, but with the founders of the museum 30 years on from the start, they are looking for new members to help run the place. The visit also allowed me to revisit my first B-17 model, the small 1/10th scale one!

The two surprises during the day, was a display by Maurice Hammond in his P-51 which due to the weather popped in and out of the clouds at the higher points of the display. It was however dry, if dull, so the display was well appreciated. The second aricraft to display was the BBMF Dakota, but as can be seen from the picture out of my Jeep, the rain came just before the Dak, sending most people running for cover and so missing the flypasts. I managed to shoot a couple of pics from inside the Jeep, but the rain was so heavy, the aircraft appears very fuzzy.

There is a huge amount of information and artifacts at the museum in addition to the aircraft and is certainly worth a visit if you are in the area. One Nissen hut is dedicated to the 446th Bomb Group stationed at Bungay, and is full of 8th Air Force equipment and clothing. A small but impressive memorial stands outside. Also in attendance was Commander Ken Wallis and the real star of one of the 007 Bond films, 'Little Nellie', the Autogyro. Cmdr Wallis, a wartime Wellington pilot, is now around 93 and still regularly flying. The main exhibition hanger was full, but stalls, a stage, and seating were also added for the event.

My Bolero Tour began a week before everyone else, with a holiday in Suffolk. At the camp site, there was a poster advertising a Veterans day at the Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum, with a display of military vehicles. This museum is located just beside the old 8th Air Force Liberator base known as Bungay. Since I had the jeep with me anyway, and the weather wasn't great for anything else, plus the day had a Bolero feel to it, Lynne and I set off for the museum which was about 15 miles from the camp site. I think the mixed weather put a few people off taking their vehicles out as when we arrived, there was only a fire engine there! There was however plently to see, and a few surprises. The first four pictures show Lynne with 'Jessie', the fire engine, a Messerschmitt bubble car and a Vickers Valetta, one of only two surviving examples.

What a fantastic weekend, and the little late Saturday night ( early Sunday morning ) HMVF drinking session was a riot! I got home 23:15 on Sunday, and got the Jeep etc packed away by 00:15. I'm now looking through my 800+ photos wondering which 700 to post! Steve PS Don't anyone ask Jack about Petrol.

Well Lynne and I have dance tickets, and after a fashion, we can dance! Re drinks, I'll be on the rum ( 54.5% ) as mentioned in another post, probably with a petrol or meths chaser. Whiskey is a possibility if anyone has some with them. Lager and beer is for girls. :evil: If you can drive Jacks truck straight at the end of the night, you haven't had enough! :roll: Steve PS may have two tickets spare if a couple of friends can't get the time off work.

You think you'll find somebody responsible in this place :-D

Ah, but Bodge and I are working together now anyway!!! I'll have the first go!

Does this mean we can all play with Jacks truck until he gets there?? Steve PS Jack, you think you have to start early?? I'm leaving for Bolero tomorrow! Actually, I'm heading to Suffolk for a few days holiday before Bolero. :-D

So the knocking wasn't the Moths trying to escape from Jacks wallet!! That's ok, we can let them out when he gets his Tonka to Bolero. Steve

So nobody is going to Ursel then??????????

So Bolero then???????????

What kind of a gun fires Biscuits! A McVities 9mm?? :? Doesn't quite have the same ring to it! :dunno:

Give up, or get a bigger hammer!

I've been studying my detailed plan for Station 139 - Thorpe Abbotts, home to the 100th Bomb Group. There are several latrines marked 'RAF Latrine', but very few marked 'WAAF Latrine'. One each on the two technical sites and one at the HQ/Admin block. There are others on the WAAF barrack sites, but no others on the main airfield site. Studying the buildings around these few WAAF latrines, I've found the following buildings. In Tech site 1, Photo Block, Dinghy Shed, Main Store Offices and Parachute Store. Tech site 2 has Main Staff Block near the WAAF Latrines. The only building of these which resembles the photo you posted is the Dinghy Shed. I can't say for sure as to the identity of the building, but without more info, this is my best guess. Steve