Jessie The Jeep Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 So you're on holiday, it's chucking it down with rain, and you don't want to sit in the tent all day, so what do you do? :idea: Go airfield hunting! Took a drive out around Dorset, Devon and Sommerset today on a grand tour through several squatty little villages on the way to take a look at the above mentioned airfields. First was Churchstanton, or what I believe is called Churchstanton as that was the closest big village to the airfield. There were a few buildings dotted around, and the upper floor of the abandoned tower was just visible through the murk. One of the runways appears to lead into a business park, and there is other concrete tracks still surviving. At the end of the airfield was a pig farm using several old rail vans as shelters, but among them was a large liquid tank - perhaps an unearthed underground fuel store? It was about twice the length of the rail vans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessie The Jeep Posted August 9, 2008 Author Share Posted August 9, 2008 Upottery was next, and from what I could see while dashing out of the car for a quick picture before being drenched, was a fairly intact airfield. We arrived at the North East corner near the technical site, where several buildings still stand, and the ghost like tower could be seen in the mist. The road curves left from the tech site and the first picture shows the road where it blends into the perimeter track before crossing the main runway. After that, it swings right along the perimeter track that runs pretty much parallel to the main runway. Much of the runways remain, and while we were there, a learner HGV driver was driving up and down the runways. Three of the pictures show views up the runways and at the end of on of the secondary runways is an anti-aircraft gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessie The Jeep Posted August 9, 2008 Author Share Posted August 9, 2008 Last to be visited was Dunkeswell, still an active airfield. A memorial stands next to the flying club, and the image suggests that B-24's operated from there, though it also says in memory of the 'US Navy' and 'USAAF' crews who flew there. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick W Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 That AA gun looks a bit neglected, cant really tell from the pics though.I suppose it would be hoping too much that it would be up for grabs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick W Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 Spent a dodgy holiday near Dunkeswell airfield. From what I recall there is a chapel near there deicated to the airmen. I think they were B24's, mostly engaged in sub-hunting and ship protection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
private mw Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 very intresting photo.s thanks for sharing .hope the weather picks up for you soon .................:coffee: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessie The Jeep Posted August 9, 2008 Author Share Posted August 9, 2008 Jack has promised it will be nice tomorrow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Farrant Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 Last to be visited was Dunkeswell, still an active airfield. A memorial stands next to the flying club, and the image suggests that B-24's operated from there, though it also says in memory of the 'US Navy' and 'USAAF' crews who flew there. Steve, There was a US Navy unit based there who were on anti submarine patrols in the Atlantic. The late President Kennedy's elder brother, Lt. Joseph Kennedy flew from there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessie The Jeep Posted August 9, 2008 Author Share Posted August 9, 2008 I knew Kennedy flew Libs, but didn't realise it was from Dunkeswell. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joris Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 Great stuff, visited Upottery last year and the weather was lousy too. Must be the place Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott9643 Posted August 20, 2008 Share Posted August 20, 2008 The day we were there the weather was better -- but the noise of screaming aircraft was horendous. Have a laugh at these! West Somerset MVT's trip out to the remaining buildings. For those who want to know more, there is an Airfields Heritage Trust that keep a mass of photos and documents for the three airfields on the Blackdowns, including a fascinating account and photos of Liberators being ripped in half by a steel cable tied between two Dodges by the Americans before they left the base. What a waste! The Bofors gun is a fifties version and was gifted to one of our members, Claud Cappell from the Beverley Museum whem it disbanded. It's not for sale but was put there to advertise the planned airfield open day in August. Unfortunately that was cancelled due to bad weather -- now there's a surprise! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Glasser Posted June 29, 2009 Share Posted June 29, 2009 Bit late but heres one to add. Dunkeswell taken from the Skydiver clubs aircraft at around 12,000 ft. and one of a Stampe over same. Sadly, this aircraft now written off after getting airborne by itself at Goodwood earlier this year! Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackpowder44 Posted June 29, 2009 Share Posted June 29, 2009 Bit late but heres one to add. Dunkeswell taken from the Skydiver clubs aircraft at around 12,000 ft. and one of a Stampe over same. Sadly, this aircraft now written off after getting airborne by itself at Goodwood earlier this year! Jeff Be very very afraid, I shall be arriving on Saturday, J.F. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Glasser Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 I'm sure the pleasure will be all mine J F Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trevor pitman Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 Churchstanton was also known as Culmhead, a GCHQ outstation. I understand all the masts have now been removed. Wolford Chapel, near to Dunkeswell, has Canadian connections Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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