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Cartwheels on Airfields
- Peter Kirk
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13 May 2009 22:07 #1
by Peter Kirk
No Amount Of Evidence Will Ever Persuade An Idiot (probably not Mark Twain)
Cartwheels on Airfields was created by Peter Kirk
I have noticed on a couple of airfield a cartwheel shaped concrete area (or orange slice if you like) which I assume to be compass related. The two that spring to mind are Weston-on-the-Green and Hullavington.
Can anyone confirm their purpose, why that design and when were they laid down? I assume postwar.
Any other airfields have them. My main interest is dating evidence.
Can anyone confirm their purpose, why that design and when were they laid down? I assume postwar.
Any other airfields have them. My main interest is dating evidence.
No Amount Of Evidence Will Ever Persuade An Idiot (probably not Mark Twain)
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- PETERTHEEATER
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14 May 2009 07:17 #2
by PETERTHEEATER
Replied by PETERTHEEATER on topic Cartwheels on Airfields
By chance, as I was looking (in Google Earth) for the lube oil depot at Barton I spotted a similar 'wheel' on Barton airfield however it does not show on Flash Earth
www.flashearth.com/?lat=53.46969 ... =0&src="msa "
Adjacent to it are some grassy circles.
www.flashearth.com/?lat=53.46969 ... =0&src="msa "
Adjacent to it are some grassy circles.
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- JCB
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14 May 2009 07:42 #3
by JCB
Replied by JCB on topic Cartwheels on Airfields
PNK: Do you have a picture of this feature> Many pre-war airfields had a circular concrete marking known as the "Landing Circle". This was mounted flush with the surface and denoted the centre of the landing ground. I think it features on the Record Site Plan of a number of RAF expansion-period airfields (before runways were laid of course) and I remember the one at Grimsby Waltham was still visible in an aerial photo taken as late as 1972.
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- mawganmad
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14 May 2009 09:05 #4
by mawganmad
James Thomas
Replied by mawganmad on topic Cartwheels on Airfields
'Cartwheels on Airfields' You're not allowed to perform them on an airfield!
I'm not sure what you are reffering to exactly, but are these airfields all grass? If so and there is one concrete circular pad then it probably is the compass bay.
St Athan has a few concrete circles and the only explanation I've heard for them is that they were barrage balloon mooring points, but I have never seen official reference to them or their use here.
I'm not sure what you are reffering to exactly, but are these airfields all grass? If so and there is one concrete circular pad then it probably is the compass bay.
St Athan has a few concrete circles and the only explanation I've heard for them is that they were barrage balloon mooring points, but I have never seen official reference to them or their use here.
James Thomas
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14 May 2009 10:35 #5
by Peter Kirk
No Amount Of Evidence Will Ever Persuade An Idiot (probably not Mark Twain)
Replied by Peter Kirk on topic Cartwheels on Airfields
These are the Hullavington and Weston ones
[attachment=0:2o96bd93]Hullavington Cartwheel.jpg[/attachment:2o96bd93]
[attachment=1:2o96bd93]Weston Cartwheel.jpg[/attachment:2o96bd93]
These are rather elaborate for compass platforms and look rather odd.
[attachment=0:2o96bd93]Hullavington Cartwheel.jpg[/attachment:2o96bd93]
[attachment=1:2o96bd93]Weston Cartwheel.jpg[/attachment:2o96bd93]
These are rather elaborate for compass platforms and look rather odd.
No Amount Of Evidence Will Ever Persuade An Idiot (probably not Mark Twain)
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- mawganmad
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14 May 2009 10:48 #6
by mawganmad
James Thomas
Replied by mawganmad on topic Cartwheels on Airfields
Yes completely different.
James Thomas
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- Peter Kirk
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14 May 2009 10:57 #7
by Peter Kirk
No Amount Of Evidence Will Ever Persuade An Idiot (probably not Mark Twain)
Replied by Peter Kirk on topic Cartwheels on Airfields
The circles at St Athan, could they be hardstands? A lot of early war grass airfields had the odd hardstand in the middle of grass before proper peri tracks were the norm. Some would have had a small vehicle track whilst other might have a lead in handle, again not attached to any peri track but may somtimes be attached to roads. Just a thought.
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14 May 2009 11:00 #8
by carnaby
Plan A is always more effective when the problem you are working on understands that Plan B will involve the use of dynamite
Replied by carnaby on topic Cartwheels on Airfields
Surely WAAFs would be allowed to do this ?'Cartwheels on Airfields' You're not allowed to perform them on an airfield!
Plan A is always more effective when the problem you are working on understands that Plan B will involve the use of dynamite
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14 May 2009 11:03 #9
by Peter Kirk
No Amount Of Evidence Will Ever Persuade An Idiot (probably not Mark Twain)
Replied by Peter Kirk on topic Cartwheels on Airfields
Did they tuck their skirts in their knickers like they did at primary school?
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14 May 2009 11:34 #10
by andrewayers
Replied by andrewayers on topic Cartwheels on Airfields
hi all
the cartwheels were for parachute training
a barrage balloon with a large basket for something like 6 people was moored in the middle
the cartwheel was so that in any wind direction they could still train
regards
andrew
the cartwheels were for parachute training
a barrage balloon with a large basket for something like 6 people was moored in the middle
the cartwheel was so that in any wind direction they could still train
regards
andrew
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