The 'Introduce yourself' Thread

My names Andy I come across this group while looking for something else I now live in Barnsley South Yorks but grew up around the Lincoln.
I used to ride bikes/motorbikes along the old runways of Fiskerton airfield with my mates back in the 70,s I was also a member of the local ATC sqn (204)and this developed into a forty odd year passion for all things aviation,
I am mainly into airshow/museum photography but a recent visit to the now fading Binbrook made me think that these old airfields need documenting for the future before they are gone for ever.
I look forward to posting my views/photos and asking questions of this group

My name is Daryl, I live in Grantham and I'm a bus driver. No jokes please - I've heard 'em all.

I've been an aviation fan since the year dot.....my dad was 22 years in the R.A.F. and spent most of my time at Halton - went there a couple of years ago for the first time in about 10 years, and couldn't believe the legoland village that has built up around where the hospital used to be.

I was with the air cadets there as well, and flew 1 solo from the airfield, which I was very chuffed with.

I am an ex-plastic modeller and now spend a lot of my time helping in the creation of scenery for old airfields in Flight Simulator 2004, which is where this site will come in extremely handy - totally selfish I know, but hey it serves a purpose.

Have looked through many of the pictures on here, and can honestly say that I am quite saddened by the sight of the state of some airfields, and truly believe that our heritage is worth saving, in some form or another.

Cheers for now
Daryl

Welcome to the forum Daryl !
I soloed at Spitalgate in 1969 and in 70 -72 I was a part time instructor at Halton whilst I was an apprentice there : ).
Both great places to fly !!

Hello Andy and welcome

As you may have noticed Binbrook has declined significantly over the last few years...

Welcome Daryl. No need to apologise about using what you see to improve flight simulator games it all helps to perpetuate airfield history.

Did you hear the one about the bus driver and the actress............

I found this website due to engaging an ecologist who could see bats that no one else could. He must have a most unusual radar. He was expected to survey a 2 bed bungalow roof space that was double sealed and 100% clear of bats. Instead he introduced me to his vision of 40 bats based on less than a teaspoon of mature droppings. I was not born yesterday but nearly 82 years ago!!!!!!!!! He probably saves droppings.

He claimed that he was involved with RAF Bicester being developed. My investigations led to / and all our yesterdays. What a lovely place Bicester was. Grove was closing down. Warrant Officer at Command visited us in the Orderly Room and had worked with my collegue Ralph Binstead and said "I'll find you a nice posting Ralph." In the end Ralph agreed to stay on as all my "passengers" to the south had been posted. The official closure was 1st December. If I had stayed on I would have had 23 days to do????????????

Ron Ware

Hello Ron, welcome!


Sorry to hear about your invisible bats, I think!

hi, my name is Jean-Yves, 65 yo, retired engineer. i live in "bretagne", near Dinan.
with a group of model makers, we prepare a diorama 1/48 of an imaginary WWII RAF base. Oakington is our historic reference. This project will be presented for the remembrance of the liberation of France.
today we have in assembly 31 planes. all planes were lost in Brittany beetwen 1940 and 1944. wy use the database from "ABSA 39-45".
found this forum, registred, i look for informations and documentations on WWII RAF airfields.
more informations on :
fighters.forumactif.com/f16-diorama
aeromaquette.forumactif.fr/f18-le-diorama

(excuses for my english !)
Jean-Yves

hello All,
I am new to the Forum and trying to find out how many airfields there are in Eastern Europe. Is there a website where I can get this information?
many thanks for your help