An Upkeep update and some other matters

I am sure it is an N. His M as in Manston and V is quite different. Also assumed the entry ended in DN, but cannot link initials to an individual or organisation.

During the period he was attending Highball trials against the Courbet (the French target ship) in Loch Striven. Highball trials were also taking place at Reculver involving 618 sqdn.

Re timings. Based on other entries i read it as leaving Rothesay 7pm and he then took the night sleeper via Glasgow to Euston arriving next morning 7.20am. He also used 24 hour timings as well.

The only indication of where he stayed in Rothesay is a blank piece of notepaper tucked in the diary, headed Glenburn Hotel. He seems to have used the Miramar Hotel at Beltinge when attending Reculver trials.

This may be out of date by now but, if anybody is interested, I managed to track down Bob Handasydes log books, as well as (research-type) working with a distant relative of Shorty Longbottom. Their logbooks are a fascinating read...
AndyWis

Andy, I am very interested in Shorty's logbooks as he was a close wartime colleague of Leo Lane when they worked on the Highball trials at Recliner and Loch Striven. He attended Shorty's funeral with Gp Capt Wynter-Morgan as representatives of MAP on 14 January 1945 at Woking. Think that later Bob Handasyde took over some of the Highball trials flying?

Hi, John
I am a Volunteer at Brooklands Museum, working in the Library/Archives. About ten years or so back, we had an enquiry from a chap who was related to Shorty. He knew that he was an early proponent of aerial reconnaissance, and that he was killed at the end of the War flying a Warwick. He was unaware of what he did during the interim period.... He was gobsmacked when he found out about the bouncing bomb connection!! He and I became good friends and when went up to Hendon often to peruse old film and records.
I also tracked down one of Bob H’s daughters. She has his logbooks and so I copied all those. Very useful in tying up the details of experimental work carried out at Brooklands when used in conjunction with the flight and technical Records we have.
Although the Museum is now open, That only applies to the “front of house” Stewards - we lesser mortals still aren’t allowed back yet. However, I have a lot of info at home, so feel free to ask...
Keep well and safe,
Regards,
Andy Wilson

John, I forgot to mention; yes, I do have Shorty’s logbooks. The pre War logbook (paper copy’s) are at Brooklands whilst the Wartime period (from his time at Boscombe Down) I have digitised on my laptop.
Andy

I have Lane's 1943, 1944 and 1945 diaries which contain details of when he left home, where he went to attend meetings and trials. Occasionally there is mention in them of meetings and who attended. Also some "Most Secret" minutes of meetings. I have transcribed the diaries as best I can (though some words have puzzled me) and am happy to share them.

They would be interesting. When I indicated that I had Shorty’s logbooks, I meant to write that I had the digitised logbooks starting from his days at BD up to his final entry in Jan 1945!,