Visit from Top Brass-would anyone recognise the airfield?

We think it is Hucknall

I think it may be Andover. (Or more precisely my father claims it could be Andover).

www.doghousecrafts.co.uk/handdaf/andover/and.jpg

It does seem that both pics can be placed upon the above.

Also the Hangars do not match Hucknall's

Thanks for the interest, I'll try to find out a bit more about Uncle's movements in the early war years. I know auntie said they were near Nottingham for a time, but he visited so many airfields on his BD duties that it could be a red herring. If it was Andover, I wouldn't have to go so far for a then and now shot!
Thanks,
Fred

As Harris is present I dont think its Andover.

I don't think it was Scampton as the layout of the camp differed from the picture.
My dad informs me that Hemswell hangars were a different type.

Is there no reason it could be one of No4 group as he was AOC No4 group from 1937.
(Even though my dad, bless him still maintains it was Andover).

According to Wikipedia he was AOC 4 group in 37-38 as an Air Commodore. In the picture almost everyone is carrying gas masks so it must be later than that.

My dad informs me that the carring of Gas masks was made compulsory within the RAF in 1939. So we can narrow the date down even further.
However he also informed me that on some camps it was within SSO's from 1938 that gasmasks were to be carried at all times.
So we are looking at a time period of 3 to 4 years.

I believe that gas masks were carried during the Munich crisis, but when did Princess Alice become commondant of the WAAF (as it was then called)? My guess is after the start of the war, also the station concerned must have had WAAFs serving on it so that narrows it down more. Again my SWAG is Waddington.

canberra;47918 wrote:

I believe that gas masks were carried during the Munich crisis, but when did Princess Alice become commondant of the WAAF (as it was then called)? My guess is after the start of the war, also the station concerned must have had WAAFs serving on it so that narrows it down more. Again my SWAG is Waddington.

The Duchess of Gloucester became Chief WAAF in the spring of 1940. I understand the hangars in the picture are Belfast Truss and the hangars at Waddington are C Type. Andover has Belfast Truss and is possible that one of the temporary staff courses graduated in 1940. I still think that Hucknall which did some bomber training in this period and has Belfast Truss hangars is the best bet.

canberra;47918 wrote:

I believe that gas masks were carried during the Munich crisis, but when did Princess Alice become commondant of the WAAF (as it was then called)? My guess is after the start of the war, also the station concerned must have had WAAFs serving on it so that narrows it down more. Again my SWAG is Waddington.

i reckon well after war started : headlights are masked, anti splinter tape on windows, lots of sandbags and camo paint on hanger and its an aerodrome that had belfast trusses on the hanger that is !!