Podington

[Ossington_2008]

From Jun 97. Now better known as Santa Pod Raceway. The grandstand & start of the strip are way off picture to the right
http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo322/Ossington_2008/PodingtonJun97.jpg

[TJJ]

Picture taken during the rehearsal for the Fen Farm Mosquito Missing Man Flypast the day Brian Brown was killed at Shoreham in the Hurricane accident. G-DOGG is the former RAF display Bulldog.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v165/YakRider/PodingtonFormation.jpg

[PNK]

Went to a raceday there in the early eighties. It was a bit boring after you see a few blast down the stip. In the end you are waiting for an accident just to liven things up. The British Grand Prix was the same at Brands Hatch in 198?. A few noisy cars wizz past and then it's back to the paperback. Apparently some famous drivers were in those cars. I couldn't tell!

[hornet]

hi guys, found this on you tube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aX8eLNz13V0
supposed to be from podington in 1944
cheers, Hornet

[Brothmark]

I got to be part of moving the 'Big Picture' from Podington to Duxford in the late 1980s. My wife's transportation Squadron at Alconbury provided manpower and equipment. The late John Mills was very instrumental in making this happen

[Brothmark]

Podington's 'Big Picture' project

[Blackadder]

Another windfarm proposal here too

http://www.clowd.org.uk/

[Dave Smith]

Brief clip with sound only for the first few seconds (!) showing construction of Podington runways, allegedly. What looks like a Vultee Vigilant flies past and a Whitley takes off from a new runway while the areas alongside are still being graded.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXMy_ApAZrM

[Carnaby]

Good find Dave. Trouble with YouTube is that it then leads to other clips and next thing you know it's time for bed :wink:

Here's another:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NH0cFosl7Wc

Paul B - do we see HILV runway lights in this clip, or is it wishful thinking ?

Another:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_WepIIcW9w

Graham

[P Bellamy]

Paul B - do we see HILV runway lights in this clip, or is it wishful thinking?

I looked at the second link first, thinking that was the one you meant.
No HILV visible in that one, but as 42-31613's belly landing was on April 19th 1944 I would think that was too early for them to be fitted.

Looking at the first link though, definitely some HILV lamps visible there.
To get a timeframe for these, the coloured Group Markings on 43-37535 were applied during August 1944, and she was lost in action on September 22nd 1944.

All the best,
PB

[buccaneer66]

A nice aerial of santa pod/podington http://www.webbaviation.co.uk/gallery/v/northamptonshire/santapod/santapod-ba24865.jpg.html?g2_GALLERYSID=82ea0874498db5da67d df36f18b28480 (http://www.webbaviation.co.uk/gallery/v/northamptonshire/santapod/santapod-ba24865.jpg.html?g2_GALLERYSID=82ea0874498db5da67d df36f18b28480)
This chap takes some nice pictures I may purchase a print of this one.

[DamienB]

Podington yesterday - I guess there's an event on this weekend!

http://www.thunder-and-lightnings.co.uk/public8/podington2010.jpg

[REF]

Couple of good rare videos on youtube I have seen;

PODINGTON AIR BASE, NORTHAMPTON GLIDING CLUB 1950s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyZj6EQYDRE

PODINGTON AIR SHOW, RARE FILM TAKEN IN 1960s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_ZkRSbEW1A&feature=related

[ebno]

Ah! Memories...... Knew Podington back in the 60's when it was virtually intact. Was used as a Civil-Defence strage depot (as was Desborough). Gliding took place there using
auto-tow and an old US surplus truck. Also a chapter of the Tiger Club was there for a while with the 'big-picture' building used as clubhouse. I saw the big picture when that room was used for a pig birthing. Also in that building were other murals depicting little friends and raid depictions ---also one with signatures of aircrew. The tiger club added to the mural collection with a yellow Tiger Moth (G-ANLR ?). At ploughing time little bits of dural could be found and also the odd machine-gun round (some ball - some tracer).
We used to pull the heads off, empty the cordite out and keep them ! I revisited Podders in the 90's with my sons (as they thought my stories were a bit 'tall') and the mural could just about be seen along with some decorative painting on the overhead beams. A guy was using the space to weld cars ane he kindly let us look around. Finally we found the old ops block which you couls still see inside. On the wooden door there we saw some barely discernable stencilling....it said "MISSION AMERICA - 1942" !. As is always the case, I didn't have my camera.....whn i went back with it (3Years later) it was sadly gone.

[ebno]

correction.....2nd para should read 'murals' ...........the big picture had long been recovered by then.

[Brothmark]

correction.....2nd para should read 'murals' ...........the big picture had long been recovered by then.
When I was at Alconbury in the late 80s the 10th Transportation Squadron and I helped move the Big Picture to Duxfordhttp://mighty8thaf.preller.us/gallery/Podington/bigpic

[WiganMick59]

A few images of Podington taken Thursday 24th June, many thanks to REF and NJR.

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff96/TigersUK7/Podington/HarringtonSywellPodingtonTwinwoo-36.jpg
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff96/TigersUK7/Podington/HarringtonSywellPodingtonTwinwoo-34.jpg
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff96/TigersUK7/Podington/HarringtonSywellPodingtonTwinwoo-32.jpg

Ops Block
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff96/TigersUK7/Podington/HarringtonSywellPodingtonTwinwoo-31.jpg
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff96/TigersUK7/Podington/HarringtonSywellPodingtonTwinwoo-26.jpg
Chute Store
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff96/TigersUK7/Podington/HarringtonSywellPodingtonTwinwoo-19.jpg
Bomber Teacher
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff96/TigersUK7/Podington/HarringtonSywellPodingtonTwinwoo-14.jpg
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff96/TigersUK7/Podington/HarringtonSywellPodingtonTwinwoo-7.jpg
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff96/TigersUK7/Podington/HarringtonSywellPodingtonTwinwoo-5.jpg

Tower from the end of the main runway.

cheers,

Mick

PS My battery expired on the camera at some point.....So I didn't get a close up of the tower, which is now a house. Hmmmm must get a property guide for that area!

[stevie]

I'll post some of my tower shots up as soon as i've got round to uploading them! Took a hell of a lot of pics that day :-D. Gonna take a lot of uploading!!

Great pics mate

Steve

[WiganMick59]

Welcome back to the internet mate! Here are a few more pictures from Podington.

Memorial
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff96/TigersUK7/Podington/HarringtonSywellPodingtonTwinwoo-39.jpg
Norden Bomb Site Building
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff96/TigersUK7/Podington/HarringtonSywellPodingtonTwinwoo-29.jpg
MT Section
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff96/TigersUK7/Podington/HarringtonSywellPodingtonTwinwoo-18.jpg

[stevie]

Welcome back to the internet mate!

Thanks!! It may have been only six days without a connection but it felt like six years!!!!!!

I was suprised with how much actually still survives at Podington! I honestly wasn't expecting so much. Well worth an explore!

Steve

[REF]

I think there is more to see there too, I would like to head back but I think it'd be better in the winter.

Nice pis by the way and good to see you've sorted the internet out Steve!

[buccaneer66]

An interesting video on youtube


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aX8eLNz13V0

[Gavin Hadaller]

Hello all,

I'm looking for more photos information and stories about the Podington airbase.

My grandfather was Staff Sgt George Waldschmidt, the painter of The Big Picture. I am trying to find out more about his bomber, the guys on board, the stories behind El Lobo and El Lobo's Cub (or El Lobo 2 as some of them evidently called the bomber). I was in my early teens when the painting was moved to the Duxford Imperial War Museum and while I had the honor of meeting some of the remaining Podington Englishmen, the remaining crew from El Lobo and all those affiliated, I wasn't old enough to truly appreciate the experience. I'm hoping that perhaps there are still folks out there who know about the story behind the plane, the wall art and the base. If so, any info you have would be more than greatly appreciated. You can contact me at Ghadaller@yahoo.com.

Anyone who is interested in Staff Srgt Waldschmidt's other art work that was done both prior and after The Big Picture, please feel free to contact me and I will be more than happy to provide pics and whatnot.

Thanks in advance!

Gavin C Hadaller.

[captainflynn23]

Santa pod Sept 2010..

http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2010/254/9/7/santa_pod_by_captainflynn-d2yis9g.jpg

[REF]

Couple more videos courtessy of youtube!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-rDorfpqzg


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeMCrrDMWpU

[REF]

Some photos I took on the visit to Podington on 24 June 2010

1 - Control Tower / Watch Office for Bomber Satellite and BOTU Satellite Stations (Building 5) (Drg No 13726/41 & 15683/41)
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb198/Flyer719/BEDFORDSHIRE/Podington/20100624Podington47-1.jpg

2 - Control Tower / Watch Office for Bomber Satellite and BOTU Satellite Stations (Building 5) (Drg No 13726/41 & 15683/41)
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb198/Flyer719/BEDFORDSHIRE/Podington/20100624Podington45-1.jpg

3 - Picket Post (Building 69) (Drg No 12404/41)
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb198/Flyer719/BEDFORDSHIRE/Podington/20100624Podington21-1.jpg

4 - Floodlight Tractor & Trailer Shed (Building 83) (Drg No 12411/41)
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb198/Flyer719/BEDFORDSHIRE/Podington/20100624Podington43-1.jpg

5 - Officers Mess (Building 172) (Drg No 15339/40)
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb198/Flyer719/BEDFORDSHIRE/Podington/20100624Podington12-1.jpg

6 - Armoury & Part Armoury Maintenance Unit (Building 10) (Drg No 15345/40 & 9882/42)
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb198/Flyer719/BEDFORDSHIRE/Podington/20100624Podington63-1.jpg

7 - Gas Chamber & Barrack Block (Building 36) (Drg No 13023/41 & 1199/43)
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb198/Flyer719/BEDFORDSHIRE/Podington/20100624Podington23-1.jpg

8 - Squadron Commanding Officers Office (Building 39) (Drg No 9023/41)
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb198/Flyer719/BEDFORDSHIRE/Podington/20100624Podington66-1.jpg

9 - Photographic Block (Building 104) (Drg No 4781/42)
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb198/Flyer719/BEDFORDSHIRE/Podington/20100624Podington30-1.jpg

10 - Runway 05/23, looking north east from the runway 11/29 intersection
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb198/Flyer719/BEDFORDSHIRE/Podington/20100624Podington55-1.jpg

[P Bellamy]

7 - Gas Chamber & Barrack Block (Building 36), originally Operations Block & Crew Briefing Room for Bomber Satellite & Bomber OTU Satellite Airfields Drg No 13023/41.

PB

[Hal_Chase]

I keep driving past an 'extra' building that's not listed on TommyUSA's Podington overlay but looks very RAF/Military, does anyone here have a site plan for Podington that could confirm this?

If it is military then its certainly dispersed !

I can provide grid refs if required.

[seebee1]

Pleased to hear this Bomber, although shame to hear that the pin-up ones may no longer be in good condition. Trying to conserve wall-art is a very tricky business, not really for the amateur. I always used to believe it was best to just try to save what there is, stabilize and conserve. I came to this conclusion after seeing the results of "The Big Picture", the B-17 wall-art removed from the 92nd BG at Poddington some years back. It resides at the IWM Duxford in what was the 8th AAF hanger. The preservation-conservation was carried out by someone who knew what they were doing, but it was never the same once renovated and really not at all good as it originally was. If you have images of the art-work today at Shipdham I would be keen to see them. Kind regards, Clive.

[Bomber]

Hi Clive yes i do have slides of the shipdham art work & photes & believe it i also have it on a cd i made on derelect airfields in 1994 .
As for the B17 from Poddington 92nd bomb group. I again photed the mural back in 1972/3 when it was in situ i clearly remember the farmer taking me into the building as it was being used as a pig shed. You are quit right about the rework on it does not seem to have the same look as it did at Podington. I hope i can see it next Sunday as i will be at Duxford then . As for you seing the pictures i hope before to long to get my slides put on to a cd & hard drive i will then get them up on IAX.

[seebee1]

I look forward to seeing the images that you mention Bomber, also if you take one of the Poddington B-17 at Duxford would be keen to see this as well. I guess that those who see it will never realize how it looked when it was in its original location, in some ways I wished it had stayed there, but the building is now totally derelict and would never have survived. Regards, Clive.

[Bomber]

I visited Poddington a couple of years agoe with some ARG members and i did go back to the building where the mural was & it was in a poor state so i agree with you it would not have survived . I will try & get a photo Sunday & get Steve to post it up .
Regards ,
Bomber .

[SomewhereinEngland]

Hi all, on a recent visit to Podington myself and a representative from the 92nd BGMA visited the crash site of B-17G 42-32001 which was one of 4 ships that were lost on the field on the 28th May 1944. The other 2 ships crashed head on following a recall in bad weather on the main runway, with the 4th being lost on return to Podington. There are still 2 craters in the ground and the trees still bear many scars from that tragic day. We were very lucky to have the kind co-operation with the landowner and i'm looking forward to returning to explore a bit more of this corner of the airfield soon. this is a photo of us with the wreath that we laid: 9081 I'll dig out a few more of around the site too.......... Regards, Dan

[Hal_Chase]

Hi all, on a recent visit to Podington myself and a representative from the 92nd BGMA visited the crash site of B-17G 42-32001 which was one of 4 ships that were lost on the field on the 28th May 1944. The other 2 ships crashed head on following a recall in bad weather on the main runway, with the 4th being lost on return to Podington. There are still 2 craters in the ground and the trees still bear many scars from that tragic day. We were very lucky to have the kind co-operation with the landowner and i'm looking forward to returning to explore a bit more of this corner of the airfield soon. this is a photo of us with the wreath that we laid: 9081 I'll dig out a few more of around the site too.......... Regards, Dan

Hi,
Whereabouts was the crash site...sort of looks familiar to me that's all !

[SomewhereinEngland]

It's in a secluded and very private bit of woodland off the end of the main runway, took a lot of work to get access but it's a beautiful place. I did try uploading more pictures but the file size is too big....... there's a few more on the Somewhere in England Tours facebook page if you want to check them out.
There is also another woodland crash site at Podington but that's at the opposite end of the airfield...... I'm hoping to get up there this coming winter, will keep you all posted!

[Hal_Chase]

It's in a secluded and very private bit of woodland off the end of the main runway, took a lot of work to get access but it's a beautiful place. I did try uploading more pictures but the file size is too big....... there's a few more on the Somewhere in England Tours facebook page if you want to check them out.
There is also another woodland crash site at Podington but that's at the opposite end of the airfield...... I'm hoping to get up there this coming winter, will keep you all posted!


Sorry I don't go anywhere near Facebook :wink:

I know where you mean more or less, if it's off to the left of the Three Shires Way Byway at least. I grew up within a couple of miles from there so used to go rummaging around in all the woodland there (mainly the top end of the runway though). Would be interested in joining you, if and when you get back there (and if you don't mind :))

[stevie]

I will try & get a photo Sunday & get Steve to post it up .
Regards ,
Bomber .

On behalf of Bomber -
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r172/spinback/Hinton%20in%20the%20Hedges/DSCF3417.jpg

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r172/spinback/Hinton%20in%20the%20Hedges/DSCF3421.jpg

[Bomber]

Hi seebee1 here are the pictures i took last Sunday at Duxford i hope they are ok for you .
Also thanks Steve for posting them up for me .
Bomber . 8-)

[seebee1]

Excellent images Bomber. I need to find the original pictures I took when it was in its original location at Poddington, unfortunately not sure where they are. There is a huge difference between how it was then and how it is now, some folk like the restoration, but others preferred it as it was. My choice would have been to have left it as it was, carefully conserved and preserved. I thought at the time that the B-17 may as well have been painted from scratch, rather than spoil its uniqueness and originality. Regards, Clive.

[airfields man]

Excellent images Bomber. I need to find the original pictures I took when it was in its original location at Poddington, unfortunately not sure where they are. There is a huge difference between how it was then and how it is now, some folk like the restoration, but others preferred it as it was. My choice would have been to have left it as it was, carefully conserved and preserved. I thought at the time that the B-17 may as well have been painted from scratch, rather than spoil its uniqueness and originality. Regards, Clive.

Totally agree with the latter part of your above statement, seebee1, But, as it is now, it's pretty-much guaranteed to remain in it's preserved condition for all to see for generations to come. Would have loved to have seen it in it's origin though. :grin:

[seebee1]

Found a couple of great images on this Forum taken by "Brothmark" of the "Big Picture" being removed, October 1989 I believe. Although not the best lighting, gives an idea of how good it was before "restoration". I also attach an image of the 92nd BG photograph that was used by S/Sgt George C Waldschmidt for the subject, the painting was done by him in the Ready Room of the 325th BS. Regards, Clive.909991009101