Eastchurch

[PNK]

I came across this photo on the Life pictures site on Google.

http://images.google.com/hosted/life

The picture seems to be postwar, maybe 1950's but is it Eastchurch? The lack of background suggests it is on a hill.

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn128/PNK_album/SomewhereinKent.jpg

[norwichpaul]

Yes its Eastchurch

[Trikeman]

I'm not convinced it is Eastchurch, it's the same design but you should be able to see Stamford Hill behind, there are also other buildings around the Eastchurch Hangar. Have a look at the comparison aerial shot I took of Eastchurch's remaining WW1 hanger - I accept that it will have been reclad and the doors removed and boarded, but the background on the mystery picture doesn't look right. So I'll need more evidence to convince me, I hope it is as it would be a rare picture!
Trikeman
http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/ww221/trikeboy/Airfields/MysteryHangar-1.jpg

[PNK]

Trikeman - I know what you mean. I had a similar thought but I could only come up with Eastchurch. The foreground appears to drop as well but it could be just a trick of the angle. Let's see if anyone has canything else to add.

[Macaw]

HI

I used to Christmas at Greatstone, with my grandfather (who was asked to guard the first German aircraft shot down on British soil in Sept 39 - only to prise off the engine plates -now in Duxford archives) and listened to his stories of British aviation, especially his stories of Eastchurch whenever 'Those magnificent Men' was shown on TV. As an aircraft engineer he had researched the history of aircraft manufacture in Britain and was probably somewhat dismayed at his early retirement due to some Government rethink.

I am hoping to go to the Sky Sheppey Celebration of the centenary of British aviation in July 2009.

I am looking for the airfield site layout of Eastchurch as it was in 1940, it had probably not changed much over the years and some buildings do still remain. I have seen the buildings picture of what is was in those early pioneer years and want to know how much of that was still there in 1940 and the perimeter layout.

Does anyone have a good idea of what I may have looked like or a source that I could research further.

many thanks.

[norwichpaul]

I have photographed everything at Eastchurch (and guess what PNK - the buildings are all still there!). There are a number of 1910 hangars (one complete row) and some of these may have come from Shellbeach. Most other buildings are RNAS types.

[CDP]

Macaw - RAF Museum, Hendon should have the site plans for Eastchurch.

http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/london/coll ... /index.cfm (http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/london/collections/archive/index.cfm)

Chris

[PNK]

and guess what PNK - the buildings are all still there

Ah you spotted that comment then! :oops:

This site may also be of interest http://www.kenthistoryforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=2116.0
I knew I had seen the name Trikeman somwhere before.

[REF]

The obligitory group photo from today!! Great to see everyone and it was a very enjoyable day.
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb198/Flyer719/KENT/Eastchurch/20101020Eastchurch10-1.jpg
L-R across top:Bigherb, Bucanneer66, jason, Canute, REF, PNK and Medwayboy, norwichpaul in the yellow jacket

If the chaps who went would like a copy of the photo, PM me your email and I will send it across

[medwayboy]

Posted some of my pics.. Hope it's ok here.... If not I can move them...

http://s762.photobucket.com/albums/xx270/stroodboy/RAF%20Eastchurch/?albumview=slideshow

http://i762.photobucket.com/albums/xx270/stroodboy/RAF%20Eastchurch/eastchuch1.jpg

http://i762.photobucket.com/albums/xx270/stroodboy/RAF%20Eastchurch/eastchuch3.jpg


http://i762.photobucket.com/albums/xx270/stroodboy/RAF%20Eastchurch/eastchuch6.jpg

http://i762.photobucket.com/albums/xx270/stroodboy/RAF%20Eastchurch/eastchuch7.jpg

http://i762.photobucket.com/albums/xx270/stroodboy/RAF%20Eastchurch/eastchuch8.jpg

http://i762.photobucket.com/albums/xx270/stroodboy/RAF%20Eastchurch/eastchuch9.jpg

http://i762.photobucket.com/albums/xx270/stroodboy/RAF%20Eastchurch/eastchuch12.jpg

http://i762.photobucket.com/albums/xx270/stroodboy/RAF%20Eastchurch/eastchuch14.jpg

http://i762.photobucket.com/albums/xx270/stroodboy/RAF%20Eastchurch/eastchuch16.jpg

http://i762.photobucket.com/albums/xx270/stroodboy/RAF%20Eastchurch/eastchuch17.jpg

[Canute]

Nice pictures there Medwayboy - interesting to see HDR in action.

... the view from the mother of all Battle Headquarters
http://i542.photobucket.com/albums/gg402/chrisprayner/DSC_0525Large.jpg

[PNK]

Can't add much to the photos added apart from this one which made me think of "Whack Attack" :)

3218

[Canute]

You've got to buy the book (after all Norwichpaul made us all do so in order to get back out of the prison) but here's a picture of the Battle HQ anyway (there's a better one in the book)
http://i542.photobucket.com/albums/gg402/chrisprayner/DSC_0519.jpg

[ianbache]

Heres a image from 1917 showing a Sopwith Triplane N5445 outside the hangars at Eastchurch

http://i550.photobucket.com/albums/ii425/LLanbedr/sopwithtriplanen5445.jpg

[PETERTHEEATER]

RNAS personnel salvaging parts from the remains of Bristol Scout Type C, No. 1255, between aircraft sheds at Eastchurch, after its crash on 31 August 1916.

http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l366/PRACHUAP/EastchurchIWMHU86931.jpg

Courtesy of Imperial War Museum © IWM (HU 86931)

[tigger]

Noticed this via the Kent & Sussex History Boards (there's a link earlier in this thread)

http://www.pfr.co.uk/documents/Appendix%2010.3%20Eastchurch%20Airfield%20%28low%2 0res%29.pdf

Then/now photos, history, plans etc. Very interesting read

[PETERTHEEATER]

Thanks tigger a useful reference document that has pulled together some nice photographs and drawings with modern additions. I did not realise that there was a BHQ there. I now see that it is indicated on the D of B database.