Bolt Head / Hope Cove

[Daveg4otu]

I have just received the following eMail - AFAIK the last official users(as at Feb 1945) would have been the 275 Sq ASR detachment with Walrus, SAnson , Spit Vc ...but did anything or anyone else use the field after that ( ignoring the modern strip)?

I have directed the writer to this thread......


Here is the eMail

Hi Dave,
We are planning an event for Bolt Head May 3rd 2009 where we plan to bring in a Spitfire, Hurricane and two Mustangs to display and land.
I would appreciate any information with regard to the last military flights from Bolt Head, I understand 1945 plus an odd flight thereafter but I have no hard facts as to the type of aircraft, squadron, and purpose, any help appreciated.
Regards.
Chris Howell.
Event Co-Organizer.

[norwichpaul]

See these at the TNA

AIR 28/89 More informationBOLT HEAD 1942 Mar.- 1945 July
AIR 29/884 More informationNo. 4179, Watton, West Raynham and Bolt Head 1942 Nov.-1943 Sept.

[Daveg4otu]

Paid a visit to Bolt Head / Hope Cove today - and as well as seeing the airfield I was surprised to find 3 aircraft there, although to be fair I don't think the French Polaris will be going anywhere in a hurry.

So the pictures.....

First the Memorial Plaque which is approximately where the runways intersected .

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/daveg4otu/mem.jpg

Next the "Modulator " building - part of RAF Hope Cove seen from the south.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/daveg4otu/mod.jpg

Then the GCI building (RAF Hope Cove) which stands to the north of the original E-W runway and east of the NE-SW runway.

From SW and SE(the ladies in the upper picture were awaiting the arrival of the husband of one of them in some kind of homebuilt aircraft...he arrived overhead about 10 minute after we got there- did a quick trial approach and decided discretion was better than valour (- wind right across the runway 20 gusting 30 knots) and promptly headed for home.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/daveg4otu/GCIsw.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/daveg4otu/GCIse.jpg

Then the building from the East & West showing the antenna tower

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/daveg4otu/gciE.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/daveg4otu/Ant.jpg

The "Customs" shed and Cessna 180 that looks like it has been there a while...GCI building in the background...

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/daveg4otu/rwc.jpg

A Cessna F182Q that is neatly parked between the GCI building and a smaller structure immediately to the south......

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/daveg4otu/jvh.jpg

Lastly the current runway which is almost in the same place and same orientation as the original E-W runway...

First looking East, then West and lastly looking N along the modern taxiway - modulator building on left- GCI just out of sight on right.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/daveg4otu/RWE.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/daveg4otu/rww.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/daveg4otu/rwi.jpg


There one other visible building - looks like some kind of guardhouse and is 2-300yds SE of the RW intersection in a lot of brambles- needs a wintertime photo.

[Ant]

Nice picture Dave the dog is great, All I used to do when I stayed down there in the 70's was fishing in the nearby Soar mill Cove. Which is what a lot of the Aircrew must have done during the war, oh and swiming too; what a posting.

[Daveg4otu]

Yes - a lovely place in fine weather but in the middle of a force 8 gale in the depths of the winter I think it may be a little less than inviting.

:)

The dog (Trufflington) thanks you for the compliment - please visit his website with photos and stories for children...
http://trufflington.tripod.com/id8.html

[T6flyer]

Here is a photo taken on the recent open day.

Martin

[outkast]

Was down at hope cove last weekend, met up with Chris who was there to give us access to the rotor bunker, we will be going back down for the 2nd of may event and helping out with the organisation, most of the aircraft in the pics above have gone, there was a guy flying a gyrocopter wich he kept in the modulator biulding.

Chris has produced a great booklet charting the history of the airfiled and the squadrons based there, plenty of good wartime pics too.

Dave

[REF]

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb198/Flyer719/ALL%20OTHER%20PHOTOS/AiX%20miscellaneous/img004.jpg

[REF]

Received from Bob Clary / Subbrit


The Rotor bunker at RAF Hope Cove (AKA Bolt Head) will be open for tours and an exhibition on the WW2 evacuation of Slapton for D Day preparations this week June 5th to June 8th.

Details here: http://www.salcombeinformation.co.uk/ShowDetails.asp?id=507