Speke

[philpridd]

Hello everyone,thought these pics might be of interest.They are the only military buildings left, most of the remaining airfield site is now a business park,so dont think it will be long before we lose these as well. Phil.
http://i981.photobucket.com/albums/ae300/philpridd/DSCF0181.jpg
http://i981.photobucket.com/albums/ae300/philpridd/DSCF0177.jpg
http://i981.photobucket.com/albums/ae300/philpridd/DSCF0175.jpg
Can anyone tell me the purpose of the void between the armour plate and rear wall? There are 2 access hatches 1 in the side wal,and 1 in the rear, both rusted solid.
http://i981.photobucket.com/albums/ae300/philpridd/DSCF0171.jpg
http://i981.photobucket.com/albums/ae300/philpridd/DSCF0173.jpg
http://i981.photobucket.com/albums/ae300/philpridd/DSCF0195.jpg
http://i981.photobucket.com/albums/ae300/philpridd/DSCF0192.jpg
http://i981.photobucket.com/albums/ae300/philpridd/DSCF0191.jpg
http://i981.photobucket.com/albums/ae300/philpridd/DSCF0211.jpg
http://i981.photobucket.com/albums/ae300/philpridd/DSCF0216.jpg

[PETERTHEEATER]

Images 1 through 5 appear to be the Shooting-in Butt; the armour plate at the rear was the 'backstop'. The butt would have been filled with sand with a natural slope top-rear to bottom front.

http://wtp2.appspot.com/wheresthepath.htm?lat=53.34060118576442&lon=-2.8758805990219116&gz=19&oz=7&gt=1

Last time that I saw it there was the top section of a Pickett-Hamilton adjacent.

[canberra]

Was there actually an RAF Speke? Yes there was Speke airport and there were RAF aircraft based there for a while, but was there an RAF Speke?

[philpridd]

According to my research,via google, the military presence at speke had grown to such an extent,that that early in the war the airport was taken over by the R.A.F. I may have misinterpreted this as .'R.A.F ' Speke, if so,sorry.However as military aircraft assembly took place on the site,and with an adjacent aircraft shadow factory also using the site, I cannot imagine that in time of war,the site would be allowed to continue to function as a civilian airport.There were operational R.A.F. sqaudrons on site,as well as the aircraft assembly activities. If anyone can find out please let me know.I found that the information brought up was rather sketchy in this respect,though it does cover the military wartime use of the site. Cheers,Phil.

[philpridd]

Hi Canberra, see wikapedia, john lennon airport, page down to history section,click on rootes aircraft factory, it says that the airport was taken over by the r.a.f. and known as r.a.f. Speke, dont know what the 'official' definition of an r.a.f. base is,but thats good enough for me! chhers, Phil.

[canberra]

Yes there were civil flights at Speke throughout wwii, they went to Eire and the Isle of Man.

And you may be correct about RAF Station Speke, there is no such thing as an RAF "base" anymore. The only Commonwealth nations to still use the term are Australia and Canada.

And for your education an RAF station has a Station Headquarters (SHQ) and of course a Station Commander, usually referred to as the Commanding Officer or CO. Only a station in the RAF has a CO.

[philpridd]

Thanks Peter, but do you know what was behind the armour plate,that is in the space between the plate and thertsets rear wall.They must have needed access to the space, because there are two small hatches,one in the rear wall.(see pic.),and one at the rear of the side wall. They are not big enough for a man to get through,so I dont think they were used in the construction.Under the hatch in the rear wall,there are 2 support brackets at the base of the wall,almost as though some some sort of hopper or container was there. If the sand collected the bullets,and the armour plate stopped the bullets from penetrating into the space behind,why would anyone need access to that space.The brackets at the base of the hatch in the rear wall,made me wonder if something had to be collected at regular intervals,or was there some sort of alignment target,that was run up and down as in rifle firing butts. Its certainly got me baffled. Any info.appreciated,Thanks, Phil. p.s. the pickett-hamilton you mentioned has gone

[philpridd]

Ok, thanks,more complicated than what I thought,still someone must have been in charge of the r.a.f units,and wikapedia does state that the airport was taken over by the r.a.f (their words,not mine)so whoever was in charge,must have been the station commander,anyway thats my reasoning,but till some definitive evidence comes up,have to leave it at that.One thing though,without a station commander,who decides priorities regarding raf/civilian operations.?One would think that raf needs would overede civilian ones, anyway whoever was in charge,and whether it was an official raf base or not,thanks for your help,pity we cant speak to any ex raf personnell who were there in the war. Cheers.

[PETERTHEEATER]

Thanks Peter, but do you know what was behind the armour plate,that is in the space between the plate and thertsets rear wall.They must have needed access to the space, because there are two small hatches,one in the rear wall.(see pic.),and one at the rear of the side wall. They are not big enough for a man to get through,so I dont think they were used in the construction.Under the hatch in the rear wall,there are 2 support brackets at the base of the wall,almost as though some some sort of hopper or container was there. If the sand collected the bullets,and the armour plate stopped the bullets from penetrating into the space behind,why would anyone need access to that space.The brackets at the base of the hatch in the rear wall,made me wonder if something had to be collected at regular intervals,or was there some sort of alignment target,that was run up and down as in rifle firing butts. Its certainly got me baffled. Any info.appreciated,Thanks, Phil. p.s. the pickett-hamilton you mentioned has gone

I really don't know. It is possible that the void was filled with gravel. How thick is the metal plate and does it extend all the way to the floor? Some cannon butts had a deflector plate of armour steel sloped at 45 degrees and a tank underneath filled with water into which deflected projectiles were caught. Consequently, the scrap had to be emptied periodically. In the absence of construction drawings I can only speculate as top the purpose of the access doors and apertures.

[philpridd]

OK,thanks,dont know how thick the plating is,goes down to floor but does not appear to be angled.Someone has tried chipping a hole in the brickwork under the sidewall access hatch,but it does n't go all the way through,tried putting camera up to it,but all that showed on flash was blackness.There appears to be a ledge at the top of plating,but as there are small trees growing from it, or the void goes all the way down and has filled up over the years.Anyway thanks for your help,when I fist saw it, I thought it was some type of water or fuel tank,with the access hatches used to fill and empty it,though I couldnt understand why it should be vertical. Have never come across one before,so was quite taken aback on finding its true purpose!Cant understand how it survived,when all other buildings have been demolished.daresay it wont be long before it goes the same way though.Thanks for all your help.not just with this, but also (as I mistakenly thought) the 'air raid' shelters on m40. Tere is an identical firing butt at Duxford,so will try contacting them,good excuse to fit in an extra air show. Cheers.

[PETERTHEEATER]

There were several pattern (Drawings) for Shooting-in Butts, the Speke version appears to be one of the more elaborate. Just found this one at Castletown, Scotland; the aircraft hard standing is on the opposite side of the raod if you rotate the view.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=CASTLETOWN,+SCOTLAND&sll=53.409033,-3.077631&sspn=0.005564,0.013797&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Castletown,+Thurso,+Caithness,+United+Kingdo m&ll=58.5885,-3.35804&spn=0.004361,0.027595&t=h&z=15&layer=c&cbll=58.5885,-3.358028&panoid=oeK4u9H41ghYasWL7Oz7sQ&cbp=11,30.28,,0,8.5

[philpridd]

Thanks.that must be the 'back to basics' version,I thought they would all be the same design,obviously not.There is one at Duxford whch is identical to the one at Speke. Cheers.

[PETERTHEEATER]

What is the location of the Duxford example?

[P Bellamy]

Duxfords's: Flash Earth (http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=52.095418&lon=0.131525&z=20&r=0&src=msl)

All the best,
PB

[PETERTHEEATER]

Thanks Paul, just too obvious for my eyesight! Looks to be in good shape.

[leelad03]

Can someone tell me the wareabouts of the 2 pillboxes? I had been to have a quick look at the butt today!
Thanks
#Lee

[PETERTHEEATER]

There was one here but it's gone now according to Street View:

http://wtp2.appspot.com/wheresthepath.htm?lat=53.34873087709757&lon=-2.885812819004059&gz=19&oz=8&gt=1

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Liverpool,+United+Kingdom&sll=52.721298,-0.902685&sspn=0.02381,0.055189&g=Great+Dalby,+Melton+Mowbray,+Leicestershire,+Uni ted+Kingdom&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Liverpool,+United+Kingdom&ll=53.34874,-2.886086&spn=0.000331,0.001725&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=53.348808,-2.886079&panoid=ZJr4NjDdd1Z05oxIfwBmUA&cbp=11,118.06,,0,4.64

[tigger]

Can someone tell me the wareabouts of the 2 pillboxes?

Not sure what you mean Lee? Very few, if any, pillboxes left in Liverpool now. DoB shows several that have been destroyed and the local HER lists a few more. The following site might be of interest if you are interested in WWII artifacts in the area: http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/ww2defences/

The defensive positions photographed in the OP are in the woods adjacent to the butts and you probably walked right past them.

[Lt Cmdr ( A )]

Reference your enquiry about Speke Airfield. Living only a matter of some 5 miles from Speke I have made enquiries and found out the following if it is of any help. Speke Airport was requistioned by the Ministry of War in Sptember 1939 and named R.A.F. Speke. It was occupied by 24 Hampdens of 64 & 144 Squadrons at the end of September, it remained in R.A.F Control until the 10th July 1944, when it was handed over to the control of the Directorate of Civil Aviation although a Military presence was kept their until May 10th 1946 with the departure of the Spitfires of 811 Squadsron to nearby Woodvale. in the 1950's Air Works had a maintenance base at Speke overhauling Vampires and Sabres for the R.A.F and NATO, so tecnically the Military pulled out of Speke in the 1950's. The Government kept control of Speke until January 1961 when it was handed back to Liverpool Corporation.

[Robin]

I visited Speke a number of times in the late 1950s with the Merseyside Group of Aviation Enthusiasts, MGAE, and remember the hangars crowded with RAF Sabres, the Squadron markings were great.

I do wish people would use the correct 'case' for words. It is Royal Air Force Speke, or RAF Speke. Please refrain from using 'textspeak'.

Robin.

[canberra]

Is your complaint about RAF or R.A.F??? When I was a lad it was the practice to use periods in abbreviations.

[Carnaby]

I do wish people would use the correct 'case' for words. It is Royal Air Force Speke, or RAF Speke.
I'm with you on that Robin.

Regarding using stops in abbreviations, it's been the practice for quite some time now to omit them (New Hart's Rules / The Oxford Guide to Style). I'm also happy with that one - makes writing less cluttered. The TNA is extremely inconsistent with RAF, R.A.F. and R A F, for example - beware when using their search engine.

The 'rules' are complex, but generally a stop is used on a truncated word, e.g. Prof. for Professor, but not in a contraction - if the final letter is correct, e.g. Dr for Doctor. However Street becomes St. to differentiate it from St for Saint.

To be honest it gets very very tedious obeying these rules as exceptions keep appearing. I'm going to the pub :roll:.

Graham

[hydealfred]

I'm with you on that Robin.

Regarding using stops in abbreviations, it's been the practice for quite some time now to omit them (New Hart's Rules / The Oxford Guide to Style). I'm also happy with that one - makes writing less cluttered. The TNA is extremely inconsistent with RAF, R.A.F. and R A F, for example - beware when using their search engine.

The 'rules' are complex, but generally a stop is used on a truncated word, e.g. Prof. for Professor, but not in a contraction - if the final letter is correct, e.g. Dr for Doctor. However Street becomes St. to differentiate it from St for Saint.

To be honest it gets very very tedious obeying these rules as exceptions keep appearing. I'm going to the pub :roll:.

Graham

Think I'll come with you !!

[ted angus]

In 1964 I joined the R.A.F. at R.A.F. Station Locking, when I got the bullet in 2004 I was discharged at RAF Leuchars.
The correct method of addressing an RAF formation is in JSP 101 and the RAF postal directory. The word Station or Unit
was alway inserted before the name, but rarely appears now. . A location must be self accounting before getting Station status. In addition to Harts Rules the Services have always had a massive publication plus annexes and addendums (spelling) which dictate the convention used by the individual Services. Much of it followed civillian convention but there were differences. Spelling to be adopted was detailed as a particular edition of the Concise Oxford Dictionary.

[Robin]

Mine is a pint of Spitfire, cheers.

Robin.

[ted angus]

Mine is a pint of Spitfire, cheers.

Robin.

Downed all over Kent just like the Luftwaffe !!

TED

[Robin]

Downed all over Kent just like the Luftwaffe !!

TED

Hi Ted.

Just remember, they are now our allies.

Robin.

[ted angus]

Hi Ted.

Just remember, they are now our allies.

Robin.
Yes and having worked with all NATO allies They and the Canadians are the best to work with, The Dutch and Danes are great but tended to lack ungency, The Belgiums only worked day shift, The Italians will blame anyone convienient for their mistakes. I won't continue. I was Taceval DI staff for 2 years and served under a German Colonel top man !!
But I couldn't cope with the schnapps at breakfast needed a shot of Gavescon after it

TED

[bvs]

Talking of Speke,this thread on key a while ago got interesting,split into 2 camps - I was most definitely in the 'Ground Collision' camp,we speculated it might have been a ground collision between the F5 (P thirty eight) and a production Halifax !
Anybody know anything about the incident ??
cannot post pic today but it is on post number 4

rgds baz

http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=96614&highlight=ground+collision+speke

[bvs]

Just to prod this thread again for any info regarding this photo,but please read relevant posts on this Key thread before any comments ;) (post 11 onwards)

http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=96614&highlight=ground+collision+speke

http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv316/volvosmoker/3968644495_3e028c6482_b.jpg

[Fred Dobie]

I live in Speke and was having a look around this area with my son a couple of days ago. As kids we used to play around here, and as it was always a remote part of the airfield our trespasses went unnoticed most of the time. The "Shooting-in Butt" is still there, but I have seen this type of building described as an engine testing shed. I remember there used to be a steel girder framework inside the shed which I assumed supported the engines under test. The steel shutters were to allow fumes out? Granted, there are bullet-like pockmarks on the wall to the right of the opening but I don't remember if they were there when I was young. In the 1960s there used to be an old Hawker Hunter dumped just beyond this building, used by the airport firefighters for training. The Pickett-Hamilton referred to was also one of our playthings, but was removed a couple of years ago. It has been placed at the rear of the old airport building (now a hotel) where the dismembered remains of a Gloster Meteor are also stored. The defensive structure in pictures 6 to 8 is still there, including the old metal bench and logs (not original)! The electrical fuse box is now off the wall and laying on the ground. A short distance from the "Shooting-in Butt/Engine testing shed" is another concrete emplacement I'd like to know more about. It is square in plan with typical weapon type embrasures on three sides. The "front", which faces towards the old airport building, has an embrasure maybe 3 or 4 feet wide. In front of this, inside the emplacement, is a triangular concrete block with traces of bolts and metal plates on its upper surface. These do not look strong enough to support a weapon, and the main opening seems, to me anyway, to be facing in the wrong direction for some kind of sustained fire role. In the centre of the roof there is a square hole going through to the outer surface. There are faded figures on the formerly whitewashed interior which look coeval, "V6" and "6V", which could have been some sort of location ID. I explained to my son that I thought this building could possibly have had something to do with the anti-aircraft battery that stood nearby (direction-finding or such like) or was possibly used by the Observer Corps. Its potential in a fight seems to be somewhat limited. If anyone can educate me on this I'd be most grateful. As a kid I remember the many blast shelters dotted around the site, and the old Maycrete barrack huts still standing, with the remains of iron bed frames still in them! Excellent site, by the way!

[PETERTHEEATER]

Fred, welcome to AiX and thanks for the first hand information on Speke, always useful.

As to the Shooting-in Butt being an Engine Test House; that is doubtful. Engine Test Houses were built on some pre-war stations for the uninstalled testing of (mainly) radial engines but were not provided on wartime build stations. But, Speke was opened in 1930 and probably had an ETH so was the original building converted to a gun test butt? Interesting possibility.

As to the defence structure in the hedgerow adjacent to the Butt, it is described on the Defence of Britain database as a Section Post. It can be seen on this site:
http://www.derelictplaces.co.uk/main/showthread.php?p=162412#post162412

[Fred Dobie]

Fred, welcome to AiX and thanks for the first hand information on Speke, always useful.

As to the Shooting-in Butt being an Engine Test House; that is doubtful. Engine Test Houses were built on some pre-war stations for the uninstalled testing of (mainly) radial engines but were not provided on wartime build stations. But, Speke was opened in 1930 and probably had an ETH so was the original building converted to a gun test butt? Interesting possibility.

As to the defence structure in the hedgerow adjacent to the Butt, it is described on the Defence of Britain database as a Section Post. It can be seen on this site:
http://www.derelictplaces.co.uk/main/showthread.php?p=162412#post162412

Thanks Peter, much appreciated.:-D

[Fred Dobie]

Further to my ramblings about Speke I have found a site with some excellent photos of the pillbox type structure I was unsure about. These can be found on http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=56344 and http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=52103

[Greaves098]

Can someone please tell me where exactly the old shooting but is, cause im desperate to go! Please!

[nimrod2010]

ive been looking round this site for a few years now ,after getting a ground plan of raf speke from the raf museum hendon . most of the station was on the opposite side of the airfield near banks lane , found a transformer base just like the one by the firing butt on the far side . this has something to do with refueling aircraft there is also an underground fuel tank this was still in use up until the airport closed .lots of brick debris of another building all overgrown ,ill wait till autumn to get a better look . also took my shovel and uncovered a brick foundation base at the rear of the firing butt about 40yards to the left of it

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5304/5646935657_50730cfed6.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/62135055@N08/5646935657/) raf speke (http://www.flickr.com/photos/62135055@N08/5646935657/) by nimrod 2010 (http://www.flickr.com/people/62135055@N08/), on Flickr

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3111/5860979712_5e78f5cbe8.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/62135055@N08/5860979712/) raf speke (http://www.flickr.com/photos/62135055@N08/5860979712/) by nimrod 2010 (http://www.flickr.com/people/62135055@N08/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5103/5647499896_5fa37b36d4.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/62135055@N08/5647499896/) raf speke (http://www.flickr.com/photos/62135055@N08/5647499896/) by nimrod 2010 (http://www.flickr.com/people/62135055@N08/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5270/5646936873_d5a5c1f106.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/62135055@N08/5646936873/) raf speke (http://www.flickr.com/photos/62135055@N08/5646936873/) by nimrod 2010 (http://www.flickr.com/people/62135055@N08/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5068/5646937705_9558d20d52.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/62135055@N08/5646937705/) transformer block (http://www.flickr.com/photos/62135055@N08/5646937705/) by nimrod 2010 (http://www.flickr.com/people/62135055@N08/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5270/5646938173_56d91e848f.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/62135055@N08/5646938173/) raf speke (http://www.flickr.com/photos/62135055@N08/5646938173/) by nimrod 2010 (http://www.flickr.com/people/62135055@N08/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5181/5647502428_67d1ae8bb1.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/62135055@N08/5647502428/) raf speke (http://www.flickr.com/photos/62135055@N08/5647502428/) by nimrod 2010 (http://www.flickr.com/people/62135055@N08/), on Flickr

[PETERTHEEATER]

Welcome to AiX nimrod2010 and thanks for the pictures; still a lot to be found.

[carmedic]

aerial view of R.A.F. Speke

http://i44.tinypic.com/25555ab.jpg

little remains of the site as it disappears under new developments and the new roads don't follow the layout of the old runways.

A is the old apron and Terminal building, now the Crowne Plaza hotel. The apron is home to the SAHG formally the Jetstream Club
B is one of the original hangars now the headquarters of the Shop Direct Group, the other can just be seen to the left of the apron
C this patch of green is part of one of the former runways which ran diagonally from bottom left to top right
D part of the perimeter track and Type B Fighter Pens
E the Shooting-in Butt

The Terminal building and tower, now the Crowne Plaza hotel
http://i40.tinypic.com/54gdo4.jpg

[a10694]

Midway between A, B & C is my datacentre !

[a10694]

There is a pillbox sort of structure somewhere around the top of the D in the middle of the grass, bunker at the top end of the trees on the right, a cold war ROC post nearby in the corner of one of the Speke Hall fields (walk right by the NT entrance gates and it's at the end)

http://www.minwex.org/phpBB3/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=35&p=52&hilit=speke#p52

ROC post location:

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=speke&hl=en&ll=53.343096,-2.870312&spn=0.001369,0.004128&sll=53.800651,-4.064941&sspn=22.297654,67.631836&hnear=Speke,+Merseyside,+United+Kingdom&t=h&z=19

The Pickett Hamilton was moved up to the RAF Millom Museum, but was moved back when it closed. I now park opposite it.

[a10694]

You can get very lazy leaning over the fence:

7993

One day I found a Meteor in my parking space.

7994

7995

7996

[REF]

Excelent photos carmedic and a10694. For some reason, though I have never been to Liverpool I have always had a fascination about Speke, the terminal building is a lovely looking building as are those hangars. Would love to see more photos of the place, maybe one day I'll visit myself.

[PETERTHEEATER]

Thanks for the photo updates.

[carmedic]

The Pickett-Hamilton Fort

http://i40.tinypic.com/b6ecd4.jpg

and another view of the old Terminal and Tower

http://i40.tinypic.com/4q51ko.jpg

[REF]

I do like that old terminal, such a nice looking building. Nice pics.

[nimrod2010]

hi nimrod here again the firing butt looking a bit better than it does now

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8151/7160646982_17055d3ce0.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/62135055@N08/7160646982/) gaprlnwan1 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/62135055@N08/7160646982/) by nimrod 2010 (http://www.flickr.com/people/62135055@N08/), on Flickr

after spending nearly an hour throwing stones at the asbestos roof trying to make a hole in it without any luck .i came to the conclusion that the holes were caused by bullets ricocheting of the sand heep which was against the metal wall in the test butt you can also see the sand angle marker on the wall

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7086/7160633814_6b47286a53.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/62135055@N08/7160633814/) SAM_0138 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/62135055@N08/7160633814/) by nimrod 2010 (http://www.flickr.com/people/62135055@N08/), on Flickr

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5231/7160632350_02464918f7.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/62135055@N08/7160632350/) SAM_0137 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/62135055@N08/7160632350/) by nimrod 2010 (http://www.flickr.com/people/62135055@N08/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7226/7160630830_faf8e85eb1.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/62135055@N08/7160630830/) SAM_0136 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/62135055@N08/7160630830/) by nimrod 2010 (http://www.flickr.com/people/62135055@N08/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7087/7160635414_8aba94ccf6.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/62135055@N08/7160635414/) SAM_0139 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/62135055@N08/7160635414/) by nimrod 2010 (http://www.flickr.com/people/62135055@N08/), on Flickr

this building is a ww2 sleeping shelter its location is on speke hall av just before bailys lane

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7214/7160636736_c6258b5d7b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/62135055@N08/7160636736/) SAM_0236 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/62135055@N08/7160636736/) by nimrod 2010 (http://www.flickr.com/people/62135055@N08/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8146/7160639536_31120b2692.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/62135055@N08/7160639536/) SAM_0238 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/62135055@N08/7160639536/) by nimrod 2010 (http://www.flickr.com/people/62135055@N08/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7093/7160638146_27b2263793.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/62135055@N08/7160638146/) SAM_0237 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/62135055@N08/7160638146/) by nimrod 2010 (http://www.flickr.com/people/62135055@N08/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7215/7160642276_e8a55ae990.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/62135055@N08/7160642276/) SAM_0240 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/62135055@N08/7160642276/) by nimrod 2010 (http://www.flickr.com/people/62135055@N08/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7223/7160640904_954759c5dd.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/62135055@N08/7160640904/) SAM_0239 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/62135055@N08/7160640904/) by nimrod 2010 (http://www.flickr.com/people/62135055@N08/), on Flickr

[nimrod2010]

here we can see a few buildings from raf speke this photo was taken in the seventys the radio mast was built after the war when the building changed its venue

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7212/7160645350_80c0a6860f.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/62135055@N08/7160645350/) Image11a labels (http://www.flickr.com/photos/62135055@N08/7160645350/) by nimrod 2010 (http://www.flickr.com/people/62135055@N08/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7085/7160645162_6e60cab121.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/62135055@N08/7160645162/) classflyingwherk labels (http://www.flickr.com/photos/62135055@N08/7160645162/) by nimrod 2010 (http://www.flickr.com/people/62135055@N08/), on Flickr

this is whats left of the old mast in the above photo

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7226/7160644980_25468618d4.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/62135055@N08/7160644980/) SAM_0247 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/62135055@N08/7160644980/) by nimrod 2010 (http://www.flickr.com/people/62135055@N08/), on Flickr

this is the old taxiway with the firing butt on the far right

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8163/7160643654_b45df51b51.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/62135055@N08/7160643654/) SAM_0246 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/62135055@N08/7160643654/) by nimrod 2010 (http://www.flickr.com/people/62135055@N08/), on Flickr

raf speke ground plan 1945

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7079/7160646728_edb5754b05.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/62135055@N08/7160646728/) raf speke 1945 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/62135055@N08/7160646728/) by nimrod 2010 (http://www.flickr.com/people/62135055@N08/), on Flickr

and last but not least our meteor was here back in the early sixtys looks like he couldnt stay away you can see the hangar in the background where its now on a10694 parking space

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5334/7160628292_836be36ea4.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/62135055@N08/7160628292/) WH291Meteor (http://www.flickr.com/photos/62135055@N08/7160628292/) by nimrod 2010 (http://www.flickr.com/people/62135055@N08/), on Flickr

all plane photos credited to n.w.a.n. forum

[a10694]

Those are excellent. Look's like another mooch one lunch time in the woods again. I've often wondered what the ugly brick building was on Speke Hall road as well, now I know. It constantly amazes me that the wooded area still survives.

[nimrod2010]

check out google earth raf speke 1945 and the rootes aircraft factory

8818

[Able Mabel]

Been routing thro the archives at my local Town hall and was very surprised to come across a blue print, (3 actually) of the hangar which is listed as item 'B' in post #38.

I believe its late 1930s and headed as Speke aerodrome, no drawing number. Intial views of the plan(s) shows that the hangar measures some 175' x 120'.

I have ordered a copy of each plan. Interesting thing about the hangar was the roof, it appears to taper from the eaves to the centre-line at the apex in 3 stages.

When i receive my copies i will be able to post more details.

Does anybody know any other details of the said hangar or even have a copy of such ????