Hunsdon

[Denis]

The CT type correct placed on the location of the long demolished Hunsdon CT (1949 by all accounts) Peter.

[PNK]

Thanks Denis. I seem to remember that photos of Hunsdon's tower were almost non-existant. The date of demolition also highlights the importance of recording things as they happen. We can't stop it so this is the next best thing.

[Denis]

The land adjacent to the original main gate of the airfield that once contained the Guardhouse, the main Crew briefing rooms, link trainer, three Defence Unit barrack huts and a 36000 gallon Aviation fuel store, has been sold to Croudace homes.
Work started this week on clearing the site ready for building work to begin on 16 new houses. The local Parish council have put forward the name of Hempstall close for the site, this has no aviation connections whatsoever, and is the name of the land before that part of RAF Hunsdon was built on it.

[Denis]

The site has been cleared and Jim C and I (with permission) today carried out a sweep with metal detectors. We found absolutely zilch, but we didnt expect to find anything other than scrap as the site has had one or two uses since.

We did however get decent images of the strange pots that petertheeater identified as being demolition pots for the 36000 gallon aviation fuel store that was sited on the edge of this land. We also found and cleared the base for the fuel pump house as all of this site will be redeveloped shortly.

No sign of the base for the Main Guardhut or the double span Nissen crew briefing room and Intelligence section that stood here. But the concrete EWS may still lurk under the topsoil and rubble.

[Denis]

A 'now & then' of the site. The white house in the background is the Old Rectory and was requisitioned as the Station HQ.

[P Bellamy]

October 1944, a 29 Squadron Mosquito at dispersal. The same spot in
August 2010, The wheat has been harvested, and the ground harrowed.

Denis, do you have a sharper version of the original wartime image I could have a look at please?
The Mossie appears to be fitted with a radar altimeter antenna under the wing...

PS, you've just been on the telly again, better chase them up for some repeat fees.

PB

[ianbache]

Yeah on" Battlefield Mysteries" its been on all day, very good watching to

[buccaneer66]

Yes Denis was on at least twice today.

[Denis]

The best I have, albeit a tad grainy...

[P Bellamy]

Thanks Denis.