Cowley

[bvs]

Cowley Shadow factory Airfield

Hi Guys
There is a Cowley related thread on Key

http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=97945

but I cannot find a pic of the airfield and/or its proximity to the factory.
istr it was pretty close to the factory !
Anybody have photos links ?

rgds baz

[PNK]

baz,

Not a very clear photo and I think I was over enthusiastic with the cropping. It maybe just wishful thinking but I can make out two runways in the grass.

[bvs]

Thanks v much PNK
Have posted on key with GE grab for comparison,not many people aware of cowley as an airfield...nice to spread the word.

rgds baz

[ted angus]

Being a military fire tender cabbage I cropped a picture I found of Cowley.

It was a unit of 43 Group Maint command, home to RAF manned No 50 MU and its civillian sister org No 1 C.R.U.

TED

[PNK]

Wasn't Cowley the first Airfield History covered in the old Aviation News Vol1 Issue 1?

I used to love that as it was a newspaper size and great for aircraft plans.
Also the only mag to have airfield histories on a regular basis.

[bvs]

Thanks for the photo ted,where did you find it if you dont mind me asking ?

rgds baz

[ted angus]

The best military vehicle magazine ever published was " Wheels & Tracks" by Bart Vanderveen he is globally considered as the most knowledgable in the subject. Unfortuneataly he lost his battle with cancer some years ago.
But I was lucky enough to be invited to visit him in the Nederland, and I treasure all the magazines and specialist books I have written by him.

In Edition No 50 was an Article on Ford Sussex 6 wheel vehicles circa 1935-40 of which the RAF had hundreds carrying dozens of body types. The vehicles were converted to 3 axles by a firm called County.
the centre spread was a scene with such a vehicle in the background with the location thought to be in Oxfordshire. In another magazine or book I found a very poor copy of the same picture which went on to say it was 50 MU/ 1 CRU at Morris Motors Cowley. I have located the magazine and attached is a scan of the full picture. I will try and locate the publication that gave me the final answer but don't hold your breath as i have boxes of cutiing magazines etc etc.

regards TED

PS Is a shadow factory the correct term in this instance ?/

[bvs]

Hi Ted
Thanks again for the photo,very interesting !
I used the wording 'Shadow Factory' because Cowley 'south' plant buildings were built in 37/38 with high roofs and clear internal areas specifically to be capable of building aircraft.
Morris ltd istr was heavily involved in the shadow scheme.
3500 tiger moths were produced at cowley,and they 'productionised' it very well using the 'flow line' technique as used for car building.
rgds baz

[ted angus]

Hi Baz, understand re shadow, have found the book "The Battle of Britain" by Roy Conyers Nesbit; the picture is on P 172 with the info re 50 MU etc in the caption, credited to Bruce Robertson collection.
regards
TED

[bvs]

Thanks again Ted
Have you seen this pathe clip ?similar view to your photo

http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=13368