I know there's not much to go on, can't even see the aircraft code with a magnifying glass. Found this earlier in a cupboard, size is the usual 6''x4'' which makes me think it could be a photograph of a photograph. Which if it is and I took it, then it's very clear. But I do remember back in the 1980s you could buy copies like this from certain air show stalls, maybe some museums ? It does say Kodak on the rear.
As regards the Bomber Command Mosquito bomber versions, these were replaced by the Canberra in the early 1950s.....detail not sufficient to ascertain if the version is a B 35 or not. The B 35 bomber version had the crew entry hatch underneath the nose while other versions had the crew entry high up on the starboard side of the fuselage.
Sorry I forgot to mention that it's a Mosquito, a wonderful aircraft. We dug up parts of one about 10 years ago. Someone on another site suggested a B35, also pointed-out the enlarged bomb bay. Another thought it may be carrying the Highball, similar, but smaller than the Bouncing bomb. I was hoping that someone may have a book with this picture and caption...
LF i think the airfield looks like a UK airfield.My immediate thoughts were that the runway has a look of the short runway at Hemswell,the 10-28 one which had a gradual slope uphill westwards.To the right of the runway was the north side of the airfield where dispersals of Nos 109 and 139 Mosquito Squadrons were situated. If this is Hemswell,then the photograph is of Mosquitos taking off to the west (280 degrees) which overflew the Village of Hemswell and would be the early1950s before the two squadrons converted to the Canberra. If the photograph is an official one it should be in an archive.On the other hand does "Kodak" indicate the brand of the photographic paper?
It's definitely Kodak paper, just like the many others that I have. The photographs that I took from the mid 80s are identical, so it must be a photograph of a photograph that I took. Though exactly where and when, I have no idea. I have taken photographs of photographs before, but they were never as clear as this one. This is what puzzles me ?
L F.....Not Hemswell or you would have remembered a visit to the location and it would appear that the photograph shows Mosquitos which were operational and puts the date in the early 1950s.
I have been looking up some reference books and believe the aircraft could well be Mosquito B Mk XVI. These were a development of the B Mk IX, which had a pressurised cabin and most had provision to carry 1814 Kg or 4000 Lbs Bombs. The profile certainly fits. Regards Tom
I have been to Hemswell on a number of occasions. But only took photographs of the village sign, memorial and Control tower etc. Sadly, the memorial was vandalised a few years ago, but that's another story...
