Auster airstrips in Holland, april 1945

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14 years 10 months

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Hi All,

the 1st Canadian Army used many Auster planes during its advance in Holland in Spring 1945. Coming april, one these airstrips will be activated again at Twickel Mansion, near Delden. This mansion was used as a HQ for the 1st Canadian Army and Auster planes operated from its fields next door. I was wondering if any if you knows which squadron(s) were involved and if any pictures exist. Probably mk.3 or mk.5?
I am involved some how but our mk.6 VF608 is far from ready so some other planes will participate.

Cheers, André

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14 years 10 months

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To add to above: this airstip was called Porter Field. Not sure where its name originated or if it was RCAF Porter Field or similiar.

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12 years 4 months

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The Canadian Auster squadrons were 664 from March 1945 and 665 from late April 45. 665 was disbanded on 10 July 1945 and replaced with 666 Sqn. Also present (from early 1945) was 662 Squadron RAF.
The Canadian units all flew Auster IV's or V's.
Regards
Bill

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14 years 10 months

Posts: 176

Bill, thank you. Just found this commemoration from 2010. I guess it could be an original picture attached. I saw a picture of Canadians using a mk.5 near Barneveld so this could be a mk.4.
http://www.mijnalbum.nl/Grotefoto-CK48ICSV.jpg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcpN3m3MUkI

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14 years 10 months

Posts: 176

In addition to my first question:
Is it known what kind of equipment like radios was available for airstrips like this one?
WS18,19 or 38 radio's?

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15 years 10 months

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The Auster Air Observation Post aircraft were fitted with WS22.

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12 years 4 months

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Hi Andre:
The Auster in the picture looks like a MkIII with a Gypsy Major engine. Mks IV & V both had Lycoming engines. The MkV is basically a MkIV with a blind flying panel.
Sorry can't help you with the radios.
Interestingly, one of the Canadian pilots attached to 666 Squadron was one Lt James Doohan of the Royal Canadian Artillery, much better known to us as "Scotty", Chief engineer of the Enterprise on the original Star Trek series.
Regards
Bill

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14 years 10 months

Posts: 176

Bill,

thanks again for the information. I am pretty known with the Auster mk.6 we own but lack knowledge of the older types.
Looks like the folks in 2010 used the wrong picture than.

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14 years 11 months

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Hi André. There is a crew working on a book on all former airfield and airstrips in The Netherlands. This includes all WW2 airstrips. They might have more information for you. PM for details, please.

If you are flying into this temporary Delden strip, beware of field conditions. The last time the strip was active the field was very soft and very wet.

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14 years 10 months

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Hi Eric,

indeed conditions were not 100% 5 years ago. One of the planes kissed the mud. I never made it to the airstrip myself as the remaining air ops for the weekend took place from Hoogeveen ap.
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14 years 8 months

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Hi Andre:

Interestingly, one of the Canadian pilots attached to 666 Squadron was one Lt James Doohan of the Royal Canadian Artillery, much better known to us as "Scotty", Chief engineer of the Enterprise on the original Star Trek series.
Regards
Bill

You might be interested to know a MK V that (apparently) James Doohan flew is being restored here in New Zealand. ZK-AXP ex TJ567 near Auckland in New Zealand.

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12 years 4 months

Posts: 310

You might be interested to know a MK V that (apparently) James Doohan flew is being restored here in New Zealand. ZK-AXP ex TJ567 near Auckland in New Zealand.

That's interesting. Is it being restored to fly? I believe the TCA museum in Manitoba recently acquired a Mk.5 that was flown by one of the Canadian Air OP squadrons.
Bill

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19 years 2 months

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I believe the TCA museum in Manitoba recently acquired a Mk.5 that was flown by one of the Canadian Air OP squadrons.
Bill

Here it is at Eshott with Karl Edmondson
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18 years 4 months

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Great thread, I have always had a liking for Austers and have been lucky to fly in two,one of which NJ673 was used across temporary landing grounds and is now owned by a forum member(its part of his sig! )

I would love to have one and use it for my aerial photo work,however we need a C of A aircraft due to the rules in the UK.

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14 years 10 months

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Sadly both books seem out of stock.

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12 years 4 months

Posts: 310

Sadly both books seem out of stock.

Try the Royal Canadian Artillery Museum, they have an on-line Gift shop. www.rcamuseum.com.

Great pic of the Auster AOP.V Thanks for posting it Robert.
Regards
Bill