Lincoln, but where and when?

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On another forum I frequent, a member is trying to trace information concerning a photograph featuring his stepfather, a 328 (Kingston) Squadron ATC member in the fifties, boarding a Lincoln. The photograph is attached. His stepfather thinks it was taken at a base in Suffolk in 1956/57 (but I haven't identified any squadrons operating Lincolns from Suffolk RAF bases at this time). Whilst I appreciate that it's a long shot, does anyone have any idea where and/or when the photograph was taken? The Lincoln B.2 in the background, which must be one in the serial number range RE340 to RE349, might help.

With my thanks in anticipation.

AA

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18 years 1 month

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Avion and Beaufighter: I can't answer the question, but I was lucky enough to get a number of Lincoln flights from Upwood when I was at Peterborough ATC between 1954 and 1956. I flew in RE347, among several others. I don't think the photo is at Upwood: I don't recall that little tower, but it was a LONG time ago.

Good to see there are a few survivors still arounf Key!

Laurence

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Thank you, gentlemen, I'll pass the information on.

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They had Lincolns at RAF Watton in Norfolk, photo could be there ??

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Possibly a typo re RF569 crash as RF560 crashed at Boscombe.

See posts from web.

Bacon, 11.11.2014

My grandfather was also killed in Lincoln RF560 on 2nd July 1948 at Boscombe Down A&AEE.

Day, 20.10.2014

My father was killed in R.F.Lincoln 560 on 2nd July 1948 at Boscombe Down A&AEE. 

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You may well be right, Beaufighter.

AA: your photo is of direct interest to me as it shows a very sophisticated ladder for crew entry. In fact it was usually a simple unsupported ladder to a hatch in the nose. Famous for me getting near the top before falling off into the arms of the next one climbing up.

I'll bet not all those cadets were about to fly in that aircraft. Although the Lincoln was large it was not an Airbus. In fact, I was usually the only cadet aboard. Lucky me. Eternal gratitude to 7 Squadron and our liaison officer, Flt Lt JB Stephens.

Laurence

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Judging by all those stripes on the arms of those posing on the steps, Laurence, it looks rather as if it was principally a day trip for NCOs!

Whilst I know that there's no Lincoln in it, here's another photograph from the same source (a member of No. 328 (Kingston-upon-Thames) Squadron ATC in the 1950s) taken at Stradishall about the same time as the original photograph. Am I correct in believing that TT Mosquitos were operated from there at about that time? If so, by which squadron?

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No apologies for thread drift: 115 Squadron ATC queuing up for a trip in a C-119 at Thornaby in 1954. I am there but won't say which one. There is also another long-time poster on Key.

Laurence

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It's a very posed group photo, why would you want all those Cadets tramping through the cockpit and then over the wing spar. It was bad enough without a parachute pack.

I'm trying to think if there were any Rumbold seats in the fuselage.  I remember attaching a Megger to the wrong cable braiding in a Lincoln and  (electrically) shocking a few colleagues.

 

John

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I don't recall any extra seats, except a jump seat next to the pilot. My recollection is that the first seats behind the pilot were nav and radio, then the spar to scrape your shins on, then rather empty until the rear gunner. The Upwood Lincolns I flew in didn't have a mid-upper turret.

Laurence

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As bombers are outside my comfort zone, will someone for whom they are not please tell me what is the ventral bulge apparent on the Lincoln in the background of the photograph in my original post on this thread?

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14 years 11 months

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Radar bulge i believe as the Lancs did in the war

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As with Lancaster there was a bench seat for the flight engineer behind the co-pilot, thats where I sat for my flight.

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Avion and Comet: the bulge is for the H2S ground scanning radar. There is a big rotatory dish in there. Indeed, used in Lancasters and, of course, Lincolns.

Laurence

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Thank you, cometguy and Laurence. Still no-one with any idea where the initial photograph might have been taken?

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@ Avion Ancien

Quite a tricky one :)

Perhaps the most LIKELY place to see a Lincoln or 2 in 56/57 would have been Watton/Hemswell (527sqn/199sqn/230 OCU/Lincoln Conversion Flight) but I have not seen a pic of that particular design of control tower at either Watton or Hemswell,that doesn't mean there was not that type at these airfields but just I have not found a pic yet :)

The Tower is a good match for Upwood,but I note that in 1955 it was then painted White - whether it was subsequently  repainted green/dark I do not know.

If it is absolutely certain that the pic was taken in Suffolk then looking at Airfields with a Watch Office for All Commands (with rooftop VCR - visual control room) type control Tower and with reference to Control Towers UK (I have included a couple of norfolk a/f's as well).

http://www.controltowers.co.uk

The most likely airfields might be Honington,Eye,Framlingham,North Pickenham,Horham,Knettishall,Wormingford,Great Ashfield.Obviously not all these listed were still operational RAF airfields but afik were still useable and MOD owned.

There may be other possibilities due to lack of pictures ( and possibly Boundary changes) 

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Could not find an edit option for the above post LOL

But I had meant to add that it was not unusual for sqns or a/c to be detached to other Airfields during mauntenance work on the Home Airfield/Normal Base which could possibly explain using (say) a 'Satellite' Airfield or an airfield on  Care and Maintenance or normally by then being a non flying station.