Massey Discussion Forums > Massey Talk > Something different!!
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RE:Something different!!

Hi Alan, Yes I do find that very interesting. I have several books on the air war over Europe and the airfields you mentioned I have heard of before. Of course in late 1942 and early into early 1943 the US 8thAF was still in its infancy. But by the time D-Day rolled around in June of '44, they were a very large force. I believe Mr. Churchill once called the UK something along the lines of a "large island carrier" because there was so many American bomber/fighter groups and planes. I thought I had read somewhere that on some of those airfields there was like a small memorial put up to honor those who had died while serving over there.

RE:Something different!!

Dakota,

I must say your doing a superb job in getting your girlfriend interested in travel to view old iron, be it trucks or tractors it does not matter so long as the interest and enthusiasm continues, you never know you may be bringing her on a plane one day to England, there is plenty for you both to see and enjoy here, old tractors, trucks and plenty of WW2 museums and as Alan says lots of history from all those Eastern air bases of the Second World War.

I do not want toderail this thread but can tell you lots about Lincolnshire during that time and up to present day. Our Annual Tractor Road Run each Easter Saturday starts and finishes at The East Kirkby Aviation Museum, where you can experience the sounds of a Lancaster Bomber taxi run. Check out their website:-
www.lincsaviation.co.uk

Now back to all your great truck photo's you have posted, I am not a truck person, BUT can really appreciate the yellow Mack and low loader (as we would call it here in England) carrying the Caterpillar Sixty, what a lovely well restored and presented combination.
Now I am going to throw out the challenge to you, can you find a period truck for displaying your M-H 55 tractor on, it would look great at a Massey Show.

Malcolm.

Malcolm

RE:Something different!!

Dakota As Malcolm said. There were a lot of Airfield Fields here in East Anglia and in Lincolnshire. There would be plenty for you to see when you come over!! As you rightly say a lot of the old Airfields have Menmorials erected on them. Some have only been built in the last few years. Of course this is a good time to be discussing this subject as next Sunday is Remembrance Day when we have to give thanks to all those men and women of all allied nations who fought and in many cases gave their lives so that we can live in freedom. Alan

RE:Something different!!

Malcolm, A trip to England has been on my bucket list for a while, just hadnt made it happen yet. Funny you should mention that specific Lancaster, as I have seen pictures and videos it doing a taxi run. Those Merlin engines do sound good! The Mack and lowboy or stepdeck as they are called over here was a new addition to the museum as I did not remember it last time I was there. Funny you should mention finding a period correct truck as I have been keeping my eyes peeled for one. Would love to roll into a show with a B61 Mack or Kenworth 524 hauling my 55. Or even an old 2 ton Chevy or Dodge farm truck would work too. But I bettet get some more money saved up first, haha.

RE:Something different!!

Alan, Yes its hard to believe that Veterans Day is only a few days off. When I do get the opportunity to go over there, maybe you and Malcolm could give me to grand tour.

RE:Something different!!

No problem Dakota,

When you do make plans to travel across the pond there is lots for you to see around here.

The RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight is also in Lincolnshire about 12 miles from me at RAF Coningsby, the only flying Lancaster in UK is there and often seen and heard in the sky around here when the weather is good.

Malcolm.

 

Malcolm

RE:Something different!!

Malcolm, I have a poster of their Lancaster hanging on my wall that I got from a FlyPast magazine. I have seen them in videos on YouTube, cant imagaine what it would be like to see that in person.

RE:Something different!!

It is a good job this thread is titled "something different" which can cover many subjects.

Here are a few photos the day in September 2014 when both the flying British Lancaster from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and visiting flying Canadian Lancaster flew above the East Kirkby one whilst it taxied on the runway.

The roads all around East Kirkby that day were chaos as spectators parked everywhere to get a glimpse, the sound of all those Merlin engines together was unforgettable.

Malcolm.

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Malcolm

RE:Something different!!

Some good photos there, would have love to seen that in person. It makes one think that 70+ years ago, hundreds of those were flying and now there is only barely a handful. Kinda like some of the tractors and equipment we collect.

RE:Something different!!

Malcolm, Dakota et al.
   Your Photos of the two Lancs in formation reminded me of the day when we had cut 3 loads of sheaves for Casterton working weekend and were loading them onto trailers when those two came banking round about 500 feet above us and I thought that with them looking down at us and us looking up at them we could all have been transported back  in time to wartime!. A day to remember!
                                                      
                                                                                  Jack.