Trickymicky 57 Posted December 31, 2015 Report Share Posted December 31, 2015 During the early 1960's my mum would often drive past Tollerton Aerodrome- which at that time was the main road to Nottingham from outlying villages Keyworth and Plumtree. At the end of the building nearest the road is a water tower, still there today, but in the early sixties, there was some sort of domed structure on top of it, which had disappeared by the mid sixties, if not before.My older brother used to climb up to it with his mates and i remember once they rigged up a brush handle poking out of it to look like a gun. I;ve done some looking around on the web and it would seem that it was some sort of revolving machine gun defence post from the war, does anyone remember it ? it was quite distinctive, but i cant find a pic of it anywhere. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ayupmeducks 1,730 Posted December 31, 2015 Report Share Posted December 31, 2015 Never been to Tollerton Aerodrome, but been under it when I worked at Clifton, 41's face went under it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cliff Ton 10,435 Posted December 31, 2015 Report Share Posted December 31, 2015 There are several photos of it in the 1930s on `Britain from Above' which might show what you're referring to. Put 'Tollerton' in the Search box and have a look. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trickymicky 57 Posted December 31, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2015 Tried that, its not shown on those. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LizzieM 9,497 Posted January 1, 2016 Report Share Posted January 1, 2016 Around 1970 I went there to a disco or gig (can't remember) and had my coat nicked, devastated! Never ventured back until the other year when we went to an Indian Restaurant there, which is probably still trading but have no reason to drive out that way for an Indian when there are plenty of good ones in town. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TBI 2,351 Posted January 1, 2016 Report Share Posted January 1, 2016 We often used to cycle out and muck around there when we were kids, mid sixties. I can't remember a water tower or turret but there was a pillbox though. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
benjamin1945 16,118 Posted January 1, 2016 Report Share Posted January 1, 2016 5# Lizzie,............that was about the year i went there (and only one)......Dinner Dance,..........i aint got your coat Lizzie.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
parmitage 127 Posted January 2, 2016 Report Share Posted January 2, 2016 Me and my mates used to walk out to the aerodrome in the 50s hoping to see aircraft but it was always the same a Douglas parked near the fence and a couple of trainers. Best wishes and a happy new year Peter Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bilbraborn 1,594 Posted January 2, 2016 Report Share Posted January 2, 2016 When I was very young in the mid 50s, the father of the family who lived about five doors away was an ex-RAF pilot. Although he was working as a salesman he kept his hand in at flying by going to Tollerton every month and hiring a small plane. He often took me with him to keep his youngest son company. We would all sit on the grass looked after by Mrs watching the planes take off and land. Sometimes we would play in the pill box. I remember the family because they were well-off and always had brand new cars when most people around there were lucky to have a motorcycle combination. Eventually they had to leave the council house because the income was too high. Never saw them again. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cliff Ton 10,435 Posted January 4, 2016 Report Share Posted January 4, 2016 Me and my mates used to walk out to the aerodrome in the 50s hoping to see aircraft but it was always the same a Douglas parked near the fence and a couple of trainers. Three of them - as well as a collection of other things - on this day at Tollerton in the early 1950s; from "Britain from Above" 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TBI 2,351 Posted January 4, 2016 Report Share Posted January 4, 2016 One of the companies based there, might have been Trumans, used to convert wartime Dakotas to civil passenger aircraft. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Chulla 4,946 Posted January 4, 2016 Report Share Posted January 4, 2016 #11. It was Field Aircraft Services that used to convert ex-military Dakotas into DC-3s, and overhaul them and other types of aircraft. Started out as Tollerton Air Services during the war. Fields later moved the Wymeswold. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
firbeck 859 Posted January 4, 2016 Report Share Posted January 4, 2016 One of the companies based there, might have been Trumans, used to convert wartime Dakotas to civil passenger aircraft. If you drive past there you can still make out the letters 'Truman Aviation' painted on the end of the hangar. Tollerton was discussed on here a while ago and I published my photo's of the Lincoln's parked up there in the late 50's. I also recall Brazilian Airways Constellations being worked on in the large hangar, they couldn't close the hangar doors as the a/c were too big, would have loved to have seen one take of from there, a very graceful aircraft. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
catfan 14,793 Posted January 4, 2016 Report Share Posted January 4, 2016 I worked for Fields at Wymeswold many moons ago ! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Pianoman 1,531 Posted January 4, 2016 Report Share Posted January 4, 2016 As Chulla has said it was Fields who did the work on the Daks for the Yanks. My Father was one of those who did the work on them. They also did maintenance work for other airlines including BEA. He had his camera in there in 1951. If anyone is interested I will scan the pics and put them on here. Fields are now at EMA 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Chulla 4,946 Posted January 5, 2016 Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 Good idea, Malc. Let's have some pics of Tollerton. Will see what I have got. Yes, Fields had the contract to service/overhaul the American Air Force C-47s (they didn't call them Dakotas), and they also civilianised old RAF Dakotas and sold them to various airlines. I remember seeing a shiny, colourful DC-3 for Aigle Azur Airlines standing outside. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Pianoman 1,531 Posted January 5, 2016 Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 They are mainly pictures of Dakotas I might add. Will do them at the weekend when I have the time. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Smiffy49 590 Posted January 5, 2016 Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 #5 and #13 I too remember the club but only went there a few times as it was a bit "out of town" I think the restaurant was called "Charde" or something like that? Remember going inside the Lincoln bombers vividly. On Sundays they had model aeroplanes flying about and we would go around picking up all the bits and pieces that fell off during bad landings. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cliff Ton 10,435 Posted January 5, 2016 Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 I think the restaurant was called "Charde" or something like that? The Charde still exists, at the end of Tollerton Lane. https://goo.gl/maps/HfwXAzRCk1G2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Pianoman 1,531 Posted January 5, 2016 Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 Here's a couple to keep you going. BEA reg G-ALXK named RMA Rex Pierson. Tollerton 1950 Same aeroplane same time same place. My Father standing in front of it. As it was named Rex Pierson (Chairman? BEA at that time) my Father probably thought it was named after him as his name was Rex - he did think a lot of himself. I have got the full history of this aeroplane from the day it rolled out of the factory at Oklahoma City to the day it was scrapped but the info is on another HDD out of an old computer and I don't know where it is. But, however here are the bits I remember. It is pictured here in its 1950-51 only colour scheme. It was later repainted with horizontal stripes painted full length without the break and British European Airlines painted above as became normal. It also had an extra cabin window added each side at the front end. When BEA had finished with it it was sold to Dan-Air, London who later leased it to Starways. It was broken up in 1968. I believe it was built in 1942. In these pictures it is actually owned by Fields, not BEA. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Chulla 4,946 Posted January 5, 2016 Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 Malc, Rex Pierson was the Chief Designer at Vickers-Armstrongs. Among the types he designed was the Wellington bomber. The BEA DC-3s were the Pioneer Class aircraft, named after British aviation pioneers. Nice pictures. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Pianoman 1,531 Posted January 5, 2016 Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 The one pictured is a converted C-47 as most were. They were not Pioneer Class, they were Pionair. The conversions on them was done by Scottish Aviation who also manufactured aircraft called a Pioneer and a Twin Pioneer and because of that the put a block on BEA using the name so it was corrupted to Pionair. Freighters were Leopard. I have just learnt that Rex Pierson was responsible for the Vickers Vimy too! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Pianoman 1,531 Posted January 5, 2016 Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 Here's a couple more. It is unidentified. Also undated but most likely still 1950 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Chulla 4,946 Posted January 5, 2016 Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 #23. Union of Burma Airways. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Pianoman 1,531 Posted January 5, 2016 Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 Thanks. I think I am going to put these on Airliners.net . Might be able to make some money out of them (not!) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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