Odiham ww2 vehicle pics

ted angus · #1 29-05-10, 16:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noel Burgess

Ted (and anyone else who might be interested) I think I've found a date and description for the second trailer photo I posted...
"Photo developer or maybe flight office at Hornchurch 1940, 25 Sqn Blenhiem Mk1"

Noel

Noel have been comparing with my photo tender pictures I think all the trailers with the window at the front and the extractor fan are flight offices,
the photo vans and trailers of a very similar design didn't have the window at the front, what's your thoughts chaps
TED

Noel Burgess · #2 02-06-10, 23:01

Just a quick thought on the "sun hat" men in the picture I posted - they, and the sitting figure who is writing/drawing, appear to have white shirts as well as the points about there clothes which Ted noticed. Could it be possible that they are visiting "boffins" an that the white hats are to make them stand out for safety reasons??
Noel

ted angus · #3 04-06-10, 17:20

Noel I showed one of my sons the picture he is also heavily into RAF history; I think we are all singing from the same sheet boffins; observers, or similar. Their jackets/trousers/coveralls do not conform to anything that is obviously RAF.
I found an RAF Data book sheet that describes the Office trailers mounted on Brockhouse and Eagle chassis and the split opening front window and extractor vent cowl fit perfectly; I will endeavour to get the rest of pages that make up the sheet , which should give a picture.
TED

Larry Hayward · #4 13-06-10, 23:56

Ted & Noel,

Sorry I've just seen your post - regarding the dark uniformed men in white hats - I can say for certain that they are not boffins! Having researched the Special Duty Flight and Telecommunications Flying Unit etc that did radar research I can tell you that boffins always turned up in civi clothes and mostly flew in them too at low altitude

I'm wondering if these men are therefore Observer Corps

Larry Hayward · #5 14-06-10, 00:09

Ted - here is an example of boffins at work and the camo on the radar trailer that dates to 23rd December 1940. The photo was taken at Sopley (but in the field opposite the site that later became RAF Sopley).

Any idea of the camo colours?

ted angus · #6 15-06-10, 00:30

Hi Larry I would suggest Khaki green No 3 with the other being Light green No 5 or Nobels Dark Tarmac green No 4. most likely the latter. I will see if I can find any observer Corp pics of that era but pre- and early hostility I think they wore civvies with a police "on- duty" striped wristlet ?/
TED