Winner of our Photograph Competition

Congratulations to Margaret McNeill whose photo of her Father, A.J.McNeill, has won our photograph competition. 

Her Father is shown feeding pigeons in Trafalgar Square during WW2. Particular mention was made of the contrast between the relaxed environment depictedin the photo, and the contrast with the significant sacrifices made by our Odd Bods in WW2. 

McNeill served as a WAG in 90 Squadron RAF which flew Stirlings and later Lancasters up until the end of the war.

A big thank you to Margaret for sending us the photo, and of course to all those who sent us their photographs during the course of the competition. Your photographs will form part of an archive that features at our Annual Reunion on ANZAC Day. Margaret receives an Odd Bods enamel badge as her prize.

Odd Bods Congratulate Raphael Student Asma

Friends of the Odd Bods continue the Odd Bods tradition of supporting disadvantaged young students at the Ryder-Cheshire Raphael Centre in Northern India. 

We have sponsored many students over the years and it is extremely gratifying when a student achieves independance after their schooling. 

One such student is Asma who recently withdrew from Raphael and receives a small government pension and a small income from her craft skills. Friends of the Odd Bods pass on their congratulations to Asma. Following is her last report from the school and some photographs from previous years.

Odd Bods Sponsored Students Update - Raphael, India

Ryder-Cheshire have sent us reports on the progress of the four students we sponsor at their Raphael Centre in Northern India.

Each have made good progress, and we are delighted to report that Asma has just recently been withdraw from the centre as she gains independance meaning she no longer requires support (see separate article). 

A replacement student will be advised in due course.

WW2 Aerodrome Recreation - Dunsfold

 

Peter Smith, Son of Odd Bod George Smith, has taken on a project to recreate the WW2 Dunsfold Aerodrome in model form, and it is progressing well, although he has struck a few hurdles along the way.

Dunsfold was located a few miles south-east of Guildford in Surrey. It was built as a Class A Bomber Airfield in the 1940's and accommodated three squadrons during WW2 operating B25 Mitchell Bombers - 180 Squadron (George Smith's squadron), 98 Squadron, 320 Squadron.

The Aerodrome had a number of buildings including the Watch Office (these were later called Control Towers), an underground Battle Headquarters, various aircraft hangars, machine shops, and accomodation facilities. 

Watch Office with newly installed top level 1952

Watch Office model ready for paint.

The hurdles came about because of war time restrictions on taking photographs, the practice of camouflaging facilities, and post war modifications. The aerodrome continued in operation after the war, notably used by Hawker Siddeley (later to become British Aerospace) including development of the Hawker Siddeley Harrier, the first VTOL (vertical take off and landing) jet fighter bomber.

Dunsfold Battle Headquarters - underground.

Dunsfold Battle Headquarters internal.

Peter has exhaustively researched early photos and descriptions in an attempt to find out exactly how the aerodrome would have looked when his father served there. Simple things like the colour of the Watch Office have yet to be confirmed. It is unlikely it would have been painted white as post war photographs show.

More than 15 facilities have been constructed so far and we have featured three in this article. Peter might need a bigger dining table as he progresses his project.

Aircrew Tent Accomodation