The trails are as a result of touring old (and new) airfields. It is intended that they can be done independently (although they do tend to be by area and so can be done in order if you wish) from each other. Each tour can be done in a day perhaps even two if you want to investigate further than I did. They do not take into account gaining entry legally or otherwise to sites, this is down to the individual but remember these sites are private and trespass is illegal. So, each trip uses views from publicly accessible locations on or near local highways. Safety is always an issue and care should be taken whenever visiting such sites, particularly old bunkers which are often in a poor condition.
By clicking on the photos, they can be enlarged, this may take a little time on some browsers so please be patient. Additional photographs are available through the Flickr link on the right hand side and on the Interactive Maps page.
I welcome feedback and comments, and there are several options for commenting / contacting me. The ‘leave a reply’ box does not require your email details although these would be useful for me. These comments can be published on the blog anonymously by not completing these boxes. However, if you complete the boxes only the name appears not the email address.
The second option is through the contact form, (see below) which asks for your details. These do not get published on the blog, but get sent to me as emails. These do require your details.
I have had problems recently with the emails disappearing into space so please, if you do email me, leave a comment as I have missed many as a result for which I apologise!
Other options include clicking the ‘follow blog by email’ and ‘follow aviation trails’ buttons. I also publish updates through Twitter @Lainghome.
If you wish to search for specific information, either type a key word in the ‘search’ box in the right hand menu, or look up the airfield/museum/memorial on the ‘Index’ page which is a drop down menu.
There are a number of ideas that are work in progress, and these will be added as time goes by. Also, as I learn more and more about each airfield and the crews who served there, additional pages will be added and updated.
I hope you enjoy reading the blog, please do get in contact with me, with information or comments. I would be very pleased to hear from you.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and for your interest. I do hope you enjoy reading the trails as much as I did making them.
Enjoy,
Andy
Disclosures and Citations
I try where possible to use open source information thus no copyright law covers it use or publication. This site is for educational purposes, it makes no money nor is any of it copied from any direct source. I have used various sources to collaborate information and these include;
Robert McKenzie, ‘Ghost Fields of Norfolk‘, (Larks Press) 2004
Robert McKenzie ‘Ghost Fields of Suffolk‘, (Larks Press) 2012
‘Air Force combat Units of World War II‘ Air Force Historical Studies Office, Joint Base Anacostia Bolling Washington DC. 1983 (Open Source)
Chorley, W.R, “Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War Range”
Black and white originals open source and freely available or sourced as appropriate.
Colour Photographs are all my own unless otherwise stated.
I have not intentionally broken or infringed any copyright laws and if there is any material you believe has copy-write, please let me know as soon as possible with the source so I can investigate or remove the material in question.
All content provided on this “Aviationtrails” blog is for informational purposes only. The owner of this blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site.
The owner or associated authors of “Aviationtrails” will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of this information. The owner will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information.
Aviation Trails 
Hello, just found your site. I am the daughter of 1st Lt. Leonard Crandell, Pilot, 44th Bomb Group, 67th, stationed at Shipdham 1944-45. He and his crew were KIA on March 24, 1945, flying a mission out of there, shot down over Wesel, Germany. I am finally making plans to visit the Uk in October, hoping to get there before the airfield is no longer available, as the rumors say. Any information you might have for me that would help me in my visit would be much appreciated. Thank you for your wonderful site. Jan
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Hi Janice, thank you so much for getting and in touch and for your kinds words. I’m glad you liked the site.
I presume you have seen the page about Shipdham if not, it’s worth a read to give you an idea of the site should you get there. It can be found in Trail 10 at:
It has been a few years since I was there myself so it may well have changed since even then. It’s partly Industrial although a small flying club does exist on the former airfield using one of the runways. I believe you can access this and the clubhouse which housed a small collection of articles, photos etc. this would be worth a visit. As the industrial part is private ground you would really need permission to access it. The security gate would be the best place to start. Some place are very accommodating, others are not so, it’s really luck of the draw I’m afraid.
Again if you’ve not seen it, have a look at the IWM site:
https://www.iwm.org.uk/search/global?query=Shipdham
it has lots of original photos and articles, you may well see photos of people you know of there and is very interesting indeed.
If you have a look at the interactive map page on my blog, you’ll get the nearest post code for the airfield use that to navigate on a satnav to get there. I’m not sure what transport you’ll be using, but if local/public you’ll have to look into buses etc. a car is certified best.
I hope this helps, if I can be of help please do let me know, I wish you luck and hope you do get over and gain access to the site. Do let me know if there’s any more I can do.
All the best
Andy
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Good afternoon, I recently participated in operational candlelight where we lit up local CWG and I found George A Young who piloted 635 squadron. Sadly the Lancaster crashed on take off killing all the crew. I noticed you had some of the other crew members graves on your website. I have a pictures of George Young one if you would like it? He’s buried in hollybrook Southampton.
Love your website keep up the good work
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Do you, or can you help me find names of Spanhoe service men? I am searching for Garland Jones. Any names like this?
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Hello Betsy, I may be able to offer some help but it largely depends on what you wish to know. Do you know anything about him, dates, units for example, was he killed in service etc? Any information you already have would be useful. Andy
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The Braithwaite tank at Great Saling (RAF Andrews Field) has been demolished within the last three months. However, I have a newspaper cutting with photo dated March 1965 showing it being completely renewed. I’m happy to send a copy if you email me.
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Hi Mike. Thank you for letting me know. I’d appreciate a copy if you don’t mind. You can email it over to aviationtrails@yahoo.co.uk.
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Andy, your site adds a wonderful dimension to the WWII research i’m doing into Paul SInibaldi with Squadron No 342, (Free French). He was at Upwood and Great Massingham. Thank you!
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Hi Trudy, thank you very much, I’m glad you enjoyed it. Upwood is a fascinating place, a real ghost town. Good luck in your own research, I hope you manage to find what you’re looking for.
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Hi Andy
There’s some great info on here. Have you heard of The Friendly Invasion project we’ve just launched at Visit East Anglia? Be great to hear from you. I’m at pete@visiteastanglia.net.
Pete
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Hi Pete, yes I was aware of it, and I’ve emailed you. Hope you get it ok. Thanks. Andy.
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Dear Aviationtrails
Having read your descriptions of the buildings you encountered between South Pickenham and North Pickenham, I must point out to you that they are nothing to do with the decoy site which was built to protect RAF Marham prior to the building of North Pickenham. The control bunker and generator room are situated deep in a wood the other side of the Swaffham Road and are on South Pickenham Estates land and therefore inaccessible to all.
The buildings in question are in fact “Stanton” Air Raid (five in all) shelters and not bunkers, and the “air vent” is actually the top of the emergency escape hatch. Along with an electrical and mechanical plinth (which housed a standby generator) and a very crumbling blast shelter missing it’s turf bank. These were part of the domestic site that served North Pickenham airfield.
It is also a sad note that the remaining hanger that you mention was burnt down in November 2014.
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Hi there. Many thanks for the corrections and update about the hanger. I appreciate the feedback and I shall make the necessary amendments to what is now an old page! It’s a real shame the hanger has gone, I hope there was no malice in its demise. Regards Andy.
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Thank you Do come back soon x
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So far, so good! Marcella xxx
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