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Paul Bellamy
2/20/2007 1:53:33 PM | I made a start on building a 3D model of Deenethorpe to help out with visualising the layout as it was when the base was active.
So far I've got the main parts of the Admin Site together, and a few individual buildings from other parts of the site are still "in the rough".
Station 128 SHQ
The flat roofed building in the middle is the Operations Building, with offices and the briefing room to the left. The end-to-end nissen huts in front are the Station HQ offices, and between those and Ops are the 2 latrine blocks.
Much more to add to the SHQ site, Bombsight store, blast shelters, roadways etc.
More as the project develops, hopefully as part of the photo location thread.
All the best,
Paul
Paul Bellamy
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Jackie Sharp Sheflin
2/20/2007 4:42:21 PM | Paul,
What a wonderful Job you are doing. I am truly amazed. I look forward to seeing the finished project. Keep up the good work.
Jackie
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Paul Bellamy
2/21/2007 7:28:30 PM | Today's work on the project:
Site No.3 (Communal)
Starting with a scan of the appropriate section of the base map...
Lay that down as a baseplan, resize to scale, then start constructing and placing buildings in as per the Site Schedule, referring to the appropriate Air Ministry Building plans...
Still to add the Sgts Mess at the bottom, and the NAAFI and Institute in the middle, and to find out what they were used for under USAAF custody. (Aero Club, etc?)
On this site can currently be seen:
At the top, one of the two base canteens (triple bay Nissen), ration stores beside and below that, Gymnasium with Church Extension below those, CO's Quarters to the bottom right, with shower and ablution blocks nearby. The large square area is the coal store, the smaller square is the site of the water tower/tank. The odd looking other structures are air-raid trenches.
Lots of details still to be added, windows, chimmneys etc.
I'll try to make a start of the other communal site tomorrow too.
All the best,
Paul
Paul Bellamy
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Paul Bellamy
2/22/2007 10:31:56 AM | The missing sets of buildings have now been added, and the last of the grass filled in. Detailing will have to wait until the weekend. 😉
Paul
Paul Bellamy
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donaldbyers
2/22/2007 3:08:49 PM | Paul,
You are doing a wonderful job on the airfield hope you are finding everything you need to get the job done. It is a great project you are working on.
Don Byers
Sgt. Donald C. Byers, 613th Bomb Squadron, Togglier, 42-97344 Carrie B II, KIA 08/24/1944.
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Jackie Sharp Sheflin
2/22/2007 4:17:39 PM | Paul,
I continue to be amazed at your details in the project. How did you find out so much about Deenthorpe?
Jackie
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Paul Bellamy
2/22/2007 7:49:40 PM | Hi Don,
Thanks for the support, I'm slowly gathering the records together to support my own memories of the base.
Jackie,
I've been visiting Deenethorpe since I was a nipper, although it's some 10 years since my last good meander around the site now.
I grew up on the edge of the old Grafton Underwod base, but Deenethorpe was the base that had the family connection. My Great-grandfather was one of the Scottish Pipers that played there once.
The whole thing was what kindled my interest in WWII, which has developed to the stage that I'm a "livng-historian", putting on displays and giving talks, passing on what I learnt by ploughing through books and listening to the Veterans on their visits.
History seems to have passed most of my generation by as irrelevant, I do my bit to make sure it's not forgotten. Showing them places they know now, as they were at the time, seems to be the best way to open their minds to learning more.
All the best,
Paul
Paul Bellamy
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Jackie Sharp Sheflin
2/22/2007 8:10:01 PM | Paul,
I want to commend you for not only doing this project , but for educating others. More of this needs to be done to keep history alive for generations to come.
Are you just reconstructing the layout of the base just on paper or do you also build it in miniature?
Jackie
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Paul Bellamy
2/22/2007 8:36:11 PM | Thanks Jackie,
At the moment the reconstruction is purely on this computer.
It's been a few years since I last built any proper physical models, and to recreate a whole Class A Bomber Airfield at any sort of detail would take a room the size of a sports hall. In fact the last model I built was a 1/48 scale B-17G in 614BS markings, on one of the "frying pan" dispersals, being refuelled and bombed-up. The base for that was 6'x10', not ideal for display or storage. 😉
As soon as Google Earth upgrade the photo resolution over Deenethorpe I can upload the virtual models for anyone to view "in situ".
I've got my first 401BG uniforms and equipment display of the year coming up in May. I've managed to get an almost complete set of flight clothing together for the mid-late 1944 period together that fits me (inner, heated and outer layers), just after a pair of A-6 boots and an A-4 chute harness to finish it off properly.
All the best,
Paul
Paul Bellamy
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Paul Bellamy
2/28/2007 3:46:17 PM | I've been working on the technical site for the last few days, as there are quite a few photos taken there. Not quite complete, but good enough for a test run..... the tech site model works out at 3000' x 1600', which means I can get accurate to within 0.1"!
So here's the first couple of photo comparisons, known locations to start with.
Workshops and chute shop.
View from Tower towards tech site.
More to come as I complete the model.
All the best,
Paul
Paul Bellamy
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Jackie Sharp Sheflin
3/2/2007 6:28:44 AM | Paul,
The photos are very interesting to see since they were taken so long ago. Do you have more photos of Deenethorpe during WWII ?
Jackie
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Paul Bellamy
3/2/2007 7:03:03 AM | The photos I'm working from are all from the National Archives collection galleries on the main website.
You never know, I might get the captions written for them one day. 😉
All the best,
Paul
Paul Bellamy
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EDanaII
3/29/2007 10:19:25 PM | Very cool, Paul. Kudos! 🙂
I'll show those images to my dad and see if they spark any memories.
In the mean time, can I beg a favor? I'm still working on that B17 for my father. I tried to get the photos from the National Archives but got confused by, and managed to confuse, the service that accesses photos. Maybe you can help me figure out how to get the photo I need without the confusion?
It would be appreciated if you could. 🙂
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Paul Bellamy
3/30/2007 11:28:18 AM | Hi Ed,
Good to hear from you again.
If you could let me know which photos you need I'll see what I can come up with.
The NARA web-search is an absolute swine to work with, even when you know what file you need and where it's held if still refuses to acknowlege it exists. I've never found a worse way of accessing information, it's like pulling teeth.
All the best,
Paul
Paul Bellamy
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EDanaII
3/31/2007 10:04:54 AM | Thanks, Paul. Yer a scholar and a gentlmen. 🙂
Rather than derail this thread, I've posted what little information I have into my Hard Seventeen thread.
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Paul Bellamy
3/31/2007 6:46:05 PM | Cheers Ed,
You had all the information I needed. Answer in the Hard Seventeen thread.
TTFN,
Paul
Paul Bellamy
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EDanaII
4/2/2007 12:54:11 PM | OK, Paul. I showed those pictures to my dad yesterday, and unfortunately they didn't spark any memories. Of course, to be fair, dad is 83. So I printed the images off and left them there for dad to review. Sometimes it takes time for old memories to surface.
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Phoenix
5/17/2007 12:11:08 AM | Paul
Where did you manage to obtain a detailed plan of the airfield from with all the building numbers etc. I have tried 'after the battle' but had no luck, need your help again I'm afraid.
Dale
improvise, adapt, overcome
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Paul Bellamy
5/17/2007 5:15:56 AM | I've managed to borrow a copy (4xA3 sheets) from a friend. I'm still looking for somewhere local that can copy it though.
I have some partial scans so far.
I would assume the original is in the archives at Hendon.
All the best,
Paul
Paul Bellamy
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Phoenix
5/17/2007 12:33:44 PM | Paul
If you are struggling to copy the plans you have I have three scoures of A3 copier I can use if you are interested also the One Stop Copy Shop in Market Harboriugh has an A3 copier, if I can be of assistance just give me a shout.
Regards
Dale
improvise, adapt, overcome
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JoeW
8/13/2008 8:37:17 AM | Paul.. this is a wonderful project! I know of someone who is attempting to recreate the base within B-17: II Flight Simulator. Would you mind if I passed your email address along to him? You two might be able to collaborate on reconstructing the base?
Regards,
Joe
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EDanaII
8/14/2008 3:00:00 PM | Hey, keep us all posted on that one Joe, I'd love hear about that too. 🙂
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JoeW
9/15/2008 11:43:20 AM | "EDanaII":
Hey, keep us all posted on that one Joe, I'd love hear about that too. :)
It seems someone has already done this. I have a set of files that can be loaded into an earlier version of Flight Simulator that overlays the scenery with the original airfield, including a number of buildings including the Watch Tower.
Unfortunately this does not work in the newer version of Flight Simulator, which is what I'm working on. I'm trying to find the author of this airfield recreation but in the meantime will do without.
Here's how the overlay looks now...
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donaldbyers
9/15/2008 1:14:46 PM | Great Work by someone. It's a good birdseye view of the base and airfield. Thanks for posting it.
Don
Sgt. Donald C. Byers, 613th Bomb Squadron, Togglier, 42-97344 Carrie B II, KIA 08/24/1944.
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Paul Bellamy
9/15/2008 1:48:36 PM | "JoeW":
Paul.. this is a wonderful project! I know of someone who is attempting to recreate the base within B-17: II Flight Simulator. Would you mind if I passed your email address along to him? You two might be able to collaborate on reconstructing the base?
Regards,
Joe
Hi Joe,
Sorry, have only just noticed your posts.
Feel free to pass on my e-mail to him. paulbellamy1939 AT hotmail DOT com
All the best,
Paul
Paul Bellamy
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Paul Bellamy
6/12/2009 3:13:08 PM | Today's work-in-progress.
Building 65, the main base substation, which was between the briefing room and hangar 1:
This building still stands, although threatened with being absorbed into the ever-expanding caravan storage yard:
All the best,
Paul
Paul Bellamy
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Mike Dawson
10/7/2009 5:09:56 AM | I was very interested to read of the virtual Deenethorpe project. I am an archaeologist looking at the Deenthorpe area and have geophysical survey date which may show the sites of two wartimes crashes. These are to the west of Weldon Park woodland. The survey files are large but my phone number is 01536 790447 and I would be happy to send extracts.
Mike
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Paul Bellamy
6/21/2010 8:15:41 PM | The Virtual Deenethorpe project continues to progress, albeit at a snail's pace....
I've started roughing out the eastern communal site again lately, using completely new models where possible:
This section will eventually be tweaked to match Rick's Dad's photo of the same spot:
All the best,
Paul
Paul Bellamy
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Paul Bellamy
6/22/2010 5:34:30 PM | I've started on the 80,000 gal. high-level Braithwaite water tower this evening:
The supporting legs are still in the rough, more cross-bracing is yet to be added along with the access ladders and pipework.
Amazingly, not only is the original manufacturer of these water towers still in business, but they can still supply you a brand-new one absolutely identical to the original one built at Deenethorpe, anywhere in the world!
All the best,
Paul
Paul Bellamy
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Paul Bellamy
6/23/2010 3:07:11 PM | More fiddling with the water tower tonight:
All the best,
Paul
Paul Bellamy
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EDanaII
6/24/2010 7:06:15 AM | Lookin' good, Paul. As always, I'm impressed. 🙂
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Paul Bellamy
6/24/2010 6:00:44 PM | Thanks Ed,
Viewers may have noticed the detail quality of the models has improved recently.
I (quite literally) burned out the processor on my previous PC, the new one is an incredible improvement.
The last screen grab above with the water tower with a cast shadow would have completely crippled the old one, locking up for an hour or so or crashing completely.
The new one allows me to render it properly while panning and moving around the model in real time.
All I have to do now is work out how to turn all this into something useable for anyone in general.
TTFN,
Paul
Paul Bellamy
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donaldbyers
6/24/2010 8:52:24 PM | You have sure impressed me with all of your artfullness.....
Don
Sgt. Donald C. Byers, 613th Bomb Squadron, Togglier, 42-97344 Carrie B II, KIA 08/24/1944.
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Phoenix
6/25/2010 9:19:18 AM | yeah, it sure is all very impressive but...............if you can win the Euro lottery, buy all the land and rebuild the whole lot full scale............well that would be impressive 😉
improvise, adapt, overcome
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donaldbyers
6/25/2010 6:20:12 PM | Ah an optimist!
Sgt. Donald C. Byers, 613th Bomb Squadron, Togglier, 42-97344 Carrie B II, KIA 08/24/1944.
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Paul Bellamy
6/26/2010 9:24:09 AM | A bit more of the access ladder and catwalk done, just the plumbing to do now...
Paul Bellamy
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JoeW
8/2/2010 12:47:09 PM | There's an entire Flight Simulator virtual bomb group out there flying some of the planes that were at Deenethorpe. Depicted in this screen shot: Ice Cold Katy. Some of the other planes that have been recreated are "Lady Jane," "Baby Lu," "Champaign Lady," and "Sharktooth."
There are groups of people who meet online and fly group formations. The screen shot below is what you actually see flying around you.
Paul: your work on Virtual Deenethope is amazingly detailed and terrifically rendered. Would be wonderful if there would be a way to incorporate your work into the Flight Simulator scenery. What software are you using to create this work?
Cheers!
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Paul Bellamy
8/3/2010 2:39:07 PM | Ta Joe,
I'm working in SketchUp, but I don't know if that format can be incorporated into Flight Sim. Would be great if it could though.
I've made a start on the Communications Section building this week.
The original Air Ministry design for this standard building was a Radar Workshop, with a large plexiglass (transparent to radar waves) window in the side.
Whether by intent or accident, the one at Deenethorpe was placed where adjacent buildings would block the radar's line-of-shoot, so the large window was never installed.
A longer lintel and window lower than the others marks the spot where it would have been:
And onto the model:
All the best,
Paul
Paul Bellamy
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donaldbyers
8/3/2010 7:04:44 PM | You keep amazing me Paul that is great work.
Don
Sgt. Donald C. Byers, 613th Bomb Squadron, Togglier, 42-97344 Carrie B II, KIA 08/24/1944.
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EDanaII
8/3/2010 9:19:52 PM | @ JoeW
More information would be welcome regarding that flight-sim, Joe. 🙂 That's definitely a nice screen shot.
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JoeW
8/16/2010 11:25:03 AM | The screenshot was taken directly from Flight Simulator X. The B-17 add-on is from A2A Simulations, and this particular plane is modeled using their Accusim technology. Real world flight characteristics are very evident in flying this plane...not only aerodynamically, but mechanically as well. There's an entire checklist to just start the engines up, and if you don't watch things like hydraulic pressure, carb heat, and fuel levels, you WILL not have a happy landing ! 😃
Match all of this with a dedicated group of B-17 enthusiasts who meet in a multiplayer environment and the fun really begins. I've been in sessions where there have been half a dozen or more B-17's flying, accompanied by various fighter escorts (P-47's, P-51's, Spitfires, etc., and even an occassional Bf109. All the flyers are also able to stay in "radio" communication with each other. It's a very fun way to while-away an hour or two.
I'm going to be bringing my computer rig and a projection system to the reunion next week and will try and set up some demonstration flying in the hospitality suite.
Hope to see you there!
Regards,
Joe
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Jackie Sharp Sheflin
11/12/2010 10:12:18 AM | The work is truly amazing..the progress is terrific!
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Paul Bellamy
3/14/2011 6:10:47 PM | Been working on the base hospital again tonight...
TTFN,
Paul
Paul Bellamy
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Paul Bellamy
3/15/2011 7:56:53 PM | More detail tweaks...
The jeep has driven off elsewhere on base to have the correct bumper markings stencilled on. 😉
Also today I've received a copy of the Air Ministry Works Department drawing for the two Lubricant and Inflammables Stores buildings back over on the technical site, from the size of them they were the Type B huts at the top so I can get on with adding them to the model shortly.
For those of you with access to the RSP these were buildings #61 and #62, and stood near Grange Farm close to the Group & Station Ordnance Department hut:
(I have a complete and original one of these buildings to restore on another ex-8AF airfield now, albeit the 24' span Type A version, so will be getting plenty of hands-on experience once again. 😃 )
All the best,
Paul
Paul Bellamy
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donaldbyers
3/16/2011 10:36:54 AM | Paul,
Your doing a supper job on this. If that photo is stated as a 401st BG I would like you to send it to me please.
Don
Sgt. Donald C. Byers, 613th Bomb Squadron, Togglier, 42-97344 Carrie B II, KIA 08/24/1944.
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Paul Bellamy
3/16/2011 12:04:19 PM | The ordnance section photo is a scan from the Blue Book.
I'll see if I can get a better scan and send it along.
All the best,
Paul
Paul Bellamy
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donaldbyers
3/16/2011 2:02:36 PM | Thanks Paul
Don
Sgt. Donald C. Byers, 613th Bomb Squadron, Togglier, 42-97344 Carrie B II, KIA 08/24/1944.
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Phoenix
3/21/2011 5:42:41 AM | Paul,
As you seem to be getting the handle on the base hospital maybe you can help with this image from the Blue Book/gallery that has been bugging me for some time 😢
I have been studying it and comparing it's situation with the Air Ministery plans and it just doesn't seem to fit :shock: it looks all back to front and turned around sort of thing ❗ I now wonder if it is part of sick quarters or somewhere else entirely ❗
I just know you will have the solution 
improvise, adapt, overcome
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Paul Bellamy
3/21/2011 7:37:15 AM | No problem Dale,
The photo shows the northern and central wings, plus the edge of the water tower.
Rough indication of the photo angle:
All the best,
Paul
Paul Bellamy
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Phoenix
3/21/2011 2:36:30 PM | Nice one Paul, that all makes sense now. For some reason(the tree I reckon) I had it into my head that the whole thing was turned through 90 degrees as we look at it in a clockwise direction. I must have been following the hedge line as it is today 🙄
improvise, adapt, overcome
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Paul Bellamy
6/5/2011 12:21:14 PM | Complete restart on the Control Tower model...
This time it will end up as the tower was by VE-Day, so I've added the lettering to the front wall along with the hooded obstruction light.
Everything else still needs to be added to the roof though, so I'll have to work dimensions out for the Seco control cabin which replaced the runway board frame sometime after February 1945.
Also to add is the rocket launch tube on the balcony, and the various external cables and drains etc.
All the best,
Paul
Paul Bellamy
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Paul Bellamy
6/5/2011 3:02:42 PM | More additions:
All the best,
Paul
Paul Bellamy
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Paul Bellamy
6/7/2011 3:05:11 PM | Coming along slowly, signals square, ident letters and Stevenson screen added with reference to an early 1945 aerial photo:
Plonked into GE to see how it looks:
All the best,
Paul
Paul Bellamy
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Paul Bellamy
8/4/2011 6:24:55 PM | More fiddling with the control tower section of the model...
Opening window frames...
Balloon Filling Hut 3382/41 added:
Floodlight Tender Shed and a bit more "set dressing" added.
Both jeeps are correctly marked up to the 78th Station Complement Squadron:
All the best,
Paul
Paul Bellamy
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donaldbyers
8/4/2011 9:27:35 PM | Paul,
Your doing well there my friend. Spellcheck spellcheck arugh!
Don
Sgt. Donald C. Byers, 613th Bomb Squadron, Togglier, 42-97344 Carrie B II, KIA 08/24/1944.
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Paul Bellamy
8/6/2011 5:34:46 PM | NFE Store added:
All the best,
Paul
Paul Bellamy
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Paul Bellamy
9/6/2011 6:35:39 PM | I discovered the footings of the long-demolished Balloon Filling Hut still surviving in the undergrowth behind the rubble of the Control Tower the other day.
This was where the weather balloons used by the 18th Weather Squadron chaps were inflated with hydrogen.
Viewed as if looking at the front door:
And from the left side, showing the recessed floor.
Traces of the brick walls can still be seen:
Paul Bellamy
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Josie
9/8/2011 4:34:19 AM | Always stumbling across something new Paul! That's great!
Your Virtual Deenethorpe Project is amazing! Have you thought
about what you could share at the reunion? I hope this project
is a part of it.
Josie 🙂
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Paul Bellamy
2/12/2012 6:31:15 PM | Got a new rendering toy yesterday to use with the 3D models.
Deenethorpe Tower at dawn, late spring 1945:
All the best,
Paul
Paul Bellamy
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Jackie Sharp Sheflin
2/13/2012 9:12:56 AM | Love the entire project, but the rendering toy adds a whole new dimension to a project that is already assume!
Jackie
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Paul Bellamy
2/15/2012 5:45:07 PM | Ta Jackie.
I've made a start roughing out some background:
Yes, I know the B-17s have no wheels yet... 😉
Paul
Paul Bellamy
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donaldbyers
2/15/2012 5:58:49 PM | And I thought there was a secret Hovering device on the aircraft.
Don
Sgt. Donald C. Byers, 613th Bomb Squadron, Togglier, 42-97344 Carrie B II, KIA 08/24/1944.
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Paul Bellamy
2/17/2012 2:18:54 PM | Wheels added... well, a complete new B-17 model added to be truthful. 🙂
I'll try adding this image as an attachment, as photobucket knocks the resolution right down:
Paul
Paul Bellamy
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OldGunner
7/8/2012 11:25:38 AM | Hello Paul
I fly from Deenethorpe if you would like to view the site from the air let me know, that is should we ever get suitable weather!
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Paul Bellamy
7/8/2012 11:28:00 AM | Thanks very much for the offer.
When I passed there yesterday evening between the rain showers there was a lovely rainbow seemingly coming out of the hangars. 🙂
All the best,
Paul
Paul Bellamy
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donaldbyers
7/8/2012 6:21:45 PM | Paul,
What better offer can you get!!!!!!
Don
Sgt. Donald C. Byers, 613th Bomb Squadron, Togglier, 42-97344 Carrie B II, KIA 08/24/1944.
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