Apparently my Grandad was based in Iceland during WW2 servicing Sunderland Flying Boats. It seems to have been a very important time of his life. From his diaries he seems to have been based in a place called Kaldadanes but we cant find it - he wasnt really writing for posterity and unfortunately he is no longer around to ask. Does anyone have any idea where this place could be or where i might be able to get some information - would really like to be able to take my mother to the place that was very important to my grandad. Thanks :))
2007-02-08 01:38:02 · 7 answers · asked by Clipper 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
Here you go - The base was at Kaldadarnes, Iceland, 30 miles (48 km) southeast of Reykjavik
The leper asylum at Klausturholar in the Grimsnes County was moved to Kaldadarnes in 1754 and operated there until 1846.
During the Second World War the British built a large base and an airport on the premises. The base was abandoned after severe floodings of River Olfusa, but was claimed to have served a very useful purpose in sinking German vessels and u-boats around the country. Ruins of a few constructions still remain. The first link has a map.
http://www.nat.is/travelguideeng/plofin_farm_kaldadarnes.htm
p://www.rafcommands.com/Coastal/269C.html
http://www.rafweb.org/Maps/Coastal1942.htm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/06/a4398906.shtml
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/andrew.etherington/1940/08/27.htm
http://freespace.virgin.net/paul.sclyde/page9.htm
2007-02-08 04:54:53 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't know about the name of the base but advice about Hendon is a good idea. If you go to the RAF Museum at Hendon you can walk through a Sunderland, this one was based at Pembroke Dock and could have been worked on by my own grandfather! He always spoke about being able to crawl in the wings and the servicing when they had to stay on the aircraft adn they would cook in the galley. It's a fascinating aircraft though!
2007-02-08 01:56:47 · answer #2 · answered by ehc11 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The British occupied Iceland early in World War 2. The old Reykjavik airport was a British base. Don't know about the name though.
2007-02-08 01:51:45 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
In 1980 while under threat of scrapping, the aircraft was taken over by former Antilles Air Boats chief pilot Ron Gillies. He along with other enthusiasts raised money to repair the aircraft and it was flown from Puerto Rico to Eire in October. The aircraft arrived at Calshot after its last flight on February 3 1982, where it was beached. It was refloated, then taxied to Lee-on-Solent on July 7, 1981. The aircraft was sold to the Science Museum who subsequently agreed for it to be housed in a new museum at Southampton. On March 1 1983 the aircraft was transferred by barge to Southampton I THINK THIS IS THE SANDRINGHAM NOT SURE
2016-05-24 06:26:58 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get in touch with the Royal Air Force Museum - who have a good library and the Imperial War Museum. Links to both can be found by any decent search engine. Both have good collections and archives in London. They may also answer via the Internet - but I cannot guarantee that. Good luck
2007-02-08 01:44:02 · answer #5 · answered by Tony B 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
download www.googleearth.com and set it in the search criteria.
2007-02-09 03:42:42 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it was probably at Kaldarnes... near Rekyavik
2007-02-08 01:50:14 · answer #7 · answered by Mark J 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋