Post by Madhatter on Oct 7, 2006 23:00:22 GMT
The MIRA proving ground at Fenny Drayton hides a well hidden secret. The test Circuit is in fact buillt on the Nuneaton Airfield. Looking from the air the runways are still clearly visible.
www.multimap.com/map/photo.cgi?client=europe&x=437000&y=296000&scale=25000&width=700&height=410
It's name was Nuneaton with an alt name of Fenny Drayton. It's located just inside Leicestershire off the Warwickshire Border at a Latitude of N 52 34 and a Longitude of W 01 27. The air field opened in 1943 and it's status on the 1st Dec 19944 was RAF. 44 Grp. Transport OTU.
The location became an American bomber base at the end of the war. The runway was in line with Stoke Golding church. The planes had trouble clearing the steeple, so it was dismantled. Each stone was marked with a number, and the weathercock taken off the top. It was all stored under a tarpaulin. While it was down the scoutmaster repaired and re-gilded the weathercock. It is still possible tosee the grey mark from the join when it was put back.
With the opening of Britains first motorways in 1958 causing high speed safety concerns, the motor industry formed 'Motor Industry Reasearch Association', needed a proper test track to test cars on. They selected this airfield because of it central location and proximity to the main A5 trunk road. The company dates back to the foundation of the Institution of Automobile Engineers in 1899, way before this airfield was even thought of.
www.multimap.com/map/photo.cgi?client=europe&x=437000&y=296000&scale=25000&width=700&height=410
It's name was Nuneaton with an alt name of Fenny Drayton. It's located just inside Leicestershire off the Warwickshire Border at a Latitude of N 52 34 and a Longitude of W 01 27. The air field opened in 1943 and it's status on the 1st Dec 19944 was RAF. 44 Grp. Transport OTU.
The location became an American bomber base at the end of the war. The runway was in line with Stoke Golding church. The planes had trouble clearing the steeple, so it was dismantled. Each stone was marked with a number, and the weathercock taken off the top. It was all stored under a tarpaulin. While it was down the scoutmaster repaired and re-gilded the weathercock. It is still possible tosee the grey mark from the join when it was put back.
With the opening of Britains first motorways in 1958 causing high speed safety concerns, the motor industry formed 'Motor Industry Reasearch Association', needed a proper test track to test cars on. They selected this airfield because of it central location and proximity to the main A5 trunk road. The company dates back to the foundation of the Institution of Automobile Engineers in 1899, way before this airfield was even thought of.
