WW2 Airfield.....TAKE 3 !!!!

[ww2digger]

Hey guys

I wasn't intending to return to my airfield for a while, but when i got hold of the original Air Ministry plans (thanks Paul !!), I felt compelled to return as I could now pinpoint areas of interest. Namely the Cannon butts, and the base armoury and ammunition store.

I set out early in the morning hoping that I would strike lucky armed with the new information.

And so battle commenced !!!!!!!!!!!

Let's start with some shots of the holes in the ground

Single .50 calibre.....nice. Both dated 1943. Wonder if I could find a few together instead of single ones all the time?

WAHOO !!! What a find !! Just to the side of the Cannon butt. Some lazy armourer must have chucked them there after testing the guns on one of the Mustangs. Here it is again marked up !

What about 20mm shells ? After all, this base was RAF before they gave it to the USAAF.....

That'll do ! Wonder if I could find a group of these to ?

YOU BEAUTY !!!! What a day i was having ! Some of the stuff wasn't even underground !

So here is the sum total of about 5 hours detecting in very long grass. Damn it was hard work ....... but worth it

After the obligatory 3 hours of cleaning, poking, prodding and scraping I was left with this....

Let's have a look up close and personal !

Coins first.....

Anyone any idea what on earth this is ? About 6 inches long, thread at one end......found next to the Cannon butt. Part of a gun or heap of crap ?

Some odds and ends......and yet another cut through .50 cal ! What on earth did they do this for ? And why is there a spent 45 cal bullet in the cannon butt ? Someone testing a Thompson ? Browning ? Most odd !

20mm cannon shells. All dated 1942 or 43 with various head stamps (BMARC, DURA ). Two things of note......the phantom cartridge chopper was at it with one of these too !! And how did just the end cap to a 20mm become detached ?

Many of the MG links fell apart during digging, but quite a few survived !

....and hidden amongst the rusting pile was a 20mm link :shok_yikes:

And the best find of the day ? 17 of these came from the hole shown above.....they just kept coming !!! All dated 1942 to 1944 with various headstamps ( FA, SL, U, RA) 8) 8) 8)

I am gonna have to leave that airfield for a while. It is giving good finds but BOY is it hard work there ! I got stung like 50 thousand times and also discovered my old MDing boots now leak I daren't tell the wife i need a new pair.....She just let me buy new spades, finds bags, walkie talkies and compass !!

Hope you like the pics !

ww2digger

 

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[aa battery]

great post keep it coming

 

[ww2digger]

Thanks AA......as usual, a man of many words :P :P :P

ww2digger

 

[aa battery]

Thanks AA......as usual, a man of many words :P :P :P

ww2digger

yup i dont know many

 

[Real de Tayopa Tropical Tramp]

HI WW-2 Digger: First speaking of relics, I see that you found AA ok.

Err, ah, incidentally I am a WW-2 relic also sigh. However my duty area was in the Pacific. Nice collection but remember most 20 MM rounds were basically explosive projectiles, so be careful with them.

In fact, I still have a few pieces of 20 mm inside of certain portions of my anatomy. thanks to the unfriendly attitude of the Japanese. The 50's present no problem.

On the long, threaded thngie, it appears similar to a fireing pin used by the Germans in one of their machine guns.?? What is it's diameter, and what does the other end look like?

Don Jose de La Mancha

 

[ww2digger]

I am sorry to hear you still have bits of 20mm in you

Thanks for your advice on the 20mm's. I already knew they were explosive and rather prone to going off unexpectedly after being in the ground for 60years ! I have found one complete 20mm shell......but as sson as i realised what it was i dug the hole 3 foot deep and buried it ! The area it is in is private land and not used by the farmer so he'll never come across it nor will anyone else detecting in the area......I am the only one he allows on his land !

If you ever get to England I'd be pleased to show you round some old bases. If you bring AA with you maybe we could bury him on the base and then go dig him up again as a real live relic ! That'd make some cool photos

ww2digger

 

[crazyjarhead]

Interesting things you are finding

 

[RevJoel]

Threaded item looks like a tap of some kind for threading holes. In the line up of the cases and projectiles, the two cases look like British Mk VII .303 cases. Are you sure the long and points are 20mm? Are they around 3/4 of an inch in diameter. Reason I ask is that looks like a .45 cal FMJ on the end and projos look more like .50 cal Browing machine gun ammo. 20mm usually will have some sort of removal busting fuse if it is not a solid ball round. Good work and great finds!

Pax Christi
Rev. Joel+

 

[ww2digger]

Revjoel

I think you're looking at the wrong description for the pictures. The bullets are .50cal, below that are 20mm casings. Included in the pic with the 50cal are 303 cases amongst other things.

The descriptions with the pictures are totally accurate. You gotta match the right description to the right picture !!

ww2digger

 

[RevJoel]

My bad!

 

[Erdspiegel]

Great finds,Top pictures! Thanks!
I know the Browning .50cal bullets from my own detecting sites here.We have to beware of the silver tipped bullets;phosphorus incendiary ones.

Greetings & carry on finding, Sven