Warbird Information Exchange

Until a few years ago the A&AEE at Boscombe Down had a Grand Slam body in use as a test weight for cranes. That was until someone read that story and thought "I wonder?"

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"Always remember that, when you enter the ocean or the forest, you are no longer at the top of the food chain."

Pushing bombs around piling them up and eating lunch on top of them and living day to day so close, I guess those guys got pretty comfortable with them during the war.

I don't remember which station, but there was an explosion at one 8th AF base caused by cavalier bomb-handling. The guys unloading trucks full of bombs into the depot figured out that dropping the back gate, flooring the truck, and letting inertia pull the bombs off the back was faster and easier than using a crane.

Eventually, there was an detonation with numerous a/c and lives lost. Anyone recall this story? I can't find a source.

Shades of Port Chicago.

Almost sounds like the Metfield explosion. Nobody knows for sure how it happened (they blamed it on Italian POWs at the time) but I think some folks from the 491st Bomb Group were involved. It created a crater almost a mile across that is still off limits to this day. It was the largest conventional explosion ever on British soil. I had to create a presentation on it when I was still an Army Ordnance officer years ago.

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Life member, 91st BG Memorial Association
Owner, 1944 Willys MB #366014
Former REMF (US Army, O3)

Yes, I'm certain I was thinking of RAF Metfield. Thank you.

I can't find a source for the explanation of the cause, yet. Might have been one of Roger Freeman's book, but it's not in The Mighty Eighth.

Hi Members,
I am Luis Mark, just entered into this discussion to be a part of this board.
There are four Grand Slam tournaments each year for both the men’s (ATP) and women’s (WTA) professional tennis tours: the Australian Open played on hard courts, Roland Garros played on clay courts, Wimbledon played on natural grass courts and the US Open, which is also played on hard courts.

If you are really interested to know more and more about grand slam tennis schedule and also other information , then you can visit our website.OnCourt Advantage reports on what’s happening in the tennis world, the four Grand Slam tournaments, the 14 major men’s and women’s events and more.

Hope you may get some information here.

Hilarious- left field or what!

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Here's your bomb loading photos to gander as there was more than one event where bomb-loading mishaps happened. Dangerous business. And these ain't no grand slam tennis tournament photos either ...
(all U.S. Air Force Photos)


Aerial View Of Airbase In England (Bomb explosion at Alconbury, 27 May 1943?) Showing Destruction Caused By The Explosion Of 500 Pound General Purpose Bombs While Being Loaded Into A Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress


B-17F serial 42-29833 of the 412th Bomb Sq, 95th BG (Bomb explosion at Alconbury, 27 May 1943)


Bomb explosion at Alconbury, 27 May 1943


These Boeing B-17 Flying FortressesWere Considerably Damaged When 500 Pound General Purpose Bombs Exploded While Being Loaded Into A Plane. 27 May 1943, England


This Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress Was Damaged Beyond Repair When 500 Pound General Purpose Bombs Exploded While Being Loaded Into A Plane. 27 May 1943, Alconbury England


This Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress Was Damaged Beyond Repair When 500 Pound General Purpose Bombs Exploded While Being Loaded Into A Plane. 27 May 1943, Alconbury England


This Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress Was Damaged Beyond Repair When 500 Pound General Purpose Bombs Exploded While Being Loaded Into A Plane. 27 May 1943, Alconbury England


This Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress Was Damaged Beyond Repair When 500 Pound General Purpose Bombs Exploded While Being Loaded Into A Plane. 27 May 1943, Alconbury England

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“Knowing what’s right, doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right.”

The stupidity of some people despite the bleedin obvious staring them in the face is quite incredible