Air Transport Auxiliary flying control

Three photos from Barry Davidson showing ATS activities at an Air Transport Auxiliary aerodrome. John Webster from the ATA visitor centre has provided the extra detail (in italics).

ATA Museum

“One photo is taken inside the a typical ground level watch office with its bay window. The office was often shared by the Chief/Duty Pilot.

These two photos formed part of the collection formed by ATA’s founder, Gerard D’Erlanger. Both images were  taken at White Waltham and that the four officers pictured above in the Ops Room were from left to right:

Commander S. Lowe – Commander A. K. Smith – First Officer J. Death – Flight Captain F. Marcel”

Out on the airfield is a mobile tower/caravan controlling the runway. It looks like the host vehicle is a Hillman Tilly (see comment below).

“This photo is of what was known as the Control Car. ATA employed a number of Airfield Controllers but, sadly, we don’t have a name for the gentleman pictured – a common omission in the case of ground staff.”

Air Transport Auxiliary

ATA Flight Briefing Unit

another utilitarian mobile caravan at White Waltham. The “VCR” appears to be a pre-war turret from something like a Fairey Hendon or early AW Whitley bomber or even an RAF Air Sea rescue launch?

John Webster, the Secretary of the ATA Association tells us that “The photo is of the ATA’s airfield control unit at White Waltham where the Hudsons were used for conversion training to ATA’s Class 4 types (heavy twins). On first setting up its base at WW, the ATA operated without such control but the growing traffic, particularly for training and conversions, saw yet another role for ATA staff ~ that of aerodrome controller.”

Terry Clark has pointed out this link to a forum discussing the same photo. The forum discussion suggests it is a modified Standard car or Tilly.

Barry Davidson has supplied this cover, I’ve extracted the photos for easier viewing.