WWII Airfields of East Anglia - Tonys Tiny Tours Ep.2

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Күн бұрын

The first episode of Tonys Tiny Tours seemed to go down well and I had lots of ideas for subject matter for follow up videos. One topic that seemed to resonate was WWII airfields, and having so many on my doorstep it made perfect sense to go with that for Episode 2! I had the use of a Triumph Tiger 900 GT Pro, so I charged up the GoPro's and followed the 107 mile 'Thrill Route' planned on my TomTom 550 Rider. I'll give you a little bit of WWII history at each site, with a sprinkle of bike review thrown in along the way. As before I've tried to plan a route on some of the best roads in the region.
Download the route file here - jmp.sh/UhYDQVL
Chapters with Links to each Airfield;
0:00 - ANDREWSFIELD - andrewsfield.com/history-of-a...
3:41 - SHALFORD - shalfordessex.org.uk/dry-gulc...
5:44 - WETHERSFIELD - / wethersfieldairfieldmu...
9:36 - RIDGEWELL - www.essexgliding.com/usaf-381...
14:55 - BOTTISHAM Airfield- www.bottishamairfieldmuseum.o...
18:11 - LAKENHEATH - www.lakenheath.af.mil/
21:53 - ROUGHAM - rctam94th.co.uk/
26:50 - BOXTED - www.boxted-airfield.com/

Пікірлер: 163

@brianperry 3 жыл бұрын

WW2 UK became an unsinkable aircraft carrier. RIP all those US airman who never got to go home

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Exactly

@paullester4502 3 жыл бұрын

Great video. I have been touring the USAAF 8th Air Force Bomber bases (heavy) in East Anglia over the last three years. There were three divisions of Flying Fortresses and liberators based at 41 airfields. Have done all but 4 to date. BTW if you visit any memorials it's worth taking a photo as the Imperial War Museum will publish them on its website and credit you too. Sometimes they are hard to find. LEST WE FORGET.

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Paul, and thanks for the tip about the memorials

@stevesteve1965 3 жыл бұрын

Well done Tony and thank you, look forward to more of the same.👍

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks 👍

@wakajawaka44 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for uploading this video Tony very interesting and informative. A lot of research must have gone into the making of this one! Thanks again.

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks, yep a bit of research and it was a bit of work to edit too

@BIG-K 3 жыл бұрын

I really enjoyed that. It's also given me some ideas for rides once this lockdown allows. It was interesting and scenic - many thanks, Tony 👍

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

@Dan-56 3 жыл бұрын

Fantastic combination tour and bike review 🏍😃👍. Looking forward to more in the future !

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks! 👍

@JLOSTAFF1 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Tony. Very interesting. Love doing these sort of trips myself. Keep em coming! 👍

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks, will do!

@johnhughes3080 3 жыл бұрын

Really good video Tony, interesting and enjoyable content, looking forward to seeing more 👍👍👍

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks 👍

@davidearth3646 3 жыл бұрын

A very enjoyable watch, keep up the good work

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks, will do!

@stephenhoskins1532 Жыл бұрын

I enjoyed this.Very interesting .Thanks

@robertwright9179 3 жыл бұрын

Once again Tony great video and all on my doorstep.

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Cheers Robert

@GrumpySpyder-Ryder 3 жыл бұрын

That was a really amazing video. So much information about airfield histories, the motorcycle and the jacket. Very well done.

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Much appreciated!

@lordpunter6188 3 жыл бұрын

Another great tour/ride - thanks !

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching

@markgoodman5781 3 жыл бұрын

Super stuff Tony . Really enjoyable.

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Many thanks!

@mattbadgerultrarunner 3 жыл бұрын

This is a lovely little series. Good stuff Tony.

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks

@cloggsy1971 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Tony, again, another incredible video; history on our doorsteps 👌🏻👍🏻

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Cheers Cloggsy, so much history!

@pat_6_484 3 жыл бұрын

Nice one Tony. Really enjoyed that and all the info you provided with the excellent footage. I now have a nice list of places to visit!

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Cheers Pat

@rogerwilliams2902 3 жыл бұрын

Quite often I think of the poor US servicemen who came over to help us out of the shit and who died in the process. We owe them a lot...

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Indeed

@petersydney5895 3 жыл бұрын

I love this mini series Tony. Looking forward to the next.

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Peter

@amateurel4129 3 жыл бұрын

Great video Tony! Very interesting! Really like the format

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Cheers

@keithprentice2100 3 жыл бұрын

Another great video Tony. Keep em’ coming matey 😀

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks, will do!

@philhesmondhalgh 3 жыл бұрын

What a great video - really interesting and fascinating to find out about those small independent museums keeping some of the local history alive

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it

@lakest7573 3 жыл бұрын

Always liked your channel,it just gets better and better.Keep up the good work👍

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much!

@markmurphy1995 3 жыл бұрын

Thoroughly enjoyed that Tony, thank you! Was admiring your Wolf jacket before you mentioned it! 👍🏻🇮🇪

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it

@AugustoJNNeto 3 жыл бұрын

The tours seem like a nice way to record and visit new places/routes and get a bit of a review oh the bike/gear at the same time. Also, opens a window for sponsorships Aside from the fact that it is a wonderful way to spend the day. Top job, Tony.

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Augusto, I’m glad you liked it

@atastefortheroad4475 3 жыл бұрын

As an American, this tour is a helpful reminder of how much infrastructure got built on UK soil - first for WWII and then the Cold War. Very interesting stuff.

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks, yes it certainly had a effect on the landscape in my part of the world. Most of the concrete runways ended up as hardcore under the M1 motorway when it was built!

@roviwoteap2375 3 жыл бұрын

What a cracking “tiny tour” video. Bikes, planes and a little bit of history thrown in for good measure... right up my street! Very entertaining and nicely edited. Look forward to more of these in the not too distant future. By the way, what lovely country roads for riding on, you have in Essex, along with the golden colours of autumn.

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks, yes Essex is a bit more than just Towie ans Southend Sea Front ;)

@charlestindall4029 3 жыл бұрын

Another good one thanks. Charlie

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it

@lpete531 3 жыл бұрын

Awesome, enjoyed it 👍🏽

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Awesome, thank you!

@Honda_Hooligan 3 жыл бұрын

Great video touring my local roads. 👍🏻

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Cheers

@grahamtricker4103 3 жыл бұрын

Excellent Tony. You should do more of these! 👍

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

More to come!

@paulmorris3022 3 жыл бұрын

Hi Tony. Really enjoyed the video well done

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it

@petewebb6952 3 жыл бұрын

Very good vlog. Pleased the music was a quiet chill out. I see the RYD Shoei helmet is in use. Airfields are and interesting bit of history. Looking forward to getting my Tiger GT Pro, for two up soft touring.

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Pete, yes the RYD is my designated camera helmet!

@wikky988 3 жыл бұрын

Very interesting vid Tony.

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Cheers

@rogerbennett1597 3 жыл бұрын

Hi Tony. Likin' it! 😀 Very interesting and great to combine some aviation history with a ride out. I did a bit of a tour to East Anglia in 2017 and amongst some other places did Old Warden Shttleworth collection, Lakenheath, Woodhall Spa, BBMF at Coningsby and finished up round Newark Air museum. Well worth visiting. 👍

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Cheers Roger

@leegingerninja 3 жыл бұрын

Love going to Andrews Airfield, great in the summer with a beer watching the planes take off and land 👍🏻 Great video mate, very informative, I'll be nicking some of those places to ride 👌🏻😎. All the best mate 👍🏻

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Lee, once I get my website rebuilt I'll have all the GPX files there for download. Be good to catch up again and Andrewsfield is a good spot to meet

@leegingerninja 3 жыл бұрын

@@mancavemoto sounds good to me mate 👍 anytime 👌🏻

@stepheneldridge6998 3 жыл бұрын

Good video Tony, enjoyed that 👍. I live near Goodwood, formerly RAF Westhampnett, and a couple of miles from from RAF Tangmere, which has a great museum. I often call in to Goodwood and watch them prepping the Spitfires. Cheers, Steve

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Steve, you can't beat the sound of a merlin engine!

@julianwhite4855 3 жыл бұрын

Motorbikes, aeroplanes and WWII history, a great combination, thank you

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

No problem Julian

@user-sw2lv3zp6o 3 жыл бұрын

That must have taken some researching. A unique series. Well done.

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Yep quite a bit and it was a bit of a bugger to edit!

@anton5749 3 жыл бұрын

Loving the tours. More please.

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Will do

@andyhorton1472 3 жыл бұрын

Another great video. 👍

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Andy

@markieell5614 3 жыл бұрын

Tony really enjoyed the footage 👍🏻 & its nice that we don’t forget things like that 🇬🇧🇺🇸 Mark . 🍺🇬🇧👍🏻

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Absolutely, lots of brave people

@jeremythomas6980 3 жыл бұрын

cheers again Tony I intend to hopefully do both these tours when the weather brightens up and we get released from locked up I mean lock down lol

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Cheers

@silverarrow2558 3 жыл бұрын

Very interesting video ...

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you

@andydowson8248 3 жыл бұрын

Great video, thanks Tony. Hope to see more of the same. 👍

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks, more to come!

@NooBiker 3 жыл бұрын

Nice tour, sir. You had good weather for it. The long straight road next to Andrewsfield trip is one I ride on every now and then. I've been to Wethersfield for a Fire Bike course. Didn't know Ridgewell, Bottisham and Rougham, but will have to pay a visit... Thanks for sharing!

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks, yep I had to act fast to take adventage of the weather window, which meant I wasn't quite as well prepared. What it the Advanced Machine Skills course that you did? I did that one aftre the initial Fire Bike day

@NooBiker 3 жыл бұрын

@@mancavemoto I've only done the Fire Bike day.

@jjnewman65 3 жыл бұрын

I really enjoyed this caveman. Thank you 🙏 and I will share with my mates. Some who ride bikes. We are all from Essex . Cheers 🍻

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Awesome, thank you!

@daveshakespeare1610 3 жыл бұрын

Enjoyed this alot. Subbed.

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Cheers!

@OldManTony 3 жыл бұрын

Very interesting Tony. I was brought on airforce bases, but not on any of those hahahah! Coincidentally I did a video last year on a WW11 airfield near me in Norfolk.

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Cheers, I will check it out

@TheMissendenFlyer 3 жыл бұрын

Enjoyed that Tony - Lot's of those fields were new to me (and I thought I knew most of the UK's airfields!) - I do use Lakenheath for radar services regularly when flying up to see my folks at Tibenham in Norfolk (coincidentally another ex-8th airforce US base) and have landed at Rougham on several occasions in the past....they used to hold a cracking airshow there each year which I used to love flying in to. Great vid....look forward to the next one....all the best!

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Andy, there are so many in this neck of the woods for obvious reasons. Lakenheath must look great from the air, it’s such a huge site! Happy New Year to you, hope 2021 is a good one 👍

@TheMissendenFlyer 3 жыл бұрын

@@mancavemoto .....yes it does, and with the equally massive Mildenhall next door, that part of East Anglia is filled with Runways!

@davidforsdike4343 3 жыл бұрын

Parham ,Bentwaters and Old Buckingham. Well worth a visit. All have museums. Bentwaters is mostly cold war. Great bikers pub at Old Buckingham.

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Cheers, I used to go to airshows at Bentwaters, they were always the best!

@twowheelsoneleg5672 3 жыл бұрын

Nice, very easy viewing, just the right amount of detail for the non anorak

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Cheers

@toddbecker2153 3 жыл бұрын

Love this! I want to come over and take the tour😄 I was born in Lakenheath🇺🇸

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Do, there’s so many WWII sites to visit!

@CathodeRayNipplez 3 жыл бұрын

That was cool. Thanks :)

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Glad you liked it!

@davidsanderson1891 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Tony Great video. Like the way you give information on Bike and jacket test while on your journey. We have Eden camp War museum in Malton. (Yorkshire) 32 Huts all about the war Its fantastic (goggle it mate). The family love it Ride safe my friend. Old dave.

@mancavemoto 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks, will do!

@bikecommuter24 3 жыл бұрын

IF I ever get the chance to go back to the UK again, I'll look this video up to check out the old air fields looks like a nice day trip. Reminds of my time at RAF Woodbridge and all the nice pubs and backroad rides I took and the Sunday morning rides in my Mini for some bangers and mash. I worked on F15's when I was stationed at NAS Keflavik in Iceland before I moved on to A10's at RAF Woodbridge, which at the time was part of RAF Bentwaters.

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Hi Donald, I used to love the airshows at Bentwaters. I've never been a real buff on identifying planes, as sone one like you could probably tell. But as my father jumped out of a Dakota in WWII i've always had an interest. Sounds like you got to travel quite a bit!

@bikecommuter24 3 жыл бұрын

@@mancavemoto Hey Tony, thats cool about you Dad. I happen to be a supporter of a C53 called D Day Doll, they are like the Dakota's but are purpose built for Paratroops. D Day Served in the UK took part in D Day and Operation Market Garden, watch the movie if you have not seen it. Also I seem to Remember RAF Bentwaters used to have a nice row of Static Display Aircraft I used to go by them on my to work, My Dorm was on Bentwaters and my Duty Section was on Woodbridge, they were remodeling the dorm my squadron was assigned to. I seem to remember their was a F101 Voodoo and a few others. I was a Jet Engine Mechanic-Crew Chief assigned to the 78th Fighter Squadron called the Bushmasters our patch was a snake it was the coolest patch of all the Squadrons our Sister Sqaudron was the 91st Blue Streaks. Cheers here is a link to D Day Doll and I got to ride in her one time, her Crew Chief is a friend of mine also Retired Air Force that was a thrill for me. commemorativeairforce.org/aircraft/157

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Donald, I'll take a look. I've been trying to find out more about my Fathers story, but they didnt keep records of who was on what plane. He was flown into his operation by a USAF pilot. The plane came under fire and my father had to cut through the static line webbing of three of his compatriots to get out. Subsequently he missed the DZ and was captured.

@bikecommuter24 3 жыл бұрын

@@mancavemoto I hope you find out.

@woodstreetcoffee4348 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome. Pretty close to me in Saffron Walden

@mancavemoto 2 жыл бұрын

Cheers, yep not to far

@cbroz7492 8 ай бұрын

..my dad was stationed at Great Ashfield with the 350th BG..he got there shortly after D Day...

@BN1960 3 жыл бұрын

Very enjoyable video fella. You're not far from me in Essex as it goes. People think of Essex as just an extension of London but while that's true of the A13 corridor, it really is a lovely county to explore as you go farher into East Anglia If you like war aerodromes, check out Stow Maries WW1 aerodrome nr Chelmsford/Southminster/Maldon It's a good half day out and they have show flights of bi-planes from time to time as well.

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Cheers Nigel, yep some people have a very narrow negative view of Essex, but have probably never been to the 'real' Essex. Yep I've been to Stow Maries and few times and i'm working on a WWI route that it will feature in

@Shinysideup 3 жыл бұрын

As an Essex man myself that was interesting stuff

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Ian

@robbiehales 3 жыл бұрын

Great video, you missed a real gem just ear Mildenhall/Lakenheath in RAF Tuddenham, it's now an airsoft site run by myself, we have several of the old buildings still standing and loads to explore.

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Robbie, and yes I did, although I had to cut the numbers to fit them all in on one day! I'll be sure to head up and have a look around when restrictions ease.

@robbiehales 3 жыл бұрын

Absolutely mate, feel free to message us on facebook gunman airsoft Tuddenham and I can show you about.

@steverobinson5666 3 жыл бұрын

Hi Tony - great trip, but you missed RAF Mildenhall! I had the privileged position to be able to go [thought work] to most of the current working MOD airfields in east anglia - something I value now that I am retired!

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Steve, I did ride right past it as you saw in the video. I missed loads as there so many in this part of the world as you know.

@richardwilson2093 3 жыл бұрын

Really enjoyed this. Thank you. My grandad served as air gunner in 78th squadron. So we’ve decided to take up your tour as well as visit to bomber command memorial in lincs. would you have info of your route. Thank you

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Hi Richard, I’ve been trying to get my website updated so I can store the routes on there for download. If you drop me a message on Instagram or Facebook I can send you the gpx files

@darren4220 3 жыл бұрын

Fantastic video Tony. I would definitely like to visit some of these as wasn't aware so many had small museums. Once lockdown 2 lifts I can see a weekend trip to east Anglia coming up. Any plans for a follow up video to explore more these into Suffolk and Norfolk? ✌ Darren

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Hi Darren, I only scratched the surface really, there are so many sites and little museums. They have some really interesting stuff too. Yes there will be more coming and further afield. The only problem this time of year are the shorter days. Luckily I filmed this before the clocks went back!

@karlosh9286 3 жыл бұрын

excellent , just what I needed on a grim November evening :-D If you are into airfields in Essex, there's Stow Maries near Maldon. Apparently possibly one of the only surviving World War I airfields. Most of WWI airfields got repurposed as WWII airfields. This didn't happen at Stow Maries. I went there last year, in pre covid times. They have a reasonable amount to see in a museum bit and some hangars and a pretty good cafe. They do have volunteers doing guided tours of the site. I think they charge entry to the site (the tour is included) Currently their website isn't working. Googling for "stow maries great war aerodrome" should find it. I guess you'd want at least a few hours to see what they have.

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks KarlosH, I've been to Stow Maries a few times, its a great place. I'm thinking of doing a WWI episode too. Theres also an airship base up near Leiston and Orford Ness was a first world war site too

@karlosh9286 3 жыл бұрын

@@mancavemoto Ahh, if I'm that way when we're all allowed to have fun again , I'll have a look . thanks :-D

@glimmerman 3 жыл бұрын

Tiny tours are a stroke of genius 🤓

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Why thank you

@Cyberdyne-kg8ku 3 жыл бұрын

Re Dry Gulcher. My friends family farmed the land where the plane crashed. Legend was the farm workers alway carried a hessian sack to pick bits they found when ploughing including, unfortunately the head of the single casualty, which was never found.

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing, pretty creepy legend :(

@johnroberts6116 2 жыл бұрын

I guess Tony is rather young to know that Glenn Miller and his band of the AEF visited many of these bases but we did hear part of Moonlight Serenade.

@phillipmoore4621 3 жыл бұрын

Nice one give us more

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Cheers

@davechipling169 Жыл бұрын

I would love to live around there me and the wife both have jeeps love to drive round those lanes

@wayneb2580 3 жыл бұрын

Hi Tony great video very interesting quick question I’ve got same Tomtom But can’t seem to get the traffic to work it works indoors but not when outside Any ideas why cheers.

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks. I'm not to sure, do you have it connected to your phone when you are out?

@wayneb2580 3 жыл бұрын

Yeah connected to phone and headset

@maxwellportlock2119 3 жыл бұрын

Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland USA also name after him. (home of Air Force One - Presidents plane)

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Cool thanks for the info

@NormAlsetup Жыл бұрын

See you soon

@gregrsvr3947 3 жыл бұрын

Good vid, do you run the cameras on batteries on from a power point ?/ btw "Peenemunde" is pronounced .."Peenermunder"

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks, no usually run them from batteries. Thanks for the pronunciation tip 👍

@danieldravot341 2 жыл бұрын

When I froze the map I saw he wasn’t going to Tibenham, home of the 445th Bomb Group, so I moved on.

@B1ueStryk3r 3 жыл бұрын

What jacket is that.

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Its the Wolf Fortitude, i mention ir briefly in the video at 19:44

@B1ueStryk3r 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks

@jjnewman65 3 жыл бұрын

Hi Tony, I’m new to your Man Cave channel and inadvertently called you Caveman. Apologies.

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Haha no offence taken! I’ve been called much worse

@barnbersonol 3 жыл бұрын

This is the best raison d'être of a bike tour of East Anglia? Think I'll pass thanks.

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

Who said it was the best?

@barnbersonol 3 жыл бұрын

@@mancavemoto if there is a better one, do share. E Anglia gets the best weather in Britain so it should have an immediate advantage over Wales where I live but stopping at a gate and pointing and a flat area that once hosted war planes isn't really selling it.

@mancavemoto 3 жыл бұрын

I don’t think you’ve really got the idea of the video, but that’s fine. Thanks for watching

@barnbersonol 3 жыл бұрын

@@mancavemoto what IS the point then? I thought it was to to provide bikers with a theme for a ride. "The top five chippies in Suffolk according to TripAdvisor" might've been better.