Hi guys:

I was hoping you would be able to help me out with an image I'm trying to find.

I'm building a 1/48 Douglas Bader spit (I even have the Bader figure from Legend) for a co-worker, and he would like it to be parked by a revetment or berm typical of what was found in England in WWII. When he was stationed in England (in the 70's I think) he recalled seeing some, and said they had a red door in them which was used as a bomb shelter.

Unfortunately, he doesn't have any pictures, and I've tried several search parameters but can't seem to find any pictures showing their shape, height, foliage cover, etc.

I would greatly appreciate it if any of you could lead me in the right direction to find such a picture. It would help a great deal.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Cheers!

John

You might find Jean-Luc's RAF Dispersal Pen Diorama thread of some intrest

Link to Item

You may also try searching for the term 'dispersal' and search by fighter bases too - I have seen some good photos online, I will see if I can find them again.

Edit: For a start, by searching for 'spitfire dispersal' on google:

Allen & Ray:

Thanks a ton! I hadn't heard the term dispersal before, so that seems to be the key word on which to base my search.

I'm also glad you linked to Jean Luc's Diorama. A top notch presentation from Jean Luc as always.

Thanks again guys, I really appreciate it.

Cheers!

John

As Allen and Ray have said these are referred to as dispersal bays or pens, usually with two pens per structure. There are several types of design, in terms of the angle of the 'berms' - the earth mounds with low brick revetment walls. Each pen usually has a door leading to a personnel air raid shelter constructued within the rear of the pen. There is often an emergency exit at the back of the shelter. I have not seen any doors on these, either becuase they have been blocked up or do not survive. Most examples were grass covered. I know of one example with what appears to be a small anti-aircraft gun pit constructed into the top of the berm.

The red-coloured door may indicate that the shelter was used as an ammunition store, perhaps post-WWII when the dispersal bay went out of use.

Check out the following link for a 1:48 model (and photo and plan):

https://home.clara.net/djparkins/fltpath/fp48_wwii.htm

Paul Francis mentioned on the above site is a well-respected airfield historian who has visited and recorded many airfields in the UK. A link to his website, below, may be useful.

http://s133.photobucket.com/albums/q51/norwichpaul/

Also try checking out books (or the web) on the RAF, particularly the Battle of Britain, and the Airfield Research Group at:

http://www.airfield-research-group.co.uk/