Innsbruck Hötting Airfield Aerial View

[Nick Beale]

[quote=Dan O'Connell;65647]

Originally Posted by Nick Beale

1. Who's Neal?

quote]

Ooops! Sorry Nick, it was quite late, and perhaps a few too many "research enhancing" beers!

For my research, I follow the One True Path — caffeine.

[Dan O'Connell]

[quote=Nick Beale;65651]

Originally Posted by Dan O'Connell

For my research, I follow the One True Path — caffeine.

That works :-)

[Dan O'Connell]

Roger, per your map, we have a number of clues. The large mountains behind 857, the small hill on the other side of the valley. Sun angle on the shadows of photos of 590 (?) help as well.

[Roger Gaemperle]

Originally Posted by Dan O'Connell

Roger, per your map, we have a number of clues. The large mountains behind 857, the small hill on the other side of the valley. Sun angle on the shadows of photos of 590 (?) help as well.

Hi Dan, yes, you are right. The small hill with the building on top of it is a very good reference. There is also a church at the bottom of that hill that can be seen in some photos.

The location of 113371 are is still a mistery for me. 113371 was found in front of a big (half burnt) building

Originally Posted by Nick Beale

I did once start a rough sketch the locations of the Ju 87s and Fw 190s (from NSG 9, a unit that actually contributed something to the German war effort!). ...
Better yet, the power line is still marked on the map, although surely it can't still be overhead, can it?

Nick, would it be possible to share the map and the locations of the Ju 87 and Fw 190s? It is very interesting that the power line is still marked on the map. That would help a lot.

Behind WkNr. 111712 (before it was apparently moved to the "Me 262 collection point" in the South West) I can see two Ju 87 (JV44, Forsyth, P.300). The power lines are visible in the background. 111712 is pointing towards East and is South of today's landing strip. Looking towards North there is a building just behind 111712.

Originally Posted by Chris Going

I will be in the US National Archives next week and if I have a spare moment I will have a look.

Hi Chris, thanks a lot for the information about where one might be able to find aerial photos! That would be great if you could check if there is anything about Innsbruck when you are at the US National Archives!

Kind regards
Roger

[Kari Lumppio]

Originally Posted by Dan O'Connell

Roger, per your map, we have a number of clues. The large mountains behind 857, the small hill on the other side of the valley. Sun angle on the shadows of photos of 590 (?) help as well.

Hello!

For what it is worth. The expression "sun angle" reminded me of this nice site: "Sun or Moon Altitude/Azimuth Table" http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/AltAz.php

If one knows the location (coordinates) and (even approximate) date one can use the site to tabulate sun angle and direction for one day (any day and year) in required intervals. If sun angle can be determinated from photo then one can deduct the time (remember GMT +/- x hr) and sun (shadow) direction, too. Accuracy depends of the angle determination error and time interval in the table (you can use even 1 minute intervals).

When sun/shadow direction is clear it does help in putting the photo setting on map too. I have used this site several times since an Estonian friend suggested it years ago.

Cheers,
Kari

[Nick Beale]

Here's a section of one of my maps (the original is 1:50 000). I also used a city street map (1: 8 000) as a reference.

Of course, when you all turn to your copies of Ghostbombers (2001), you'll find you already had information in the photo captions like:

"This is the southern part of Hötting airfield, in the bend of the River Inn which runs between the field and the first range of hills in the background."

"… the line of trees marks the road from Innsbruck to Telfs."

"The overhead power lines (still present on a 1989 map) show that these aircraft are dispersed away from the main landing field."

"In the background is an Me 262 A of JV 44 and beyond it, across the River Inn, the white tower of the Emmaus Church in the village of Völs and the conical peak of the Blasienberg."

[Roger Gaemperle]

Hello Nick,

Thanks for the map. That's very helpful to know where the power line was.

With your information and by comparing various photos I have located the approximate location of most Me 262s at Hötting now. Hopefully, an aerial view of Hötting can be found at the given references. The location of the different buildings would help locating the jets even more accurately.

Hello Kari,

Interesting website! Thanks for the link!

Kind regards
Roger Gaemperle

[David E. Brown]

Gents,

Any progress on the photo and map search?

Cheers,

David

[luftquest]

LOL...is 9 years too late?

http://usaaf.forumactif.com/t2913-ve...bg-et-455th-bg

http://www.luftbilddatenbank-gmbh.at...dafe3c5ae643ca

and for those who are interested in the east airfield

http://www.munitionsbergung.at/uploa...f_u_tivoli.jpg

the two hangars are southeast of where the sill and and inn rivers meet. looks like a bomb landed directly between the two.