Identify this 1921 picture

[oversteer]

You may have seen that a load of aerial photos from the early 20th century have been published for the public to see.

http://www.britainfromabove.org.uk/image/epw007159?filter=28706&ref=28

They are asking people to identify the location of photos that are "Unknown".. so any takers ? I'm guessing coal mine?

Fascinating site.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Another one, from 1927

 

[Tiny Tim]

It's a pity that it's not possible to see these photos in higher definition, much of the detail is blurred when enlarged. The 1921 picture has a distinct lack of locos in it, so probably not a railway works of any kind. The large gantry-like structure in roughly the centre doesn't look much like pit head gear, although I can't guess what else it might be. Below and to the left of the large structure appear to be two sets of shear legs if that's any help to anyone. I did think it might be a scrapyard, but it looks a bit too neat for that. The 1927 photo is even more enigmatic, there's very little in the way of landmarks on it at all, less still ones that might survive. Best of luck to anyone identifying these scenes.

 

[LE Greys]

It's a pity that it's not possible to see these photos in higher definition, much of the detail is blurred when enlarged. The 1921 picture has a distinct lack of locos in it, so probably not a railway works of any kind. The large gantry-like structure in roughly the centre doesn't look much like pit head gear, although I can't guess what else it might be. Below and to the left of the large structure appear to be two sets of shear legs if that's any help to anyone. I did think it might be a scrapyard, but it looks a bit too neat for that. The 1927 photo is even more enigmatic, there's very little in the way of landmarks on it at all, less still ones that might survive. Best of luck to anyone identifying these scenes.

Definition from the old plates wasn't 100% brilliant, especially since you would need a short exposure for an oblique image like that, necessitating a 'fast' (so grainy) plate.

Rather intresting to see a pre-New Town Stevenage, when it was a decent little place on the Great North Road. Obviously all done on the same pass in 1925. I wonder what sort of aircraft took them (I'd guess at a converted DH9 based on date and availability, but it's a pure guess).

 

[Bedpan]

I wonder what sort of aircraft took them (I'd guess at a converted DH9 based on date and availability, but it's a pure guess).

Can't say that I know much about planes, but if you go to the BBC website, and then search for "What Britain used to look like from the air", it will take you to a photo montage, if that's the way to describe it, showing not only the selection of some of the still photos but also the planes they used to take them from. There's also a 1930s police helicopter over Wembley Stadium in one fo the pictures.

 

[Schnellzug]

Here's a link to the thing in question: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-18542080

The plane, (0:28) looks like a DH4.

 

[LE Greys]

Here's a link to the thing in question: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-18542080

The plane, (0:28) looks like a DH4.

The caption gives it as a DH9B (little icon on the bottom right). There's also a massive airship about 0:06, which seems to be the Graf Zeppelin at London Air Park (wherever that is) plus some images of an airshow at Hendon a bit later, including an Aerofilms Gypsy Moth, and one come to grief in a boating lake at 03:32. The 'helicopter' at 04:22 is a Cierva Autogiro. Also an amazing view of Swindon Works and timber yard at 02:47, plus a goods train passing a match factory at 03:29. Fascinating stuff, thanks for posting this.

 

[Schnellzug]

The caption gives it as a DH9B (little icon on the bottom right). .

I'm wondering if there might have been some early Photoshop going on there; in the flying picture, it looks as if the registration (G-EBFN) has been retrospectively drawn on, doesn't it, and according to the Pedia, G-EBFN was the protootype DH50, used by Alan Cobham. Now, that looks rather bigger, and has a cabin amidships, so I'm suspecting someone may have (non-digitally) modified a photo of a DH4.

 

[Sir_Clagalot]

the top photo is probably part of a steelworks or other such undertaking.

 

[Tiny Tim]

The 1921 photo has been identified on the Britain From Above website as Brightside Lane sidings, Sheffield. (Presently the site of a Royal Mail sorting office). The identification was made by Paul Stevenson who must know the area intimately, as I can't see a single building from the 1921 shot still standing. Well done that man.