The Flarepath Traditional Cache

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Hidden : 6/28/2009
Difficulty:
2.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1 out of 5

Size: Size: micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

This should be a faily easy to find nano, but the location is in full view of lots of people who like nothing better than standing around looking at other people. There are also two bus stops in close proximity.

The Flarepath pub marks the end of one of the flare paths used to guide Hampden bombers into Lindholme RAF bomber base during the Second World War. Lindholme was opened in June 1940 with No. 5 Group, No. 50 Squadron in residence. During the war, various squadrons flew out of Lindholme on operational service, but after 1946 it became mainly a flight training training. During the 1960's as a child, I remember seeing Hastings and Varsities flying on a daily basis. The air base was closed in 1985, and all the facilties turned into a prison.

As a reminder of what life was like during the war, and the importance placed by returning bomber crews on the flarepaths, the following extract is taken from the Royal Air Force:

Like many Mr Smith had his share of scrapes and was involved in two crashes. He said "The Hampden was a beast of an aircraft and in 1940 when based at RAF Finningley (near Doncaster) I was sent to look after a pilot on a 'circuit and bumps' sortie."

"The idea was to practice landing and take off techniques but pilots often got lost so they took with them a wireless operator who got bearings from a radio beacon."

That night German intruders were operating so the flare path that directed crews to the runway had to be switched off. Controllers told them to circle round the radio beacon but the pilot lost orientation.

"He was still under training and lost his nerve, deciding instead to go for the flare path come what may. He hoped that by pressing the controllers they would turn it on at the last moment."

"It was a nightmare; he kept making approach after approach only to get a red flare each time, which meant permission to land not granted. He kept opening and closing the throttle and sparks flew from the engines."

"Eventually he forced his way in. We were far too high for a safe landing but finally they turned onThe Hampden the flare path and he went for the runway. We were also too fast and continued straight across the airfield; hitting a tractor and another aircraft before skidding to a halt."

"The pilot banged his head and when I got to him was just coming round. I think I was quite restrained really and said 'that was a so and so foolish way to go about things.' He was young and inexperienced you see and just panicked."

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Qba'g qvfpbhag gur fvta.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


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