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RAF Speke (Liverpool, England) USAAF Liaison

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Dixon Cannon
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RAF Speke (Liverpool, England) USAAF Liaison

Hello mates,  I am the newest, newby to be known!
I am seeking information about RAF Speke (Liverpool) and the assembly of USAAF aircraft there.  Specifically, was there a USAAF liaison office there and who was stationed there for purposes of overseeing the assembly process.  Any information would be a good starting point.  Thanks lads!  Cheers!  -Dixon Cannon
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    bernies
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    Re:RAF Speke (Liverpool, England) USAAF Liaison (permalink)
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    I know of no AAF unit stationed at RAF Speke.  Although a number of AAF units passed through Liverpool quickly, the 1st AAF Intransit Depot Group was located there.

    Bernie Shearon
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    Dixon Cannon
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    Re:RAF Speke (Liverpool, England) USAAF Liaison (permalink)
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    bernies

    I know of no AAF unit stationed at RAF Speke.  Although a number of AAF units passed through Liverpool quickly, the 1st AAF Intransit Depot Group was located there.

     
    Ah, ha!  This is a good start.  Do we have any information on this 1st AAF Intransit Depot Group?  I Googled, but not much show up.  Thanks!

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    Dixon Cannon
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    Re:RAF Speke (Liverpool, England) USAAF Liaison (permalink)
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    I have found a cache of photos of the operations at Speke, England.  Here is a particularly good one showing the art deco terminal building in the background.  The caption reads:  Re-Deployment -- Fighter Planes ... Two Air Service Command Technicians Check In A North American P-51 Mustang Shortly After It Landed At Speke, England. The Air Service Command Assumes Responsiblity For The Aircraft When Its Ferry Pilot Picks Up At An Operational Base In The U.K. Or On The Continent. 

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    buckeyeuk
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    Re:RAF Speke (Liverpool, England) USAAF Liaison (permalink)
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    Speke was chosen in early 1939 ( ie. pre-war) to receive, assemble and air-test Lend-Lease and Direct Purchase aircraft supplied by the US , initially mainly Hudsons, Harvards and Bostons; the organisation created was the Lockheed Overseas Corporation and they soon began to assemble and test other types for the British. Original personnel were civilian.
    Speke became the HQ for the British Re-assembly Division and Lockheed set up other facilities at Langford Lodge ( N. Ireland) and Renfrew (Scotland). In May 1940 the Ministry of Aircraft Production (MAP) took over responsibilities for aircraft procurement from the Air Ministry; about the same time the Lockheed facility at Speke was designated as No.1 Aircraft Assembly Unit (AAU) as Bernie mentioned.
    Lockheed , with RAF and WAAFs, were responsible for handling aircraft brought over as deck cargo including de-greasing the components , later crated planes were sent direct to the Base Air Depots.
    The Mustangs are from the 55FG (CY), and 22TRS ( QL) and 10TRS ( YC).
    Prior to all this several RAF squadrons (including Polish and Czech) were located at Speke.
     
    Nick
     
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