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Post by Tom/CalClassic on Aug 10, 2009 10:06:10 GMT -5
Hi, This shot answers a question in the Discussion forum. Posted here since it's greater than 800 pixels wide:  |
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Post by Connie Flyer on Aug 10, 2009 12:55:24 GMT -5
Looked a little bit smaller back then
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Post by qxtoolman on Aug 11, 2009 2:38:45 GMT -5
Boy there is also a whole lot fewer people around. Des Plains looks almost non-existent. That is a lot of growth in a little more than 50 Years. It sure would have been nice to drive around there in those times......  |
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Post by Tom/CalClassic on Aug 11, 2009 10:42:19 GMT -5
Note that in this shot it appears the plant is not yet in operation. It would look a lot busier after it opens. But I agree that the surroundings are now quite different!  |
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Post by railrunner130 on Aug 11, 2009 12:30:41 GMT -5
Thanks for sharing Tom! I used to work at a place (now Falcon Jet KILG) that supposedly had purchased one of the military hangers from there and had it brought in via rail. I don't see the building in that photo. Hmmm.... www.airliners.net/photo/US-Civil-Air/Cessna-172P-Skyhawk/0983627/L/(Link doesn't appear to post as an image here...) It's one of the buildings on the right/top. Nearest the road. There are four hangers there. Two of them are grey, one is tan and the fourth is there, but not really visible in this shot. I'm not sure which one was moved there from Chicago. |
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Post by Tom/CalClassic on Aug 11, 2009 13:03:15 GMT -5
Hi,
Probably built later in the war, or just after?
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Post by railrunner130 on Aug 11, 2009 16:54:59 GMT -5
I think so. Or, I'm thinking it was from some other defunct air base.
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Post by okami on Aug 17, 2009 16:02:37 GMT -5
Probably sometime in 1943. According to Wikipedia, "Orchard Place Airport/Douglas Field" was constructed between 1942 and 1943. In the pictures, the runways look rather new and unused; also, part of the facility still appears to be under construction (the part next to runway 22) The 5 larger aircraft lined up appear to be C-47s, which, together with evidence of 7 other used but unoccupied parking spots, seems to indicate the airport itself has already been activated (there also appear to be 7 smaller aircraft on the apron), but a lack of lined-up C-54s seems to show its production has not yet been initiated at the site.
I'm assuming the concentration of houses about a mile or two past runway 04 is Bensenville?
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Post by qxtoolman on Aug 18, 2009 0:45:02 GMT -5
I'm assuming the concentration of houses about a mile or two past runway 04 is Bensenville? You would be correct.... The dead give away is the railroad tracks running into town, as Bensenville became a mini rail hub of sorts not to long after this shot. |
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Post by Tom/CalClassic on Aug 18, 2009 10:03:41 GMT -5
Hi,
Bensenville RR Yard is probably that black line that extends to the left of the town. It's right at the end of (and perpendicular to) the current runway 4R. Easily visible if you use Google Maps (or other map service) and search for Bensenville in satellite view.
Hope this helps,
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