Montrose Airfield

Montrose Airfield is the oldest military airfield in the UK. It came into existence in 1913 and at the end of that year three hangars, known as Major Burkes sheds were erected. They still survive to this day and whilst two have been reclad one remains in its original form and is occupied as part of the Air Station Heritage Centre.

Several squadrons were based at Montrose through WWI but the station closed in 1920. However, RAF expansion in the mid 1930s saw the station re-open in 1936 as a Flying Training School. Through the war many squadrons and the Fleet Air Arm were based at Montrose and duties included the air defence of Edinburgh.

Post war the station served as a maintenance unit but duties were limited by the fact that there were no hard runways and it closed for good in June 1952.

Today part of the old station serves as the heritage museum, several old buildings survive and it is easy to walk much of the perimeter track which is still extant. Here are a few images from our visit.

Robinson R22

Over the garden a couple of times was this 1988 vintage R22

Duxford Battle of Britain show pt 2

The flying display at Duxford actually started with two minutes silence for the late Queen. The well known NHS Spitfire had taken off a few minutes before and the silence was called for and superbly adhered to. All we could here was the merlin of the Spitfire rumbling behind the crowd line as the Spitfire orbited in the distance. As the silenced ended the Spitfire dived down over the super hangar, pulled up in to a victory roll and departed over the American hangar. A very poignant moment I thought. The Spit then came back and displayed, starting off the show proper which, apart from the cloud burst disrupted finale was very slick. Here are a few shots of the day.

Duxford Battle of Britain Air Show

So, back to Duxford today for their Battle of Britain Air Show, possibly my last show this year but another meet up with Gaz which is always a bonus.

A mixed bag weather wise, starting off a bit gloomy, brightening up with an odd light shower and then a heavy cloud burst at the end part way through the massed Spitfire and Hurricane flypast finale. Also a few aircraft that didn't show including the Navy Wings Swordfish, Seafire, a Beech 18 a couple of Mustangs and the BBMF Spitfire and Hurricane which was due to the RAF honoring the sad passing of the Queen this week.

However, overall it was a good show with some nice flying displays especially the Czech Mil helicopters which was a first for Duxford, a pair of Lysanders flying with the Blenheim for the first time in years and a pair of Staggerwings together. However, I will start with some shots on the flight line.

Bristol Bombay

The latest project off the hobby bench is this Valom 1/72 scale Bristol Bombay. This was a troop transport in the early part of WWII particularly in North Africa. There are no survivors unfortunately so a kit is the best option to see one.

Cornwall Aviation Heritage Museum

Bad news here sadly as it seems that the local council want to evict the museum from its current airport site despite it being a valuable tourist attraction for the area and being up to date with rent. Presumably the site is wanted for development but no alternative is being offered. The museum is therefore likely to close for good next month and has to vacate by next March. There is a good chance that exhibits may be scrapped. A petition is on line to oppose.

https://www.change.org/p/save-cornwall-aviation-heritage-centre