RAF Montrose

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RAF Montrose 1947

The RAF Montrose is a former military airfield in the Scottish town of Montrose in the Council Area Angus .

history

In April 1912, the British Air Force was founded with the Royal Flying Corps . Since no special military airfields existed at that time, it was decided to set up twelve bases spread across the United Kingdom . On February 13, 1913, five aircraft of the second squadron took off from Farnborough Airfield , which was not yet in existence at the time , to cover the 720 km distance to the Upper Dysart Farm, which is about five kilometers south of Montrose . As First Lord of the Admiralty , Winston Churchill had designated the site as the first location of the Royal Flying Corps, as the militarily important Scottish shipyards and Scapa Flow were accessible from there. The goal was achieved after 13 days. However, the commander soon raised concerns about the location. He received permission to relocate the airfield to its current location in northern Montrose, which he had identified as ideal. Towards the end of the year, Major Burke's Sheds, named after the commander, were the first hangars on British soil and the base was ready for use. Due to its history, the RAF Montrose is considered the first airfield of the British Air Force. During the First World War , the site developed into a training facility for the Royal Flying Corps.

After the end of the war, in 1920, the airfield was closed and Lewis machine guns were serviced and overhauled in the hangars . With the looming Second World War , it was reopened on January 1, 1936 as a military training location. During wartime it was also used to train Allied forces. In addition, supply flights for resistance fighters in occupied Norway started regularly from Montrose. On October 25, 1940, German Junkers Ju 88s attacked the site, killing five people. After the war, the RAF Montrose served as a maintenance base and was finally closed on June 4, 1952.

Buildings

The three Major Burke's Sheds

The Major Burke's Sheds, which have remained virtually unchanged since 1913, are the only ones of their kind in the world. One of the three buildings, number 48, is classified as the highest category A monument on the Scottish Monuments Lists. The other two (nos. 46 and 47) are classified as Category B structures. Buildings No. 62, No. 141 and No. 151, however, are Category C buildings.

The RAF Montrose never had asphalt tracks. The facility has been restored as a museum.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b c Historical information
  2. ↑ Listed Building - Entry . In: Historic Scotland .
  3. ↑ Listed Building - Entry . In: Historic Scotland .
  4. ↑ Listed Building - Entry . In: Historic Scotland .
  5. ↑ Listed Building - Entry . In: Historic Scotland .
  6. ↑ Listed Building - Entry . In: Historic Scotland .

Web links

Commons : RAF Montrose  - Collection of Images, Videos and Audio Files

Coordinates: 56 ° 43 '32.4 "  N , 2 ° 27' 29.2"  W.