Banff
BANFF: Military aerodrome, (Aka BOYNDIE Airfield)
I have found one account that states this airfield later became a Royal Naval Air Station, in 1948 on the 'Books' of HMS FULMAR, but this now appears to be wholly incorrect?
Later private airstrip.
Note: This picture (2004) was obtained from Google Earth ©
Military users: RAF Training Command initially
FTS [Flying Training School]
RAF Coastal Command 18 (GR) Group (Operational)
144 & 404 Sqdns (Bristol Beaufighters)
143, 235, 248, 333 (Norwegian) & 489 (RNZAF) Sqdns (DH Mosquitos)
279 (ASR) Sqdn (Supermarine Sea Otters & Vickers Warwicks)
328 Squadron? Although I have found a mention along the way, it now appears that this Squadron never made an appearance here?
Operated by: June 1976: Banff Flying Club (Some sources claim 1980s). To the mid 80s
Location: 4nm W of Banff
Period of operation: Military: 1943 to 1948 only? (One report says it closed in 1946 and I now believe this is probably accurate)
Civil: 1970s & 80s only?
Runways: WW2: 18/36 1280x46 hard 05/23 1280x46 hard
11/29 1828x46 hard
NOTES: A web site devoted to this airfield is well worth a look. It seems that the FTS only existed here for a year or so, being displaced by Coastal Command whose Mosquito FB.VIs were mostly employed attacking marine targets in the coastal regions of German occupied Norway.
To further confuse matters it now appears that 144 and 404 Squadrons flying Beaufighters and 235 Squadron flying Mosquitos formed the Banff Strike Wing commanded by Wing Commander Max Aitken in September 1944. But in October the two Beaufighter squadrons were transferred to DALLARCHY to form another ‘Strike Wing’. Fairly obviously a strategy, surpringly very common in WW2 employed by the RAF, to ensure minimal operational effectiveness.
THE FLYING CLUB
This web site claims a Flying Club was initially set up in 1946. (But presumably soon foundered?) It appears the Banff Flying Club opened in 1976 but the oil price crisis at the end of that decade forced closure in 1979. Other sources claim it closed in the mid 1980s
In 1977 the AA-5 Traveler G-BDCK was based here. Was this privately owned or a Club aircraft?
As an aside the Grumman AA-5 series does appear the ‘runt of the pack’ compared to the Piper, Cessna and Beech brigade. Quite this iswhy seems hard to explain? The design has many superior features to commend it, especially greater pilot visibility. It is an odd quirk that American designers, (this applies to their cars and trucks also), invariably place little value on having a good view for the driver or pilot.
SOMETHING TO WATCH
Mr Graham Frost, a great friend of this 'Guide', has found something on YouTube - amateur film of the opening day. See: https://youtu.be/r1PVg1CjfVU
Remarkable not least for the arrival of the Mosquito RS712 flown by Neil Williams.
Chris Cowell
This comment was written on: 2017-07-23 12:11:37Well, this takes me back ! RAF Banff (Boyndie) was certainly disused, IIRC, in 1961. My cousin and I learned to drive a car (Peugeot 403) on the slightly rough and somewhat overgrown runways at the age of 16, encouraged by an indulgent uncle, whose car it was. Happy days !
Reply from Dick Flute:
Hi Chris, Many thanks for this memory. Best regards, Dick
Angus Mair
This comment was written on: 2021-05-12 15:34:59I attended the opening ceremony of Banff Flying Club in 1976. Strathallan Museum's Mosquito came up for the occasion, piloted by Neil Willams who performed a display, then landed for a cup of tea. The Club had no aeroplanes of its own, rather a Cessna (Papa Foxtrot) from Pegasus Flying Club in Aberdeen came through for lessons. I also learned to drive on the runways up there, and spent many happy childhood hours raking around the old buildings.
We'd love to hear from you, so please scroll down to leave a comment!
Leave a comment ...
Copyright (c) UK Airfield Guide
