Cairnhall
CAIRNHALL: Regional airport
Note: These three pictures were kindly provided by Mr Michael T Holder
Operated by: Highland Airways
Location: Just NW on Kintore on the A96, about 12nm NW of Aberdeen city centre
Period of operation: 1935 to WW2? Possibly during WW2?
NOTES: We today must remember that intense rivallry between airlines is nothing new. And indeed, prior to WW2 it was a very competitive affair, bordering on pretty nasty tactics. The very idea of cooperation to boost revenue, share costs and so on could not have been further from their very limited mindset.
E.E. (Ted) Fresson was a very determined character, expanding services for his Highland Airways operation based at Inverness. But even he stood no chance against Eric Gandar Dower when he gained control of DYCE aerodrome serving Aberdeen in 1934. Fresson moved his operation to SEATON PARK for a brief period, but decided to set up a more permanent base at CAIRNHALL in 1935.
It appears that Fresson employed a local joiner, Reggie Bisset, to construct a substantial hangar to house two DH.89A Dragon Rapides. This in itself seems of interest as the DH89 Dragon Rapide first flew on the 17th April 1934. In so many ways, nowhere near as good for operations in this region as the previous DH84 Dragon, it seems clear that having the latest 'airliner' was high on his priorities.
There is something to note about the hangar - it is still there (2020) and looking to be in good condition. A tribute to the fine craftsmanship of Reggie Bisset.
ONE OF THE DRAGON RAPIDES IDENTIFIED
In September 2024, Mr Graham Frost, a great friend of this 'Guide', discovered that one of the DH.89A Dragon Rapides operated by Highland Airways, was G-ADAJ. Later in June 1938 being registered to Scottish Airways. Ended up with BEA (British European Airways) at NORTHOLT.
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