Donibristle
Note: This map is only an estimate regarding the location of the aerodrome. If anybody could confirm this is correct, or provide a more accurate location - this will be much appreciated.
DONIBRISTLE: Military aerodrome, Royal Naval Air Station (HMS MERLIN)
A MICHAEL T HOLDER GALLERY
Note: All of these maps and pictures were kindly provided by Mike Holder except for the seventh Google Earth © area picture which was added by the author.
Military users: WW1: RFC/RAF Home Defence Landing Ground
77 (Home Defence) Sqdn (B.E.2s & B.E.12s)
RNAS/RAF Fleet Aeroplane Base
ARD and Salvage Base
1919 to 1939: Royal Air Force Station
1928: 36 Sqdn (Hawker Horsleys)
100 Sqdn (Fairey Fawns, later Hawker Horsleys and later still Vickers Vildebeest)
WW2: RN Station HQ of Com.NAS(N) Repair yard
Royal Naval Air Squadron 782 Sqdn (Almost nothing known?)
Note: These two pictures were very kindly sent by Graeme Simpson. He points out that many aircraft were delivered to Donibristle for scrapping after WW2.
As he points out, some of these can be seen in the first picture and parked south of the runways.
Location: 2nm NE of Queensferry and Forth Bridge
Period of operation: 1917 to 1959
Site area: WW1: 130 acres 1006 x 549
Runways: WW2: 08/26 732x46 hard 09/27 971x46 hard
NOTES: In the 1939 Reading Aero Club airfield guide this was spelt as DONNIBRISTLE.
In June 1940 the last built Handley Page HP.42, which was G-AAXF “Helena” when with Imperial Airways, arrived here as AS983 and painted with camouflage on its upper surfaces. It was damaged on landing and although apparently repaired it seems it never flew again and was eventually dismantled. The main fuselage section then served as a RNAS/Fleet Air Arm Squadron office for many years….a sad end for such a magnificent and distinguished aircraft.
Graeme Simpson
This comment was written on: 2018-01-11 20:40:10This airfield has been built over with the dormitory town of Dalgety Bay. At 56°02'28.5"N 3°21'08.4"W there is a remaining part of one of the runways.
Reply from Dick Flute:
Hi Graeme, Many thanks, much appreciated. Best regards, Dick
Colin
This comment was written on: 2018-09-26 21:18:06Hi I spent the first 27 years of my life with this old airfield as my playground. This was when Dalgety Bay was only one or two new houses. I still have the original plans of all the airfield to the north of the runway. This was an amazing place which has sadly disappeared forever.
Bill HOUSTON
This comment was written on: 2020-04-27 16:08:41I was an apprentice at the RNAY from 1954 to 1959. I often wonder what became of my fellow apprentices and if any of them still stay in contact?
Jonathan Winter
This comment was written on: 2021-01-07 17:21:02My father was CPO on a ship in Scotland, i was 14 and lived in married quarters at donibristle HMS Merlin. All the sailors had gone (1964). The base was still complete, an exciting place to explore as a boy. Does anybody have any pictures of the base at ground level. Look forward to hearing from anyone who knows HMS Merlin. Thanks Jon
Colin Masterson
This comment was written on: 2021-03-28 19:07:23My first job in 1977 was with Marconi Space and Defence systems. I was based in building AF19 on this site. Does anyone know where the terminology "AF19" comes from?
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