Falleninch Farm
Note: I think this map should be accurate, providing the farm has retained the same name. However, confirmation will be much appreciated.
FALLENINCH FARM: Private Landing Ground (Aka STIRLING)
Note: Almost certainly on pretty much the same site as the WW1 airfield RAPLOCH (see seperate entry)
A MICHAEL T HOLDER GALLERY
The first item, a newspaper article was published in The Scotsman on the 28th June 1929.
Operated by: Mr Charles Smith
Location: “1m W town imm N of A811 adj disused railway” Today the location is, it would seem, just NE of the A811 and M9 junction
Period of operation: 1930s only?
Runway(s): Unknown (?)
A NOTABLE VISIT
It appears that Sir Alan Cobham selected this airfield for a visit to Stirling on his 1929 Municipal Aerodrome Tour. This being the 32nd venue on the 11th July.
Details of this tour are given elsewhere at many other venues in this 'Guide'. But, perhaps I should recommend my article on the subject.
NOTES: Listed in the 1930s ‘A.A. Register of Landing Grounds’. In the ‘Guide’ of ‘UK Flying Clubs & Landing Grounds 1933-34’ published by Flying – The Light Aeroplane Weekly the location was given as, “Falleninch, Forth Valley”.
Falleninch Farm is still operating today and has its own web-site. In the 1930s fuel and transport (the latter being typically a taxi service) were operated by Rossleigh Ltd, Allan Park, presumably located to the north of Stirling? The hotel recommended was the ‘Lion’ in King Street, Stirling which is, presumably, now ‘The Golden Lion Flagship Hotel’.
The nearest telephone was in the Corn Exchange also in King Street, Stirling, so of no use to aviators landing at Fallenich Farm requiring a taxi service or similar. But, in those days the postal service was far quicker, more effective and very dependable. It would have been perfectly reasonable to send a letter the day before, asking for a taxi to collect them from the Landing Ground, and fully expect it to be there. In cities for example, people would send a letter in the morning suggesting a meeting that evening, having no doubts it would arrive well in time to make the arrangements.
FOUR AEROPLANES GET LOST
Note: Both of these items were kindly provided by Mike Holder. It appears that when taking the short, (seven mile), transit flight from ALLOA to FALLENINCH FARM, four of the Cobham fleet became lost in the thick mist, which today we would describe as fog. Three landed at Ballock Farm about twelve miles to the south, and the other about three miles away. It seems that none of these aircraft were damaged in these forced landings, but were unable to continue until the following day.
I can certainly identify with this, having made a few diversions to avoid fog, and once spending an entire day grounded whilst on a trip at POPHAM in HAMPSHIRE as thick fog persisted all day - and this was during the summer.
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