Sellibister
SELLIBISTER: Emergency Landing Ground
Note: These two maps were kindly provided by Mr Michael T Holder. The third picture was obtained from Google Earth ©
Military user: Possibly used occassionally by 313 Sqdn (flying their Spitfires)?
Period of operation: 1944 only?
NOTES: It would seem 313 Sqdn were based at SKAEBRAE.
Several years ago I made this comment: "I have to admit to being utterley confused here, as the information available often conflicts. I would appear that the Whale Head, Chain Home Radar Station, on the Orkney Island of Sanday, had an airstrip co-located. Looking at maps and aerial photos it would seem to be marginal for use by Spitfires. But of course it might well have been selected as an ELG (Emergency Landing Ground)?"
And: "If anybody can offer advice on this, it will be most welcome." In July 2020, Mike Holder who is a great friend of this 'Guide' looked into this, and swiftly concluded that the airstrip was in another location altogether. See maps above. He also found a mention in a book by Peter Clegg, that SELLIBISTER was used by E.E. Fresson, (which should I think be Highland Airways rather than Fresson personally), for ferrying technicians to and from the radar station on the eastern end of the island.
Also of course, this site is entirely seperate from the SANDAY regional airport is use today.
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