Arbroath
Note: The map is of the WW2 aerodrome location.
ARBROATH see also ELLIOT BRAE
ARBROATH: Military aerodrome, Royal Naval Air Station
(HMS CONDOR also known as DUNDEE)
Note: All three of these pictures were obtained from Google Earth ©
Military users: WW2: RN FTS
Royal Navy Trials Unit
Post 1945: RM 662 VGS (Volunteer Gliding Squadron)
Note: It seems that, after sixty years, 662 VGS was to be closed for good in 2016.
In 1975 listed as a closed Fleet Air Arm base but still used by Royal Marines helicopters and 662 Gliding School
Location: E of A933, 2nm NW of Arbroath
Period of operation: 1940 to 1990s certainly, perhaps to present day?
Gliding: Angus Gliding Club, Royal Naval Gliding and Soaring Asociation
Note: In the 1957 The Aeroplane directory, the Royal Naval Gliding and Soaring Association, (founded in 1947), appears to have been based here with a fleet of five dual trainers, fourteen intermediate sailplanes and two primaries.
Branch clubs were at other R.N. Air Stations: LEE-on-SOLENT (Portsmouth Naval Gliding Club) [HAMPSHIRE], LOSSIEMOUTH (Fulmar Gliding Club) [MORAYSHIRE], EGLINGTON (Gannet Gliding Club) [COUNTY LONDONDERRY - Northern Ireland), ARBROATH (Condor Gliding Club), CULDROSE (Seahawk Gliding Club) [CORNWALL], BRAMCOTE (Gamecock Gliding Club) [WARWICKSHIRE] and STRETTON (Blackcap Gliding Club) [CHESHIRE].
Note: It appears that the Angus Gliding Club was formed in 1970, but closed for good in 2015.
Runways: WW2: 03/21 1005x27 hard 07/25 1207x27 hard
12/30 1033x27 hard 16/34 1051x27 hard
Note: 07/25 had a ‘dummy-deck’ of 484x27
NOTES: In 1977 the Slingsby T.61B Falke G-AZIL was based here.
THE END OF GLIDING AND THE AIRFIELD?
With the Angus Gliding Club ceasing in 2015, and the RAF 226 VGS closing in 2016 - does this signal the end of aviation at ARBROATH? If anybody can kindly offer advice on the subject, this will be most welcome.
Michael T Holder
This comment was written on: 2020-05-26 16:53:35From the Arbroath Guide – Saturday 01 October 1932 – Sir Alan Cobham was not present when the National Aviation Day Display promoted by him was held at the farm of Nether Kelly, midway between Arbroath and Carnoustie. Captain Eskell received and was welcomed by the local worthies, at the flying field on Wednesday forenoon (28 Sep 1932) Nether Kelly Farm (56 32 12”N 002 39 24”W) lies on the northern edge of a disused airfield – Hatton/RNAS East Haven (Deck landing training school 1943 – 46) served by the railway station at East Haven.
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