Helensburgh flying sites
Note: This map only provides a position for Helensburgh within the UK. If anybody can now kindly offer more exact locations for both of these sites, this advice will be most welcome.
HELENSBURGH: Intially manufacturers slipways in WW1, later in WW2 RAF Flying Boat Base
Operated by: WW1: Wm Beardmore & Co Ltd
Later activity in WW2, apparently a seaplane and perhaps even a flying-boat base?
Location: In Firth of Clyde, roughly 3nm NNE of Greenock
Period of operation: WW1: Apparently in 1915 only? WW2 dates?
Alighting area: WW2: Landings in Roseneath Bay except in southerly winds. Unlimited area for take-offs in Clyde opposite Helensburgh
NOTES: The question has to be asked, were the 1915 and WW2 sites on the same location?
HELENSBURGH: Civil seaplane base
Operated by: Loch Lomond Seaplanes
Location: Presumably in/near the WW2 Flying Boat base? Either way, probably near to Helensburgh town centre on the north bank of the Firth of Clyde
Period of operation: From Jan 2003? To –
NOTES: In November 2004 Loch Lomond Seaplanes began trials for a commercial seaplane service connecting Arran, Bute and Inverary to Glasgow. The CAA said it was redrafting legislation to take account of the seaplane service, which would be the only one in the UK. It was hoped that services would start during the summer of 2005.
Up to this phase the company operated a commercial service for tours, weddings and corporate use.
It now appears that the enterprise did get official approval, but it is now based on Loch Lomond at Cameron House.
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