Kingussie
KINGUSSIE: Military airstrip/airfield (See also BLACKMILL FARM for gliding info.)
Location: Roughly 25nm SSE of Inverness
NOTES: Some time ago I made these notes: "Virtually nothing known it seems, except that a Scottish Aviation Twin Pioneer crashed here on the 12th of May 1962. But, it does seem this was a crash when landing, at an established Landing Ground. Can anybody kindly offer more information?"
It is of course in preparing a 'Guide' such as this, and needless to say, that many mentions of flying sites often contain only the very briefest of details.
ADVICE GIVEN
In January 2021 I was very kindly contacted by Dr Steve Goodall. The first point I noted is that he tells us that the aircraft which crashed was a Scottish Aviation Pioneer CC1 - not a Twin Pioneer - and the crash was on the 12th May 1962. This was during an exercise for the T.A. (Territorial Army). It seems that the pilot, Flt. Lt. William Black was on secondment to RNAS LOSSIEMOUTH from 230 Squadron (RAF) based at ODIHAM (HAMPSHIRE).
Oddly, accounts of what happened to this Pioneer vary. One account says it was broken up on site, whereas locals say it was repaired and flown out.
He also tells us that is every indication that this site was used by the S.O.E. (Special Operations Executive),for training the Norwegian Independent Company No.1 in S-phone comms and for agent pick ups and landings at night. It appears it was 614 Squadron (RAF) flying Westland Lysanders who did the local flying.
When ready for operations the agents went across the North Sea by the 'Shetland Bus', which used mostly fishing boats, or were flown to and from RAF LEUCHARS. The history needs careful checking but I believe that sometimes agents were flown in unarmed de Havilland Mosquitos, to Sweden. This service was operated by BOAC. This being a strictly civilian service, but, many agents posed as civilians.
The agents used for offensive military operations were parachuted from bomber types into Norway, including the famous raid on the Heavy Water plant at Nordsk.
Gary Brindle
This comment was written on: 2016-11-09 16:44:52I have found no trace of a strip here being regular but Twin pins were stol and could use farm fields.
Reply from Dick Flute:
Hi Gary, Many thanks for this and all the other info. Regards, Dick
Tony Hercus
This comment was written on: 2017-06-17 00:28:09Feshie airstrip on Blackmill Farm has been used for over 50 years check www.kingussie.co.uk/location/cairngorm-gliding-club
Reply from Dick Flute:
Hi Tony, Many thanks indeed for this advice. I shall keep your comment posted. Best regards, Dick
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