Leanach
LEANACH: Originally a civil diversion airfield for Highland Airways
Later in WW2: Military Relief Landing Ground and Satellite Landing Ground
Aka: CULLODEN
Note: These three maps and the Google Earth © picture were all
kindly provided by Mr Michael T Holder.
Military users: WW2: RLG for 19 OTU based at FORRES (Armstrong Whitworth Whitleys)
43 SLG (Satellite/Secondary Landing Ground) for 46 MU (Maintenance Unit) at LOSSIEMOUTH
Location: Between the B9006 & B851 about 6nm E of Inverness
Period of operation: Civil = 1930s
Military = 1941 to 1945
NOTES: It appears that initially this site was used as a diversion for Inverness services by Highland Airways when LONGMAN aerodrome was fog-bound.
Typically, although quite a bit of information is available today, it doesn't always agree on the details. However, it appears that the first landings occurred in May 1941 by Hawker Hurricanes and Boultan-Paul Defiants from 46 MU at LOSSIEMOUTH. It seems they were dispersed around the airfield and camouflaged. It is also said that the airfield was used by DH.89A Dragon Rapides from LONGMAN as well as aircraft from No.2 Air Gunnery School at DALCROSS.
This seems to indicate that the Dragon Rapides were being operated by United Airways, (Highland Airways merged with United Airways around 1935/36), or indeed their successor for the services. Perhaps Scottish Airways?
The military version of the Dragon Rapide was named the Dominie. It is a misconception that civil flying ceased when WW2 was declared - in Scotland especially regional civil services continued to operate, especially to the various groups of islands. The degree of paranoia about secrecy was such that the passenger windows had to be blanked out. Presumably a curtain was installed to cut off the cockpit area?
It appears that in April 1942 an assessment was made to see if the airfield could be used by Vickers Wellington bombers. It could it seems although the test pilot involved recommended it was only suitable for use by experienced pilots. In the autumn of 1942 it appears Bristol Beaufighters started arriving for storage, opening up another phase for the airfields use.
Later, in June 1943, No.19 (P) Advanced Flying Unit was granted permission to use the airfield for simulated night flying using Airspeed Oxfords. It appears this was accomplished by using sodium flares to mark the runway and the trainee pilots using dark blue goggles. Sounds 'interesting' to say the least. It seems that 19 (P) AFU was disbanded in February 1944 and the airfield closed in March 1945.
I was interested to find that this airfield was not listed in Military Airfields in the British Isles 1939 to 1945 (Omnibus Edition), by Steve Willis and Barry Hollis, which is something of a 'bible' for trainee UK aviation historians. Indeed, my copy after twenty years is now showing signs of wear, and is still often referred to.
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