Maryfield Farm
MARYFIELD FARM: Temporary aerodrome (Aka BANCHORY)
Note: All four of these pictures were very kindly provided by Mr Michael T Holder
Operated by: North British Aviation Company
Location: Just ESE of Banchory town centre, 18nm WSW of Aberdeen city centre
Period of operation: 20th to 25th October 1932
NOTES: Mike Holder discovered this article published in the Aberdeen Press and Journal on the 22nd October 1932.
FLYING ENTHUSIASM AT BANCHORY
Free Flights to Lucky Readers of "Press and Journal."
"Banchory has many flying enthusiasts, and not a few are taking advantage of the presence in the district of one of the machines belonging to the North British Aviation Company to go on a flight."
"The aeroplane, an Avro three-seater, piloted by Captain Freeson, arrived at the flying field on Maryfield Farm, Banchory, on Thursday afternoon, and for a short time the pilot entertained the inhabitants of the town to an exhibition of flying."
My note: This "Avro" would have been an Avro 504K, and North British Aviation Co. Ltd, based at HOOTON PARK aerodrome in CHESHIRE operated four examples between 1929 and 1934. These were G-EBIS, G-EBXA, G-EBGZ and G-EAJP. Of interest is, it appears that E. E. (Ted) Freeson, a director of the company, sold out his share in late 1932. So this would have been one his last appearances with the company before he decided to go it alone and form Highland Airways at Inverness. Typically the history is very confused, but, it does appear he formed Highland Airways whilst still a director of North British Aviation.
"Perfect weather yesterday afternoon brought large crowds to the field, and for a few hours Captain Freeson was busy taking up passengers for an aerial trip over the beautiful Deeside country."
Free Flights
"The air display and trips will commence at 2 p.m. each day, and will continue until Tuesday next. On Sunday ten lucky readers of the "Press and Journal" will be taken up for a free flight. The names of the readers will be drawn on the flying field on Sunday afternoon at 3.15. and failure to be on the field at 3.15 will disqualify from a flight."
This is the only example I have come across of a most disingenuous marketing technique to get larger crowds at a flying venue in those days. Where there other examples?
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