Meikle Kildrummie
MEIKLE KILDRUMMIE: Temporary aerodrome (Aka NAIRN)
Note: The two maps and Google Earth © were kindly provided by Mr Michael T Holder. The fourth area map was obtained from Google Earth ©
Operated by: Sir Alan Cobham's National Aviation Day Display No.2 Tour
Location: Just SW of Nairn town centre
Period of operation: 19th July 1933
NOTES: Mike Holder, who is a great friend of this 'Guide' did the research into this site, and even finding a newspaper advert for the event. But, as he readily admits, the field actually used is not known. The result above being his best guess. If anybody can kindly offer advice, this will be most welcome.
EXTRA COMMENTS
As pointed out so often in this 'Guide', I still think it well worth a mention that all the 'temporary aerodromes' used by the 'flying circus' operators, from around the late 1920s until 1937 when the last 'Tours' ended, were officially licensed aerodromes - even if used for one day - as many were.
The advert says that two flying displays would be held, the first at 2.25pm and the second at 7pm. These would feature twenty 'events' - typically ranging from aerobatics, formation flying, flour bombing, crazy flying and parachuting. It was claimed fifteen aircraft would attend. In between the displays, and after the last display, passenger flights would be conducted.
The entrance fee for an adult was, (in old money), 1s 6d. Children 6d. Cars were charged 1/-, and flights were available from 4/-. In those days there were twelve pence in a shilling and twenty shillings to a pound. It is very difficult to make comparisons but typically an unskilled worker was probably paid around a pound a week. Perhaps even less in this region which could explain the minimum flight fare dropping of typically 5/- to 4/-?
It was a most extraordinary era from 1929 when Sir Alan Cobham erupted onto the scene with his Municipal Aerodrome Campaign using the DH61 'Giant Moth' G-AAEV. Although there had been other touring operations offering displays and joy rides before, from just after WW1, the 'Flying Circus' concept on a much larger scale started in 1931. And, at that time Cobham wasn't involved. But when he decided to get involved, in 1932, he took the whole concept to an entirely diffferent level, totally eclipsing the efforts by other operations.
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