Newton Mearns
NEWTON MEARNS: Private airstrip
Note: Both of these recent pictures have been obtained from Google Earth ©
Location: Roughly 6.5nm SSW of Glasgow city centre
NOTES: It is of course, the main purpose of this 'Guide', to simply provide proof of a flying site. Clearly pictures and maps help no end, but quite often only written records exist.
For example in this case, in the book Tail Ends Of The Fifties, compiled and edited by Peter G Campbell, in Chapter 26, Dugald Cameron tells us that the Auster V G-AKPH, owned by Norman Ewing, was one of the very few private aircraft to visit RENFREW in the 1950s. And, that he also used a strip at NEWTON MEARNS.
He lived in Whitecraig near Edinbugh, so presumably his Auster was based nearby? He owned it from, 16.05.49 to 22.09.58 according to official records.
A bit of research also shows NEWTON MEARNS being logged by the Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust, but operating from 1934 to 1936. Probably not in the same location?
As so often in this 'Guide' recording many flying sites raises more questions than answers. If anybody can kindly offer advice, this will be much appreciated.
ANOTHER PIECE OF THE PUZZLE
In late 2023, Mr Graham Frost, a great friend of this 'Guide ', contacted me to point out that the de Havilland DH60G Gipsy Moth, G-AAEB, was acquired by Mr Kenneth Templeton, and based at CROOKFUR, NEWTON MEARNS, from 08.10.31 until October the next year when it was sold abroad. What I have not been able to determine is where 'CROOKFUR' was. Since the 1930s, and much more so recently, this entire area has been developed as an outer suburb for Glasgow.
Note: Prompted by my suggestion to Graham that it would be helpful to find out, at least where G-AAEB was being operated from, he has looked into this and found the location for the house.
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