Quanterness
QUANTERNESS: Regional airport (Aka KIRKWALL)
Note: The first two pictures were provided by Mr Michael T Holder. The third was obtained from Google Earth ©
Operated by: Aberdeen Airways
Location: About 2.5nm NW of Kirkwall town centre
Period of operation: 1936 to ?
NOTES: I can take no credit at all for finding this 'regional airport'. We have Mike Holder to thank.
Just two remarks. First: In those days a regional airport, even in England, could be a very basic affair. Often not much more than a field with a windsock, perhaps a tent or shack to shelter passengers, and no hangar let alone a duel supply.
Second: It is a myth that civil flying ceased when WW2 was declared. Private flying certainly did, but several regional airline services, especially in the outer parts of Scotland, continued. The windows of the airliners, typically a DH89A Dragon Rapide, were blanked off. By then it was recognised that an airline service, certainly for air ambulance duties, was indispensable.
Whether or not QUANTERNESS kept operational is not known? However, even though military aerodromes had been built locally, from a military security point of view, it would seem to make sense to have kept this site open. If anybody can kindly offer advice, this will be much appreciated.
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