Strathallan Aircraft Collection
Discussion
I first visited here in 1978 after finding myself behind a beautiful red 300sl gull wing Mercedes on the A9 and following it up to what turned out to be the Strathallan aircraft Mueeum, It turned out the Merc, belonged to the owner of the museum.
One Sir Willie Robertson (I only found this out when I returned to the airfield in ’83 after I had taken up parachuting, as the Scottish Parachute Club was located at the airfield.).
I was amazed at the amount of aviation history that was there,
more so as it was basically one mans collection.
There was everything there, Hurricane, Spitfire(s), Mosquito,
Lancaster Comet, Shackleton, Hudson Vampire, Lysander Miles Messenger,
Venom, even a “Flying Bedstead!
I will post some pics with comments and some .links for those who wish
to find out more.
I may have posted some of this before so apologies if I am repeating
myself but some of the pics are worth a second showing
Aerial shot of the airfield looking west, showing the grass runway,
all of 800 yards if my memory serves me right…
Both the Lancaster and the Comet were flown in (as were many of the
others exhibits) but for those 2, they did drop the fence at the east
(bottom)end of the runway giving 400 yds extra room.
They were landed east to west as it inclined slightly in that direction
and they were going to need all the help they could getin stopping.
But the Comet Pilot was caught out by a sudden “gust” hit hard,
snapping off the right u/c and the subsequent skid mark measured 2000ft,
handily coming to a halt pretty much outside the hanger where it was to be displayed.
It was reckoned to have cost 4 grand and that included delivery… well he
definitely got it in there, jobs a good un!
The Lancaster
It ended up in Woodford where the hanger collapsed on it, but parts/most of it are/were supposed to getting used in Florida at Kermit Weeks for a project there..???
One of the Lysanders restored there. One remained at the airfield well in to the 90s
Anyone recognise the engine in the foreground?
The Mosquito in the early 80s with the cowlings off
She was bought by Kermit Weeks and was flown out of Strathallan eventually over to Florida..
Other links about the collection from this site
http://www.secretscotland.org.uk/index.php/Secrets...
some work and other don’t but worth a trawl especially regards the Spitfires. Inc, Nick Grace’s one that ended up as the 2 seater..
Seemingly after being bought by Sir Willie after the making of the BoB film it sat around in 17 tea chests!!! Til Nick bought it in 79, feckin big tea chests if you ask me, but that’s the story
One Sir Willie Robertson (I only found this out when I returned to the airfield in ’83 after I had taken up parachuting, as the Scottish Parachute Club was located at the airfield.).
I was amazed at the amount of aviation history that was there,
more so as it was basically one mans collection.
There was everything there, Hurricane, Spitfire(s), Mosquito,
Lancaster Comet, Shackleton, Hudson Vampire, Lysander Miles Messenger,
Venom, even a “Flying Bedstead!
I will post some pics with comments and some .links for those who wish
to find out more.
I may have posted some of this before so apologies if I am repeating
myself but some of the pics are worth a second showing
Aerial shot of the airfield looking west, showing the grass runway,
all of 800 yards if my memory serves me right…
Both the Lancaster and the Comet were flown in (as were many of the
others exhibits) but for those 2, they did drop the fence at the east
(bottom)end of the runway giving 400 yds extra room.
They were landed east to west as it inclined slightly in that direction
and they were going to need all the help they could getin stopping.
But the Comet Pilot was caught out by a sudden “gust” hit hard,
snapping off the right u/c and the subsequent skid mark measured 2000ft,
handily coming to a halt pretty much outside the hanger where it was to be displayed.
It was reckoned to have cost 4 grand and that included delivery… well he
definitely got it in there, jobs a good un!
The Lancaster
It ended up in Woodford where the hanger collapsed on it, but parts/most of it are/were supposed to getting used in Florida at Kermit Weeks for a project there..???
One of the Lysanders restored there. One remained at the airfield well in to the 90s
Anyone recognise the engine in the foreground?
The Mosquito in the early 80s with the cowlings off
She was bought by Kermit Weeks and was flown out of Strathallan eventually over to Florida..
Other links about the collection from this site
http://www.secretscotland.org.uk/index.php/Secrets...
some work and other don’t but worth a trawl especially regards the Spitfires. Inc, Nick Grace’s one that ended up as the 2 seater..
Seemingly after being bought by Sir Willie after the making of the BoB film it sat around in 17 tea chests!!! Til Nick bought it in 79, feckin big tea chests if you ask me, but that’s the story
I allways thought that the fate of the Lancaster was particularly sad.
I'm not convinced that Mr Weeks' atitude to buying up extremely rare aircraft (often in flying condition) and then allowing them to moulder at the back of a hangar in Florida is that great.
I'm not convinced that Mr Weeks' atitude to buying up extremely rare aircraft (often in flying condition) and then allowing them to moulder at the back of a hangar in Florida is that great.
Edited by Eric Mc on Tuesday 26th May 12:32
Eric Mc said:
I allways thought that the fate of the Lancaster was particularly sad.
I'm not convinced that Mr Weeks' atitude to buying up extremely rare aircraft (often in flying condition) and then allowing them to moulder at the back of a hangar in Florida is that great.
I know, WTF does a frog want with a 'plane anyhoo?I'm not convinced that Mr Weeks' atitude to buying up extremely rare aircraft (often in flying condition) and then allowing them to moulder at the back of a hangar in Florida is that great.
Edited by Eric Mc on Tuesday 26th May 12:32
whaddya mean, not that Kermit?
Edited by Semi hemi on Tuesday 26th May 12:45
FourWheelDrift said:
It is.
I wonder what else is scattered around a few of the other lesser known airfields.
there was a Wyvern parked up at Errol as well.I wonder what else is scattered around a few of the other lesser known airfields.
I travelled round various airfieds through the 80s & 90s and saw loads of old bits of kit lying disused in forgotten corners of airfields
Ipswich, had a DC3/C47 (which I kipped in)
Sibson Nr Peterborough. had a humungus Varsity that was slowly faling to bit at one point I think there was 3 down the bottom of the airfield.
There was a Lightening that sat in a lorry park alongside the A1.
A particular favourite of mine was the Buccaneer in the Petrol Station in Elgin... looking as if it had just pulled in for fuel...
Eric Mc said:
When and where did you see the Wyvern? The only surviving Wyvern is on display at Yeovilton (and it's one of the pistom engined prototypes rather than a turboprop powered production aircraft).
Pretty sure it was a Wyvern (non flying) Big body contra rotating prop and FB greenhouse on the top of the fuselage, at Errol airfield Nr Dundee, where that Viper is.. I last saw it late 90s I think the owner bought other left overs from Strathallan, he had plans on some sort of museum but don't think it came to anything. last I heard local resident trying to put the kybosh on any use of the airfield to do with aviation..
Edited by Semi hemi on Tuesday 26th May 15:56
I fact it's this Gannet, that is still at Errol - http://www.thunder-and-lightnings.co.uk/gannet/sur...
FourWheelDrift said:
Most likely a Gannett rather than a Wyvern for that date.
Yip... was talking Borrock I am afraid..
As you were
edit to add from other forum
http://www.secretscotland.org.uk/forum/forum/m-123...
"Here's the background to the Gannet at Errol......
This aircraft was on the fire training area at Lossiemouth and was rebuilt with parts from XA463 for display purposes on the main gate in 1982. Sold around 1988 to ******* and then immediately sold on to *******.( I have ommitted the two names to avoid potential upset).
Somewhere I have the tender document from the MOD.
Also on the airfield are Vampire XD403 which was ex. Strathallan Collection.
I was involved in moving both these aircraft and it is sad to see that they have been badly vandalised as both were in mint condition when moved to Errol.
Also tucked away in a shed somewhere on the airfield is Buccanear XN981.
The Gannet is probably past it but hopefully the Vampire could be saved.
Gannets have two Mamba turboprops driving a common shaft , can be run on one engine and can run on ships heavy diesel in an emergency."
Edited by Semi hemi on Tuesday 26th May 16:07
Eric Mc said:
The Wyvern is so rare that ANY "barn find" would have been pounced on years ago.
I think the only intact ones around today ()apart from the one on display at Yeovilton) are resting on the ocean floor somewhere.
As we are surveying the sea bed off of Norway I will tell the guys to keep their eyes peeledI think the only intact ones around today ()apart from the one on display at Yeovilton) are resting on the ocean floor somewhere.
Semi hemi said:
Eric Mc said:
An awful lot of them (considering how few were built) were lost in accidents.
Funnily enough I am just reading "Pheonix Squadron" by Rowland White.good bit on the Gannets flying off of the Ark Royal
Cracking post mate Semi, I remember my dad showing me pictures from the airshows there in the 70's. I didn't realise the Comet had an "off" when it first arrived, must have been quite a sight!
Yeah the Gannet at Errol is in a very sad state. I'm going up that way tomorrow so I might try and stop in and grab a few pics.
Yeah the Gannet at Errol is in a very sad state. I'm going up that way tomorrow so I might try and stop in and grab a few pics.
Edited by Martin43 on Tuesday 26th May 19:35
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