Montrose, Dundee, Perth, Edinburgh - October 2019

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MONTROSE AIR STATION HERITAGE MUSEUM, Saturday 12th October 2019

I last visited Montrose Air Museum in late May 2018. Not a bad run up from Dundee and knew that there had been a change around in the location of the aircraft exhibits, completion of a Sopwith Camel replica, significant new premises acquired and much initial work done on their Avro C.19.

I'll let the images and captions do the 'talking'.

The Museum are hoping to take delivery of a Hawker Hunter aircraft before the end of October 2019.

			
'471'	     RAF Be.2a           	RFC, 2 sqdn, replica	
'B7370'/P    Sopwith F.1 Camel       	RFC, replica.  Newly built, completed in past year.	
DG590	     Miles M.2H Hawk Major	RAF, period training cols, under restoration (once G-ADMW)
'EP121'/LO:D Supermarine Spitfire V	RAF, full scale model "Red Lechtie"	
TX226	     Avro C.19          	RAF, completely stripped down airframe	
WF825/X	     Gloster Meteor T.7   	RAF, silver	
XA109 	     DH.115 Sea Vampire T.22	Royal Navy, silver/day-glo	
(G-MMLM)     MBA Tiger Cub 440  	WW1 German 'Red Baron' style colours

This clear sign just inside the entrance ensures that you know that the SatNav has delivered you to the right place!



Spitfire V (full scale model) 'EP121'/LO:D' "Red Lechtie" is between the car park and entrance through the Museum shop



Gloster Meteor T.7 WF825/X also just inside the entrance - all other aircraft exhibits are indoors.





One building houses two delightful WWI replicas, both constructed on site, 471 Be2a and recently completed Sopwith Camel B7370/P





A workshop that last time I was there was full of dismantled Avro C.19, now houses Miles Hawk Major DG590 while undergoing restoration work.



DH.115 Sea Vampire T.22, XA109



MBA Tiger Cub 440 microlight in WWI style German 'Red Baron' scheme provides kids with a 'hands-on' experience of what the cockpit controls do when moved.



Next door to the Museum site are a row of industrial units, housed in 1913 'Aeroplane Sheds' which are of great historic interest. One of these hangars has during the summer 2019 been acquired from Montrose Council for Museum use.





At present inside there is just the dismantled Avro C.19 and a 'Green Goddess' fire appliance, plus a couple of wall hangings. Work during the winter will integrate this 'new' building with displays linking it to the main site.







In 16 months since my previous visit, not only has the Avro C.19 TX226 been moved, but has also been stripped right down to the metal frame. This has been repaired where necessary, cleaned of corrosion and coated in protective paint. First bit to be restored is the metal nose cone. The wings can be seen stored behind in three sections, along with an engine and parts of others. A very great deal of work is required over a number of years to bring this back to being an aeroplane again, but given the quality of work on the Be.2a and Sopwith Camel the standard of finish is likely to be high.

If you want to look back at images of TX226 16 months previous: derbosoft.proboards.com/thread/28753/dundee-perth-montrose-edinburgh-2018

Images restored to this post, by request April 2024.

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DUNDEE. Log is a combination of 3 brief visits:

Saturday 12th October (morning and mid afternoon), Monday 14th October (late morning)

				
					
G-ARVT	PA-28 Cherokee 140	Glasgow Flying Club	        G-OBSR	Partenavia P.68 Observer Ravenair, Sat am only
G-BGKS	PA-28-161 Warrior II	Tayside         	        G-OWAP 	PA-28-161 Warrior II	 Tayside
G-BNOF	PA-28-161 Warrior II	Tayside         	        G-RSKR	PA-28-161 Warrior II	
G-BNON	PA-28-161 Warrior II	Tayside                  	G-TSDA	Aquila A.211     	 Tayside
G-BOVK	PA-28-161 Warrior II	Tayside                 	G-TSDB	Aquila A.211    	 Tayside
G-BVHE	Grob G.115D Heron	Grob Aviation            	G-TSDE	Aquila A.211     	 Tayside
G-BVNS	PA-28-181 Archer II	Sat am only                    (G-VDOG) '24582'  L-18E Bird Dog	 olive green US Army period marks
G-BXOJ	PA-28-161 Warrior II	Tayside          	        G-ZENJ	Lear Jet 75	         Mon only
G-CCGS	Dornier 328-100	        all white, no titles, parked	OY-MIS	Vulcanair P.68C 	 Bioflight, Sat only
G-EGTB	PA-28-161 Warrior II	Tayside          	        N3600X	Cirrus SR.22T    	 Mon only
G-EVIE	PA-28-161 Warrior II	Tayside          	        N272GA	Gulfstream 280 Galaxy	 Mon only
G-HUBB	Parentavia P.68B	Ravenair, Sat am only	        OY-EUR	Pilatus PC-12   	 Mon only
G-KLNW	Citation 510 Mustang	Saxonair Chtr, Sat only	        OY-EVO	Citation 550 Bravo	 Mon only
G-LGNE	Saab SF.340B	        Loganair "Spirit of Cumbria"			
	plus another all white Dornier 328 inside the Loganair hangar (probably G-BYHG?).

Providing that you don't desire access to the hangars, then Dundee Airport is an easy visit, with both the active main apron and the grass GA parking areas easily observed and photographed through high chain-link fencing. There is even 40 minutes free parking. The biggest issue for the photographer is that on a bright day you are shooting directly into sun - an issue made worse by a late-morning autumn visit! Biz-jets disappointing on the Saturday, much more of interest on the Monday visit.



On parking the car, the first surprise was Cherokee 140 G-ARVT wearing the titles of Glasgow Flying Club - this aircraft was for many years a Liverpool resident 1990-2016.



Then I looked a little to my right, and there on the grass was G-HUBB a Ravenair P.68B, seen here along with resident Tayside Aviation Cherokees G-EGTB and G-BOVK. Indeed G-BOVK was once a Liverpool resident with Air Nova back in the early '90s.



Then a little further to my right and on the concrete close to Tayside's hangar was G-OBSR Partenavia P.68 Observer also of Ravenair and Liverpool based.



A third Partenavia, or more correctly a Vulcanair P.68C, OY-MIS with Bioflight titles.



Another of the Tayside Aviation Cherokee Warriors, G-BNON



G-BVHE a Grob G.115D G-BVHE, formerly with Tayside Aviation now with fancy new colours and 'Grob Aircraft' titles



G-BVNS Cherokee Warrior, seen on the Saturday morning, later in the day it was seen landing back at it's Prestwick home by 'Beemer', as recorded on another NWAN thread.



Seen from the playing fields car park (having purchased my lunch from Tesco) Tayside Aviation Cherokee Warrior G-BGKS on finals.



Tayside Aviation have 4 of these A.211 Aquilas, this one G-TSDB. The complex wing shape contrasts with the simple tapered 'plank' of the Cherokee.



This good looking Cessna L-18E Bird Dog, resplendent in US Army period scheme as 24582 is a Dundee resident and normally hangered.



Loganair's tartan tailed Saab 340B G-LGNE "Spirit of Cumbria" was parked by their hangar on Saturday, however on Monday morning it is seen here just shutting down having arrived with a good load of passengers.



On Saturday morning the only biz-jet around was Saxonair's Citation 510 Mustang G-KLNW on the far side of an otherwise empty apron.



On Monday morning it was rather different, with this Gulfstream 280, N272GA, parked close to the fence and needing a wide-angle rather than my usual telephoto zoom! In the background, tail-on, right in front of the nose of the Saab can just be seen an all white, title less Dornier 325 G-CCGS.



A little awkward to photograph beyond the Loganair Saab, so just the tails of Lear Jet 75 G-ZENJ and Citation 550 Bravo OY-EVO, along with the wing-tip of near nose-on Pilatus PC-12 OY-EUR.

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PERTH. Log is a combination of 4 brief visits:

Saturday 12th October (morning), Monday 14th October (morning and early afternoon), Tuesday 15th October (morning)

									
G-AWBG	PA-28 Cherokee 140		                G-EPTR	PA-28R Cherokee Arrow 200	
G-BBLS	AA-5 Traveler            		        G-GBHL	SOCATA TB-10 series	   regn miss-read.
G-BGLG	Cessna 152	          ACS logo	        G-GHKX	PA-28-161 Warrior II	
G-BMHT/25 PA-28R-201T Turbo Arrow		        G-HAMR	PA-28-161 Warrior II       ACS logo
G-BMIX	SOCATA TB-20 Trinidad		                G-IHAR	Cessna 172P	           ACS logo
G-BMTA	Cessna 152 II    	  ACS	                G-IHCI	Europa                    (tricycle u/c)	
G-BNJH	Cessna 152 II    	  ACS logo	        G-LBRR	AS.350B Ecureuil	
G-BODD	PA-28 Warrior II	  ACS	                G-NGCC	Bristell NG5 Speed Wing	
G-BSDO	Cessna 152 II   	  ACS logo	        G-NYNJ	Best Off Skyranger 912S	  (flexiwing)
G-BSLT	PA-28 Warrior II		                G-OACI	MS.893E Rallye 180GT	
G-BXJM	Cessna 152       	  ACS	                G-RNRM	Cessna A175F Skywagon	   Skydive St.Andrews
G-CDRC	Cessna 182Q		                        G-SCAA	Eurocopter EC.135T2	   Scotland Charity Air Ambulance
G-CFNW	EV-97 TeamEurostar		                G-SELA	Cessna 152	           ACS logo
G-CIDF	Autogyro MTA Sport		                G-SUPA	PA-18 Super Cub 150	   all red
G-CIKM	Diamond DA.42 Twin Star	  ACS logo	        G-WAWW	P&M Quik Aviation GT-450	
G-DAAZ	PA-28R-201T Turbo Arrow   all black, gold trim	G-WFWA	PA-28-161 Warrior II	
G-DTAR	P&M Aviation GT-450	 (flexiwing)	        G-ZAZU	Diamond AD.42 Twin Star	   ACS logo

Perth/Scone is an attractive airfield with a quiet, laid-back atmosphere. Nice low fences and a reasonable view over the main light aircraft apron and grass parking area. Did not make any attempt to visit into either ACS maintenance or the general aviation hangar. With good weather on days of my visits a busy airfield with basic training, flexi-wing microlight and gyrocopter activity.



A general view across the airfield parking areas from beside the Control Tower. I generally park there, near the entrance off the A94 road, walk around the back of ACS's hangar, then left just before the café (recommended although not visited this time) to a further club parking and viewing area with a low fence. On the photo the nearest hangar on the right is a new one built for the SCAA helicopter.



Parked by the former Airport Control Tower building is the Scottish Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA) Eurocopter EC.135T2 G-SCAA in a very different scheme to that on many British and Welsh Air Ambulance helicopters.



Sitting between two hangars, adjacent to the entrance car park was this AS.350B Ecureuil G-LBRR. A double take necessary, as on my previous 2018 visit this spot was occupied by G-LARR!



G-BSLT Cherokee and G-BMIX TB-20 Trinidad parked on the grass



An aircraft I've seen at both Perth and Dundee before, St.Andrews Skydive Cessna A.175F G-RNRM



One of two Diamond DA.42 Twin Stars, G-CIKM with ACS Flight Training logo on tail.



If you knew G-NGCC was a Bristell NG5 Speed Wing then your aircraft recognition is better than mine.



However, much easier is G-CFNW an EV-97 EuroStar



While from an earlier generation of light aircraft comes G-SUPA, with a clue in the registration as it is a PA-18 Super Cub.



One of the many resident Cessna 152s, ACT's G-BSDO performing a touch and go.



Autogyro G-CIDF



P&M Aviation Quik GT-450 flexiwing G-DTAR



Line of parked Cherokees on the strip of hard apron, nearest is Turbo Cherokee Arrow IV G-DAAZ.



I just love this sign board outside a flying school clubroom. In front, but only partly in the photo is a round stone hanging by a flexible wire. Once you know that the humour falls into place.



After only 4 days of driving around Central Scotland in my hire Astra, I'm pleased that the rules are Full-Full (of petrol) rather than Clean-Clean (the exterior) on return of the vehicle!

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EDINBURGH. Tuesday 15th October. At an external window approx 1500-1600.

					
A7-ALR	Airbus A.350-941	Qatar, to Doha   	G-JEDU	DHC-8-402 Dash Eight	Flybe
D-AIPL	Airbus A.320-211	Lufthansa       	G-JZBJ	Boeing 737-800   	Jet 2
EI-DWB	Boeing 737-8AS   	Ryanair         	G-JZHK	Boeing 737-8MG  	Jet 2
EI-EKM	Boeing 737-8AS  	Ryanair, to Malaga	G-JZHU	Boeing 737-8MG  	Jet 2
EI-FHY	Boeing 737-8JP  	Norwegian to Copenhagen	G-LCYI	Embraer ERJ-170 	British Airways/Cityflyer
EI-FSL	ATR-72-600	        Aer Lingus, all white	G-MIDT	Airbus A.320-232	British Airways
EI-GJB	Boeing 737-800	        Ryanair         	G-PRPB	DHC-8-Q402 Dash Eight	Flybe
F-GUGR	Airbus A.318-111	Air France       	G-PRPL	DHC-8-Q402 Dash Eight	Flybe
G-EUXK	Airbus A.320-231	British Airways  	G-SAJR	Embraer RJ-135ER	Loganair, tartan tail "Clann Strachan" (ex G-RJXP)
G-EUYD	Airbus A.320-232	British Airways  	G-TAWD	Boeing 737-8K5  	TUI
G-EZAX	Airbus A.319-111	easyJet UK      	G-UZLG	Airbus A.320-251neo	easyJet UK
G-EZPD	Airbus A.320-214	easyJet UK       	N247WE	Global Express  	WW tail logo, red/black cols
G-EZWC	Airbus A.320-214	easyJet UK       	OO-SSK	Airbus A.319-112	Brussels Airline
					
	Apart from a distant view of tail tops on arrival by tram, the day-stopping freighters were not viewed

Edinburgh Airport was very busy with queues at Ryanair bag-drop, search comb, at gate and delay once all boarded. While there are a number of windows with runway view once airside (mainly at the west end, lower gate numbers) the treble glazing and interior lights make photography difficult. Once at gate 12, although there was a large window, views out were blocked by other structures. With a little help from FR24 those aircraft seen confirmed or identified.



Just the one image, not so much due to window reflections, but due to an flattened camera battery - with my back-up bettery in my checked-in bag. Doh! Anyhow the silver lining is that it spares you lots of easyJets, Ryanairs, British Airways, Jet2s and Flybes!