Glasgow | Largs | Greenock | Dumbarton | Helensburgh
A brief history of MAF.Kindly sent to us by Graeme N Scott
Head of MAF in Scotland and whose Scottish Office is in Glasgow.
Mission Aviation Fellowship was founded by a group of Christians after the Second World War. They had seen the destruction that aircraft could cause and wanted to find a way to use aircraft to bring physical and spiritual hope to those most in need in the third world. We have grown from operating one De Havilland Dragon Rapide in Sudan to running a fleet of over 130 aircraft operating in over 30 countries and landing in excess of 2500 landing strips. There are over 850 Christian Charities and Aid Agencies who rely on MAF to help them to get the people and the equipment they need into some of the remotest parts of the world to bring hope to some of the neediest people in the world. This is all done through the charitable support of churches and the general public as MAF receives no support from central Government here in the UK.
- Caledonian Connection over the Firth of Clyde.
- Caledonian Connection working out of Chad into Darfur in Sudan
- Caledonian Connection at its regular base at Lanseria Airport South Africa
- Caledonian Connection with pilot Simon Wunderli and Engineer in Training Alasdair Munro at Kijansi Airport in Uganda
The Caledonian Connection Aircraft project was started in 2000 with the aim being that the supporters of MAF in Scotland would raise sufficient funds to purchase a second hand Cessna 208B Grand Caravan for the program in South Africa. The target was £ 550,000 over a three year period. The support for this project was such that the target was achieved in under the three years and the aircraft left in August 2003 from Prestwick Airport bound for South Africa. Since then it had flown into Angola, Mozambique, Malawi and Zambia from its base in South Africa. The aircraft has also been used as an emergency response vehicle for work out of Chad into Darfur in Sudan on two occasions, it has been used in Madagascar and more recently in Uganda, where it was once again flying into Southern Sudan in support of Mission and Aid agencies working there. During its time in Uganda it flew several medical teams who carried out eye operations on the indigenous people of Southern Sudan. In just three of these missions over 2,300 people were examined and over 750 individuals had their eye sight restored.
From July to December 2005 the aircraft clocked up 314 flying hours, flew 51,145 miles, took off and landed 199 times, carried 537 passengers and 24,417 kg of cargo.
Left to right 1 thro 4 pics
Glasgow Helicopters
Last Saturday 28th October I made a visit to the helicopter base at Glasgow close to the National Exhibition Centre.
The two aircraft I saw were both Eurocopter EC 135,s Twin Engined turbo shaft type with tail rotor.See pics kindly supplied by Wallace Shackleton.
My reason for the call was to see for myself some current activity right at the heart of Clyde life. What would you expect from a website called Clydeaviation.
For those of you who are photo 'buffs' or digital camcorder types I would advise shots from the South Bank of the Clyde where unobstructed views are possible.
Largs
On carrying out research into flying boat activity from Largs I made the following Discoveries:
That during WW2 Barrfields Pavillion became a seaplane repair base and Catalina aircraft were flown into Largs from Canada, (See text from Largs Library) and Largs Library Website
1945 Icelandair inaugurate new service from Scotland to Iceland with a Catalina flight from Largs (Wartime repair depot for these aircraft was at Barrfields)
As can be seen from the taxying and take off area plan, some small numbers
of a/c were stationed off Cumbrae, and incidently we have underwater photography
of a Catalina that mysteriously sank at this point. Anyone who can identify
this a/c will be welcome to give us the serial number and squadron it operated
with.Even the experts are at a loss to identify it. The engines have long
since been removed, one was on shore which would have made it easier to handle
but the the other is missing, again if we could identify the engine number
we could match it to the aicraft with some research.
We know that Vikingar, operated by North Ayrshire Leisure have made a very atractive centre that incorporate the original Pavillion which is now a theatre. Their website can be found at www.naleisure.co.uk E-mail:info@vikingar.co.uk
More recently a local man who now resides in Canada, called at my home and gave me a part of an American instrument that he had found whilst walking along the Largs beach near the slipway. It is of brown bakelite material in the main and has a USA stamp on the back. No steel parts or face were found but I’m sure if you take a look at the image we provide, someone will be capable of identifying it. Your remarks would be welcome.
Ferry Command delivered new Catalinas for Scottish Aviation at Largs via the North Atlantic Ferry route.
At this point I will take time and space to thank the staff of the Largs and Millport News, who were kind enough to print an article recently explaining my work with Clyde Aviation Trust, and our endeavour to bring a Catalina back to the Clyde this coming September.
We seek more information about the activities of aircraft and aircrew, pilots both civil and military at any point in Scottish History. Please help us to make this site a landmark for all those interested in Clyde Aviation. Feel free to contact us.
Rod who was a young boy at Largs during the war sends us this little recollection.
One day a Cat hit a submerged object on landing and started to sink but was kept afloat with large boyancy tanks.My Dad took me out on a boat and we sailed round the sad looking seaplane,which had sunk as far as the wingtip floats.I don't remember what they did with her.
Another amusing Cat incident resulting in me getting a rather sore skelp from my Mum.She had just bought me a new Sunday coat,complete with velvet collar of which I was quite proud and so on its first outing we made our way along the prom,ducking under a Sunderland which was perched in the middle of the prom oppisite Barrfields.Along at Vanduara Terrace a Catalina that had crash landed previously had been hauled up on to the beach with a broken back.Being a adveturous wee thing I went down the steps,climbed into the rear of the aircraft and clambered through to the flight deck,exiting through a large hole in the front the result of the crash.When I re-joined my parents on the prom my coat was covered in grease and hydralic fluid,you can guess the rest.
With regard to sunk aircraft.At the end of hostilities I remember hearing machinegun fire coming from the aircraft mooring area over at Cumbrae. I was later told that the hulls of some Sunderlands and Catalinas were riddled with bullet holes and sunk at there moorings.
Another snippet of Info.that I came accross only a month ago was that four Martin Coronado Lend/Lease flying boats were also scuttled in a similar manner between Largs and Cumbrae.(Take a lookin Images for pics of these craft)
Latest re FP321 Catalina that sunk off Cumbrae slip April 1943, full details to be released in our News Section next week 2nd week in Oct 07. courtesy Chris Pointon a RAF Researcher.
Greenock
Greenock latest. Promised video clip from visit to James Watt College Aeronatical Engineering Dept in Kingston Dock area of Greenock.Aeronautical Dept Video Clip
Greenock was the first place in Scotland, that is, apart from Glasgow that my interest in aviation was rekindled.I had established with others in 1973 whilst living in Doncaster, the South Yorkshire Aviation Society and although today it has gone through changes both in name and activities its efforts have been rewarded with the Doncaster Corporation allowing them to use a WW2 hangar in which to house its many exhibits.I would say that this is a grand partnership and one which they would have liked to flourish earlier,but, as they say, better late than never. If you are ever in the vicinity take a look for yourselves. There website is: www.aeroventure.org.uk
Returning to Greenock,John Burleigh, whose father became Wing Commander of the RAF squadron who took over the base when war ceased in 1945, met me, and learned of my interest and connections both with the RAF and ATC. His comments were ‘’just the man I was looking for’’hence I’m doing all the work!!!
Well his father passed on an article written in the Greenock telegraph and dated September 1947, to his son,it has three headings which I put before you and I quote:-
Greenock Takes Farewell of Battery Park RAF Unit
‘’Jet-Propelled Flying Boats on the Clyde Soon’’
Wing-Commander’s Prophecy
The year we are living in happens to be 60yrs since the ending of WW2 and to cut a long story short, to commemorate this John and I with other ‘influential persons’ who I havent permission to mention, have thought it would be a good idea to bring back to Clydeside and in particular Greenock, a Catalina Flying boat similar to those which were serviced at Battery Park and nearby Greenock.Scottish Aviation works at Cairds Yard.
Now this isnt the first time a Catalina has graced the Clyde, back in August 1991 one arrived at Glasgow airport and two vintage airmen met up with it,one a former flight engineer with the RAF who flew and maintained the Cats, but also another gentleman who was a former wireless operator in Hampden bombers.
The incident was recorded by the Greenock Telegraph and again the full article can be seen?
Just in passing I can tell you that I have recently obtained a copy of the full and complete Operational Record Book of RAF Greenock.It isnt surprising that the weather forecast is reported and outlined here for each day of the year, but it even shows who was playing who in every sport the station took part in.
Dances are listed, aircraft losses due to the blitz,premises requisitioned for accommodation,education and training,visits of high ranking officers etc,not at all forgetting the significant part that the ladies played in the base.Many doing jobs that men would have done if they could have been spared.Every aircraft that visited the base either for maintenance work, air tests or just communication ‘hacks’ all have been listed.A copy of this book has been presented to McLeans Museum and I’m sure if notice is given, anyone wishing to look at it may see the record on computer.
Images of the airfield and its aircraft, and indeed drawings of its work are available on the site. We have been offered other interesting aerial and groundshots of aircraft that used the Clyde see lists.
"Squadron History" - RAF Greenock
Scottish Aviation Ltd (Civilian Repair Organisation)
No.2 Flying Boat Servicing Unit: formed 25/09/42. Disbanded 1945.
No.97 MU. Marine Craft Repair Unit arrived 15/08/45. Disbanded
01/10/45
No.213 MU. Marine Craft Servicing/Repair Unit. Arrived 01/10/45.
Disbanded 30/11/47.
Wartime Taxying and Take-Off Areas for Greenock.
Sites of sunken Sunderland and Catalina in this area are now being researched.The two wreck sites shown on Admiralty map No 1994 in the vicinity of Gourock Bay have recently been dived and have shown no aircraft remains.It is thought both aircraft which sunk whilst at moorings are nearer the slipway at Battery Park.Anyone remembering the sinkings please contact administrator, see contact heading.If you need dates please contact me.
Tom Livingstone Sits on blade of propellor.
What aircraft type is it? Reply thro 'contact'
Clue:- He was with 112 Sqn RAF abroad During WW2.
Lets have your answers please, and anything known about that particular squadron.
Greenock ATC 49F Squadron History and Photographs.
We begin the feature on the above squadron showing clips courtesy of The Greenock
Telegraph dated 30th September 1999.We will be moving backwards to the end of the war in 1945, but for now I hope you all find something to catch your imagination.
I will post a more recent article of the Summer Camp in RAF Machrihanish next week in images along with 'Appropriate' titles. watch out for this, the pics are in colour dated 2005.
Evening Times dated April 14th 1997
The above published by kind permission of Evening Times.
The above courtesy Greenock Telegraph April 4th 1996
Photo courtesy Greenock Telegraph 24th Jan 1985
Greenock Telegraph dated 17th October 1985. A Feature weekly on Clydeaviation. 'History of the Greenock 49F sqn ATC.'
Above article courtesy Greenock Telegraph 14th April 1983
27thSeptember 1982
Nov 1981.1of 2
November 1981 2 of 2
ATC March 30th 1978 courtesy Greenock Telegraph #
ATC 30th August 1978 Greenock Telegraph.
Greenock Telegraph 13th September 1977
ATC 21st January 1973 greenock telegraph
ATC 10th May 1973
Greenock Telegraph picture and article below 10th August 1972
My visit to Dumbarton library earlier this year revealed some interesting photography of Blackburns Aircraft Factory that was built in Castle Road that leads of course to Dumbarton castle. During WW2 no less than 260 Short sunderland flying boats were built here.In the first instance they were taxied down to Helensburgh and then did first take off and tests from there.Later a squadron leader decided it would be an idea to fly the short distance,hence he took off from Dumbarton, banking over Langbank and landing off Helensburgh at Rhu.All subsequent deliveries of new aircraft were done this way.
An account of one of the Sunderlands shown in the images comes from my friend at Pembroke Dock curator John Evans.
VB889 was the last of the lot built there, coming out of the factory on 10th October 1945 and first flew 8th November. Served with 201 Sqn from June 1947 and then to 88 Sqn in the Far East. Final 'posting' appears to have been with 235 Operational Conversion Unit at Calshot in 1948/49/50. According to Chaz Bowyer's listings VB889 went to 57 MU in November 1950 and was Struck Off Charge in August 1956. According to Chaz it was sold for scrap in September 1957.
I can fill in some of the gap between Nov 1950 and its SOC as I have used a picture of this aircraft in my new Vol III on the Sunderland. VB889 was loaned by 201 Sqn to its PD sister unit, 230 Sqn, in the summer of 1954 to help bring back the British North Greenland Expedition after three years in Greenland. 230 craftily used VB889 (individual letter D for Dog) to transport the husky pack to Pembroke Dock and the aircraft was pretty smelly at the end of the flight lasting several days! Don't know if 230 cleaned it out, or 201 had to do so when they reclaimed their aircraft!
Again, anyone having a knowledge of Dumbarton involvement with aviation, at any period in history, please don’t be afraid to contact us, and send us information to make this website more full and informative.
Other aircraft built by Blackburns at Dumbarton were the Botha which were finished and placed on a pontoon to be towed up to Abbotsinch(Now Glasgow International Airport), and other prototype flying boats.
Incidently my father was an airframe inspector at the parent factory of Blackburns at Brough East Yorkshire, he worked on Bothas being built there.Blackburns incidently built Fairey Swordfish aircraft at there Satellite works at Sherburn-in Elmett Yorks.
However, the part those at Dumbarton played during WW2 in designing, and building other designs was significant to the eventual outcome.
The extract from HM Stationary Office ‘plan of the site’ is again provided, courtesy Dumbarton Library.
Seaplane Tender of the Clyde.
Well I promised pics of ST1500 at Dumbarton and here they are. ST stands for Seaplane Tender and this one is about 42ft long and was originally equipped with Perkins S6M twin diesel engines. Her first placement was with 62 maintenance Unit at Dumbarton.It seems fitting that she should return here.
No1 from left to right starting from top are:- Internal floor looking fwd.
No2 Internal Port side looking fwd.No3 port side deck and casing looking fwd.No4 Port side stem,and finally, No 5 Port side looking aft(showing single diagonal wood planking).
Blacburn Roc
This aircraft came after the Skua which is probably the more well known.All Rocs that were built had fixing points under the fuselage for the fitting of floats.The plan was to build these aircraft at Dumbarton. Aircraft tests were done at the AMEE in Helensburgh
see below.The aircraft that was first tested at Helensburgh came to grief with control problems and the others were relegated to target towing practice for anti aircraft training. These aircraft were supposed to be fighters. Boulton Paul produced the Prototype. The fitting of floats would have been done at Dumbarton and all tests usually done at AMEE(Aircraft and Marine Experimental Establishment) Rhu.
Blackburn Aircraft factory Dumbarton
Pictures of streets commemorating this factory and its employees during WW2. mentioned in our news column.
Helensburgh
The Library here has just received a booklet by the son of Bob Bird titled ‘Top Secret War Bird of WW2’ which describes by anecdotes and original photography, the exploits of an official photographer who worked with MAEE at Helensburgh. (Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment)
Some of the expert quality of Bobs work can be seen in the Images section of our site.The book is very good value and can be obtained from Robin Bird tel 0151 639 6851
A site plan of the Rhu Hangars as it was called shows the slipway and depot of the MAEE.Many experiments were carried out here not least the testing of the spitfire with floats.I have images of the plans for these floats in fact over 2000 spitfire images should anyone be loking for such plans.
I quote from a captioned photograph of the 30’s in Helensburgh.’In July 1933, Clyde Flying Boats Ltd offered pleasure flights at 10/- and longer trips to see Loch Lomand for £1.Similar flights from Glasgow now cost £120! The seaplane belonged to Tom Guthrie, son of Sir James guthrie, a ‘Glasgow Boy’ artist.
The above photograph can be seen in the book ‘Images of Scotland.Around Helensburgh’ compiled by Kenneth N. Crawford and Allison Roberts. Helensburgh Heritage Trust.
The Helensburgh War & Peace book just now in print can be viewed at the local library and this contains a very detailed account of the wartime events around the area of the Clyde.
A lovely painting can be seen in the book, depicting a Sunderland flying over the Clyde in the Vicinity of Helensburgh, showing wartime activity with its majestic shipping as well.The picture is provided courtesy Anderson Trust.