Hi all,
A leisurely start to the day with a cracking breakfast and then a short drive to Culloden Battlefield which is between Inverness and Inverness Airport. In 1746, it was the site of the last pitched battle fought on British soil.
The onwards to Inverness Airport for a quick stop. Just F406 G-SMMA good for me.
Inverness
G-GNTB, Saab-Fairchild 340 A, Loganair (340A-082)
G-LGNA, Saab 340 B, Loganair (340B-199)
G-LMRZ, Avions de Transport Regional ATR 72 500, Loganair (570)
G-NIPR, Slingsby Nipper T.66 RA45 Srs.3 (1605)
G-NJAA, Cessna Citation XLS (560-5787)
G-NJAD, Dassault Falcon 2000EX EASy (041)
G-SAJR, Embraer ERJ-135 ER, Loganair (145431)
G-SMMA, Reims/Cessna F406 Caravan II (406-0094)
G-TAMR, Cessna 172S Skyhawk SP (172S8480)
SE-MOF, Hawker Beechcraft Corp King Air B350 (FL-836)
I was looking forward to our next stop as it is not very often that new aircraft museums crop up. Not only has this one managed to do that in a challenging location, but it has also assembled a great collection of aviation. The below text taken from the museum’s own website – https://www.morayvia.org.uk/
“The organisation was formed in May 2011 to progress work started by the Nimrod Heritage Group. This was to preserve the last remaining Nimrod at RAF Kinloss – XV244. Formed as a private company limited by guarantee (SC404186) on 26th July 2011. Morayvia was granted charitable status (SC042895) in January 2012 with assistance from Johnston Carmichael, Elgin.
Morayvia completed a Feasibility Study with funding from Project LEADER and HIE. This recommended establishment of a project/ visitor centre at the former primary school site at Abbeylands Kinloss. We engaged with Moray Council under the Community Asset Transfer scheme for the Abbeylands site. The lease has allowed further project development as well as minimising deterioration to the buildings and grounds. We feel we have become one of the premier Aviation Museums in Scotland.”
I knew the museum wouldn’t be open on the day of my visit, so I had made prior contact and they were more than happy to show me around. I paid my entrance fee, donated some extra and bought something from the shop to show my thanks to Nigel, who was my kind and informative guide. If any of you do make the effort to go up there, take the next step and actually go in – they would be very happy to see you and you will get to see the bits that are inside the various buildings.
The complete Nimrod was a short drive away and still located on the former RAF base.
Kinloss
https://www.flickr.com/photos/62861611@N08/albums/72177720295538553
On display inside:
(G-UIST), British Aerospace Jetstream 31 (nose), Morayvia (750)
(XD425), de Havilland Vampire T.11 (pod), Morayvia, United Kingdom (15256)
(WJ721), English Electric Canberra TT.18 (nose), Morayvia, United Kingdom (unknown)
(WM145), Gloster Meteor NF.11 (nose), Morayvia, United Kingdom (unknown)
(WN957), Hawker Hunter F.5 (nose), Morayvia, United Kingdom (S4/U/2944)
(XS176), Hunting Percival Jet Provost T.4 (nose), Morayvia, United Kingdom (PAC/W/22162)
(XR447), Northrop MQM-36A Shelduck D.1, Morayvia, United Kingdom (unknown)
XN351, Saro Skeeter AOP.12, Morayvia, G-BKSC, United Kingdom ( S2/7157)
On display outside:
ZH821, Agusta-Westland Merlin HM.1, Morayvia, United Kingdom (50011/RN01)
(HA-MKE)/14 red, Antonov (PZL-Mielec) An-2R, Morayvia (1G158-34)
(XH563), Avro Vulcan B.2MRR (nose), Morayvia, United Kingdom (unknown)
XJ380, Bristol Sycamore HR.14, Morayvia, United Kingdom (13242)
(XM169), English Electric Lightning F.1A (nose), Morayvia, United Kingdom (95056)
(G-ASVO), Handley Page HPR.7 Dart Herald 214, Morayvia, Channel Express (185)
XS713/C, Hawker Siddeley Dominie T.1, Morayvia, United Kingdom (25041)
(XV240)/40, Hawker Siddeley Nimrod MR.2P (forward fuselage), Morayvia, United Kingdom (8015)
XZ113/30/A SEPECAT Jaguar GR.3A, Morayvia, United Kingdom (S114)
(XD875), Vickers Valiant B(K).1 (nose), Morayvia, United Kingdom (unknown)
WP495/LM-915, Westland Dragonfly HR.3, Morayvia, United Kingdom (WA/H/80)
XZ592/H, Westland Sea King HAR.3, Morayvia, United Kingdom (WA.858)
XR528, Westland Wessex HC.2, Morayvia, United Kingdom (WA150 )
XT466/CU-528, Westland Wessex HU.5, Morayvia, United Kingdom (WA.288)
Restoration building:
(WZ557), de Havilland Vampire T.11 (pod), Morayvia, United Kingdom (15116)
(XN607), Hunting Percival Jet Provost T.3 (nose), Morayvia, United Kingdom (PAC/W/13892 )
G-MJSV, MBA Tiger Cub 440, Morayvia (SO.87/2)
(XJ723), Westland Whirlwind HAR.10, Morayvia, United Kingdom (WA/94)
Preserved outside on the airfield:
(XV244)/44, Hawker Siddeley Nimrod MR.2P, Morayvia, United Kingdom (8019)
After Kinloss, the gliding field Easterton was next. I had contacted the based Highland Gliding Club in advance and I was kindly given a guided tour around. As some hangar keys were involved, I’m not sure you’d get the same result by just turning up?
Easterton
https://www.flickr.com/photos/62861611@N08/albums/72177720295535228
XZ550, Slingsby Venture T.2, G-BTDA, United Kingdom (1870)
3397/174, Boeing-Stearman N2S-3 Kaydet, G-OBEE, United States (75-1174)
G-ATJC, Victa Airtourer 100, , (125)
G-BDAP, AJEP Tailwind W.8 (PFA 3507)
G-BHLW, Cessna 120 (10210)
G-BTRU, Robin DR.400 180 Regent (2089)
(G-BWFJ), Evans VP-1 Volksplane (PFA 062-10349)
G-CFVR, Europa Aviation Europa XS (PFA 247-14543)
G-CHYJ/HYJ, Schleicher ASK 21, BGA4038 (21066)
G-CJFH/R1, Schempp-Hirth Duo Discus, BGA4475 (118)
G-CJHN/JHN, Grob G 102 Astir CS Jeans, BGA4528 (2110)
G-CJMY/JMY, ZSLS-Wroclaw SZD-51-1 Junior, BGA4635 (W-959)
G-CJON/R67, Grob G 102 Astir CS77, BGA4697 (1634)
G-CJYC/JYC, Grob G 102 Astir CS, BGA4880 (1429)
G-DCHU/CHU, Schleicher K 8 B, BGA1563 (8794)
G-DDXW/354, Glasflugel H303B Mosquito, BGA2472 (142)
G-DDZW, Schleicher Ka 6 CR Rhonsegler, BGA2516 (6628)
G-DEVF/EVF, Schempp-Hirth Nimbus 3 T, BGA2981 (15/76)
G-EFRP, Bowers Fly Baby 1A (PFA 016-10300)
G-GSST/770, Grob G 102 Astir CS77, BGA2291 (1649)
G-KCIG, Sportavia-Putzer RF-5B Sperber (51005)
G-LOYA, Reims/Cessna FR172J Rocket (0352)
G-MYGD, Cyclone Airsports AX3 (C.2083049)
G-RUNS, P & M Aviation Quik GT450 (8624)
G-SJMW, Spacek SD-1 Minisport (290)
G-UPID, Bowers Fly Baby 1A (PFA 016-13347)
G-VALS, Pietenpol Aircamper (PFA 047-13157)
G-VSTR, Stolp SA.900 V-Star (WTW1)
Time for lunch at Lossiemouth and a lovely walk with the wife and dog along the beautiful beach. There was some flying in the afternoon and I saw more than I had expected, cleared my Poseidons and even made one Typhoon!
Lossiemouth
https://www.flickr.com/photos/62861611@N08/albums/72177720295534350
(ZA475), Panavia Tornado GR.1, On Display, Royal Air Force (302/BS105/3141)
ZJ917/WS-R/917, Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4, IX(B) Sqn, Royal Air Force (059/BS008)
ZJ919/WS-L/919, Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4, IX(B) Sqn, Royal Air Force (064/BS010)
ZJ923/923, Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4, Royal Air Force (075/BS014)
ZJ924/WS-J/924, Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4, IX(B) Sqn, Royal Air Force (077/BS015)
ZK331/331, Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4, Royal Air Force (343/BS092)
ZK338/338, Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4, Royal Air Force (364/BS099)
ZK367/367, Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4, Royal Air Force (460/BS128)
ZK382/382, Eurofighter Typhoon T.3, 29 Sqn, Royal Air Force (372/BT027)
ZK435/435, Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4, Royal Air Force (BS151)
ZP802/02, Boeing Poseidon MRA.1, 54/120/201 Sqns, Royal Air Force (64176/7642)
ZP803/03, Boeing Poseidon MRA.1, 54/120/201 Sqns, Royal Air Force (65752/8065)
ZP804/04, Boeing Poseidon MRA.1, 54/120/201 Sqns, Royal Air Force (65753/8103)
ZP805/05, Boeing Poseidon MRA.1, 54/120/201 Sqns, Royal Air Force (65754/8257)
ZP806/06, Boeing Poseidon MRA.1, 54/120/201 Sqns, Royal Air Force (66106/8680)
ZZ521, Agusta-Westland Lynx Wildcat AH.1, 847 NAS, Fleet Air Arm (528)
G-BSCP, Cessna 152 (15283289)
I believe that this Buccaneer has now moved to pastures new? I first saw this one in Air Tournament International ’92 static at Boscombe Down:
Elgin
https://www.flickr.com/photos/62861611@N08/albums/72177720295533800
XW530/530, Hawker Siddeley Buccaneer S.2B, On Display, United Kingdom (B3-06-69)
A quick look at Aberdeen/Dyce as darkness fell and then we retired to central Aberdeen for our nights stay in the Granite City and to find some tea. I was looking forward to coming back the next morning 🙂
Aberdeen/Dyce
G-BEZV, Reims/Cessna F172M (1474)
G-BMIX, SOCATA TB20 Trinidad (579)
G-BPKM, Piper PA-28 161 Warrior II (28-7916341)
G-EMAA, Eurocopter EC135 T2+, Babcock MCS Onshore (0448)
G-EMPP, Diamond Aircraft Twin Star DA42MPP (42.M011)
G-EUUR, Airbus A320 232, British Airways (2040)
G-HIAL, Viking Air DHC-6 Twin Otter 400, Loganair (917)
G-IACE, Sikorsky S-92 A, Bristow Helicopters (920066)
G-JMCP, Boeing 737 3T0SF, West Atlantic UK (23578)
G-LGNG, Saab 340 B, Loganair (340B-327)
G-MAJY, British Aerospace Jetstream 41 -01, Eastern Airways (41099)
G-MCSF, Airbus Helicopters EC175 B (H175), Babcock MCS Offshore (5023)
G-MCSH, Airbus Helicopters EC175 B (H175), Babcock MCS Offshore (5034)
G-MCSP, Airbus Helicopters EC175 B (H175), Babcock MCS Offshore (5052)
G-NHVA, Airbus Helicopters EC175 B (H175), NHV Helicopters (5042)
G-ROOK, Reims/Cessna F172P (2081)
G-SAJT, Embraer ERJ-135 ER, Loganair (145376)
G-SASD, Beech King Air B200C (BL-151)
G-WNSF, Sikorsky S-92 A, CHC Scotia (920046)
OO-MBP, Pilatus PC-24 (182)
OY-MNS, Vulcanair P.68C (502/C)
Best regards,
Grant Robinson
Photgraph credits: Grant Robinson