Good afternoon,

Today would see us leave Aberdeen for a trip across to Inverness. We awoke to early morning mist which soon cleared into another clear and warm day.

Aberdeen 0700 – 0900

LN-RDY DHC8D WIF

LN-WDL DHC8D WIF

First call was to Survivex on an Industrial Estate just to the North of the airfield. Noted on a mock up Helipad here

BAPC563 Sa365 Dauphin* (the former G-BKXD)

Next stop at 0915 was Netherley. Still Guarding the Alba Valve Plant here

N-315 Hawker Hunter

Back on the road we headed for Banchory and followed the River Dee through some great countryside and Scottish Villages. Our destination was the Deesside Activity Park. Here noted near the entrance mocked up to look like a crashed aircraft was:

G-OANN CH601 Zodiac (the real G-OANN was seen at Insch later in the day!!)

A few miles further on and we came to Aboyne. First stop was a layby off the main road where a number of gliders were out. From there a drive onto the airfield. After a polite request we were taken on foot across to the hangers and shown the contents by a guy who was once on the IAT Organising Committee at Greenham Common!

30 gliders and 5 fixed wing were noted here including ZS-GEE Jonckers Glider.

From Aboyne we made a journey across country to Insch. From the outside the airfield looked deserted but as we walked towards the Control Point a guy appeared who was the airfield owner. After a polite request and armed with the hanger keys we set off to explore the airfield. No Photos were allowed here so just a log was made. Around 30 were logged including a few of interest to me:

G-ANJI DH82A* the former T6830 RAF

G-BKRK SV4C* formerly 57 French Air Force

Whilst we were chatting awaiting a local arrival the following were noted ott

G-CEYL BD700 Inverness Aberdeen

VQ-BBS Bae125 Cherepovets Belfast

We stopped for a Coffee in Huntly and contrived to miss SE-RSC A359 SAS ott on its way to ORD.

From here we carried on to Easterton. Whilst we could see the airfield we were unable to find any access to it either by Google Maps or directions on Euro demobbed. From a distance nothing was seen outside.

Our relentless progress North took us next to RAF  Lossiemouth. As we passed through Elgin XW530 Buccaneer was still present at a Petrol Station on the Lossiemouth Road.

Noted at RAF Lossiemouth 1430 – 1530

ZH889 C130J RAF

ZP801 P8 RN

ZP802 P8 RN*

ZP803 P8 RN*

ZP804 P8 RN*

A Tornado Gate Guard as well as 4 Typhoons were also noted as well as G-ETDC C172 of the Lossiemouth Flying Club. Missing ZP805 was out flying low over the Irish Sea near the Isle of Man so a visit tomorrow would be required on the way back.

Last call of the day was Inverness Dalcross. Noted here between 1600 and 1630 and then a few arrivals from out Hotel until 1830 were the following:

G-LGNM SF340 LOG

G-SAJH EMB145

G-UZHF A320N EZY

ZM405 A400 RAF

D-CHLR EMB505

G-NJAD Da2000EX NJE

G-RWPJ C560XLS

G-SUGR EMB135BJ

OY-SPS P68*

G-MCGM AW189*

G-PDGN AS365

Our Hotel was the Premier Inn Inverness City Centre. There are plenty of eateries but I can recommend the Black Isle Brewery. An amazing assortment of beer was on offer here and an equally eclectic mix of Pizza was available. Not often you go somewhere where the drinks list is bigger than the food Menu!

Day 4 to follow.

Mark Paulin

 

Photograph credits: Mark Paulin