Exploring Scotlands Hidden History RAF-Banff: Forgotten Airfields of the, UK - on My Motorcycle

"Where Motorcycle Freedom Takes Flight"

Going North Solo is about everything I have a passion for. Motorcycles and Flying the adventure and travel by exploring abandoned airfields and basically anything to do with classic racing motorcycles. I plan to capture the spirit of freedom, nostalgia, and adrenaline that comes with riding motorcycles and discovering hidden gems in forgotten spaces.

• Banff Airfield, also known as RAF Banff or Boyndie/Boindie Aerodrome, was located 190 kilometres north of Edinburgh.
• It was constructed between 1942 and April 1943 and officially opened on 21 April 1943 as a Flying Training Command airfield.
• The airfield later became the home of the Banff Strike Wing, which included several Royal Air Force (RAF) and Commonwealth squadrons:
• 143 Sqn RAF (October 1944 until the end of the war) - flying Bristol Beaufighter and some de Havilland Mosquito in Sep-Oct 1944.
• 144 Sqn RAF (September 1944 until 25 May 1945) - flying Bristol Beaufighter.
• 235 Sqn RAF (September 1944 until 10 July 1945) - flying Bristol Beaufighter.
• 248 Sqn RAF (September 1944 until 25 May 1945) - flying de Havilland Mosquito.
• 333 Sqn Royal Norwegian Air Force (September 1944 until 30 May 1945) - flying de Havilland Mosquito.
• 404 Sqn Royal Canadian Air Force (detachments/flights from nearby RAF Dallachy) - flying Bristol Beaufighter.
• 445 Sqn Royal Australian Air Force (detachments/flights from nearby RAF Dallachy) - flying Bristol Beaufighter.
• The Banff Strike Wing achieved significant success during its operations, denying Germany access to vital resources, including iron ore, through concentrated attacks on surface vessels and U-boats in the North Sea and Norwegian coastline.
• The presence of 333 Sqn Royal Norwegian Air Force added unique aerial skills and target location abilities to the Strike Wing.
• After World War II in Europe, the airfield was used by 489 Sqn Royal New Zealand Air Force in preparation for operations against Japan.
• The airfield closed in the summer of 1946, with much of the land returning to agricultural use.
• Farmers in the area purchased blister hangars and Nissen huts from the airfield for use on their farms.
• In the 1970s, a section of the runway was cleared and used by the Banff Flying Club, inaugurated by Sir Max Aitken.
• The flying club ceased operations in 1979 due to the fuel crisis, leading to the airfield's abandonment and vandalism.
• The RAF Banff Strike Wing Memorial Trust was established in 1987 to build a memorial at or near the airfield, which was unveiled in September 1989.
• The Banff Airfield Trust aims to promote the heritage of the airfield site and preserve associated historical and cultural artifacts.
• The site is mostly returned to agricultural use but still recognizable. It includes a go-kart track on the southern end, a small industrial estate on the western part, and a wind farm occupying another portion.
• Several buildings, such as the control tower, part of the main store, and emergency air raid shelters, remain on the site.

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Beaufighter depicted in this video (Photo collection Jim Bates, via VintageWings.ca
Copy RonaldDV
Abandoned and unknown airfields Europe and UK
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