Montrose Air Station Museum facts for kids
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| Established | 1983 |
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| Location | Montrose, Angus |
| Type | Aviation museum |
The Montrose Air Station Museum is a super cool place located just north of Montrose, Angus, Scotland. This museum is special because Montrose was home to the very first military airfield in Great Britain! The museum is built right on this historic airfield.
It's run by a Scottish charity called a SCIO (Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation). The museum gets its money from visitors, donations, and grants. It doesn't get regular funding from the government, so every visit helps keep history alive!
Contents
Discovering Montrose Airfield's Past
The Beginning of a Historic Airfield
The airfield first opened way back in 1913. Five aircraft from No.2 Squadron Royal Flying Corps arrived, making Montrose the first place in Great Britain to have an operational military airfield. It was also the very first military airfield in Scotland!
Montrose During Wartime
The air station closed in 1920 but reopened in 1935. It played an important role during the Second World War. After the war, it continued to be used for maintenance until it closed for good on June 4, 1952.
Creating the Museum
In 1983, a group of local people who loved history decided that the story of Montrose Air Station shouldn't be forgotten. A local man named Ian McIntosh started a trust to remember the airfield's past. Money was raised, and in 1992, the trust bought the old Watch Office and some land. This became the Montrose Air Station Museum! Over the years, the museum has grown, adding more buildings to show off its amazing collection of artifacts and models.
Remembering Those Who Served
On May 19, 2012, a special memorial stone was unveiled at the air station. This stone remembers all the units and people who served there. It's a way to honor their bravery and hard work.
Exciting Museum Projects
Learning to Fly for War
This project helped the museum create new learning spaces. It added a Link Trainer (an old flight simulator), a computer flight simulator, and a learning zone with videos and audio. It's a great way to imagine what it was like to train as a pilot! This project was finished in October 2012.
The Spitfire Fund: A Replica Plane!
Just like during wartime, people raised money for a "Spitfire Fund." This time, it was to buy a full-size replica Spitfire airplane! This amazing aircraft now sits proudly at the front of the main museum building. It's a monument to everyone who served at Montrose during both World Wars. The replica is painted like the "Red Lichtie" Spitfire, which was bought in 1942 by the people of Arbroath after they raised £5000. On July 26, 2013, Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex visited the museum to unveil the Spitfire and a special stone.
First in France 1914: World War I History
This project is named after Lieutenant H.D. Harvey-Kelly, who was the first pilot to land in France after World War I began. He was from No.2 Squadron RFC Montrose! A new building was built to house artifacts from World War I, including a replica Sopwith Camel and a full-size replica B.E.2a aircraft. The project also created an "online" Book of Remembrance for pilots who died in accidents while flying at Montrose.
Amazing Aircraft and Exhibits
The museum has an incredible collection of aircraft and engines. You can see:
- A replica of the Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2a, like the one flown by Major Harvey Kelly.
- A replica of the Sopwith Camel F.1, a famous World War I fighter plane.
- A Miles M.2H Hawk Major (DG590).
- An Avro Anson Mk.C19 No.TX266, which is currently being restored.
- A full-size replica of a Supermarine Spitfire MkVb.
- A Gloster Meteor T.7, an early jet fighter.
- A de Havilland Sea Vampire T.22.
- A Hawker Hunter F.1.
- A Panavia Tornado GR4.
- A SEPECAT Jaguar GR1.
- A 7/8th scale replica of a Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a.
You can also see powerful aircraft engines like the Rolls-Royce Merlin (used in Spitfires!), Rolls-Royce Derwent jet engine, and Bristol Hercules radial engines. Other cool items include a Link Trainer (an old flight simulator) and a 1941 David Brown Taskmaster World War II Airfield Tractor.
Historic Buildings at the Museum
The MT Hut
The MT (Mechanised Transport) Hut is one of the oldest buildings here, dating back to around 1915! It was restored by volunteers and reopened in 2012. It's a listed building, meaning it's protected for its historical importance.
The HQ Building
Built in 1915, this was once the main headquarters for the air station. Now, it holds several interesting exhibitions:
- Exhibition Room 1: This used to be the Commanding Officer's office. It now shows what life was like on the Home Front during World War II.
- Exhibition Room 2: This room is used for special temporary displays that change from time to time.
- Exhibition Room 3: This is the biggest room! It tells the whole story of Montrose Air Station, from when it started in 1913 to when it closed in 1952. You can also see a large Diorama showing how the airfield looked in 1940.
- Exhibition Room 4: Step back in time to see what a pilot's bedroom looked like in 1940.
Wartime Defenses: Pillbox and Anderson Shelter
You can see a pillbox from 1949, which was an important part of the airfield's defenses. There's also an Anderson shelter, a type of air-raid shelter used by families during World War II to stay safe from bombs.
Jack Drummond Workshop and Store
This building is named after Jack Drummond, who served at Montrose in 1937. It's a Nissen hut used for restoring aircraft and other items. For safety reasons, it's not open to the public.
John Betty Library and Research Centre
Named after Squadron Leader John Betty, a former Chief Flying Instructor, this library has one of the largest private collections of aviation books in Scotland! It also holds the museum's archives. You can visit by arrangement to do research, maybe even for your family history!
David Butler Building
This building, a Romney Hut, is named after David Butler, one of the museum's founders. It houses some amazing aircraft like the Miles M.2H Hawk Major and the T.22 de Havilland Sea Vampire. There's also a pilot training display and a special learning zone for school visits.
Lt John Ross Robertson Building
This is one of the museum's newest buildings, opened in 2014. It displays World War I artifacts, including full-size replicas of the B.E.2a and Sopwith Camel aircraft. It's named after Lt Robertson, who learned to fly at Montrose and was sadly killed in action in 1917. The cross from his grave, made by the Germans, is on display here as a memorial to him and all who served.
Major Burke's Shed 1.b
In 2019, the museum started using Major Burke's Shed 1.b. This shed is one of the very first hangars built here in late 1913! Inside, you can see a Panavia Tornado GR4, a SEPECAT Jaguar GR1, and a Hawker Hunter F.1.
Historic Airfield Hangars Nearby
Just south of the museum are three aircraft hangars that are believed to be the oldest of their kind in the world! They were built in late 1913 and used in early 1914. Their design was based on Indian Army Sheds and they were built with wood and corrugated iron roofs. These hangars are incredibly important historical buildings.
See also
- List of aerospace museums
- RAF Montrose
- Royal Flying Corps
