Scottish Aerodromes of the 1920s and 1930s

Description

The end of the First World War brought with it the closure most of the military aerodromes in Scotland. It, however, retained its links with naval aviation with aircraft carriers frequently exercising off the coast. In the latter part of the decade Auxiliary Air Force squadrons were formed at Edinburgh and Glasgow manned by civilians. With the rise of the Nazis in Germany, the RAF responded by building new airfields or re-opening former First World War sites. They included armament practice camps at Evanton and West Freugh where pilots could practice their skills in bombing and firing their weapons. RAF flying boats also visited various coastal locations around Scotland in the years leading up to the War. The inter-war services also saw the development of scheduled airline services within the country. They were, however, not between major towns but linked remote islands with major towns of the mainland. An air ambulance service was also created to serve isolated communities. All of these developments are covered as well as private flying and gliding. There is also a section on aerodromes that were planned but never built.

Malcolm Fife's writing career started with a series of articles illustrated with his own photographs in the 'Scots Magazine'. This was followed by his first book on the history of the Nor Loch which existed at the foot of Edinburgh Castle Rock until it was drained. He went on to write books on a number of military airfields including Crail, Drem and Acklington. More recently he has had books published on 'British Airship Bases' and Edinburgh's Calton Jail. He has also contributed articles to 'Ships Monthly'.