Crimond (Rattray)
Crimond's claim to fame is that it was the Admiralty that discovered it instead of the Air Ministry Aerodromes board. The name was later changed to Rattray after the name of the headland. Work on the airfield was started in March 1943, The airfield had four runways instead of the traditional three.
The site was commissioned for use on 3rd October 1944 as HMS Merganser, the airfield had been in use since the previous July by 774 Squadron for Telegraphist Air Gunner training. Several Barracuda Training units were resident due to the need for Observer training schools.
In May 1944, 714 Squadron moved in from Fearn for Torpedo Bombing Reconnaissance training, 717 Squadron arrived in November to perform a similar role. Due to the Barracudas required handling, crashes were frequent, four barracudas were wrecked and other damaged by hitting towers, aerials and other aircraft.
Two squadrons were formed at Rattray in 1945, these were 817 & 818 Squadrons, and these moved away in the first half of 1945. During this time 753 Squadron from Arbroath was operating aircraft for Observer training. 753 Squadron disbanded in August 1946. Rattray was closed on 1st September 1946 when it went to care and maintenance.
Today, 900ft Radio Masts are visible on the old runways, large parts of the outer perimeter are used for Oil Industry storage and at weekends there is a car racing circuit.
Map Reference: - 30/070580
Access: - Off A952 at Village of Crimond
What's left: - The airfield still has runways (Not accessible as it's MOD Property and protected due to the Wireless masts), Aircraft pens, and various service buildings exist. If you go straight out the site cross the main A952 about 1/2 mile up the road you will find numerous buildings from a dispersed site, Whilst travelling in a Helicopter, I noticed this site.
ø Pentad Hanger ø Some of the remaining buildings at the site ø This is as far as you can go, beyond the fence it's MOD Property, This view is looking North out towards the runways ø This is one of the buildings in the dispersed site straight across the crossroads from the Airfield Entrance off the A952 ø The Dispersed site, now used to dump tyres ø More buildings from the Main Site
