An award-winning Angus heritage centre is getting ready to stretch its wings with an ambitious extension.
Montrose Air Station Heritage Centre celebrated the former RFC/RAF airfield’s centenary in 2013 and is forging ahead with plans to draw more visitors.
A purpose-built classroom in Merlin Grey would replace cramped caravans which house volunteers, making room for a classroom, model making area and shortwave radio shack.
The centre is being assisted by local firm Kerry Smith Architects, for whom Jodie Black said: “It will be great to see a project like this reach out to local schools and help the Air Station Heritage Centre to grow.”
The centre was awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service last June in recognition of its outstanding achievements in “telling the story of the people of the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Air Force who served at Montrose from 1913-50”.
However, volunteers believe a new building would open up the Waldron Road site for bigger displays and a more comprehensive classroom experience.
Centre chairman Alan Doe said: “We need a new building.
“We wanted to shift the classroom area out of one of the buildings so we could expand displays into that area.
“This will add to the offering at the centre. The people who do the work for us selling aircraft kits are now in a caravan and we need a new building for them, along with our short-wave radio man. He’s in a caravan now as well, which we don’t like.”
The centre’s collection of artefacts and photographs tells the story of RFC/RAF Montrose through the words and deeds of the men and women who served in Angus through the First and Second World Wars.
It is a registered charity run entirely by volunteers whose passionate interest in local and aviation history has preserved the vital contribution made to the defence of this country for the benefit of the townspeople of Montrose and many visitors to the town.
Council officers are expected to give a decision on the application by November 20.
Last week the station launched its latest display, commemorating five First World War air squadrons which first took flight there, and volunteers are building a replica 1914 model BE2, which should be finished next year.