Spitfire’s return to the skies of Montrose this weekend cancelled

Visitors to Upper Dysart farm shop near Montrose had hoped to see a Spitfire fly over the site where Britain's first operational air base was established in 1913.

By Graham Brown

September 17 2024, 1:00pm

The Spitfire will fly over Upper Dysart on Sunday afternoon. Image: Kenny Smith/DC Thomson

Plans for the return of a Spitfire to the skies over Montrose this weekend have had to be ditched.

On Sunday, the Battle of Britain aircraft was due to fly over the site where Britain’s first air base was established 111 years ago.

But the spectacle has now been cancelled.

Local farmer Andrew Stirling hoped to fly in the famous aircraft over his Upper Dysart farm which has a proud place in RAF history.

Spitfire flights from Perth Airport. — A Spitfire preparing for take-off at Scone earlier this summer. Image: Kenny Smith/DC Thomson

Aircraft from No. 2 Squadron Royal Flying Corps first touched down there in early 1913.

The squadron later moved to Broomfield, just north of the Angus town.

But on Wednesday Andrew said the event has been cancelled due to “unforeseen circumstances”.

Spitfires flying from Perth Airport

Flight experience specialist Spitfires.com opened a Perth Airport base this summer.

It offers the thrill of taking to the air in their two-seater Spitfire.

Montrose FC director Andrew still hopes to be able to enjoy a flight in the iconic aircraft as a 60th birthday treat from his family.

“We’ve always been very proud of the part Upper Dysart played in the history of the RAF.”

In 2020 he cut a landing strip on the farm for a Montrose pilot to land a light aircraft there.

Andrew added: “Spitfires would have been a common sight over Montrose in the Second World War.

“The base had long since moved to Broomfield by then but Upper Dysart’s place in the story of RAF Montrose will remain forever.”

Upper Dysart’s RFC history

In early 1913, aircraft from No. 2 Squadron Royal Flying Corps embarked on a 13-day journey north from Hampshire.

The military pioneers were in search of a suitable base on Scotland’s east coast.
It was part of a plan forged the previous year under the instructions of the First Lord of the Admiralty, Winston Churchill.

And on February 26, five aircraft under the command of Major Charles Burke landed at Upper Dysart.

Early aircraft at RAF Montrose in 1913. — One of the first planes from No. 2 Squadron RFC arrives at Montrose in 1913. Image: Supplied

It saw the farmland become the first operational air base in British military history.

But Major Burke had reservations about the long-term suitability of the site, And at the turn of 1914 the squadron moved to Broomfield, north of the town.

RAF Montrose played an important training role for Second World War pilots of many nationalities.

And Spitfires flew from there to protect Edinburgh and the east coast from the threat of the Luftwaffe.

The Broomfield base is now home to the popular Montrose Air Station Heritage Centre.

A replica of the Red Lichtie Spitfire bought by the people of Arbroath in WWII stands at the entrance to the centre.