The parade was part of a programme of events to commemorate the 95th anniversary of the founding of Montrose Air Station in 1913 and to mark the start of the season.

The guest of honour was Wing Commander Tom Neil DFC AFC, a fighter ace in the "Battle of Britain" who earned his wings at Montrose in 1939. He gave a talk to a packed house in Montrose Museum on Friday evening and had everyone captivated with anecdotes of his life.

The recently acquired 'Butler' building, which houses the full sized replica Sopwith Camel, was the scene for the day's festivities and speeches were heard from Wing Commander Neil and Alan Doe, Chairman.
He set out the achievements in the past year including the acquisition of two Merlin engines within the last few days. They were recovered from a Whitley twin engined WWII bomber that crashed in the Cairngorms and they were brought to the site with the help of Colin Nicol from the ATC Rosyth.
To achieve the objective of expanding the engine collection, engines from the Rolls Wood Group will be part of the exhibits in the near future.

RAF Leuchars Mountain Rescue Team exhibited on the day, further endorsing the Air Station's links with Mountain Rescue in its time, and the coveted Battle of Britain Lace Panel, kindly loaned by Dorothy Moss, was yet again displayed. Thanks to the support from Angus Council in donating two Park Homes, Montrose Air Station are very excited about the prospect of being able to exhibit the "Richard Moss Collection". This private collection from Kirriemuir was in danger of being split up until the Trustees, family of the late Richard Moss and members of Montrose Air Station found a solution to keep the collection intact.

It was a tribute to the volunteers and members who have preserved this piece of aviation history in Montrose that such an esteemed veteran as Wing Commander Tom Neil, the RAF Kinloss Pipe Band and locally the ATC and Scottish Military Vehicle Group support the Air Station enabling the expansion and refinement of this superb collection.


Plans for 2008 are very exciting indeed and for previous visitors there is much more to see but, if you haven't yet visited this 'local treasure' make it a priority this year. The new opening hours are Wednesday to Saturday 10-4 and Sunday 12-4.

More information - www.rafmontrose.org.uk or Telephone 01674 678222.