Renfrew Airport

Moderators: John, Sharon, Fossil, Lucky Poet, crusty_bint, Jazza, dazza

Postby the hairy brain » Thu Jan 26, 2006 10:43 am

next time you're on that bit of motorway you should marvel at the smoothness of it.. having seen the photos im not convinced its directly on line with the runway, maybe a bit to the side, but if you think about it, you're building a new motorway and the route goes kinda near the line of a runway thats not used for anything anymore..... hmmm, what should i do...? ::):
the hairy brain
Just settling in
Just settling in
 
Posts: 4
Joined: Tue Jan 24, 2006 12:33 am
Location: glasgow

Postby AlanM » Thu Jan 26, 2006 10:50 am

Thats what I was thinking. why go to all the bother of digging a huge trench and depositing tons of gravel in it when someones already done it for you.
Who needs a six pack....when you've got a keg!!!
Image
User avatar
AlanM
Third Stripe
Third Stripe
 
Posts: 1827
Joined: Wed Sep 07, 2005 8:59 am
Location: Knightswood

Postby the hairy brain » Thu Jan 26, 2006 10:05 pm

you can make out the end of the cross runway on google earth too. and also maybe a bit of original surface near the school with the plane shaped thing sitting outside it!
the hairy brain
Just settling in
Just settling in
 
Posts: 4
Joined: Tue Jan 24, 2006 12:33 am
Location: glasgow

Postby Schiehallion » Thu Jan 26, 2006 10:25 pm

the hairy brain wrote:you can make out the end of the cross runway on google earth too. and also maybe a bit of original surface near the school with the plane shaped thing sitting outside it!


Aye you're right enough. Who needs Tony Robinson and geophys when we've got google earth.
User avatar
Schiehallion
Third Stripe
Third Stripe
 
Posts: 1625
Joined: Sat Mar 20, 2004 9:32 pm

Postby Socceroo » Fri Jan 27, 2006 11:04 pm

Article from 18th October 1947 (The Scotsman)

RENFREW AIRPORT
----------------------------
Many Developments Anticipated
----------------------------------------
BARRIERS TO EXTENSION


From our own reporter
Renfrew is an airport with a considerable future. Not only is it to be developed as the hub of Continental and internal airline traffic in Scotland, but it has gained further importance through the decision of British Airways Corporation to make it the headquarters of their British division.

A word of explanation is needed on that point. Of the former three divisions of B.E.A. – Continental, English (centred at Speke, Liverpool) and Scottish (centred at Renfrew) – there are now to be only two. The English and Scottish divisions are being merged and based at Renfrew. This may seem unusual to Scottish observers, but a glance at the B.E.A. network of air routes – at present somewhat reduced because of economy cuts – will show Renfrew to be near the centre.

It is also in the area of one of the largest masses of population outside London, is 15 minutes by bus from the Centre of Glasgow, and is conveniently placed for the city’s affinity with the Western Isles.

The flying field dates back to the Royal Flying Corps in 1914 – 15, and owes its continued existence in more recent times to the Scottish Flying Club. To-day it is one of 13 State airports in Scotland, with an airport commandant Mr B.A. Oakley, and manager Mr C.S. Appleby.

EXPANSION LIMITED

Mr Oakley said, “We hope that within the next 12 or 18 months there will be very real developments here. By that I mean developments in a big way. I cannot give details at present because the policy has not been finally approved by higher authority, although it is virtually approved. These developments will put Renfrew really on the map and Scotland as a whole will be able to be proud of it. Terminal buildings will be one of the measures we hope to incorporate in the expansion which I envisage, but that will depend on material, priorities and manpower.”

While the purpose of developing Renfrew is to make it the major European Terminal in Scotland, Renfrew does not seek to compete with Prestwick, the main function of which is to handle Transatlantic traffic. The two will be complimentary. The ideal, of course, would be that the two should co-operate. There is an obvious need for an air service between the two airports. At present there is not even a bus service between them.

Lying on Glasgow’s fringe, Renfrew is limited in its possibilities of expansion. It looks onto the back of Hillington Industrial Estate; some distance off are the cranes and derricks of King George V Dock, and close to the main runway is Arkleston Cemetery, which is an effective barrier. The two runways are 2000 yards and 1350 yards long, not much shorter than those at Prestwick, but only half as wide at 50 yards. The scheme for a third runway is in abeyance, and it is intended to concentrate on extending the second runway southwards for about 500 to 600 yards.

TECHNICAL AIDS

The airport has various approach aids and is being equipped with all the technical aids that are considered necessary. G.C.A. (Ground Controlled Approach) is undergoing tests now with a view to installation. As a result of work done during the past summer the airport is completely equipped for night landings.

At present Renfrew has about 140 aircraft movements a week, 90 of which are B.E.A. and has services to London, Belfast, the Isles, Dublin and Copenhagen. This is the winter schedule, plus charter flights. In summer these figures are doubled. During the summer months the airport handled up to 14,000 passengers a month, and in the first nine months of the year the number was 60,500.
Last edited by Socceroo on Sat Jan 28, 2006 6:45 pm, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
Socceroo
Third Stripe
Third Stripe
 
Posts: 1369
Joined: Thu Sep 08, 2005 8:51 pm
Location: Mount Flo, Glasgow

Postby Socceroo » Sat Jan 28, 2006 12:36 am

Vladimir wrote:Perhaps the new terminal planned at Glasgow Airport could be modeled on this one. It was a very nice building indeed!



Found this Vlad, not quite modelling the new terminal on the old Airport, but they are putting some features in to reflect it :

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/print/news/5033075.shtml
User avatar
Socceroo
Third Stripe
Third Stripe
 
Posts: 1369
Joined: Thu Sep 08, 2005 8:51 pm
Location: Mount Flo, Glasgow

Postby stinkpad » Sat Jan 28, 2006 2:04 am

Not sure if the runway length is correct here as i just matched it on the street at the bottom left and the graveyard to the right.

Looks like the runway is that brown patch and not the motorway though.

Image
User avatar
stinkpad
Third Stripe
Third Stripe
 
Posts: 403
Joined: Mon Jan 19, 2004 1:42 pm
Location: Cathcart

Postby Socceroo » Sat Jan 28, 2006 6:57 pm

I got the runway in the same place as you Stinkpad, i reckon the yellow lines are the approximate positions of the two runways.

Image

You can see on Google Earth that at the end of the North East runway there are still sections of the aprons (between pink lines) and runway (between yellow lines) exposed in the playing fields.

Image

The picture below is the Royal Air Force 602 (City of Glasgow) Auxiliary Squadron with their Vampire Jets. The photo was taken in the 1950's when the Squadron returned to be based at Renfrew having moved back from the nearby Abbotsinch Airfield due to the condition of the runways there.

The picture was apparently taken where the apron area is shown in the above Google Earth photo near the play area within the pink lines.

Image
User avatar
Socceroo
Third Stripe
Third Stripe
 
Posts: 1369
Joined: Thu Sep 08, 2005 8:51 pm
Location: Mount Flo, Glasgow

Postby Socceroo » Sun Feb 05, 2006 10:22 pm

Image

Renfrew Airport Restaurant November 1954

Ah, the golden age of travel. Sit back have a bite to eat in a Architectural masterpiece, waitress service, starched white tablecloths.........and you could even have ...wait for it ... a cigarette.
User avatar
Socceroo
Third Stripe
Third Stripe
 
Posts: 1369
Joined: Thu Sep 08, 2005 8:51 pm
Location: Mount Flo, Glasgow

Postby The Voyageur » Sat Mar 11, 2006 5:36 pm

Photo borrowed from a friend:

Image
User avatar
The Voyageur
Second Stripe
Second Stripe
 
Posts: 177
Joined: Fri Jun 04, 2004 7:26 pm

Postby Mori » Sat Mar 11, 2006 8:45 pm

Sorry socceroo just couldn't resist photoshopin that pic that you posted up.

:)

Image
User avatar
Mori
Third Stripe
Third Stripe
 
Posts: 3434
Joined: Wed May 04, 2005 1:05 pm
Location: Glasgow

Postby Vladimir » Sat Mar 11, 2006 9:06 pm

The English flag seems a bit out of place...
User avatar
Vladimir
Third Stripe
Third Stripe
 
Posts: 1830
Joined: Mon May 02, 2005 9:40 am
Location: Confédération Générale du Travail

Postby The Voyageur » Sat Mar 11, 2006 9:37 pm

Apparently its a Royal Navy Flag?!?
User avatar
The Voyageur
Second Stripe
Second Stripe
 
Posts: 177
Joined: Fri Jun 04, 2004 7:26 pm

Postby The Voyageur » Sat Mar 11, 2006 9:38 pm

Mori wrote:Sorry socceroo just couldn't resist photoshopin that pic that you posted up.


Good work, thanks, only the name aint socceroo! :wink:
User avatar
The Voyageur
Second Stripe
Second Stripe
 
Posts: 177
Joined: Fri Jun 04, 2004 7:26 pm

Postby Socceroo » Sat Mar 11, 2006 9:39 pm

I don't think it's the English flag, maybe to do with the RAF who were still periodically stationed between Renfrew and Abbotsinch?
User avatar
Socceroo
Third Stripe
Third Stripe
 
Posts: 1369
Joined: Thu Sep 08, 2005 8:51 pm
Location: Mount Flo, Glasgow

PreviousNext

Return to Glasgow Chat (Coffee Lounge)

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 29 guests