GLA from 30,000ft

That pic is unusual, in that it shows the full Cat 3 lighting (ie that required for autoland in fog) – not normally used in ‘good’ weather.

Excellent Moondance, any more? 🙂

That pic is unusual, in that it shows the full Cat 3 lighting (ie that required for autoland in fog) – not normally used in ‘good’ weather.

Excellent Moondance, any more? 🙂

I particularly like the ones with the runway lights on AWESOME

That pic is unusual, in that it shows the full Cat 3 lighting (ie that required for autoland in fog) – not normally used in ‘good’ weather.

I particularly like the ones with the runway lights on AWESOME

That pic is unusual, in that it shows the full Cat 3 lighting (ie that required for autoland in fog) – not normally used in ‘good’ weather.

Why was the airport moved? To clear surrounding buildings, or because the ground was not solid enough? Usually the runway is used even if the terminal is moved to the other side, like Stansted.
mmitch.

As you can see there were to many surrounding and developing post war housing estates. Renfrew’s size was fine in the days of DC-3’s and other props, but as the jet age arrived and larger planes began to appear it became necessary to start afresh at nearby Abbotsinch (GLA).

Abbotsinch was a former wartime air base (602 Squadron) and latterly HMS Sanderling, a fleet air arm base before being purchased and developed for civilian use.

More “interesting” trivia now for you relating to that aerial shot at the top of the thread…

You see those two rivers to the left and right of the main GLA runway? They both meet to the north of the 23 end and then feed into the River Clyde.

The one on the left is known as the White Cart and the one on the right is known as the Black Cart. If that picture extended to the south about half an inch more you’d see the nearby ground of Scottish 1st Division football club, St Mirren.

Check my avatar for the team colours and work out why they play in those colours. :p

Why was the airport moved? To clear surrounding buildings, or because the ground was not solid enough? Usually the runway is used even if the terminal is moved to the other side, like Stansted.
mmitch.

As you can see there were to many surrounding and developing post war housing estates. Renfrew’s size was fine in the days of DC-3’s and other props, but as the jet age arrived and larger planes began to appear it became necessary to start afresh at nearby Abbotsinch (GLA).

Abbotsinch was a former wartime air base (602 Squadron) and latterly HMS Sanderling, a fleet air arm base before being purchased and developed for civilian use.

More “interesting” trivia now for you relating to that aerial shot at the top of the thread…

You see those two rivers to the left and right of the main GLA runway? They both meet to the north of the 23 end and then feed into the River Clyde.

The one on the left is known as the White Cart and the one on the right is known as the Black Cart. If that picture extended to the south about half an inch more you’d see the nearby ground of Scottish 1st Division football club, St Mirren.

Check my avatar for the team colours and work out why they play in those colours. :p

Why was the airport moved? To clear surrounding buildings, or because the ground was not solid enough? Usually the runway is used even if the terminal is moved to the other side, like Stansted.
mmitch.

I think lack of space was limiting expansion

Why was the airport moved? To clear surrounding buildings, or because the ground was not solid enough? Usually the runway is used even if the terminal is moved to the other side, like Stansted.
mmitch.

I think lack of space was limiting expansion

Why was the airport moved? To clear surrounding buildings, or because the ground was not solid enough? Usually the runway is used even if the terminal is moved to the other side, like Stansted.
mmitch.

Why was the airport moved? To clear surrounding buildings, or because the ground was not solid enough? Usually the runway is used even if the terminal is moved to the other side, like Stansted.
mmitch.

Yes, you can see the perfectly straight section of M8 motorway that was the main runway, (junctions 26 to 27 right to left). It starts on the right of the picture and ends just below that bit that looks like hangars, which are in fact a brand new building housing the David Lloyd tennis courts.

Looking back at the right of that section and north of the motorway you can see another white largish rectangular building (next to that strange snail shaped array of housing). This is the Tesco store built exactly where the old Renfrew Airport terminal was.

To it’s north are former apron areas now playing fields for Renfrew High School and local football teams. To the left and south of Tesco’s and between the motorway is a post airport housing development built on the taxiways and aprons. Most of the streets have aviation themed names. 🙂

Fascinating! 😮

Yes, you can see the perfectly straight section of M8 motorway that was the main runway, (junctions 26 to 27 right to left). It starts on the right of the picture and ends just below that bit that looks like hangars, which are in fact a brand new building housing the David Lloyd tennis courts.

Looking back at the right of that section and north of the motorway you can see another white largish rectangular building (next to that strange snail shaped array of housing). This is the Tesco store built exactly where the old Renfrew Airport terminal was.

To it’s north are former apron areas now playing fields for Renfrew High School and local football teams. To the left and south of Tesco’s and between the motorway is a post airport housing development built on the taxiways and aprons. Most of the streets have aviation themed names. 🙂

Fascinating! 😮

I particularly like the ones with the runway lights on AWESOME

I particularly like the ones with the runway lights on AWESOME

wow that is a good shot.

wow that is a good shot.

Just found a few more ariel shots of GLA.

http://glagaz3.tripod.com/id7.html

Just found a few more ariel shots of GLA.

http://glagaz3.tripod.com/id7.html

Shows off the true size of the new RR Aero Engines Parts Factory.

Shows off the true size of the new RR Aero Engines Parts Factory.