This is a stretch from the Banff Aero Club start of this string so my apologies to all, for that.

No apologies necessary as far as I’m concerned! It’s great to hear your memories too 🙂

Hi R6915,

I’m not sure which Mosquito that would be. Certainly not RS712 which didn’t leave Strathallan till 1984.

The Strathallan Collection never had a B24 or Lincoln. I think the Lincoln came from Southend and the Liberator from India. The Lysander remained at Strathallan until 1998 when it joined the Shuttleworth Collection.

Doug Arnold did acquire Grumman Avenger G-BTBM at the Strathallan auction.

During a walk through the woods at Lane End during the mid 80’s, I arrived near the airfield dump in time to see a mosquito take off right over my head. My presumption was that this had been overhauled by PPS. A moment I won’t forget in a hurry!

Probably the same Mosquito, George! RS712 was sold to Kermit Weeks and, prior to leaving for the USA, spent a considerable time with PPS at Booker being prepared for the ferry flight. She left Strathallan late-’84 and eventually left Booker in ’87.

My most abiding memory of Neil Williams was his display in Yak C.11 G-AYAK at Strathallan when, in a steep dive, he disappeared behind a clump of trees near the end of the runway. There were gasps of despair then utter astonishment when he whizzed back over the top of the crowd (as was allowed then) to continue a marvellous display. A handy dip in the ground behind those trees which Neil had used to perfection to give the crowd a “buzz”.

It appears the engines and other parts were retained by John Sword following the demise of his airline and G-ACGF, which was presumably at Renfrew.  He kept several historic motor cars and may have felt the aero engines complemented his collection or it may simply have been for sentimental reasons. Following John Sword’s death in 1960 his car collection was auctioned off but the Avro parts were held in store until acquired by the National Museums of Scotland in 1987. 

I would like to thank the curators of the museum for their assistance in answering this question. 

I have received a very prompt response from National Museums of Scotland! As suspected, the article in Scottish Air News was incorrect and there is no fuselage. However, the museum holds not just one but two engines from the Avro 618 Ten. They have the one from the nose plus another with nacelle, gauges and propellers. The engines arrived as late as 1987. 

That’s quite possible, AA. Good idea to contact the RSM. I’ll report back if I get any info.