Montrose Air Station

Post-war military consolidation. Following World War II, the Royal Air Force (RAF) underwent a significant strategic reorganization and downsizing. The need for a large number of training airfields was greatly reduced, and with the advent of the jet age, many older airfields like Montrose were deemed surplus to requirements. Its closure was part of a planned military drawdown and not due to a specific incident or economic failure.

The site of the former air station has been largely redeveloped. The runways have been removed, and the land is now occupied by the Broomfield Industrial Estate, various businesses, and residential housing. However, a significant part of its heritage is preserved. Several of the original early 20th-century hangars, barracks, and workshops still stand and are now home to the award-winning Montrose Air Station Heritage Centre. This volunteer-run museum is dedicated to preserving the history of the airfield and features a collection of period aircraft, artifacts, and detailed exhibits about its operational life.

Montrose Air Station holds a pivotal place in British military aviation history. Established on February 26, 1913, it was the first operational military air station in the United Kingdom, set up for the Royal Flying Corps (RFC).

Key historical points:
- **Pioneering Air Base:** As the UK's first purpose-built military airfield, it was home to No. 2 Squadron RFC. The first flight arrived on May 13, 1913.
- **World War I:** It served as a crucial training base for pilots throughout the war. Thousands of pilots learned to fly here on aircraft like the B.E.2 and Avro 504 before being deployed to the Western Front.
- **World War II:** The station was reactivated and became a major training hub again. It was home to No. 8 Flying Training School, where pilots from the UK, Canada, Poland, Czechoslovakia, and the USA trained on aircraft such as the Miles Master, Airspeed Oxford, Hawker Hurricane, and Supermarine Spitfire. It also played a role in coastal patrols and air defense for the east coast of Scotland.
- **Post-War:** Its role diminished significantly after 1945, leading to its eventual closure.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening the site as an operational airport. The extensive redevelopment of the land for industrial and residential use, along with the complete removal of all runways and primary aviation infrastructure, makes a return to aviation operations infeasible. The site's future is focused on its current mixed-use as an industrial estate and as a historical site through the Heritage Centre.