Exploring Scotlands Hidden History RAF-Banff: Forgotten Airfields of the, UK - on My Motorcycle

"Where Motorcycle Freedom Takes Flight" Going North Solo is about everything I have a passion for. Motorcycles and Flying the adventure and travel by exploring abandoned airfields and basically anything to do with classic racing motorcycles. I plan to capture the spirit of freedom, nostalgia, and adrenaline that comes with riding motorcycles and discovering hidden gems in forgotten spaces. • Banff Airfield, also known as RAF Banff or Boyndie/Boindie Aerodrome, was located 190 kilometres north of Edinburgh. • It was constructed between 1942 and April 1943 and officially opened on 21 April 1943 as a Flying Training Command airfield. • The airfield later became the home of the Banff Strike Wing, which included several Royal Air Force (RAF) and Commonwealth squadrons: • 143 Sqn RAF (October 1944 until the end of the war) - flying Bristol Beaufighter and some de Havilland Mosquito in Sep-Oct 1944. • 144 Sqn RAF (September 1944 until 25 May 1945) - flying Bristol Beaufighter. • 235 Sqn RAF (September 1944 until 10 July 1945) - flying Bristol Beaufighter. • 248 Sqn RAF (September 1944 until 25 May 1945) - flying de Havilland Mosquito. • 333 Sqn Royal Norwegian Air Force (September 1944 until 30 May 1945) - flying de Havilland Mosquito. • 404 Sqn Royal Canadian Air Force (detachments/flights from nearby RAF Dallachy) - flying Bristol Beaufighter. • 445 Sqn Royal Australian Air Force (detachments/flights from nearby RAF Dallachy) - flying Bristol Beaufighter. • The Banff Strike Wing achieved significant success during its operations, denying Germany access to vital resources, including iron ore, through concentrated attacks on surface vessels and U-boats in the North Sea and Norwegian coastline. • The presence of 333 Sqn Royal Norwegian Air Force added unique aerial skills and target location abilities to the Strike Wing. • After World War II in Europe, the airfield was used by 489 Sqn Royal New Zealand Air Force in preparation for operations against Japan. • The airfield closed in the summer of 1946, with much of the land returning to agricultural use. • Farmers in the area purchased blister hangars and Nissen huts from the airfield for use on their farms. • In the 1970s, a section of the runway was cleared and used by the Banff Flying Club, inaugurated by Sir Max Aitken. • The flying club ceased operations in 1979 due to the fuel crisis, leading to the airfield's abandonment and vandalism. • The RAF Banff Strike Wing Memorial Trust was established in 1987 to build a memorial at or near the airfield, which was unveiled in September 1989. • The Banff Airfield Trust aims to promote the heritage of the airfield site and preserve associated historical and cultural artifacts. • The site is mostly returned to agricultural use but still recognizable. It includes a go-kart track on the southern end, a small industrial estate on the western part, and a wind farm occupying another portion. • Several buildings, such as the control tower, part of the main store, and emergency air raid shelters, remain on the site. 👍MY HELMET AND AUDIO GEAR I AM USING ON THIS TRIP (These are affiliate links, I earn a very small commission on qualifying purchases with absolutely no effect on the price you pay.) ⚬ 3.5 MM Audio 0.5 m extension cable - https://amzn.to/3OvXEY4 ⚬ GoPro Hero 9 Black - https://amzn.to/4434l9y ⚬ GoPro Media Mod - https://amzn.to/47qMdtd ⚬ GoPro triple battery charger - https://amzn.to/3qpgw2Q ⚬ GoPro camera mount aluminum extender rod - https://amzn.to/3OpZTMt ⚬ My Second Camera - AKASO X50 4 k Action Camera - https://amzn.to/47rfp3u ⚬ Helmet chin mount - https://amzn.to/3YpVMog ⚬ Action Camera handlebar mount - https://amzn.to/3DPrQZe ⚬ Hama VOIP microphone - https://amzn.to/3QqNQRI ⚬ Lavalier windscreen microphone cover - https://amzn.to/47mI7lY ⚬ Samsung 512 Evo Plus SD card - https://amzn.to/3DPJQmf 👍📧CONNECT WITH ME ⚬ Facebook:   / goingnorthsolo   ⚬ Instagram:   / goingnorthsolo   👍 ANY HELP TOWARDS FUEL OR BUY ME A CUP OF COFFEE WOULD BE AMAZING ⚬ https://ko-fi.com/goingnorthsolo ⚬ Please subscribe and HIT THE BELL Beaufighter depicted in this video (Photo collection Jim Bates, via VintageWings.ca Copy RonaldDV Abandoned and unknown airfields Europe and UK Analytics: https://www.tubebuddy.com/pricing?a=G...