Ulster Aviation Society open day, Long Kesh

[clavel9]

Some pictures from the recent open day at Long Kesh, County Down.


Blackburn Buccaneer S.2B XV361 by clavel9, on Flickr


Westland Puma SA330 HC.1 XW220 by clavel9, on Flickr


Hangar at Long Kesh by clavel9, on Flickr

Full set here:

http://flic.kr/s/aHsjBSZXef

Brendan.

[TSR2]

Thanks for posting those. I'll need to try and get there the next time I'm over, but seeing the family always seems to get in the way

[FlyTexas]

Some really nice pics there Brendan. Thanks for sharing them.

Brian

[clavel9]

Thanks for posting those. I'll need to try and get there the next time I'm over, but seeing the family always seems to get in the way

It's a pretty isolated location and not open to the public except by prior arrangement. That's why I jumped at the chance to go to the open day. I didn't get an opportunity to talk to many of the members there - it was very busy - but I've made contact with one or two since and hope to keep in touch. They are doing some super work there. The great thing was that they weren't at all precious about walking around or touching the exhibits or even sitting in in the cases of the Sea Hawk, Wessex and Tucano.

[TSR2]

I'm just really glad they found a new home, TBH I didn't realise the Maze used to be an airfield, but its very apparent from the aerial view on Bing. Do you know what used to be based there (pre the prison)

[Paul K]

Looks like a rather good day out, thanks for those Brendan.

[clavel9]

I'm just really glad they found a new home, TBH I didn't realise the Maze used to be an airfield, but its very apparent from the aerial view on Bing. Do you know what used to be based there (pre the prison)

There's a pretty good summary of the histories of Long Kesh and neighbouring Maghaberry on the UAS site here:

http://www.ulsteraviationsociety.org/#/ ... 4544801416

While it appears to have been known as RAF Long Kesh until it became an internment camp in 1971, RAF activities seem to have ceased post-war from about 1949. HMP Maze was opened on adjacent site in 1976, remaining in use until 2000. UAS moved there from Langford Lodge in the mid-2000's and currently occupy the two hangars.

[DaveB]

Nice shots Brendan

It's smashing when something falls into place like this. Having 2 hangars is great.. something we could really do with at Brooklands We have one.. the old Wellington hangar but that's full of stuff that can't really go outside. It'd be nice to have somewhere to put the old girls under cover while essential work is being done rather than have to do everything in a rush to beat the rain.

ATB
DaveB

[clavel9]

Nice shots Brendan

It's smashing when something falls into place like this. Having 2 hangars is great.. something we could really do with at Brooklands We have one.. the old Wellington hangar but that's full of stuff that can't really go outside. It'd be nice to have somewhere to put the old girls under cover while essential work is being done rather than have to do everything in a rush to beat the rain.

ATB
DaveB

They have pallets of stuff in their second hangar, which they also use as their workshops. They also have a Fairey Gannet in storage. Unfortunately it was closed during the open day.

[Trev Clark]

Crikey, XW220 was around when I was on 230 Sqn over 30 years ago!