i was Station Telecommunications Officer at Machrihanish from 1961 to 1964 when I handed the station over to the RAF. During that time the long runway was being built and it caused considerable problems to normal operations. Also in that period the first VOR was installed, but that also had problems due to the surrounding hills.
The station was operated by the Ministry of Aviation with a staff of Aerodrome Manager, Station Telecommunications officer (STO), telephone operator, five fire crew and MT Fitter. Air Traffic and Met duties were shared between the Manager and the STO.
Services were operated by BEA using Herald aircraft for schedules and Herons for Air Ambulance. One of the BEA Herons can be seen at Newark Air Museum.
After the new runway was completed there was a small RAF contingent on the airfield which was augmented when 44 Squadron Vulcans were dispersed there.
I finally left Machrihanish in September 1964 after one of the most pleasamt postings of my career in Civil Aviation.
Jon Mead
27-Sep-2006 16:21
hello, my name is Jon Mead, I was stationed at RAF "MAC" frmSept. '80 through July of '81 I was womdering if you could provide photos of the old Momag site, and or photos of the American barracks. Believe ot or not, I loved that place, out of 6 years of naval service, that was my favorite duty station, thanx