100 Years of Flight at Prestwick

Prestwick Aviation Centenary
Thursday 25 July marks the 100th anniversary of the first landing at Monkton Meadows, Prestwick, when a BE-2 of 602 Squadron touched down there.

You have to ask yourself what the five men in the photograph are saying to each other. Presumably the pilot is the one in the padded jacket with his back to us, and the other four are advising him, most likely on where to find fuel. A replica of the aircraft, was built for the film, Biggles Sweeps the Skies (1969), but it crashed soon afterwards and has only recently been rebuilt. Unfortunately it was not available this year for the Festival's Static Aircraft Display, but Biggles will feature in both the film and book festivals.

We are celebrating the centenary with the low flyover of a Typhoon aircraft based at RAF Leuchars around 11.30am. Then, in the evening, we will be hosting the Prestwick Aviation Centenary Dinner, a celebration of the entrepreneurial skills which have grown up in Prestwick since 1913. It will bring together a mix of industry representatives, elected members - including Provost Moonie - services personnel and Festival supporters, at Lochgreen House Hotel, home to David Fowler McIntyre and his family from 1950 until his untimely death. We are grateful to Costley & Costley for a special menu, and know that their Prestwick Patisserie will rise effortlessly to the challenge of a Centenary cake.