Scotland's Aircraft Crashes 1905 - 1939

Scotland’s early aviators played an important role in the development of aviation and in raising public awareness of this innovation.  However, the aeroplane’s potential as a weapon of war was quickly realised and the First World War saw significant activity across the lowlands and eastern parts of the country, particularly in building aircraft, training new pilots and defending against U-boats and Zeppelin attacks. Due to the immaturity of the technology, the fragility and idiosyncrasies of the aircraft of the day and the pressures of war, there were many accidents. The return of peace followed by the Great Depression saw a significant downturn in aerial activity which lasted until the early 1930s, though there remained a significant Fleet Air Arm presence. By the mid-1930s Scotland was served by several small, pioneering airlines, which, besides flying city-to-city routes, provided air services and ambulance flights to outlying communities. This period also saw the rise of what is now termed General Aviation, with the advent of specialist service companies and wealthy individuals able to buy and fly their own aircraft and the establishment of flying clubs and flying schools. From about 1936 until the outbreak of the Second World War there was an increase in the FAA and RAF presence, which, inevitably, resulted in crashes. 

This fully referenced volume, containing 29 photographs, provides details of over 770 crashes which occurred in Scotland, or were flying from Scotland and crashed elsewhere, between 1905 and the start of the Second World War, in which some 300 people lost their lives.

Reviews of Keith S Bryers’ previous books, Scotland’s Wartime Aircraft Crashes Vol.1 1939-42 and Vol.2 1943-45:-

“Occasionally, a book (or, in this case, two books) comes along which knocks your socks off! I cannot praise these books highly enough... ‘Labour of love’ is an over-used phrase but it really does apply to Keith Bryers’ books and he has done a huge service to researchers. Anyone with an interest in Scottish aviation or Second World War losses should have these books in their library.” David Legg, The Catalina News, Issue 104, Autumn/Winter 2025.

“This is as comprehensive a record as you’ll find anywhere and represents the results of the author’s 50 years of research…these two print-on-demand volumes come highly recommended.” Denis J Calvert, Aeroplane, May 2024

“…these books will surely be a major source of research information for years to come.” Tom Allett, FlyPast, September 2024.

“Both volumes are a stunning piece of work...the detail is incredible, a must for anyone with an interest in the subject...Clearly a lifetime’s work.” Reviewer on Amazon.co.uk

“ …he clearly has undertaken a life-long project that needed completing before the information and stories were lost and has created some great enduring legacy reference work.” Reviewer on Amazon.co.uk

“This is an excellent book. Quite fascinating. I found it very moving as well - reading about the immense loss of life, day after day , of young men whose lives ended as yet another ‘plane crashed on a training flight.” Reviewer on Amazon.co.uk

Publisher - Aviation Books Limited

Language - English

Perfect Bound

Contributors

By author

Keith S Bryers

Published Date - 2026-03-15

ISBN - 9781915335791

Dimensions - 29.7 x 21 x 0.9 cm

Page Count - 151