Crail Airfield: Torpedo Attack Training Building, Crail

Large near-square plan brick former Torpedo Attack Training Building. Buttresses to all elevations. Stack to W elevation. Corrugated iron pitched roof. Large white-painted plaster cyclorama on timber frame to interior with painted horizon still discernable. Some minor apparatus extant, including high level metal stair.

The TAT building is an extremely rare example of its type. Crail is thought to be the first experimental type and was created to enable drills in estimating the height and range of torpedo deployment. The plastered hemispherical cyclorama is painted with a horizon line which is still visible. An image of a ship was projected on to this screen and the trainee sat in a high level 'link trainer' - a representation of a cockpit. The speed and weather conditions could be varied to suit the instructor.

Although most of the mechanism is not now in situ, some is currently (2006) stored in the Engine and Aircraft Repair Shop. Crail Airfield is the best preserved example of a Second World War Naval Airfield in Scotland. It is remarkable for its survival, completeness and the rarity of some of the individual buildings. It is highly significant not only in the wider terms of Naval and Second World War history, but is also of great local importance.

Crail was one of 4 airfields constructed in the early war period (along with Arbroath in Angus, Yeovilton in Somerset, and St Merryn in Cornwall). It follows the Naval pattern of 4 narrow hard runways and associated brick, concrete and corrugated iron structures. The runways are part of the main operational side, the 'Technical Area' to the South-East. The recreation and living quarters of the 'West Camp' are located to the North-West. These areas are separated by the road between Crail and Balcomie.

The aircraft hangars and the great majority of the interiors are the most significant losses at the site. Many buildings have been altered and are in a poor state of repair. Around 2000 personnel were stationed at Crail Airfield, both living at the airfield itself and billeted in Crail and the surrounding area. (Historic Scotland)

September 2007: External inspection finds the various A-listed buildings vacant and not maintained. Most buildings are severely dilapidated or vandalised.

January 2011: External inspection finds this simple building is decaying slowly.

5 August 2014: External inspection finds the building remains in much the same condition as seen previously.

18 December 2014: The Courier reported 3 Dec 2014 on the early stages of a masterplan for the redevelopment of buildings and land at Crail Airfield. The article notes the proposal may include houses, a hotel, community centre and shops though a development company, Landvest. A Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) is noted as having been lodged with Fife Council.

13 June 2019: External inspection finds the building remains in much the same condition as seen previously, subject to gradual decline. The surrounding former airfield is understood to be in use for car-boot sales and outdoor events.

14 March 2023: The Courier reports, on 14/3/2023, that a proposal of application notice has been submitted for the regeneration of the wider site of Crail airfield to form a mixed-use development including public event spaces, open-air museum, hotel, holiday accommodation, industrial uses and ancillary infrastructure. (23/00558/PAN)