The history of RAF Abbotsinch dates back to 1932, when an airfield situated between the two arms of the river Cart, the white and black cart waters, in Paisley, just 10 miles to the west of Glasgow was opened
In 1933 no. 602 Squadron (City of Glasgow) Auxiliary Air Force squadron arrived from nearby RAF Renfrew just a mile or so to the east with Westland Wapitis, replaced by Hawker Harts in 1934 and by Hawker Hinds in June 1936. Twelve Hinds and their Bessonneau hangars were damaged during a storm on the night of 26 October that year leading to the aircraft being moved to Kent
Abbotsinch was passed to RAF Coastal Command for training both coastal command and Fleet Air Arm aircrews. Avro Ansons arrived before the end of the year for coastal patrols and throughout the first half of the Second World War the airfield was home to many different types of aircraft for varying lengths of time including, Spitfires, Tiger Moths, Bristol Beauforts, Lysanders and Douglas Bostons for duties including Army Co-operation and training roles.
On 11 August 1943 Abbotsinch was handed over to the Fleet Air Arm and re-named HMS Sanderling and was principally used for as an Aircraft Maintenance Yard for reserve aircraft storage.
No 602 Squadron reformed on 10 May 1946 at Abbotsinch with Spitfires until 1951 when the jet-engined de Havilland Vampires arrived. it was disbanded on 10 March 1957.
Nos 1830 and 1843 Squadrons wwerealso at Abbotsinch flying Fairey Firefly and Grumman Avenger aircraft until these units also disbanded on 10 March 1957.
The Fleet Air Arm finally departed in October 1963 and the site was evaluated for an Airport for Glasgow as Renfrew Airport was proving unable to cope with the increasing demands for domestic air travel in the 1960s. Glasgow Airport opened in 1966
There have been a number of ghostly apparitions reported from Glasgow international airport,