LUTON History and Nostalgia
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I remember G-ANBL is Southern Cross livery but never saw one actually operating or knew what "Southern Cross" was all about- orange cheat line wasn't it with a silver cross replacing the old lady on the tail.
Someone one of here will have more info perhaps.
Someone one of here will have more info perhaps.
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Southern Cross G-ANBL at Luton https://abpic.co.uk/pictures/full_si...8356-large.jpg
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Ah all those Britannias - and an AEL Bedford van. do you have a date for photo LTNman; trying to work out if its a misty moist morning or a balmy summer one- 1970 or'71 I guess - I think the last time I saw this aircraft was during a visit to the tower in that winter. Just checked Charles Woolley's book and that has it with Southern Cross only for one month from May though June 1970.
Pretty sure it went back to BY but they never put the old lady back - so she flew as a white tail to the end of her days.
Pretty sure it went back to BY but they never put the old lady back - so she flew as a white tail to the end of her days.
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Photo taken on 21/06/1970
https://abpic.co.uk/pictures/view/1428356
https://abpic.co.uk/pictures/view/1428356
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Referring back to Britannia B767s I remember watching the TV programme 'Wish you were Here' with Judith permatan Chalmers astolling the virtues of the service to Australia. She was most impressed and thought it good value. Also I went with my two daughters on only what I can describe as a part jolly from Luton to East Midlands via a trip over the North Sea with lunch at EMA before returning to Luton. I can only describe the landing at EMA as an 'arrival'! The captain did apologise for the very hard landing. I think this was in the late 1980s or early 1990s.
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During the days of the "Luton Flying Club" pub at the airport (c.1990) there was a photo displayed in the foyer showing an aerial view of Luton airport.
The photo must have dated from the late 1940s as there was at least one high wing Hunting twin in view (a Prince?)
What really caught my eye was a derelict fuselage pod in the background. This was either a Hampden or Hereford. Can anyone confirm which aircraft was involved and give any clue to its fate?
The photo must have dated from the late 1940s as there was at least one high wing Hunting twin in view (a Prince?)
What really caught my eye was a derelict fuselage pod in the background. This was either a Hampden or Hereford. Can anyone confirm which aircraft was involved and give any clue to its fate?
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Southern Cross G-ANBL at Luton https://abpic.co.uk/pictures/full_si...8356-large.jpg
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...and with what looks like a Donaldson International Britannia in the background.
There are 3 Monarch Brits in photo and the one behind the Southern Cross is not a Donaldson unit. I suspect it is a Britannia Airways unit.
There are 3 Monarch Brits in photo and the one behind the Southern Cross is not a Donaldson unit. I suspect it is a Britannia Airways unit.
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The Court Line helicopter. I don't know why they had this in their fleet together with a couple of HS 125's. Also wasn't the hangar in the background Britannia's before and after this photo was taken?
Graham Alexander
Graham Alexander
Last edited by LTNman; 27th Jul 2017 at 07:19.
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Hangar 61 was in use by Britannia when I first began visiting the airport in 1967. They relinquished it after hangar 89 was completed in late summer 1970. Court Line then had it converted to accommodate the TriStar. Britannia had it enlarged for their 767's which were delivered early in 1984. Britannia also used the original hangar 60 to the right in the photo for their 737's.
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You are absolutely right! Apologies - I was confusing my colour schemes.
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Luton to Glasgow, Hull and Blackpool. Maybe 1968? What came first, the Heralds or the 748? Did one replace the other or did they work in tandem?
A days parking at Luton at 3 shillings or 15p in new money.
A days parking at Luton at 3 shillings or 15p in new money.
Last edited by LTNman; 1st Aug 2017 at 20:08.
three bob was quite a lot in 1968 that was my weeks pocket money lol
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Just dug out some old timetables that are on the internet. The Herald seems to have replaced the 748 by 1968.
Some of the timetables below can be opened fully
Autair International Airways
Some of the timetables below can be opened fully
Autair International Airways
In terms of what came first on the Luton to Blackpool run, was it not the Viking followed by the Ambassador? I seem to remember that my wife to be had a very bumpy ride back to Luton in an Ambassador circa1966.
Heralds G-APWA and then G-ASKK were leased from Handley Page during 1963 as a stop gap due to the delayed delivery of the Ambassadors from Globe Air - they were used for I.T. flights.
H.S. 748s G-ATMI and G-ATMJ were delivered in the spring of 1966 and initially used for I.T. flights and scheduled services.
Heralds G-APWB/WC/WD were delivered in November 1966, all undergoing complete refurbishment at Luton before their introduction on to scheduled services in 1967.
Luton-Blackpool service inaugurated 1st October 1963 using 36 seater Viking.
H.S. 748s G-ATMI and G-ATMJ were delivered in the spring of 1966 and initially used for I.T. flights and scheduled services.
Heralds G-APWB/WC/WD were delivered in November 1966, all undergoing complete refurbishment at Luton before their introduction on to scheduled services in 1967.
Luton-Blackpool service inaugurated 1st October 1963 using 36 seater Viking.
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The Autair 748s were used a lot on IT services far and wide in 1967- on Saturdays one went Corfu IIRC. Not sure I would want to go that far in a 748.
By 1968 I don't remember them being around at all with Heralds (and still the occasional Ambassador (only 'ZZ by then)) on the scheduled services. I think they spent a lot of time thereafter leased out including to LIAT.
By 1968 I don't remember them being around at all with Heralds (and still the occasional Ambassador (only 'ZZ by then)) on the scheduled services. I think they spent a lot of time thereafter leased out including to LIAT.