LUTON History and Nostalgia
Gnome de PPRuNe
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Too close to Croydon for comfort
Age: 60
Posts: 12,618
Received 293 Likes
on
161 Posts
I happened upon "Psychedelic Monster" N6578D when the Valiant Air Command was looking after her at Tico in Florida in 1984 - she was sharing ramp space with the one and only Bird Innovator N5907.
Looked her up and, very sadly, it seems she has fallen on hard times and is looking very neglected at Franklin, Virginia. Hope someone can wave the "$$$$$ no object" magic wand...
Looked her up and, very sadly, it seems she has fallen on hard times and is looking very neglected at Franklin, Virginia. Hope someone can wave the "$$$$$ no object" magic wand...
I think Britannia started off in a hangar built by Luton Corporation who built it to attract an airline to the airport. Around 1970 they moved into their newly built hangar 89 next to the terminal. Court Line then moved into their old hangar to maintain the Tristar's.
At some point while keeping hangar 89, which was too small for the 757 and 767, they moved back into hangar 65 which was rebuilt.
Years later Easyjet moved into hangar 89 leaving leaving Britannia with just hangar 65.
Britannia built H89 around 1969 when the 737 entered the fleet. 757's did fit easily inside (at an angle) and it was common to see two undergoing maintenance at any one time. Cut-outs in a section of doors were made to accommodate the 767 with the tail outside but they rarely were seen in that hangar. The exiting of H89 had nothing to do with the withdrawal of the 737's in 1993. It was part of a cost-cutting exercise around 10 years later (although the lease was almost-up and the airport were keen to get rid of the EZY tent on the East apron!)
The original single bay H61 was built around 1983 prior to the 767 entering service in 1984. It was extended to the current two bay hangar in the early 1990's by demolishing the old Court Line hangar.
At some point while keeping hangar 89, which was too small for the 757 and 767, they moved back into hangar 65 which was rebuilt.
Years later Easyjet moved into hangar 89 leaving leaving Britannia with just hangar 65.
Britannia built H89 around 1969 when the 737 entered the fleet. 757's did fit easily inside (at an angle) and it was common to see two undergoing maintenance at any one time. Cut-outs in a section of doors were made to accommodate the 767 with the tail outside but they rarely were seen in that hangar. The exiting of H89 had nothing to do with the withdrawal of the 737's in 1993. It was part of a cost-cutting exercise around 10 years later (although the lease was almost-up and the airport were keen to get rid of the EZY tent on the East apron!)
The original single bay H61 was built around 1983 prior to the 767 entering service in 1984. It was extended to the current two bay hangar in the early 1990's by demolishing the old Court Line hangar.
Amazing how close the aircraft used to get to that fence. The smell and sound of the DC8 are alive from that photo 
No doubt a 'Sangria Special' down to the Costa del Sol ?
SHJ
No doubt a 'Sangria Special' down to the Costa del Sol ?SHJ
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Milton Keynes
Posts: 1,070
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think The Iberia DC8s were regulars on an Aviaco flight but if not would almost certainly have been a Easter w/e/ flight. Either way Aviaco flight number I suspect.
Gear down all the way – blimey!
I once had to ferry a Dan 1-11 from Toulouse to LGW with the gear down. Tech log entry cleared for one flight only no pax.
I FILLED it up with fuel (5oo series ) and set off. It was soon obvious that the burn was not conforming to the ops manual burn with gear down.
The upshot was that I arrived at LGW on fumes, and a very tight bit of me, in a place best not mentioned. It would be interesting to know how much that 737 burned on the ferry mentioned above.
I once had to ferry a Dan 1-11 from Toulouse to LGW with the gear down. Tech log entry cleared for one flight only no pax.
I FILLED it up with fuel (5oo series ) and set off. It was soon obvious that the burn was not conforming to the ops manual burn with gear down.
The upshot was that I arrived at LGW on fumes, and a very tight bit of me, in a place best not mentioned. It would be interesting to know how much that 737 burned on the ferry mentioned above.
Ah....5H-MRK (another one I remember well!) Both the Air Tanzania 737-200's had heavy checks at LTN that year. There were no fancy stick-on graphics in those days...(an artist came in and painted the Giraffe's freehand!)
Here it is after being washed prior to starting the check......I've got a lot of LTN pics going back this far (must get them sorted and scanned sometime!)
Here it is after being washed prior to starting the check......I've got a lot of LTN pics going back this far (must get them sorted and scanned sometime!)
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: UK
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
MZ
Personally involved in changing every Indicating (Korry) Light, every Flight deck light plate & Decals on acceptance check, All were in French, must have cost a fortune. Remember The strange wildlife we found all over the aircraft, Quite a large display by the end of the check!!