Originally Posted by
compton3bravo
Anyone remember the fireman's strike at Heathrow circa 1970? They lasted for a number of hours each day. BEA, Aer Lingus,, KLM etc so would arrive at Luton drop passengers off and position to Heathrow ready when fire cover was back up to full complement. There was a dispute at Gatwick in the early 1970s and remember Dan-Air Comets parked on the taxiway adjacent to the fire station!
IIRC the diverted flights were in the evenings, with senior fire officers providing fire cover at LHR during the day, probably 0700-1900. 27th Feb to 20th March 1970, although not every day. Add Swissair, Sabena, SAS to the list. Plus the first 707 I saw there, albeit a smaller -138B, Laker/Caribbean Airways G-AVZZ on 3rd March.
I think the LGW diversion day sounds like 23rd Dec 1974, IIRC a fuel strike. Yes, there were 4 Dan Air Comets parked on the western taxiway that day. Loads of other Dan Airs, a few Laker, an Aeropa 707 and 3 SATA Caravelles as well.