Gulf Aviation:
Founded as Gulf Aviation in 1949 providing regional services throughout the Gulf region.
The founder was a former RAF pilot, Freddie Bosworth, and early types flown were the Anson, DC-3, Dove, Heron, F27, BN Islander, and the Skyvan.
Gulf Aviation did not operate the Vickers Viscount on its own, but leased capacity from Kuwait KAC to operate the following routes BAH-DOH-DXB and BAH-DOH-SHJ.
The BOAC VC-10 was operated by Gulf Aviation on leases from 1969, and one with Gulf Aviation stickers appeared on services to London from 1970.
LHR services on the VC10 were to BAH AUH DOH and DXB and flew twice weekly on WED and SAT, GF002 and GF004.
Gulf Aviation VC10 LHR
BOAC was the major shareholder until 1973 when governments of Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, Qatar and Oman bought the BOAC share.
The Airline was renamed Gulf Air in 1974, and become the Regions flag carrier.
Gulf Aviation BAC 1-11's
Gulf Aviation ordered one Series 432FD on 29th July 1969 with an option on a second.
This option was taken up and the aircraft were delivered in November 1969 and November 1971.
Bahamas Airways, Ltd, Nassau first leased from BAC the two Series 432FDs from November and December 1968 pending delivery of two Series 517FEs which were delivered in July 1969.
These aircraft were configured in a 79 seat single class layout.
G-AXOX and G-AXMU
Gulf Air BAC 1-11's
A used Series 409AY was leased from BAC and later purchased with delivery in February 1974 G-AXBB/A40-BB
Two Series 416EKs were leased from Cambrian Airways/British Airways, G-AWBL from October 1973 to the end of June 1974 and the other G-AVOF in November 1974.
A Series 408EF of Bavaria Fluggesellschaft was leased in full Gulf Air colours from November 1975 to May 1977 D-ALLI (Built for Channel Airways as G-AWGG but NTU)
G-AXMU/A40-MU was leased to British Airways in 1977.
The aircraft were operated throughout the Gulf area and to Egypt, India and Pakistan.
The 1-11 was finally disposed of in November 1977.
G-AXOX G-AXBB and G-AXMU all ended up flying with BIA.