That's the One!
Cheers DH106 - that is the flight (and my Dad was one of the people the pilot had to "encourage" to let go of his baggage). We were going on a skiing holiday, and he had bought a whole stack of cheap alcohol in the duty free shop - no way he was letting that out of his sight.
Never though it would be that easy to track down, and full witness statements too! Great stuff. I have fond memories of that flight (it was the most interesting I've been on) and now at least I can get the facts right.
The follow up flight was on a DC10 which was redirected to Turin. A famous Italian politician had been kidnapped just over a week earlier by the Red Brigade (15th March 1978) and all flights were met at Turin by armed military and held for longer than usual while extra identity and luggage checks were performed.
Thanks again.
Jon Ayre