I also remember the Sterling name from the 1960s/70s, but didn't passenger with them till July this year: LGW-ARN-LGW. The return flight was on a B737-800; the outbound on a wet-leased MD-83 of Fly Excellent (based at ARN). Both flights were fine, and it's sad to see Sterling and their staff in trouble.
Can someone say how Fly Excellent fits into all this?