According to the 1979 edition of First and Foremost, the official history of Manchester Airport, the Stratocruiser flights initially operated through Manchester but diverted to Burtonwood in bad weather. The diversion quickly became a permanent feature until the runway was extended. When this extension opened flights resumed through Manchester and the Strats were quickly replaced by the new DC7Cs which I can't recall operating through Burtonwood. There is a photo in the book of a Strat landing on 06 at Manchester.
BOAC's attitude to the runway at Manchester may well have been one of over caution given the short hop to Prestwick and the fact that SABENA continually flew DC6s and were first to fly DC 7Cs through Manchester to and from New York calling at Shannon but going direct when the winds allowed.
The same pertained with the B707. BOAC were very hesitant about using the type but SABENA went ahead and eventually flew direct to New York when winds allowed whilst BOAC continued via Prestwick, with DC7Cs and then Britannia's, moving to the 707 when SABENA, which had fifth freedom rights, were beating them hands down on loads but continuing via Prestwick for many years.
Last edited by philbky; 5th Apr 2014 at 18:21.
Reason: punctuation