A767 will be based at LTN from the 20 July to 9 Sept 06.

762's? as per usual.

Seem to remember the airports revolutionary block paving in the turning circles damaged the odd aircraft with bricks that got blown away by jet blast.

VATCO, I was 'on' that Saturday, I didn't think it related to the turning circle, though it might have done, and I think it was a 26 positioner to LGW. That took all day to dig out too as I remember.
LNMAN can only remember one damage incident and that was with the a/c that exported a couple of bricks to spain in the elevator! They were found by the crew on the walkround after they had been advised of the incident! The 76 would have been 90-spring93 by my reckoning, and I'd guess at 92.

jumpseater

The B767 was turning in a temporary turning circle just west of the existing one which was out of service. The temp. one had been been created by installing a extra piece of load bearing surface on the south side. Unfortunately, because of the the B767's steering difficulties, it put a mainwheel beyond this onto the non-loadbearing shoulder and went through it and the engine nacelle ending up on the grass.

LTNman

"the airports revolutionary block paving" - hmmm, always slightly having a dig, aren't you. The block paving was thought of by a civil engineer within Luton Borough Council and had been used successfully on apron stands where it resisted fuel spillages. As this was always a problem at runway ends where a 180deg turn was required (BAC1-111 were notorious when full of fuel) it was decided to try them on one of the turning circles, then the other. Many other airports and organisations (inc the CAA and RAF) were interested in these trials.

When the big problem occurred the airport did not stint in advising the rest of the industry for which we were thanked by the CAA. From then on, block paving in turning circles were not considered a good idea. I was closely involved with the incident and subesequent dealings.

Seeing Luton was the UK’s first airport to have a block paved turning circle I would call that revolutionary.

From my old 1984/85 airport year book

“ A recent addition to the eastern end of the runway comprises a new turning circle paved with concrete blocks – marking the first successful application of this new concept in the UK. The project took just four weeks by a six- man team from Furlong Bros of Dunstable to complete the task, laying 10 tons of blocks a night”

Everyday I learn something new. I always thought the blocks had been laid by local gypsies for cash in hand and hadn’t been bedded down properly
:E Wasn't it a Monarch aircraft that got bricked?

Yes a B737-300.:uhoh:

Why do the charts show two turning circles at the 08 end? Are they both is use?

Nope, the B767 incident occurred at the eastern end.

The runway was laid in 1960/61 and only went as far as the intersection with the current twy B. One extension was built to where the intermediate turning circle is and then another extension built to where the current western end of the runway is now. Can't find the dates off-hand but it would be early 60s.

I see that FlyMe are purchasing the Lithuanian airline FlyLAL citing the need to penetrate a grossly untapped Eastern European market. Maybe Wizz are looking at this market as well Kaunas is currently only available indirect via Warsaw? No flights from Luton to Vilnius yet.

All I remember about the 767 was being told how wet the cabin crew got evacuating the aircraft! :{ :{ :{

I guess there must be a reason (local fees?) for Greece being largely ignored by the European low cost airlines?

With the growth in travel to the Black Sea, how long will it be until Constanta is served regularly, Varna and Bourgas are along the same coast line? I fondly remember the Tarom IL-18 on a Sunday morning heading for that resort, but that is another story!

I am told that if you look hard enough, you can see Vintage in the tower with his Aldis lamp!

http://img361.imageshack.us/img361/9716/luton0zq.jpg

Nah. I'm in front of the wooden terminal building in short trousers with my notebook and pencil (mid 60s, I would think.)

Sometime between 1963 and 1966 I am told? If anyone can more accurately date it can you PM me please?

I see that Saab GB have completed thier entire relocation to Luton. Saab are now based within Griffin House, Osborne Road, Luton (Vauxhall H.Q.). Yet another multi national that has moved close to the airport. Tui, Bae and now Saab, could well be more that I am unaware of?

Turning Circles
 

LTNMan

“ A recent addition to the eastern end of the runway comprises a new turning circle paved with concrete blocks – marking the first successful application of this new concept in the UK. The project took just four weeks by a six- man team from Furlong Bros of Dunstable to complete the task, laying 10 tons of blocks a night”

...and didn't it take 1 departure with the Cargolux(?) B747 to remove most of them?

No, not true.

Much as can be seen at Luton today, during the summer months...?? :hmm: ;)

Euravia formed in 1962 and based at Luton, operated three Lockheed Constellation aircraft bought from El Al. The airline was known as Euravia until 1964, becoming Britannia Airways as it began to re-equip with more 'modern' Bristol Britannia aircraft. So I reckon that your photo Buster is therefore, circa 1963.

Runway at LTN
 

Records show that the first permanent runway at LTN was built in 7 months in 1959 and operationally opened for business on 21st December that year.

It was 'officially' opened by Aviation Minister Duncan Sandys in 1961.

The first config of the runway was 5432 ft long and 150 ft wide, 10 inches thick and used 80,000 tons of concrete in its construction.

Luv to all,

Eddie 'useless facts' Ginley

The Luton Bible continues
 

In 1964 an extension to the runway was commenced, bringing it up from 5,462 to 6,600ft. I think it was only a couple of years after that that the runway was increased till its present length.

No, you’re thinking of the airports first ever 747 departure. A Caribbean Airways 747 sat in the 26 turning circle on maximum power before the brakes were released. It was said at the time that some of the runway lighting was taken out by jet blast. I was there and remember that you couldn’t see the back of the aircraft for dust.

The Caribbean Airways 747 was operated by Cargolux on behalf of.

Those were the days...
 

Connies were still operating for Euravia/Britannia in 1965. I think they were phased out in 1966.
Buster's photo was taken before work started on the 'new' terminal. That was started in 1966, I seem to remember. I'd go for 63 to 65 (since there's 2 Connies and no Britannias).

My pram's just behind Vintage ATCO's short trousers.:uhoh:

1963, that was a REAL vintage year!

63-65, starting to narrow the years.

I am sure the Caribbean 747 also operated under a 'Cargolux' call sign on its departure. If anyone has photos of it passing the spectators building, if you can see a samll brown bear, that is me!

Anyway, before we are all banned, I missed the Channel 4 anti RYR programme tonight, should I be worried as a customer, by its 'revelations'?

Dirty planes, knackered crew....not seen that ever from my perspective.

Politeness and punctuality are words that come to mind having flown with them on numerous occassions. Certainly these are not words that I would EVER use when utilising a certain low cost from Geneva. The term 'easyScrum' comes to mind when the agent announces the first to board, then does nothing about the massed brawl. Try stopping a bear with a boarding number of 1-30, plenty tried, but 'mass' always prevails!