odd aircraft at Luton Airport

[diddy1234]

Hi All

This is my first time posting here so please dont shoot me down, I was just wondering if anyone has any info on a Beoing 747 and a concorde that landed at Luton in the early 80's ?

Isnt the runway too short for these planes or is the runway length the bare minimum for these planes ?

I do remember seeing these planes on finals over my house and i thought thats going to be interesting....

I know that at Cambridge Airport any 747 that takes off has to have minimal fuel and not be carrying anything to get airborne, so I was wondering if the same had to apply at Luton ?

Wouldn't concorde need a longer runway length than a 747 to get airborne ?

[MReyn24050]

Found a reference to Concorde flying from London Luton Airport at the following link:-

http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/articles/2005/08/05/concorde_memories_feature.shtml

John Baggott
I was privileged to fly on Concorde on October 29th, 1983 from Luton Airport, having been allocated one of the 100 seats available through the Vauxhall Motors Concorde Cavalier Challenge competition.

Capt Colin Hutchinson was in command, and the highlight was our departure from Bordeaux just before sunset, carrying out a fly through along the Bordeaux runway following a circuit round Bordeux, catching up with the sun and watching it set for the second time in half an hour, and finally landing at Luton in the dark and watching all the camera flashlights going off along the perimeter fence as we landed.

As a result of that experience I later took up flying and gained my private pilots licence in 1990 at the age of 55.


Mel

[stevef]

Both Concorde (Bay of Biscay pleasure trips) and an empty B747 have used Exeter with a runway length of 6880 ft. I seem to remember that it was just within Concorde's limitations.
Luton has a runway length of 7086 feet.

[LowNSlow]

Corsair had a brace of 747-300s in Luton a few years ago and BA had a 747-400 there once.

[eggw relic]

The first B747 to land at Luton was a B747-100 of Cargolux (LX-KCV) on a sub charter for Britannia Airways on 10/7/87, going to somewhere in Spain. The next was a British Airways which diverted in from Heathrow (due weather) sometime in the early nineties, with a VIP on board.
Concorde came in a total of three times

[LTNman]

The first B747 to land at Luton was a B747-100 of Cargolux (LX-KCV) on a sub charter for Britannia Airways

The first 747 into Luton was in a Caribbean Airways livery which was used for that Britannia sub charter.

There has actually been quite a few 747’s that have come to Luton over the years including Virgin and 2 British Airways 747's. Over the years 747's have been parked on the main apron, south stands, north apron and the eastern apron

Corsair link http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=0528580

9th Feb 2006 - Luton's last 747 coming in to park

http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/7188/dsc00187um4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[gilesdavies]

Found a reference to Concorde flying from London Luton Airport at the following link:-

I remember when there was a Luton Airport open day ands was held at what was then the new Cargo Centre. Lots of static planes on display at the Cargo Terminals ramp, and also gave guided tours of the airport on the bendy buses and took us right down what was then the dedicated taxiway to the cargo terminal and round the taxiway. Bus did not go into the main apron area...

But the highlight of the day was Concorde arriving in the afternoon, and must have been thousands all waiting in antipation for it to arrive along the parimeter fence where easyLand is now. As this was then the short stay car park.

Concorde flew quite low over the airport, and then did a touch and go and about 10mins later finally landed with about 30 pax onboard parking right by the short stay car park.:ok:

[diddy1234]

Thanks everyone for the replies.

I knew I wasnt going mad.

I didn't know there were that many landings of 747's at Luton.

I just thought it was a one off event.

thanks again.

[vintage ATCO]

The first B747 to land at Luton was a B747-100 of Cargolux (LX-KCV) on a sub charter for Britannia Airways The first 747 into Luton was in a Caribbean Airways livery which was used for that Britannia sub charter.Hmmmm, I remember it being all white. It parked on what is now 15L. Deffo LX registered.

The BA one in 92 had Prince Andrew on board. Missed approach at Heathrow, diverted to Prestwick where the weather went out too so declared a PAN and diverted to Luton. I vectored it onto the ILS!

The Concorde in the 90s during one of the open days grid locked the roads around the airport (inc the M1) for miles! The Police were not happy bunnies.

Happy days

[Dave Gittins]

Corsair flew a few 747 flights into Luton during Euro 2000 (I was there building the new terminal) taking footie supporters to France (Toulouse I think) so the small fuel uplift (and probably little baggage and no cargo) made it perfectly possible. Actually found a couple of photos last weekend and consigned them to the archive (loft).

At the same time, and for the ame reason, there was an all white MD-11 (forget whose) and it deadheaded back out with a max thrust departure from B1, was airborne before C1 and stood on it's tail. I had a photo somewhere of it climbing at about (seemingly) 75 degrees with the tower in the same shot.

DGG

[Tigger4Me]

I flew on a 747 from Luton once on a day trip to Reykjavik! Obviously no pax luggage so take off weight/runway length not a problem.

[Fareastdriver]

in the mid eighties they had an open day at Aberdeen and a Concorde did a fly-by and roller. I had seen them before so i nipped into the beer tent, a 100x50foot maquee to get some cigarettes. The place was empty, no customers, no staff.

It was the only thing in the world that could empty a Scottish beer tent.

[LTNman]

Hmmmm, I remember it being all white. It parked on what is now 15L. Deffo LX registered.

OK all white with Caribbean Airways written on the side complete with flag

[LGS6753]

There was a series of 'whale-watching' charter flights using Icelandic 747s a few years ago. From memory they always parked on the 'six-pack' Eastern apron. Others have been one-off football charters, sub-charters and diversions.

Hesitant though I am to contradict vintage ATCO, I seem to remember the first 747 visitor was in Caribbean Airways colours. Didn't they have some link with Freddie Laker?

Over the years, I would imagine there have been a couple of dozen 747 visitors.

[Halcyon Days]

The first Cargolux one actually came in and went back out to Faro-carrying three 737-200 loads of passengers(390 pax-max) I seem to recollect the
737`s were temporarily grounded (possibly following the British Airtours 737 crash-or may have been the aftermath of a French atc strike-cant remember the reason now-but I do remember the destination)?

[LTNman]

There is a picture of LTN's first 747 on page 71 in the book " The Story of Luton International Airport" parked on Stand 15L

This is the only 747 I can remember parking on the main apron

http://www.caribairways.com/history.php

From CA’s inception until 1984 Laker Airways provided the carrier technical support.

[Level bust]

The Virgin one that came in was GVLAX and arrived late evening on the 10th April 1996.

It came in from JFK but was needed back in Boston. Gatwick wouldn't let it depart at 0300 so it diverted into Luton and went out empty to Boston in the early hours.

I seem to remember it created a lot of noise complaints!

[vintage ATCO]

The Virgin one that came in was GVLAX and arrived late evening on the 10th April 1996.

It came in from JFK but was needed back in Boston. Gatwick wouldn't let it depart at 0300 so it diverted into Luton and went out empty to Boston in the early hours.

I seem to remember it created a lot of noise complaints!

I approved it after being called at home! :) I don't remember that many complaints but then that wasn't my problem!! :E

[LTNman]

http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/8677/americantransairtristarrp0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/8677/americantransairtristarrp0.82068e2b77.jpg (http://g.imageshack.us/g.php?h=505&i=americantransairtristarrp0.jpg)

Bad day for BA

http://img127.imageshack.us/img127/8306/bafogdiversionsyh3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Simtech]

I seem to remember a visit by a Polar Air Cargo 747 some years ago. He parked across the South stands.

[LTNman]

And of course the Legendary divert day, think it was 5th January 198(7?) numerous Heathrow diverts parking on every single bit of spare tarmac, anyone got any pics from that day?

Was this the famous day? Can't be if that is an Ambassador in the background

http://img127.imageshack.us/img127/1917/40492848cf3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Halcyon Days]

Here are photos of most of those remembered by G-AZUK plus a few others thrown in as a bonus! Including one that may have special memories for him/her -G-AZUK itself no less! The BUA 1-11s were all early morning diversions from Gatwick due fog (plus a couple of Dan Air Comets in the background)
5H-ATC had been hijacked to Stansted and came over for maintenance prior to ferrying back to Tanzania.
Th AA 767 came in with a tech problem (same with 9K-AIC)-Brits were the only ones in Europe that could do the maintenance on them at that time. (I have hundreds of others of that period too. If anyone wants any copies PM me)
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b67/Maybee123/G-AWYSG-ASJEG-AWYRG-AWYTG-ASJD.jpg


http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b67/Maybee123/G-AZUK1-11MediterraneanExpressLTN.jpg


http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b67/Maybee123/DC-10Swissair86-7.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b67/Maybee123/EC-BQACV990CoronadoSpantax.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b67/Maybee123/CU-T691BritanniaAerocaribbean.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b67/Maybee123/American762.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b67/Maybee123/5H-ATC.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b67/Maybee123/9K-AIC767-200KuwaitAirways.jpg

[EGGW]

The Tanzanian 737 came in for overhaul at Brits, was in for a D check major. How do i know, well worked on it!! It was the same aircraft, different time.

EGGW

[pabely]

And didn't we have 3 Laker DC-10s one snowly day?

[EZYramper]

LTNman do you have a date for that L1011 at Luton? I have a photographic memory of seeing that taxi past the viewing corner down Alpha on a late afternoon when I was about 8 or 9.

Was there not a BA747 at Luton the other day diverted from LHR after the 777 incident?

[Level bust]

The Tristar in the picture first visited on the 1st July 1986, although 6 of their fleet visited between 1986 and 1990.

The only diversions from the B777 incident were 3 x A319 and a B757, all of BA.

[G-AZUK]

Halcyon – fantastic pictures – great memories – especially the 1-11!
As far as Tanzanian 73’s go then we must have had them both in as I definitely saw MRK, not ATC which, as you say, was the one that got hijacked to STN.

what about this one?

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Tarom/Ilyushin_Il-18V/0812860/medium/

[DeepC]

Can someone dig up a photo of Concorde at Luton? Seems there were many many photographs taken. Surely one has survived to be posted on PPRuNe.

Great thread.

Regards,

DeepC

[EZYramper]

If you go on google earth there is a link to a pic of concorde landing at LTN, its not great and looks like it was taken from Tee Green but its a pic none the less.

[LTNman]

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/2790/concordei9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/5668/concord2qv3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img250.imageshack.us/img250/4164/concord3ct2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[DeepC]

LTNMan

Thanks. Just what I wanted to see. Can you explain where the pics were taken from and what you would see if you were looking the same way from the same place today.

DeepC

[LTNman]

Picture one was taken from what is now the staff car park looking across the southern apron in the direction of the runway. This view has not changed.

Picture two was taken from the ground tower outside McAlpines looking towards stand 16/ 17 with the fire station in the background. A picture taken today might just reveal the wall of the tunnel and part of Holiday Inn car park

Picture three was taken I believe from the lighting tower by stands 16/ 17 looking across taxiway alpha with the old spectators building in the background. This building later became part of easyjet’s HQ. The grass area in the background is now the south stands. The small aircraft on the right seems to be lined up on the grass runway 36/18 which used to take aircraft over Fine Fare which became ASDA in later years.

[diddy1234]

I didn't know that there was a second runway at luton (runway 36/18).

was this for small planes then (assuming it was grass) ?

When was that taken out of use ?

[LTNman]

Luton had 3 runways including 2 grass. The biggest aircraft that I can remember using the grass were Twin Otters which seemed huge compared to the normal Cessna’s that used to fly over my house.

1970 layout

http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/1609/layoutlk8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[DeepC]

LTNman,

Thanks for the info.

DeepC

[cloudy10]

Have a great picture of the rocket at LTN in 94. First ever post on here - how does one add photos - any help greatly received. :D

[DeepC]

Welcome to PPRuNe

Look at this thread (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=145070) in Rotorheads for info.

Regards,

DeepC

[cloudy10]

This was taken when "ag" arrived at LTN on the south stands at LTN in 1994. Hope the picture comes out ok

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh175/cloudy10/Image0012.jpg

[vintage ATCO]

Largest aircraft I have seen on the grass (18/36, 06/24 was a bit short) were DC3s and a Skyvan. Then, of course, there was the Comet in 1952 flown in by John Cunningham after Hatfield was shrouded in fog.

http://www.stevelevien.com/jpgs/comet.jpg

[AvroLincoln]

Isn't that Comet "Yoke Peter" which crashed off Elba on 10 January 1954? The one that helped to provide the answer to the Comet crash mystery thanks to its recovered remains.

[norwich]

vintage ATCO. WOW ! excellent, and very historic photo, thank you for posting that !

[Buster the Bear]

How about the Beech 99 that landed on 18 grass. Nothing overly special in that? Well it was at night, no lights on that runway and the 99 had no wheels down! :eek:

I saw it and I also saw the the firemen run as is slithered toward them sliding on its pannier after touchdown! Fire engines attempted to illuminate the runway strip with their headlights!

[Level bust]

The Beech 99 landed with no nosewheel, but the main ones down.

GTAXY, Air Continental's Navajo, landed wheels up on 18, but during daylight. The pilot was out before the a/c stopped! He then got into his Cessna 172 and flew back to Clacton!

[Halcyon Days]

I remember this Beech 90 that did a wheels up on the grass runway at Luton

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b67/Maybee123/G-BLNABeech90afterwheelsupLTN.jpg

[Level bust]

Forgotten about the Beech 90, operated by National Airways.

Did a few trips with them, got slightly worried when the newspapers were piled in behind the front seats. Don't know how we were supposed to get out!

They also lost one on short final into Copenhagen. I believe it ran out of fuel and ditched, rumour had it the pilot was found sitting on the fin.