Bahamas World Airlines

[1970s Spotter]

I wondered if anyone has any details of any aircraft operated by Bahamas World airlines other than the two 707-321s and one 707-138B which appeared in their full colours? I know the leased an ex World 707-331, plus misc. early model DC8s and a CV880 (fuel was cheap in those days) in the 1970s and 80s.

Would anyone have reges and dates?

Any general info would be appreciated too - Routes, ownership (Anchorage Hotel, Nassau I think), management etc etc...anything appreciated!

Many thanks in advance

1970s Spotter

[philbky]

Bahamas World Airways was founded in 1968. I've not found any aircraft registered or lased to them prior to 1971 but the company has a somewhat difficult history to follow. The airline officially went out of business in 1974 when its two 707-321s were seized by the banks that had loaned the money for their purchase by the airline and then the lessor of the 707-138 repossed that in the August. However, the company name was listed as late as 1982 and certainly leased aircraft after 1974.

Here is what I've pieced together:

VP-BDE B707-138B 17700 18.11.71 - 08.08.74 LSD
There is a photo in existence of this at Brussels in full colours which purports to be from 1975. No exact date is given but by that time the aircraft had been re-registered (on 08.08.74) as N793NA by National Aircraft Leasing.
VP-BDF B707-321 18085 18.12.72 - ??. 09.74
VP-BDG B707-321 18084 11.12.72 - ??.05.74
was reregistered as C6-BDG by the Bahamas Commonwealth Bank on repossession. Stored for 4 years at Dublin and reputedly never flew as such.

N55NW CV880-22-1 22-00-7 was painted in a version of their colours with a very dark blue cheatline and a small version of the tail logo. Officially leased ??.06.76 and returned sometime in 1977 there are pictures of it in BWA colours in November 1976 and May 1977.

N8033U DC8-21 45300 was leased ??.01.78 and returned ??.06.78 The cheatline was the United triple colours, the tail was white and the aircraft had Bahamas World Airways titles.

I cannot find any evidence of any World Airways 707s having been leased though there may well have been one off charters.

[Liffy 1M]

VP-BDF B707-321 18085 18.12.72 - ??. 09.74
VP-BDG B707-321 18084 11.12.72 - ??.05.74
was reregistered as C6-BDG by the Bahamas Commonwealth Bank on repossession. Stored for 4 years at Dublin and reputedly never flew as such.


From my admittedly dim recollection I think you are correct that 'BDG was repainted as C6-BDG but didn't fly as such. It departed Dublin in December 1978 as N433MA, having been repainted all-white after restoration to airworthiness. This aircraft of course survives in Belgium but there seem to be indications that it is to be broken up. http://www.planepictures.net/netshow.php?id=736152

Its sister, VP-BDF, was not so lucky and was scrapped at Dublin in 1984: http://www.airliners.net/photo/Bahamas-World/Boeing-707-321/0501572/M/ :sad:

[philbky]

"I think you are correct that 'BDG was repainted as C6-BDG but didn't fly as such."

The information comes from observations at Dublin where the new reg was painted on the aircraft whilst it was in store and was painted over before departure and also from official sources.

I have shots of it both at Ostend and at Stansted as TY-BBW. The interior fit was especially sumptious with gold fittings abounding - not what you'd expect for an aircraft from a poor African country - or would you?