B170, Viscounts, Coventry - 1973ish?

[ZeBedie]

I can remember two Empire Test Pilot's School Viscounts parked at Coventry in the early 70's. They looked like they were good condition, obviously low hours, but they sat on the grass, East of the hangers for a couple of years and were then cut up. Bristol Freighter G-ANVR met a similar fate.

Were these aircraft at Coventry for the purpose of scraping, or did this only happen because they were vandalised?

[jabberwok]

In those days Coventry wasn't the place for the faint hearted..

http://www.homepages.mcb.net/bones/WebAircraft/Britannias.jpg

Sad innit..

[ZeBedie]

Ah, that brings back memories. Any more pictures? How about the Ace Freighters connie?

[Bigt]

Looks like Caledonian and Tell Air Brits

[Amos Keeto]

Yes indeed, the two ETPS Viscounts were purchased by Shackleton Aviation in 1972 for scrapping at Coventry. They may have looked in good condition, but I suspect their life expectancy time was up, as they previously served routes across North America with Capital Airlines.
The two Britannias pictured met the same fate, as did the Midland Air Cargo Bristol Superfreighters, the Ace Freighters Connies and their DC-4 G-APEZ! Sad times!:rolleyes:

[QuePee]

I visited Coventry a couple of times in the early 70's on way to or from university. I can clearly remember both of the ETPS Viscounts although for some reason I only photographed XR802. The date for this one was 29th April 1972.

http://i44.tinypic.com/314w75z.jpg

On an earlier date, 24th April 1972, I managed a shot of G-ANVR.

http://i41.tinypic.com/9k7677.jpg

QuePee

[ZeBedie]

Looks like Caledonian and Tell Air Brits

Yes, I'd long since forgotten, but Tell Air it was.

purchased by Shackleton Aviation in 1972 for scrapping

That's a relief - now I can feel a bit less guilty about removing "souvenirs" from their flightdecks :E

QP - super photo's, thanks very much.

[norwich]

ZeBedie, If you have not seen this website, have a look, scroll down about half a page, and there are some very interesting photos and comments on this period at Coventry.

Keith.

Baginton ( Coventry ) airport History-page 2 (http://www.wonwinglo.scale-models.net/id48.htm)

[ZeBedie]

The Coventry Airport nostalgia website would benefit from the inclusion of the above photo's. I hope QP and Jaberwok will offer them.

As well as the very interesting scrap business going on at Coventry at that time, another thing was the throughput of Hunters in the hangers to the far left of the terminal, as viewed from the pub. I never saw them come or go, but there was always a different assortment when I peeked through the hangar doors. I think they wee being refurbished for export. Probably not recored because they were moved by road?

Another thing that interested me as a kid was the static water tank to the left of the hangars, as viewed from the road: It was absolutely teeming with newts. Like a newt soup it was, until they filled it with rubble, some time in the 80's:{

[QuePee]

I have no problem with using any of my photo's in any publication or website as long as they receive the appropriate credit. In addition I have several others that are available although I did not put them on this thread as they were not relevant.

QP