LUTON History and Nostalgia

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

cj you are right. If you blow the image up you can see 'ZR' on the nosewheel u/c door....... looks as though they might be parked on the taxiway. I can remember diversions in the Autair staff car park!

[cj241101]

Would anyone care to share the Vikings, Ambassadors, DC-4,6,& 7s, Hermes and Constellations. All of which sadly predate my camera ownership days.


Me too - no camera until Christmas 1968. These from my father, both dated 20/8/67 and taken from the old spectators area left of the terminal, looking across the grass where hangar 89 now stands.

https://i.imgur.com/Il8LfFm.jpg
D-ABAR 20/8/67. Sudflug operated Sunday evenings from Dusseldorf (2 flights some weeks) and Monday mornings from Munich 16/7/67-2/10/67.

https://i.imgur.com/m9Xcdso.jpg
G-AHPB 20/8/67. Just arrived from Berlin.

[cj241101]

looks as though they might be parked on the taxiway. I can remember diversions in the Autair staff car park!

Presumably the western taxiway curving around where the fire station now is.

If the Autair staff car park was between hangars 61 and 62 yes, I can recall a Vanguard parked nose in somewhere around there, probably 4/1/69.

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Presumably the western taxiway curving around where the fire station now is.

If the Autair staff car park was between hangars 61 and 62 yes, I can recall a Vanguard parked nose in somewhere around there, probably 4/1/69.

Yes that's the area I have recollections of a Vanguard too......

[LTNman]

Reference the fantastic Comet and BKS Ambassador photo. It does indeed look like they are blocking the only taxiway off the apron. So much better than the 737's and Airbuses we get today. It really was the golden age of aircraft.

Never seen a photo of a Hermes at Luton although they flew out of Bovingdon.

[browndhc2]

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1163/g_arvp_69d571732cd9cb550d384626220cef34038ae7b4.jpg
Not a Hermes I'am afraid Euravias L 049 G-ARVP.Is that a Fairchild Argus behind it?A sporty looking tug attached to the GPU as well.

[treadigraph]

Argus looks like a Beaver to me?

Love those 049 Connies!

[browndhc2]

On closer inspection, I must agree which leads me to doubt the location is Luton.

[DaveReidUK]

On closer inspection, I must agree which leads me to doubt the location is Luton.

Why would the suggestion that it's a Beaver (with which I agree) preclude it from being at Luton ?

[browndhc2]

Because I am not sure that there were many civilian Beavers, which it appears to be in the UK or NW Europe at the same time Euravia were flying Constellations.

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

I'm pretty sure it is LTN with the old terminal behind the tug and the tower out of view to the left.

[cj241101]

Beaver G-ARTR was present on 8/7/64 which would have fitted the Euravia Connie time-wise.

[LTNman]

Comparing the tree line and land height it looks Luton to me. Also it looks like that York is taking off from the old north south short grass runway and that guy in white is watching it. Runway 18-36 was 2,700 ft long. Was it any longer before the concrete runway was put in?
https://i.imgur.com/I3AuzHA.jpg

[treadigraph]

Looks like a good call CJ, another candidate might have been de Havilland's Beaver based along the road at Hatfield but all pics I've seen show what may have been a quasi military colour scheme.

Thread drift, were Beavers flown across the Atlantic on delivery to Europe/Africa or shipped?

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

The York looks to be in the colours of Freddy Laker's company Air Charter. That would date the photograph to between 1951-56.

As to the DC3 ??????

Jamie Glass in his book 'The Story of Luton International Airport' states that the three runway lengths in 1951 were (and I've converted them to Feet): 5400, 4950 and 4650. Unfortunately he is no more specific than this.

[cj241101]

Google Earth is no help with regard to the runway lengths. Their "historical imagery" has nothing between 1945 and 2000. In the 1945 picture the runways aren't apparent. Quite how it shows the "tinminal" let alone an El Al 767 and an EZY 737 I'm not quite sure:-

https://i.imgur.com/xCqb22M.jpg

[LTNman]

I guess in those days runways were maybe not marked out as they are today. Also what is on the nose of that Lincoln?
https://i.imgur.com/aV9Nqxn.jpg

[treadigraph]

OS map circa 1957 (https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=14&lat=51.8838&lon=-0.3623&layers=11&b=1)...

Lincoln could be the Napier Nomad test bed...

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/580x567/eaw000604_ltn_b7c9cb775a0a4503239c8b08e3e897cc37e2ffa6.jpg

[vintage ATCO]

Both the Naiad and Nomad were tested on the front end of Lincolns. Here's another pic from obviously the same sortie.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/720x437/1949_luton_airport_ea2da48a5989318f3df1ed3efd22586be187d505. jpg

BTW the Connie definitely at Luton.

[vintage ATCO]

How about this?

A Luftwaffe target photo from 1940 showing Percivals at Luton Airport and the Vauxhall works. Both were subsequently attacked.

The lines across the grass at the airport help disguise it, making it look like farmland. These were not apparent on earlier photos so must have been deliberate.

The road starting middle left and extending diagonally to the NE is Crawley Green Road where my parents lived throughout WWII, and so did I until 1972. I can just make out the house. My parents remember one raid on Vauxhall, one aircraft so low "we could see the pilot"!

An amazing picture.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1581x1947/luftwaffe_photo_1940_3198e6b3a3773d542925a024226c541a846c24e 1.jpg

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Most impressive!

[Haraka]

Vintage ATCO,
In the mid 50's (before my father bought his third hand 1936 motor bike) I occasionally went to work with him on Saturday mornings, From Stopsley war memorial we took the bus to the bottom of Ashcroft Road/ Crawley Green Road then walked across green fields to the Airport. I remember Jean Batten's Gull, the abortive P.74 helicopter and long legged J.Ps among a lot of other cherished memories,including having my first flight in a Luton Flying Club Auster and no other kids believing me! :)

[LynxDriver]

Apologies for the quality. I took this photo of the old Luton Flying Club building back in 1987 after returning from Corfu. I found it in a box in the loft, time sadly hadn't been kind to any of the photos contained within. It may still bring a pang of nostalgia, well I hope so!


https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/800x535/img_20190322_124821_98dbce5ef9e5cacc9302e2ede55a89f76bf466f8 .jpg

[LTNman]

In better days. The site is now an apron
https://i.imgur.com/qkrVUp9.jpg

Towards the end
https://i.imgur.com/lWYar6P.jpg

Just before the bulldozers went in
https://i.imgur.com/0TXxqrl.jpg

[dc9-32]

Crikey. Many a night I've staggered up that path after leaving the club on a Thursday night (or Friday morning) back in the glorious 80's. Happy days.....

[LTNman]

One of their aircraft
https://i.imgur.com/z9iK0Oc.jpg

[Haraka]

G- AIGT was another Auster owned by the flying club in the 50's . I last saw it in bits in a garage roof In Bury St. Edmunds being restored by a mate of mine in the 80's..

[treadigraph]

G-AIGT now owned by Mark Miller who operates Rapide G-AGJG at Duxford.

[LTNman]

Unknown date

https://i.imgur.com/TgYexLh.jpg
Unknown photographer

[treadigraph]

That would have been 1966/67. Keegan sold it to Peter Masefield and it eventually became Bill "Tiger" Destefani's first Reno Racer "Mangia Pane". Still going strong with a US owner.

[cj241101]

N6356T was based for the winter 1966/7, last record I have for it is on 18/3/67, not sure exactly when it returned to its previous home of Biggin Hill. Abpic has numerous photos in a variety of schemes:-

https://abpic.co.uk/pictures/search?q=n6356t&f=_all&exact=1&type=&registration=&operator=&code_number=&construction_number=&airport=&country=&photographer=&date_taken=&airshow=&military_unit=&information=&exact=1&search_type=simple

[Haraka]

I first saw that Mustang overflying Kidlington in the summer of 1968 when it was owned by Charles Masefield
I was being shown over Menno Parson's "Mustang Sally" at Rand Airport in South Africa a couple of years ago and suddenly realised from a cockpit inscription regarding the King's Cup that it was the same aircraft . 44-7494.

[treadigraph]

Oops, missed the South African bit!

[cj241101]

Anyone know where this aircraft was kept during its time at Luton? Presumably either the flying club hangar, McAlpines hangar or hangar 9.

[LTNman]

Its history
https://www.mustangsmustangs.com/p-51/survivors/serial/44-74494

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Anyone know where this aircraft was kept during its time at Luton? Presumably either the flying club hangar, McAlpines hangar or hangar 9.

As I remember it was kept on the hard standing to the north of McApine's hangar. I never saw it fly. At the time Keegan was involved with the production of The Riley Dove at McAlpines.

[cj241101]

Thanks for the reply OUAQUKGF. That would fit in with the earlier photo, with the Britannia Brit behind parked on the hangar side of the apron. Looks to be roughly where the minitower stands now. It only seems to have flown a dozen or so times in 4 months. Still can't trace when it departed back to its usual base at Biggin. The Keegan logo - presumably a sticker - seems to have gone by the time of the Biggin Air Fair in May 1967. Wikimedia has a similar picture :-

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Charles_Daniels_Collection_Photo_North_American_P-51_Mustang_N6356T,Keegan_AVN_(15081991650).jpg

[treadigraph]

I heard a story that Masefield was just starting up the Mustang at the Biggin Air Fair when a wayward parachutist had his canopy settle in the prop arc. Fortunately Masefield killed the mags instantly! No turnin', no burnin' during drops!

I think it was also displayed at Paris by Bob Hoover when based in Belgium several years earlier.

[dixi188]

Treadigraph,
I remember seeing the Biggin Hill incident, 1967 or 68 I think.
It was quite windy and the Red Devils miss calculated their drop and most of them ended up in the crowd or car park. The only one to land air side was the one who tangled with the Spitfire's prop. I believe he got away with a broken finger.
The announcer was telling everyone to stand still and the paras will miss you. Are you really going to stand still with a pair of size 12s about to land on you?
I saw one car with a big dent in the roof.
Happy memories!

[LTNman]

Nice view of Luton's former wooden terminal which was increased in size a few times over the years before it was replaced .

https://i.imgur.com/4miR1P7.jpg
Published by Steve Roberts

[oldandbald]

Nice view of Luton's former wooden terminal which was increased in size a few times over the years before it was replaced .

https://i.imgur.com/4miR1P7.jpg
Published by Steve Roberts

For info. photo was July 1980 given to me personally by McAlpine Helicopters , I was SATCO/ATC Manager

[LTNman]

That view above has radically changed compared to now. The wooden terminal ended its life after being used by Britannia Airways. Even the “modern” concrete Britannia operations building hasn’t survived.

I can count 5 additions to the terminal but being made out of wood it would have been a simple task.

Noted how smart people were in those days.
https://i.imgur.com/wpeaRSZ.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ViQUDZZ.jpg

[treadigraph]

Noted how smart people were in those days.

The passengers look pretty tidy too! ;)

Dixi188, thanks, I read the story somewhere, nice to see it confirmed - quite a hairy moment!

[cj241101]

For info. photo was July 1980 given to me personally by McAlpine Helicopters , I was SATCO/ATC Manager

Probably 27th July 1980. The Merchantman would have been G-APEG which was parked on stand 11 that day, my (not totally comprehensive) records only have it parked there once in July 1980 which was on 27th. The 707 behind on stand 13 would have been ex-Aeroamerica N752TA which languished there all month until it was moved to stand 16 on 8th August. Sister ship N751TA was in the ERUB by this time, finally getting broken up there in 1982.

Incidentally, my office was the portakabin left of hangar 9.

[LTNman]

With the flying club gone work starts on dismantling the hangar next door in May 2012
https://i.imgur.com/KNOTQIE.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ed0IoNF.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/UzGTepx.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/uMc527w.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/BJSihvu.jpg

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

I'm not sure whether this already on the thread

.https://www.britishpathe.com/video/parachute-drop-luton/query/bedfordshire

[cj241101]

A bit of a long shot. Back in 1965 after Euravia/Britannia replaced their L.749 Constellations with Britannias, L.749 G-ANUR was leased to ACE Freighters at Gatwick. When that company folded, the aircraft was brought back to Luton on 14/9/66 and stored until departing to Coventry on 1/3/67, having been sold in the USA on 23/2/67. Does anyone have any recollections of where it may have been parked while it was stored, or even better have a photo? Only colour photo I can find is this one:-
https://www.flickr.com/photos/alan_lord/40818913812.
Looks like it retained its basic Euravia scheme with no titles, just the ACE logo on the tail.

[Blacksheep]

The last engineers in Hangar 60 move out next week. Who knows if it will ever be used again for aircraft maintenance? several bids for the site were from car parking companies.

[LTNman]

Who owns the lease for the ex-Monarch hangars? https://www.primelocation.com/to-rent/commercial/details/51094426#VpBDSZIju3BVImZL.97

[Gordonwil]

Hi I have some older shots of Luton if they will be of interest to the group?
Not able to post as yet.

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Yes Gordonwil - we look forward to seeing them in due course.

[cj241101]

Gordonwil, yes, more photos always welcome. If you need help posting I am sure there is plenty of help available here.

Here's some more of mine, don't think any have been posted before, apologies if they have, mostly with a Spain/Portugal theme:-

https://i.imgur.com/101kxQS.jpg
CS-TEB 16/6/06. Think this was operating for Britannia.

https://i.imgur.com/h7mS3El.jpg
C-GTDL 9/4/90. Operating for Monarch I think.

https://i.imgur.com/UmShUs9.jpg
CS-TKC 5/6/94. Air Columbus were operating 4 flights a week summer 1994. They first appeared in 1990 with ex-Sterling 727-200's:-

https://i.imgur.com/yhaA7Io.jpg
CS-TKB 13/10/91

https://i.imgur.com/SirkBov.jpg
CS-TEV 20/8/93. Air Atlantis colours.

https://i.imgur.com/6Mzbr7n.jpg
EC-FHA 31/8/92. Spanair operated to Orlando with 767-300's during summer 1992..

https://i.imgur.com/rOjvytn.jpg?1
EC-EMI 19/7/89. Nortjet only lasted from 1989-1992, don't think they were ever regular.

https://i.imgur.com/PTfvoIk.jpg
EC-EOY 5/9/89.

https://i.imgur.com/Uf5JPnG.jpg
CS-TME 10/1/92. Another short-lived airline, also 1989-1992.

https://i.imgur.com/LhalPMM.jpg?1
EC-BIJ 29/4/84. Operating for Aviaco from & to Palma.

https://i.imgur.com/oz0CYU0.jpg
EC-CFG 13/4/84, Operating for Aviaco as well. Short series in April 1984 only.

https://i.imgur.com/FgKh96Q.jpg
EC-EMV 2/6/89. Hispania were formed from the collapse of Trans Europa in 1982. They too folded a few weeks after this photo was taken.

https://i.imgur.com/kwwNSsi.jpg
EC-EGH 24/3/94.

https://i.imgur.com/pCU1r0o.jpg
EC-EZR 26/6/91.

https://i.imgur.com/KK5jypq.jpg
F-GDPS 26/6/91.

[darkskies]

Re Post 3792

I think my office (at one stage in my life so far) was at the near end of the run of 8 or 10 windows "under the C".


Somewhat after "Oldandbald"...........

[Gordonwil]

Missed the L1011 5 and B757 Odesy when did they come in do you know please? Keep trying to post but not qualify yet.

[cj241101]

Missed the L1011 5 and B757 Odesy when did they come in do you know please? Keep trying to post but not qualify yet.

Dates should be below each photo. The Odyssey was a one-off; the Tristar CS-TEB also appeared on 26/5/99 as well when operated by Air Luxor:-

https://i.imgur.com/9OJPPk9.jpg

[LTNman]

Unknown date

https://i.imgur.com/KCzMj5f.jpg
Martin Pole?

[cj241101]

Best I can come up with would be 1976-1979. Geminair started up early in 1976 and the Brit was regular until 1981 when it was sold in Zaire. Last record I have of it was 5/3/81. G-APWY was repainted in a blue scheme by the time of this photo on 9/11/79. It was donated to the B.H.A.M Southend in Feb 1981, subsequently to the Science Museum aircraft collection at Wroughton. The 125 looks like McAlpine G-BBGU, which they operated 1973-1982.

https://i.imgur.com/iEwdPIr.jpg

[Gordonwil]

Many thanks, yes was left the Airport so not so bad missing , But missed the White Version worked there in 99! and also the 757.

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Piaggio P166 G-APWY. With McAlpine Luton 10-7-63 to 1-5-67. Then with Marconi ( in whose colours it is seen) from 9-5-67 . I believe it was often seen at Southend but don't know where it was based. WDFU December 1982. Credit G-INFO.

[LTNman]

Hi I have some older shots of Luton if they will be of interest to the group?
Not able to post as yet.

When you start posting photos use an account like this https://imgur.com/ and set the auto resize to 800x600 as per the rules for each batch

[lotus1]

Great pictures especially the oasis MD88 flew on this in 89 to Palma should have flown from Gatwick but due to fog it got diverted to stansted had a coach trip from gatwick to stansted. But in the end good flight all given a bottle of oasis brandy they where the days

[cj241101]

Piaggio P166 G-APWY. With McAlpine Luton 10-7-63 to 1-5-67. Then with Marconi ( in whose colours it is seen) from 9-5-67 . I believe it was often seen at Southend but don't know where it was based. WDFU December 1982. Credit G-INFO.

Marconi had a number of factories in Essex, including Chelmsford, Basildon and Billericay, which probably explains G-APWY spending time at Southend, although its home base was always Luton. I don't believe McAlpine made much use of it after ownership passed to Marconi - it would disappear off to Southend, return a few days later then do the same again. Presumably McAlpine still provided crews and engineering at Luton.

[Gordonwil]

https://imgur.com/a/bArYNdt

Not sure what I am doing but wonder if this works. Thanks for help may need to come back if not work.

[vintage ATCO]

Marconi had a number of factories in Essex, including Chelmsford, Basildon and Billericay, which probably explains G-APWY spending time at Southend, although its home base was always Luton. I don't believe McAlpine made much use of it after ownership passed to Marconi - it would disappear off to Southend, return a few days later then do the same again. Presumably McAlpine still provided crews and engineering at Luton.

The regular MacAlpine pilot for G-APWY was Ralph Mooring. Lovely bloke. One day as he was taxiing out we received a report from a disgruntled person he as going to take a pot shot at the next aircraft that took off. We told Ralph and he said he would do a short take-off, an immediate left turn and disappear to the south at low level. Another voice on the RT said 'Bye Ralph' . . . . Can't imagine that happening like that these days!

[cj241101]

https://imgur.com/a/bArYNdt

Not sure what I am doing but wonder if this works. Thanks for help may need to come back if not work.

Gordon
Thanks, yes it works!. Interesting stuff and from an unusual viewpoint - were you up a floodlight pylon? Hope you were wearing a hi-viz and hard hat if you were....Anyway, please keep them coming, always interesting to see photos from the 60's/70's/80's, shows how the infrastructure of the airport evolved as well as the aircraft that were around back then.

[Gordonwil]

https://imgur.com/a/bArYNdt Thank you for the comments hope these have added on to the thread.

[cj241101]

https://imgur.com/a/bArYNdt Thank you for the comments hope these have added on to the thread.

Gordonwill, thanks for sharing the additional photos. I remember the "departure lounge" well as I was working in the airside bar at the time. Think it replaced the previous "extra departure area" (i.e. tent).
I think the construction site is probably for the 2nd McAlpine hangar that was built in the early 70's. Shell depot is just out of view to the left.
The Court Line hangar 61 looks like it is getting its extension built to accommodate the imminent Tristars, circa 1972.
I remember the yellow Commer van that was used for marshalling, always a sign that something interesting was about to land and needed the "follow me".

[skylane182]

Re 'Unknown date' for the image of G-APWY, the photograph was taken in June 1976, I can also confrim Martin Pole (self) as the photographer.

[22/04]

It's funny the things these pictures remind us of that have otherwise been forgotten. The Commer Van on the move was a sure sign of something interesting. - it can be seen again marshalling the Midland Viscount in one of the other pictures. The Dan Air One Eleven reminds us just how much empty space there was then - contrast that with today. Court Line Jet Ranger (G-AXMM) and the Monarch Britannia on stand 11/12 - probably CF one of the rarer ones as it was often off to Georgetown or Woomera.

[Gordonwil]

Have these that may be of interest I see a post earlier asking info on it.

[LynxDriver]

I found this whilst browsing Youtube for some model reference material. This colour footage of a yellow Brit taking to the skies brought back many childhood memories of spotting at Luton with my brother.
Monarch Britannia @ Luton 1968

[washoutt]

Interesting view of retracting the main gear, just at the end of the video. The bogies fold backwards to lie parallell to the main strut, and then the the whole gear swings backwards into the nacelle. Very nice engineering. Pity, that the testflight of the KLM top ended in a belly landing in a Welsh marsh in the 1950's, otherwise they might have flown with a Royal Dutch cheatline across the ocean.......

[Gordonwil]

Some shots behind the scenes, sure names can be changed to protect the innocent!!!

[Mooncrest]

Some shots behind the scenes, sure names can be changed to protect the innocent!!!
Is there supposed to be a link here ?

[dc9-32]

Happy days and not a hi viz jacket or mobile phone in sight........

[Gordonwil]

Yes sorry tried several ways could not get attached. Try again tomorrow.

[jumpseater]

https://imgur.com/a/bArYNdt Thank you for the comments hope these have added on to the thread.

First three shots are early 1990’s as are some of the ATC personnel shots. On second two images earliest would be 1988, due to livery and types of vehicles, the red cavalier 😳. Always used to fascinate me with Luton being a Vauxhall home town, how many Lutonites bought Dagenham and elsewhere’s products!

[22/04]

Ryanair One Eleven on the apron in shot three by the looks of it. What is the CRT showing (aerial shot obviously but is that how the ASMI presented- can't imagine it was). Anyone know the identity of the Red Twin Com? further down.

[cj241101]

Ryanair One Eleven on the apron in shot three by the looks of it. What is the CRT showing (aerial shot obviously but is that how the ASMI presented- can't imagine it was). Anyone know the identity of the Red Twin Com? further down.
CRT looks like a radar screen although I stand to be corrected. Needs a learned ATC colleague to confirm.

22/04 if you mean the Twin Com with the blue/green van in front it looks like McAlpine G-AXAU which they had 1969-1973. Alternatively Northern Executive G-AXDL which flew in the same scheme, usually visiting late night on newspaper flights.

[oldandbald]

Hope this clarifies. The small round CRT left of the controller is a DFTI (Distance from touchdown indicator) . Early version taken off the AR-15 Primary only blips ,usually set gated to the 10 miles of final for the runway in use , you had to have a call from radar to identify the aircraft next on final. The TV screen lower right is the ASMI representation (surface movement indicator) again monochrome only with no labelling.

[HershamBoys]

Aaaah, the DFTI, which whined and whined and whined as the picture got more and more flooded until you pressed reset and it sharpened up again. DFTIs have probably caused more ATC hearing loss that Dart engines.

HB

[cj241101]

Many thanks to both for the clarification. Always interesting to learn about the technology used in the past.

[AusterMoth]

Would anyone be able to confirm the paint schemes worn by the Auster J/1Ns based with Luton Flying Club back in the day?
,
Thanks in advance

[sycamore]

A, red fuselages,and silver wings...worn/somewhat faded; reg .on fuselage was silver...probably red on wings;same on Tigers..
Auto- car was all silver I think. `60-63.think `abpic have some photos

[Haraka]

[QUOTE=sycamore;10641249]A, red fuselages,and silver wings...worn/somewhat faded; reg .on fuselage was silver...probably red on wings;same on Tigers..

This was my recollection from 1957 when I had my first flight in one as a kid sitting crossways in the back... ( AIGT?) .,IIRC there were two .

[sycamore]

Haraka,`-AIGT now owned by `dhsupport `at Duxford... There were 3 Austers,2Tigers ,1 Autocar,;`AIJI,AIGT,AGXH; AOGS,AOZH ;AOHZ...
The lower engine cowlings (opening) were silver ,on the Tigers,probably on the Austers as well,and fins/rudders/tailplanes were silver .......from memory,and a photo of self in a Tiger

[sycamore]

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1460x2000/2019_12_16_tiger_1961_666b6dc17be05bbabcc654894fcac5534f2aaa e7.jpg
Tiger day out x/c L-Sywell-L

[LTNman]

Feeling nostalgia for the cars and the 4ft fence to keep out the bad people

https://i.imgur.com/5Kixzsa.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/JefBg0z.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/k09vGhe.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/Dmns2KS.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/aMxFpqH.jpg
After the new fence was put up
https://i.imgur.com/wCiUCEJ.jpg
Photos published on Facebook by Steve J Roberts

[SpringHeeledJack]

Great photos! Nostalgia pure.

To be that close to the aircraft, ostensibly unhindered was amazing for the aircraft enthusiasts of yore. When the aircraft, especially the jets turned off the taxiway onto the apron the warm exhaust from the back of the engines was an experience :-) Happy New Year all!

[boeing_eng]

Good stuff.....When did the big fence go up? I recall it was there in 1976 as photography was a nightmare with an Kodak Instamatic! (so between 1972-1976 based on the L reg Cortina in the second DC8 pic!)

[22/04]

I think both fences were there for a short while. Anyone have a picture of that?

[LGS6753]

Does anyone remember an Italian lo-co called Volare (I think) that operated A320s about 15 years ago?

[rog747]

Does anyone remember an Italian lo-co called Volare (I think) that operated A320s about 15 years ago?

Yup Volare was formed from Air Europe spa. Italy - sadly all went south

[YVRLTN]

Does anyone remember an Italian lo-co called Volare (I think) that operated A320s about 15 years ago?
I logged I-PEKT Feb 2004. Was plain white, not in the smart blue livery they had when they became Volareweb. Didn't last long.

[YVRLTN]

Another mid 90's memory are DC-8's of MK Airlines, I recall one operated for Cargo D'Or. Aer Turas was another late operator.

[cj241101]

Didn't last long.

About a year from Nov 2003. Started off operating to Venice, adding Cagliari and Rimini from 5/12/03, quickly diminishing to Cagliari only on Tue Thu and Fri for summer 2004, withdrew from the route on 30/10/04 then filed for bankruptcy the following month..

[Allan Lupton]

Message erased

[treadigraph]

Isn't that Croydon?

[DaveReidUK]

Isn't that Croydon?

It looks very much like it.

[flying brain]

Does anyone have any images or video of the 1997 event at Luton celebrating 40 years since the Canberra bomber world altitude record that was flown from Luton in 1957?

​​​​​​https://www.thisdayinaviation.com/tag/english-electric-co-ltd/

​​​​​​

[Haraka]

Does anyone have any images or video of the 1997 event at Luton celebrating 40 years since the Canberra bomber world altitude record that was flown from Luton in 1957?

​​​​​​https://www.thisdayinaviation.com/tag/english-electric-co-ltd/

​​​​​​
I remember the 1957 celebration well !

[YVRLTN]

Sad this thread has dies a bit of a death.... did Aviogenex ever serve LTN?

[Mooncrest]

YVRLTN. Yes, they did but I can't be specific.

[rog747]

Sad this thread has dies a bit of a death.... did Aviogenex ever serve LTN?

Yes indeed they did. From the heady days in the late 1960's onwards of popular package holidays to the former Yugoslavia saw both Aviogenex and Inex Adria (and JAT charter subsidiary Air Yugoslavia) fly oodles of summer flights for the main tour company Yugotours. (They did fly for others as the seat costs they offered were streets ahead of the likes of UK charter airlines)
Aviogenex flew from many UK airports in the main to - Pula, Krk Rijeka, Split, Tivat, Dubrovnik, Zadar, Ljubljana.
Sometimes 3 of their TU-134's would be seen on the deck at the same time - Def saw 2 at a time at LTN.

Prior to the breakup of Yugoslavia, Aviogenex was the busiest charter airline in the country, handling over half a million passengers per year in the late 1980s.
Aviogenex brought their first two Boeing 727-2L8 from the Yugoslav Air Force in 1983, and took delivery of 2 brand new 737-2K3 in 1987.
The Tu-134's were retired in 1990 leaving a newer fleet with 10 aircraft (5 Boeing 727-200 and 5 Boeing 737-200)

There was also Pan Adria Airways who had a sole new DC9 32 that also flew into the UK - they flew for a short time early 1970s -
No connection to Inex Adria.

Sadly on 23 May 1971 they suffered a bad crash to the brand new (111 hours) YU-AHZ Tupolev TU-134A operating Flight JJ130 at Rijeka (Krk Island)
Flying from Gatwick on a Yugotours Holidays flight with 76 pax and 7 crew the aircraft landed in a Thunderstorm.
There was a heavy downpour, accompanied by gusty winds/windshear on final approach.
The location of the new airport surrounded by mountains also caused additional difficulties for the crew. According to the Capt just before touchdown, the plane got caught into a powerful updraft, a critical situation immediately arose, and he stated it was not possible to take the right action to get out of it and he closed the throttles.
As a result, contact with the runway occurred with a very high vertical speed and the starboard main landing gear gave way, that wing broke and folded over, the plane then turned over "on its back" and scraped along the runway for 700m.
Fuel poured from damaged fuel tanks. An intense fire broke out, which the airport emergency fire services could not cope with.
75 passengers and 3 flight attendants were killed, the flight crew of 4 escaped from the cockpit side windows, and one passenger seated at the rear survived escaping from a hole in the rear cabin.
The investigation showed that most of the victims died of smoke inhalation, having survived the crash landing uninjured, but they remained trapped in the burning aircraft.
30% of the occupants were found still strapped upside down in their seats.
The 2 forward main Exits were both dislodged, distorted and became jammed, as did the cockpit door to the galley and cabin, thus the people could not get out, nor could rescuers gain access.
None of the four overwing exits were opened as this was the main area of fire initially, and those on the right side were blocked by the folded over stump of the right wing.
The British AAIB Inquiry who assisted the Yugoslav Investigation was damning in the lack of safety features on the Tupolev compared to their inspections of Inex Adria & JAT DC-9's also used by Yugotours.
Both Reports can be found online to read.

[cj241101]

did Aviogenex ever serve LTN?

Only regular series I know of was summer 1987 when they used a 727-200 on a Saturday from & to Pula. I have a vague recollection that their 737-200's also operated briefly in the late 1980's but the details elude me at the moment. Their TU-134A's were never regular but seemed to visit some weekends early-mid 70's during the winter months, arriving on a Friday as the JJ131, departing on a Sunday as the JJ132, from & to Belgrade. Shopping trips for well-off Yugoslavs I believe. Last TU-134 I saw was YU-AJD on 13/10/78, possibly a diversion as there was fog everywhere that day.

[PAXboy]

Hi Folks,
My partner says she travelled LTn to MCO in 1995 (+/-) but cannot recall the carrier.
??
Cheers.

[treadigraph]

Britannia?

[kenparry]

Almost certainly Britannia, with the B767. The short LTN runway often meant that an enroute fuel stop was necessary, perhaps at Bangor, Maine. Soon after that, because of the cost & delay incurred by the stop, the MCO flights from LTN were ended. They continued from airports that could provide an assured non-stop operation.

[22/04]

Monarch also used A330s in the 90s but not sure f the year. They were non stop IIRC

[PAXboy]

Many thanks folks.

[compton3bravo]

I am sure Aviogenex Tu-134s were regular visitors on Saturdays in the early 1970s to Pula and Rijeka for Yugotours which I think was owned by the Government. I remember the holidays were very cheap (probably subsidised) and was tempted but my wife as was then was not very keen!

[Downwind_Left]

Monarch also used A330s in the 90s but not sure f the year. They were non stop IIRC

Wouldn’t have been Monarch A330s in the 1990s. They weren’t delivered until 1999 and in the early years there was an AD with the nose wheel steering that prevented turning over a certain angle which prevented 180 degree turns on runways such as Luton (and certain Caribbean destinations) as reported by Monarch to Flight International at the time. Resolved in later years.

I don’t believe Monarch ever scheduled a regular series on the A330 from Luton, to Orlando or anywhere.

Luton-Bangor-Orlando undoubtedly 757 or A300...

[rog747]

Wouldn’t have been Monarch A330s in the 1990s. They weren’t delivered until 1999 and in the early years there was an AD with the nose wheel steering that prevented turning over a certain angle which prevented 180 degree turns on runways such as Luton (and certain Caribbean destinations) as reported by Monarch to Flight International at the time. Resolved in later years.

I don’t believe Monarch ever scheduled a regular series on the A330 from Luton, to Orlando or anywhere.

Luton-Bangor-Orlando undoubtedly 757 or A300...

Sounds about right re Monarch days of LTN long haul ETOPS in the 1990's with 757 and A300 from LTN - All work LTN to MCO from as early as 1988 (757) but most Monarch long haul went from LGW & MAN to Goa, Agra, Kerala, Maldives, Mombasa, Mexico, MCO, and the Caribbean.
MCO was flown by Monarch from other UK airports such as BHX,BFS,NCL,GLA etc

Monarch had quite a nice tidy programme to TAB/GND/BGI/St Kitts etc which they got by getting Caledonians' Golden Lion Flights and Tropical Sky business.


Other LTN flights to MCO iirc were a series of 763 by AIH possibly it Operated via BHX, and did Air 2000 (757) do LTN-MCO?

[22/04]

I ma pretty sure Monarch did operate LTN-MCO at least for part of a season with the A330. It was a weekday- and was the same season that we had the Airtours DC10- 10 based as I saw them both depart one morning. CJ might be able to fill in the blank here- I now realize it would be later than 1995. though. The A330 used the Eastern apron stands.

[Raymond Dome]

Monarch did several seasons LTN MCO flights in the nineties with the 757 via BGR. In the early 2000's there was also a short A330 series to MCO (non-stop). (Slightly off topic, the A330 was delivered with a restricted nose wheel steering angle and needed a lot of space to turn round so Monarch persuaded the LTN airport authority to paint a line on each runway dumbbell and hammer a couple of carefully placed sticks into the grass. The idea was that if you kept the nose wheel on the line, when the two sticks lined up it was time to apply full lock and the thing would achieve a 180 deg turn without going off the pavement. Crude, but worked well. Eventually the restriction was removed and the sticks no longer needed). Monarch A330's were however not frequent visitors to LTN.

[oldandbald]

Turning Circle
As I recall, nothing is new, when Court Line had the Tristars delivered in the 70s the Turning Circle was even smaller and a similar arrange with white sticks on the grass were used. The nose of the Tristar was over the edge in the turn. During that early period it worked perfectly

[Level bust]

When Monarch brought their DC10 in, the Flight Engineer hung out the door while it turned on the turning circle!

[JW411]

He was probably ex-Laker. That is exactly what we did when turning round in the turning circle at Luton. F/E at One Door Left on the interphone could tell me just how close I was getting to the grass.

[cj241101]

I ma pretty sure Monarch did operate LTN-MCO at least for part of a season with the A330. It was a weekday- and was the same season that we had the Airtours DC10- 10 based as I saw them both depart one morning. The A330 used the Eastern apron stands.

Summer 2001 was when Monarch operated Luton-Sanford (SFB) direct on the A330, Mondays, can't locate timings, though. East apron, yes, stand 48. First flight operated 7th July 2001, no record as to when the series finished, last sighting I have is 17th Sept 2001. Yes, Airtours had their DC-10 based for summer 2001 as well, also Britannia had a 767 (300 I think) based. 31st July 2001 saw G-EOMA (A330) st48, G-DPSP (DC-10) st45 and Monarch DC-10 G-DMCA on a hangar check in 127. The Brit 767 I remember parking st5. Wide-body city!

[cavokblues]

I definitely recall a 767 Spanair covering a few of the Orlando Sanford flights in the mid 90s. Not sure who they were operating them for. It must have been 1997ish time.

[22/04]

can't locate timings,

Departure was around Midday. Return early next morning and aircraft positioned out around 8.30 probably to MAN

[Liffy 1M]

For anyone in possession of good-quality slides of Court Line aircraft, you may be interested to see the prices these can command.

https://www.ebay.ie/itm/Original-35mm-Colour-Slide-of-Court-Line-Lockheed-L-1011-TriStar-G-BAAA-in-1973/233791030216?hash=item366f0803c8:g:JW0AAOSwMJZfuTgb
https://www.ebay.ie/itm/Original-35mm-Colour-Slide-of-Court-Line-Lockheed-L-1011-TriStar-G-BAAB-in-1973/233791031409?hash=item366f080871:g:HuIAAOSw4gRfuTiH

[dc9-32]

I have a "print screen" key on my keyboard. I just saved a few hundred EUR.

[cj241101]

I definitely recall a 767 Spanair covering a few of the Orlando Sanford flights in the mid 90s. Not sure who they were operating them for. It must have been 1997ish time.

1997 sounds correct. My notes refer to the flights as Airtours, days seemed to vary but mostly out on Mondays, back on Tuesdays.

[LGS6753]

For anyone in possession of good-quality slides of Court Line aircraft, you may be interested to see the prices these can command.

https://www.ebay.ie/itm/Original-35mm-Colour-Slide-of-Court-Line-Lockheed-L-1011-TriStar-G-BAAA-in-1973/233791030216?hash=item366f0803c8:g:JW0AAOSwMJZfuTgb
https://www.ebay.ie/itm/Original-35mm-Colour-Slide-of-Court-Line-Lockheed-L-1011-TriStar-G-BAAB-in-1973/233791031409?hash=item366f080871:g:HuIAAOSw4gRfuTiH

Anyone know why "Halcyon Days" has the number 80 stencilled on the forward fuselage?

[treadigraph]

Paris Air Show exhibition number?

[Level bust]

It did a day trip for Ian Allan Travel on the 31st May (it may have done other days) to the show at Le Bourget. I can't remember if it was actually on display though, I know we were 2 hours late getting there due to slot restrictions.

If I remember correctly it cost £15!

[punkalouver]

I was reading last week or was it a YouTube video that stated that 6 airlines in Northern Canada still fly the 200 series as there in no replacement that can cope with rough Canadian northern landing strips.

(Edit) found it, go to YouTube and search “why do Boeing 737-200 still fly in Canada?”

excellent video about gravel kits and vortex dissipators.
If you love 737-200(they were OK), you can search for Nolinor Aviation on Twitter and get lots of pics and brief videos to music which are quite interesting. I seem to prefer to do it on the iphone instead of the desktop.

https://twitter.com/nolinoraviation

[punkalouver]

Canadair also used the Eland on the 10 Convairs that they built/converted for the RCAF, but re-engined them a few years later with Allisons because of problems with the Eland.

It can be nice to get a bit of background on some of these events from long ago. Why re-engine?

https://youtu.be/jtRhf1XUVaQ?t=635

Start at 10:35 and then you will know why.

[Robert Haines]

Another favoured parking area when the airport was filling up was the engine run up bay. I have seen a few aircraft crammed in there over the years.
hi
Do you recall seeing number of bea tridents parked on the taxiway possibly 1965 December?
thanks
Rob.

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Hullo Robert- If you have the time to start this wonderful Thread at the beginning I'm sure you will find references to, and perhaps some pictures of, BEA Tridents at Luton.

They usually arrived with a lot of other stuff as weather diversions from Heathrow . The aerodrome would then become very crowded indeed. I remember diversions parking up in the gap cum car park between the Autair Hangar and the old Britannia Hangar during the period you are referring to.

[DaveReidUK]

Here's one for starters from earlier in the thread:


https://i.imgur.com/MinKCIO.jpg

[Robert Haines]

Hullo Robert- If you have the time to start this wonderful Thread at the beginning I'm sure you will find references to, and perhaps some pictures of, BEA Tridents at Luton.

They usually arrived with a lot of other stuff as weather diversions from Heathrow . The aerodrome would then become very crowded indeed. I remember diversions parking up in the gap cum car park between the Autair Hangar and the old Britannia Hangar during the period you are referring to.
Hi,thank you for your reply but can't find any photos or references.

[yarmouth1010]

Hi RH
Yes I remember the BAE Tridents.

The capt of one was a friend of mine, Capt Robert A and I popped out form my job at BY ops to say hello to him.

CC

[DaveReidUK]

Hi,thank you for your reply but can't find any photos or references.

Were you searching forwards, or backwards, from the link in my post before yours?

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

The above is a cracking image of Heathrow diversions on 4th January 1969. There is the old terminal with Autair's Movement Control Office overlooking the tarmac. At that time I spent many 12 hour shifts in there fretting about the weather (Luton was quite prone to fogging out for a day or two). Autair's old Commer Crew Bus is parked outside. What happened to that unfailingly cheerful Crew Bus Driver Fred Jenkins ?

[Robert Haines]

Were you searching forwards, or backwards, from the link in my post before yours?
Hi david
I looked all through back and forwards there is one photo on there of a bea comet and a bks ambassador taken on 7th Feb 1966 and I am looking for more photos taken on this day.
thanks
Rob.

[Sotonsean]

Robert, have you also tried searching Google images as their are many to look at or even searching on Flickr. Various aviation website's online with a plethora of images. But as previously mentioned, there are a huge amount of images on this thread to search through.

[alt_hitchin]

hi everyone, joined a company that works in hangar 7/8 at luton airport about 6 months ago, Recently found out that its one of the oldest building still intact at luton airport, being built in 1936 two years before the airport opened in 1938. apparently in around 1967 it was bought by monarch and then sold to ocean sky in around 2005? i think... Currently its owned by signature and is in the process of being sold to NetJets. Was the only person in the hangar tonight from 6pm-9pm in an office up at the back of the hangar and damn its a bit creepy up there. Was wondering if by chance anyone has worked in there before and has any stories, or even any old photo's of the hangar, just find it so interesting being in one of the original buildings that was built 100 years ago :p

[Alby1]

Hello, just subscribed after stumbling across the thread and what a fascinating and interesting trip to years past it is. I first visited LUTON on 24/10/1984 and up until recently was a fairly regular visitor. I even had two short spells working there, 1988/89 for Royal Mail on the mail flights and 1998/99 as a ramp agent for Reed Aviation.
I still have over 140 pages to read but I have already been reminded of the weekly flight sheets picked up at the office, Dave Gearings photos, the visits to both the Britannia and Monarch hangars and even a ramp tour back in the 1980's and I'm hoping to find some reference to the spotters magazine "EGGWords", some of which i still have, never did get a complete collection and can't find any either nowadays.
A fantastic thread and one which has reminded me of the airport of old and how old I actually am now. Thank you everyone for the memories.

[LGS6753]

I've just been reviewing this thread, and notice that a lot of the early photos have disappeared, whilst others are covered with a "Photobucket" message.
Also, there are lots of references to various hangars that incorporate the word "medivac". Can anyone enlighten me as to its meaning?
Thanks
LGS

[Sotonsean]

I've just been reviewing this thread, and notice that a lot of the early photos have disappeared, whilst others are covered with a "Photobucket" message.
Also, there are lots of references to various hangars that incorporate the word "medevac". Can anyone enlighten me as to its meaning?
Thanks
LGS

If you are asking the meaning of the term "medevac" have you not tried searching Google or the equivalent of, it takes seconds honestly 🤔

The term Medevac involves an emergency situation, a troop flight from a combat zone or a medical emergency flight for example. Luton does or ar least used to handle these in the past. A very quick search online will explain the term in more detail.

Or are you asking why various hangars incorporate the the term "medivac"?

The answer to the above is probably down to the fact that many of the hangars were also used, including those medical evacuation emergency flights, etc, which would have also included helicopters along with fixed winged aircraft.

For example hospital helipads also use the term "medevac".

[DaveReidUK]

More commonly rendered as "medevac" (for MEDical EVACuation.

[LGS6753]

Thanks for the explanations, but I know what Medevac means. However, the word that seems to have inveigled its way into this thread is medivac, and always to describe hangars, hence my question.

[DaveReidUK]

I think I've got the answer.

Here's a post of mine from a few years ago:

Yes, it's on the North Circular - strictly speaking, it's not Hanger Lane at that point, though we all know what the OP meant (Hanger Lane is the part of the A406 south of the gyratory/Tube station).

Here's where it can be seen (the orange dot):

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/555x544/ezy_location_2f5b66f46967ea531b44b607d904d9ba9a0175e1.jpg

Head Office easyBus (https://www.easybus.com/en/customer-support/head-office/)

And here's a screenshot that I've just taken of it:

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1516x776/hangar_medivac_6772ca5f9b4b43c0fc81d9c5b9ad05a9bd805064.jpg
Spot the difference ....

In other words, it's one of those daft automatic substitutions that PPRuNe makes, for reasons best known to the mods. "Hangar" (but not "hanger") gets "medivac" appended to it. Go figure.

So find any post containing "hangar medivac", then when you quote it, all will be revealed.

It's obviously not being done any more, though: hangar hangar hangar - see ?

Easy Jet tail fin by Hangar lane - PPRuNe Forums (https://www.pprune.org/spectators-balcony-spotters-corner/625780-easy-jet-tail-fin-hangar-lane.html#post10579099)

[LGS6753]

Dave,
Brilliant deduction. Thanks for clearing that up - I was wondering whether advancing years were taking their toll.

[compton3bravo]

Anyone remember the fireman's strike at Heathrow circa 1970? They lasted for a number of hours each day. BEA, Aer Lingus,, KLM etc so would arrive at Luton drop passengers off and position to Heathrow ready when fire cover was back up to full complement. There was a dispute at Gatwick in the early 1970s and remember Dan-Air Comets parked on the taxiway adjacent to the fire station!

[cj241101]

Anyone remember the fireman's strike at Heathrow circa 1970? They lasted for a number of hours each day. BEA, Aer Lingus,, KLM etc so would arrive at Luton drop passengers off and position to Heathrow ready when fire cover was back up to full complement. There was a dispute at Gatwick in the early 1970s and remember Dan-Air Comets parked on the taxiway adjacent to the fire station!
IIRC the diverted flights were in the evenings, with senior fire officers providing fire cover at LHR during the day, probably 0700-1900. 27th Feb to 20th March 1970, although not every day. Add Swissair, Sabena, SAS to the list. Plus the first 707 I saw there, albeit a smaller -138B, Laker/Caribbean Airways G-AVZZ on 3rd March.
I think the LGW diversion day sounds like 23rd Dec 1974, IIRC a fuel strike. Yes, there were 4 Dan Air Comets parked on the western taxiway that day. Loads of other Dan Airs, a few Laker, an Aeropa 707 and 3 SATA Caravelles as well.