LUTON History and Nostalgia

[Simtech]

For years BMA used to fly into Luton at weekends for their Channel Islands services.

My first flight from Luton was on F-27 G-BAUR to Jersey and back again a week later. Little did I know that I'd end up working there for 17 years!

[lotus1]

I remember there was a cafe and bar in the spectators area also did have a sort of Dj who would give out a running PA system of aircraft comming in they where the days with regards to invicta they transferred all there charter flights from manston to there around 72 until they went out of business did operate a special spectators charter on a vanguard the last flyinging passenger vanguard in the uk

[wallp]

It's strange, I well remember the BMA weekend flights to Jersey & Guernsey - lots of Viscounts & DC9s and later ATP's & 737's but I dont remember many F27's.

[wallp]

As for the spectator building, wasn't there plans at one point, well before eadyJet got their hands on it as offices, to convert part of it into a terminal for domestic flights? In fact I think work started on converted it but it was never used?

[22/04]

And BMA Heralds and Fokkers on the CI routes too. Don't remember 737s on those but of course we had 737-400s operating the Air 2000 First Choice holiday flights from Luton for at least a couple of summers.

Yes part of the spectators building or an add on was kitted out for domestic operations but I'm not sure if it was ever used- it's all a blur now but think it was when Capital Airlines were operating domestic services.

[Proplinerman]

LTNman: thanks for posting that great photo of one of these wonderful aircraft, wearing one of the best liveries Vanguards ever wore, imho.

[treadigraph]

Talking of Vauxhall, wasn't there an incident where quite a number of brand new cars stored outside the plant had their paintwork damaged by a departing aircraft dumping fuel or losing hydraulic fluid or something similar? Probably about twenty years ago.

[DaveReidUK]

wearing one of the best liveries Vanguards ever wore, imho

Even better before they overpainted the Maple Leaf. :O

[JW411]

It was a Templewood 707 that had a massive hydraulic leak on take-off from 26. The Vauxhall car park was sprayed with Skydrol and something like 100 cars were ruined. There was a story doing the rounds that one Vauxhall employee saw this as a golden opportunity to get a free respray so he covered his car in hydraulic fluid. Unfortunately for him, the insurance company were easily able to prove that it wasn't Skydrol!

[LTNman]

It was one of Invicta's Luton based Vanguard's G-AXOP that flew Luton-Bristol- Basel that crashed killing 108 with 37 survivors on 10th April 1973. Can't tell if it the one in the photo though.

[compton3bravo]

Re Invicta, they usually had three based Vanguards during the summer mainly parked on the pond (stand 16). As mentioned they did pilgrim charters to Lourdes and also did a series of flights to Dusseldorf for the families of servicemen stationed in Germany plus late night flights to Basle for a tour company maybe Blue Cars?.
I remember one summer Sunday evening - I think 1972 - with the cloud on the deck and raining hard watching an Invicta Vanguard do an overshoot from less than 100 ft and left of the centreline and then flew staight down the runway at the same height with the co-pilot (presumably) saying ´Invicta 191 didn´t quite make it' (191 was used as a positioning call-sign) and round for another go and landed safely at the second attempt. Just before this an Il-18 of Tarom had made a perfect approach and landing!

[22/04]

O8 Compton three bravo?

Ahh those surveillance radar approaches! .........."range five and a half miles check your downlocks are dangled". Sterling Caravelles would appear just before touchdown- wonder if they were pushing their minima a bit!

[LTNman]

...will terminate half a mile from touchdown. Firemen used to count the runway lights.

[GQ2]

Luton Airport is officially opened. Here is a fascinating home-movie of the event.
Question;- Have any stills survived of the event, especially of Edgar Percival and his machines. The separation of the Shorts Composite is a rarity, though not unique, However, this must be one of very few clips of a Q6 in flight (Certainly the only one that I've ever seen...) - and jolly pretty it looks too...!
Are there any other pre-war films of Luton and Percival Aircraft...?
Were all of the pre-war Percival offices in the old farmhouse, or just the Drawing-Office...?

East Anglian Film Archive: Luton Airport, 1938 (http://www.eafa.org.uk/catalogue/6527)

This second film is longer and not all so interesting, but there is a fascinating short section on Percivals and Napiers at Luton.

East Anglian Film Archive: Civil Defence of Luton, c.1945 (http://www.eafa.org.uk/catalogue/6633)

Enjoy...! :ok:

GQ2.

[LTNman]

East Anglian Film Archive: Civil Defence of Luton, c.1945 view from 24 minutes and 15 seconds

[dc9-32]

Ahh those surveillance radar approaches! .........."range five and a half miles check your downlocks are dangled". Sterling Caravelles would appear just before touchdown- wonder if they were pushing their minima a bit!

I remember sitting on the ramp one Saturday morning, airport covered in thick fog, listening to the talk down for a Balkan TU154 to then hear the roar of the engines as it broke off the approach but turned right and headed over Wigmore !!

Landed 2nd time round though but I wonder if the cloud cover/vis had increased !!

[oldandbald]

Did a lot of half mile SRAs a Luton on 424 and 430. The ILS was fitted on 26 quite early but the 08 approach remained an SRA into the 80s. Not always easy as at one and a half miles out co-incident with ground clutter from the "M1" ridge drift effect changed markedly and you needed to be ready for it!


Talking of Sterling Caravelles , one winters night shift snow forecast, radar very cluttered, trying all the devices to reduce it just commencing the approach with a Sterling Caravelle, Tower advise its started snowing. Aircraft lands and reports " I don't think anything else will land tonight, right on minimums" Tell the Tower to listen out and decide to go upstairs for a cup of tea. Radar was then in the old wooden buildings tried the door to the outside passageway couldn't get out, snow was blocking the door - some good memories of very different times

[vintage ATCO]

I did just over 500 SRAs between 2 Nov 1971 and 21 Feb 1986, I was sad enough to record them all. Some memorable occasions, like when I instructed an Aztec to go around as he was well off track and the pilot replied he couldn't as he didn't have enough fuel!! He landed. ;)

[Halcyon Days]

Ah those wooden huts-right next to Court Line ops-and few steps to the greasy
spoon.Access straight out on to the ramp and not a security fence in sight!,

[LTNman]

Yes no fences.:eek:

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c275/ksmithltn/Photo0005_zps761bc87f.jpg (http://s29.photobucket.com/user/ksmithltn/media/Photo0005_zps761bc87f.jpg.html)

[LTNman]

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c275/ksmithltn/1354916F_zps001d64be.jpg (http://s29.photobucket.com/user/ksmithltn/media/1354916F_zps001d64be.jpg.html)
Dave Welch/www.abpic.co.uk

Looks like the two Yorks were being scrapped here at Luton at the rear of the Britannia hangar. In the foreground is G-AHEY of Skyways of London. Skyways of London was taken over by Luton based Euravia in 1962. Euravia became Britannia in 1964.

Thanks to Dave Welch for permission to use his photos here

[Proplinerman]

Awesome photo of those Yorks LTNman and Dave Welch.

[compton3bravo]

Just come across a number of clips of McAlpine Aviation at Luton Airport on You Tube. Only looked at a couple so far but wonderful memories of their HS125s and Short Skyvan. Hope this is of interest.
Type in Magec and/or McAlpine Aviation for the link.

[diddy1234]

Thanks for the tip.

Using the above I stumbled across Concorde taking off from Luton

It could be the angle but it didn't look like there was much room for an aborted take off !

http://youtu.be/urqC8AZBt94

[LTNman]

A Ryanair 1-11 in one of the clips. Didn't they have Rumanian crews? If not was it a connection with Romac?

[Level bust]

They certainly used Romanian crews, they only had 2 throttle positions, open and closed! I remember following a 1-11 crewed by Romanians down the runway as it backtracked, I couldn't keep up with it!

[22/04]

Is that an Atlantique DC3 holding at Delta/Bravo One (can't remember when that changed) - what a contrast to Concorde if that was next to go.

[SpringHeeledJack]

In the video of Concorde, there is a derelict construction laying on it's side, the base made me think of a VOR, but the rest looks like a water tower seen atop many a New York building, and yet again it looks like a refugee of a Soyuz space program. Put me out of my misery please ? :)


SHJ

[Level bust]

It could be the angle but it didn't look like there was much room for an aborted take off !

You couldn't have seen a Caledonian Tristar to Cyprus or a Britannia B737-200 to Antalya taking off, they were practically in the turning circle when they took off!

The derelict construction lying in the field was the old storage tank for the runway de-icing agent, if my memory serves me right it was something called 'Urea' which was made from pigs s**t. I beleive it is still there after all these years.

[oldandbald]

Yes, the contraption was the hopper for "urea" pellets which did stand behind the fire station and used for de-icing/anti-icing for a number of years.( No need for any detail of what they contained ) Also purchased was a spreader much like grit spreader for roads. However they were not environmentally friendly as the stuff found its way into the local water table and we were forced to discontinue its use. Replaced by rather more expensive liquid agents.


Plenty of room for Concorde on a number of visits. however my scariest departure was a Court Line Tristar direct Gander with 350+ pax wind calm at night, runway 26 and it went out of sight for what seemed ages before reappearing well north of the required NPR.

[SpringHeeledJack]

Thanks chaps, a hopper would make sense, but surely the pellets would have been a FOD danger to aircraft before they replaced them with liquid de-icing products ?



SHJ

[oldandbald]

Very small pellets, all checked out, RAF used the stuff as well. Better than the grit we used before and that had to be a specific size grit. Remember being out near runway early 70s and quite a racket when reversers went out!!

[Halcyon Days]

BIA leased a couple of Rombac 1-11s from Tarom for a couple of seasons.They were crewed by Romanian pilots and British cabin crew-mainly freelances.
(My wife freelanced for them-did mainly charters to Milan and a few other Italian cities)

[vintage ATCO]

The urea pellets (made from pig's wee, not the other thing) were wetted with a small amount of Konsin (another anti/de-icing agent but more expensive) as they were spread which caused them to dissolve. Urea was pretty effective but it was discontinued in the end because of the amount of ammonia that was being washed into waste water systems.

[LTNman]

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c275/ksmithltn/ramp_zps7a8fd7f0.jpg (http://s29.photobucket.com/user/ksmithltn/media/ramp_zps7a8fd7f0.jpg.html)

[oftenflylo]

Might that be a Falcon Hermes -cannot think of other fin colours

[bean]

Looks like a DC- 6 to me.
Falcon went out of business in 1961

[SpringHeeledJack]

What's the grey (?) largish twin front left of the photo ? It almost looks like the love child of a hangar liaison between Hawker Siddley and CASA :)


SHJ

[oftenflylo]

caribou ---

[SpringHeeledJack]

By golly you're right! In my head they didn't start service until the mid 60's, yet it seems they were out and about from 1961 onwards. This begs the question, why would one have been at Luton ? Perhaps a delivery flight after coming over the Atlantic and before heading off to points East ?


SHJ

[LTNman]

Digging deep into the archives I have found the ground shot. 107 DHC-4A KAF-C2 (to Kuwait AF as KAF-C2, K-878, 611): del. 15.7.63 so maybe the aerial photo was taken in 1963 and not 1964?

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c275/ksmithltn/10633281244_dd351cceda_o_zpsc3462224.jpg (http://s29.photobucket.com/user/ksmithltn/media/10633281244_dd351cceda_o_zpsc3462224.jpg.html)

[SpringHeeledJack]

It's position in the colour photo (great shot btw), almost matches with the Hangar behind and the yellow road making equipment can be seen vaguely behind in the B/W overhead shot.


SHJ

[Haraka]

I left Luton just after the 1-11 accident in '63. Certainly there were Caribous being ferried through before that date.

[ANW]

The Kuwaiti Caribou looks like it answers the above question.
Another one passing through at the time is featured here (http://www.edendale.co.uk/GO/LTN.3.1.html).
Possibly the DHC demonstrator on its way to or from the Paris Air Show ?

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

With regard to the Douglas DC whotsit in the photograph, I would suggest that it is a little small for a DC6 - but just the right size for a DC4 of Rhodesian Air Services.
If you blow up the photo so to speak you can just make out the 'R' on the fin.
This outfit was run by Jack Malloch and you can find much about his antics by searching the internet. I recall seeing him a couple of times at Luton circa 1966-67 usually bringing in a DC4 of one description or another however this photo is from earlier in that decade.

[mustbeaboeing]

And presumably that is another Caribou right at the bottom left of the photograph,
with a De Haviland Rapide 'type' also sharing space on the apron

[bean]

OUAQUKGF Ops

Agreed. It is a Rhodesian Air Services DC-4

Air-Britain : Douglas C-54A Skymaster (http://www.abpic.co.uk/popup.php?q=1089225)

[oxenos]

A urea hopper. How disappointing. For years I told new co-pilots at was the remains of Luton's failed moon shot attempt.

[SpringHeeledJack]

You should have told them it was this heap of rubbish (Urea heap) that this https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uriah_Heep_(band) rock group got it's name :)




SHJ

[LTNman]

1968

I wonder why the terminal and road where not built parallel to the apron?

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c275/ksmithltn/Lutonsept1968_zps443f5c83.jpg (http://s29.photobucket.com/user/ksmithltn/media/Lutonsept1968_zps443f5c83.jpg.html)

[vintage ATCO]

The apron was curved anyway and out of shot at the bottom was the 18/36 grass runway, at least the terminal building was parallel to that! I suspect it was the flow of the road system in from the then Airport Approach Road that determined the layout. This was designed by Council engineers!

[T-21]

The Dak is G-APPO outside the McAlpine hangar. The grass was eventually concreted over.

[LTNman]

McAlpine still had a single hangar rather than the double hangar it has today. Also it looks like the north west corner (to the right of the hangar) is still under construction. No stands 16-17 either.

[LTNman]

The yet to be built second McAlpine hangar but what are the aircraft types seen in the photo?

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c275/ksmithltn/McAlpines_zpsb185e49d.jpg (http://s29.photobucket.com/user/ksmithltn/media/McAlpines_zpsb185e49d.jpg.html)

[SpringHeeledJack]

A Jetstream, an Aztec, A 707 and a Brittania way in the background, perhaps a Mooney and the two tailed beast behind the fuelling trucks some kind of post WW2 British passenger steed whose name escapes me ?


SHJ

[T-21]

Ahh ! but look closer there are the twin rudders of B-25 N7614C parked behind the fuel trucks. This is now hanging from the American War Museum at Duxford.

[dc9-32]

That's a B720B in the background......

[oncemorealoft]

The two tails, I think, belong to a Scotish Aviation Twin Pioneer.

Darn it! Noyade has me beat (see below). I never even considered that - well done sir!

[Noyade]

I hope this is no more than 850 pixels....

http://i58.tinypic.com/5yavcn.jpg

[T-21]

Lovely photo thanks for posting. Arrived Luton 12.7.70 to Dublin 7.7.73. Jeff Hawke machine.

[Level bust]

Having enlarged the picture, is that not a Sagiitair Argosy on Stand 17. There is also A PA39 twin Comanche on the same stand as well, which could be GAZBW, which I flew in once as the owner had dealings with my Dad when he worked for Court Line. The owner was in the cold meat business!

And wasn't the Mitchell used as the camera ship for the Battle of Britain film?

[Simtech]

There's also a PA-31 Navajo and an HS-125.

[LTNman]

Having enlarged the picture, is that not a Sagiitair Argosy

Yes it is, very well spotted!

[treadigraph]

The Mitchell isn't the Battle of Britain "Psychedelic Monster" which returned to the USA, but it was also owned by Jeff Hawke and is now on display at Duxford.

[Offchocks]

Cessna 310 behind the Jetstream?

[oldandbald]

I am sure the Cessna 310 behind the Jetstream is G-ASVV private owner previously had Apache G-ASDI

[treadigraph]

Love threads like this, times when proper aeroplanes abounded! :ok:

[LTNman]

This is an airline that I almost forgot about. Can't remember seeing it at Luton that often either. This is one of the better photos of one of their Argosy's seen at Tempelhof. Didn't the Argosy have the same engines as the Viscount? I seem to remember that the aircraft used to scream like a Viscount.

Photos: Armstrong Whitworth AW-650 Argosy 102 Aircraft Pictures | Airliners.net (http://www.airliners.net/photo/Sagittair/Armstrong-Whitworth-AW-650/1283081/L/&sid=78d0818bbdc23e3995934c7adf7dee31)

[treadigraph]

Yep, four Darts. The wing was based on the Shackleton I think.

[vintage ATCO]

This is the BoB B-25 taken in 1968 (Kodachrome 25 slide scanned)

http://www.pprune.org/<a href=http://s38.photobucket.com/user/stevelevien/media/BoB%20Film/slide011.jpg.html target=_blank>[IMG]http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e123/stevelevien/BoB%20Film/slide011.jpghttp://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e123/stevelevien/BoB%20Film/slide011.jpg (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/stevelevien/media/BoB%20Film/slide011.jpg.html)

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e123/stevelevien/BoB%20Film/slide015.jpg (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/stevelevien/media/BoB%20Film/slide015.jpg.html)

I had a very small hand in the making of the film, organising the clearances for the He-2111s to fly up the Thames estuary. All done by a phone call, no paperwork! :)

[treadigraph]

I happened upon "Psychedelic Monster" N6578D when the Valiant Air Command was looking after her at Tico in Florida in 1984 - she was sharing ramp space with the one and only Bird Innovator N5907.

Looked her up and, very sadly, it seems she has fallen on hard times and is looking very neglected at Franklin, Virginia (https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=franklin+virginia&ll=36.693454,-76.900444&spn=0.000701,0.001266&hnear=Franklin,+Virginia,+United+States&t=h&z=20). Hope someone can wave the "$$$$$ no object" magic wand...

[boeing_eng]

Yep, four Darts. The wing was based on the Shackleton I think.

Commonly referred to in RAF service as the "whistling ti*"!

[boeing_eng]

I think Britannia started off in a hangar built by Luton Corporation who built it to attract an airline to the airport. Around 1970 they moved into their newly built hangar 89 next to the terminal. Court Line then moved into their old hangar to maintain the Tristar's.

At some point while keeping hangar 89, which was too small for the 757 and 767, they moved back into hangar 65 which was rebuilt.

Years later Easyjet moved into hangar 89 leaving leaving Britannia with just hangar 65.

Britannia built H89 around 1969 when the 737 entered the fleet. 757's did fit easily inside (at an angle) and it was common to see two undergoing maintenance at any one time. Cut-outs in a section of doors were made to accommodate the 767 with the tail outside but they rarely were seen in that hangar. The exiting of H89 had nothing to do with the withdrawal of the 737's in 1993. It was part of a cost-cutting exercise around 10 years later (although the lease was almost-up and the airport were keen to get rid of the EZY tent on the East apron!)

The original single bay H61 was built around 1983 prior to the 767 entering service in 1984. It was extended to the current two bay hangar in the early 1990's by demolishing the old Court Line hangar.

[LTNman]

One from the scrap book.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c275/ksmithltn/Photo0005_zpsb0dad32b.jpg (http://s29.photobucket.com/user/ksmithltn/media/Photo0005_zpsb0dad32b.jpg.html)

[SpringHeeledJack]

Amazing how close the aircraft used to get to that fence. The smell and sound of the DC8 are alive from that photo :ok: No doubt a 'Sangria Special' down to the Costa del Sol ?


SHJ

[SpringHeeledJack]

A video for the sounds, between 1.00 until 3.30 to save watching the whole thing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-K_m5YKP-SI


SHJ

[LTNman]

The fence was so low that if you kicked a football onto the grass from the spectators area you went and got it.

[22/04]

I think The Iberia DC8s were regulars on an Aviaco flight but if not would almost certainly have been a Easter w/e/ flight. Either way Aviaco flight number I suspect.

[boeing_eng]

A seasonal pic from a few years back!.....

http://s7.postimg.org/jse6mop7f/tz_adl.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

[LTNman]

From Tanzania if my memory serves be correctly. Thought it had a giraffe painted on the aircraft though.

[EGGW]

Air Mali, became G-BMMZ for Britannia. Operated for 5 years by them. Scrapped in Toulouse 2004 :ok:

EGGW

[boeing_eng]

TZ-ADL photographed early in 1986.

The aircraft was ferried from Mali to LTN gear down all the way!:eek:

[staircase]

Gear down all the way – blimey!

I once had to ferry a Dan 1-11 from Toulouse to LGW with the gear down. Tech log entry cleared for one flight only no pax.

I FILLED it up with fuel (5oo series ) and set off. It was soon obvious that the burn was not conforming to the ops manual burn with gear down.

The upshot was that I arrived at LGW on fumes, and a very tight bit of me, in a place best not mentioned. It would be interesting to know how much that 737 burned on the ferry mentioned above.

[G-AZUK]

Air Tanzania 732 was 5H-MRK which hid in the Britannia Hangar for a few weeks around 1986.

[boeing_eng]

Ah....5H-MRK (another one I remember well!) Both the Air Tanzania 737-200's had heavy checks at LTN that year. There were no fancy stick-on graphics in those days...(an artist came in and painted the Giraffe's freehand!):D

Here it is after being washed prior to starting the check......I've got a lot of LTN pics going back this far (must get them sorted and scanned sometime!)

http://s23.postimg.org/slf2vov17/5h_mrk.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

[LTNman]

ahhh that's the one I remember, thought I was suffering from memory loss!

[LTNman]

Something a tad larger in the days before the pier.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c275/ksmithltn/P1210026_zps4df67ba1.jpg (http://s29.photobucket.com/user/ksmithltn/media/P1210026_zps4df67ba1.jpg.html)

[Vampiredave]

Are their any images of the Jet Provosts built at Luton - especially the T Mk.1s?

[LTNman]

Also look at post 69 page 4
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c275/ksmithltn/11August20092_zpsecc69215.jpg (http://s29.photobucket.com/user/ksmithltn/media/11August20092_zpsecc69215.jpg.html)

[mpenage]

Personally involved in changing every Indicating (Korry) Light, every Flight deck light plate & Decals on acceptance check, All were in French, must have cost a fortune. Remember The strange wildlife we found all over the aircraft, Quite a large display by the end of the check!!

[Haraka]

I remember seeing the first six or so Jet Provost Mk.1 variants in formation overhead for a photo sortie c.1956.....
Then, a couple of years later, Barry (?) Radley (CTP) coming in low and fast over our house in Stopsley and pulling up in to a loop. Didn't realise at the time that Haraka Snr. was in the RHS.
Radley subsequently retired to S.A.(Cape town) I believe, anybody perchance know any more?

[Vampiredave]

Barry Radley:

thetartanterror.********.com/2011/11/barry-radley-1923-dec.html

I hope that this works?

[Haraka]

Vampiredave.
Many thanks indeed!
Got it , and also noted many other names on that site to follow up.
Sad to see that he had passed away 10 years before my arrival in S.A.
Compliments of the season,
Haraka

[Vampiredave]

Haraka:

You are welcome.

It would be good to see more references to the Jet Provost because of Luton's association with Hunting Percival?

Season's greetings to you, also.

DW

[LTNman]

Another Luton line up

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c275/ksmithltn/De_Havilland_Mosquito_IV_ExCC_zpsd5d9809b.jpg (http://s29.photobucket.com/user/ksmithltn/media/De_Havilland_Mosquito_IV_ExCC_zpsd5d9809b.jpg.html)

[Haraka]

Lovely story about Edgar Percival ( and there are many!)
Apparently he was so incensed about the silly rules regarding suppliers of "authorised components" that he basically ignored some of them ,locally purchasing many aeronautical latches and catches from 'Gibbs and Dandy' in Luton.

[LTNman]

Seen at Luton but what is the aircraft?

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c275/ksmithltn/GetImageopen_zps8901b6a7.jpg (http://s29.photobucket.com/user/ksmithltn/media/GetImageopen_zps8901b6a7.jpg.html)

[treadigraph]

de Havilland Albatross?

[Allan Lupton]

Yes I agree it's an Albatross.
I feel I should be able to put some names to the people but can't for the moment.

[LTNman]

I believe the photo was taken on 16th July 1938 when the airfield was officially opened.

I have looked up the de Havilland Albatross and I would say it is definitely that aircraft.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Q_zNrj0GpM

[DaveReidUK]

Nice movie of the opening day, including a take-off and flypast by that Albatross (the prototype) and the Short Mercury separating from the Maia:

East Anglian Film Archive: Luton Airport, 1938 (http://www.eafa.org.uk/catalogue/6527)

[LTNman]

Nearly 77 years ago, wow. Pity there was no sound with that EAFA clip.

[creweite]

In 1955 I made my qualifying cross country flight for the PPL, from White Waltham to Cambridge, with the require intermediate stop at Luton. Back then is was just a large grass airfield with a tower that looked like a lighthouse. What a difference in the later photographs in this thread! And how nostalgic is the post of the opening day video!


Edgar Percival came up with some fine aircraft. I once flew with a friend in his Proctor, and enjoyed it very much. I also remember the prototype Prospector being demonstrated by the late Harold Best Devereaux, who flew it into White Waltham.

[LTNman]

Another Luton mystery I hope someone can solve. What is the aircraft in the distance?

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c275/ksmithltn/GetImage12_zps056c0f3a.jpg (http://s29.photobucket.com/user/ksmithltn/media/GetImage12_zps056c0f3a.jpg.html)

[Level bust]

A Warwick? a development of the Wellington.

[LTNman]

mmm don't think so. The photo shows the engine exhaust in the middle of the engine while the photos I have just looked up show the exhaust of the Warwick coming out of the bottom of the engine.

[oxenos]

Judging by the shape of the tailfin, the nose and the under-fuselage pannier, it is almost certainly a Warwick Mk. 3. Napiers had a Flight Development set up at Luton, so my money is on a Warwick being used as a flying test bed, which would explain the engine looking "wrong".

[treadigraph]

Looks like it's a Warwick C3 with Napier Sabres.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ww2images/6903545381/

(oxenos wins by a short head! :p)

[oxenos]

Can't see that,treadigraph - haven't got flikr.
Found this though,
hawker tempest | blackburn firebrand | 1945 | 2284 | Flight Archive (http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1945/1945%20-%202284.html)

C3 with Sabre mk VI

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Super photograph - Cold Miserable Luton Airport Day - New Year's Resolution Gone for a Burton - Warming up with a fag or two and a game of Pocket Billiards!

[Stan Woolley]

Thanks for all the pictures.

I started my jet career from Ltn in 1989 taking off in the jump seat to do my training for Britannia in the 737-200 at Shannon. I got my first command with Easyjet in 1997 and flew into Ltn from Kerry with Ryanair on what turned out to be my last flight before I had a major stroke in 2011.

The only flight I did which might have got the spotters somewhat excited was bringing Arsenal back from Munich in a Excel 767-300 in 2004, we arrived quite late straight after the match.

I should have stuck with Britannia, they were a good company in those days, but even then I remember the old boys saying "This isn't the company it was when I joined" HaHa. 'Twas ever thus ?

[LTNman]

I have this photo dated as May 30th 2005 but I think I took this in 1999 and was taken just after the tower was built.

The photo shows no Harrods FBO and no extension to the staff car park and a security gate that is located 75m away from the present one.

Most interesting is the terminal that was built for domestic use yet never saw a single passenger. In this photo it carries a sign that it is an Executive Terminal but again I don't think it ever saw a single passengers nor was it linked to a FBO.

Later on Easyjet moved in, painted it orange and eventually took over the spectators building that is just out of shot to the right of the glass fronted entrance.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c275/ksmithltn/Tower3_zps1eca177b.jpg (http://s29.photobucket.com/user/ksmithltn/media/Tower3_zps1eca177b.jpg.html)

[Stan Woolley]

LTNman

Quite an an interesting mix of types on the ramp in that picture.

Waiting at A1 one morning we watched a DHL727 smash into the runway and bounce only to hover about 10feet off eating up runway before bouncing once more before finally 'landing' and ....... He must have made it because he was backtracking when we turned around to take off ! Probably line training at the end of a long night ?

I felt sympathy for him having once landed a KingAir in fog at Copenhagen having decided I was too tired to go around if it was below minima, rather land near the runway,controlled, being better than inverted at high speed. Luckily I saw the lights before minima ,I'm sure all the guys who flew single crew night freight have similar stories?

[LTNman]

I seem to remember that the IL-76 was on some sort of oil spillage contract and spent maybe a year at Luton.

[LTNman]

Some sort of event at Luton. Note sure when it was taken but Napier is written over the far hangar. Also their Lincoln seems to be in the photo.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c275/ksmithltn/GetImage3_zpsbbbe9b26.jpg (http://s29.photobucket.com/user/ksmithltn/media/GetImage3_zpsbbbe9b26.jpg.html)

[compton3bravo]

Nice Balkan Tu-154 on the South apron - probably on a footie charter? The IL-76 was always on call regarding oil spills. Air Foyle I think looked after the crew and flight planning etc.

[LTNman]

There was often a Hercules also parked up at the same time for I believe the same reason.

Also that south apron is going to be made wider under the redevelopment plans.

[oftenflylo]

BKS Freighter posed - loading cars for Belfast. You would not have two cars that close on normal loading.

[Level bust]

Is that the National Coal Boards Dove in the foreground, GARUM, which was certainly based at Luton in the late 60s. Unfortunately can't quite make out the registration.

[LTNman]

I would love to know what the event was. A stage has been set together with public address speakers. My guess is that the photo was taken maybe around 1962.

[sycamore]

Looks like an Aero Commander on left,Comanche..?,Jet Provost, then Piston Provost,plus either H126 Jumping jet ,or a couple of early (long legs) J-Ps behind the `Frightener`...?

[Stan Woolley]

I agree that it is an Aero Commander, but don't you think it looks like an Islander in that pic ?

I don't think Islanders were around in 1962.

[oftenflylo]

Might it be the opening of concrete runway?

[LTNman]

Might well be as the crowd isn't that big so maybe it was invited guests only.

[Haraka]

This page may be of interest:


Luton Airport took off when concrete replaced grass runway - Luton Today (http://www.lutontoday.co.uk/news/nostalgia/luton-airport-took-off-when-concrete-replaced-grass-runway-1-5730018)

[LTNman]

oftenflylo was spot on and I was just 2 years out with the age of the photo.:ok:

Got to say though that I would never have thought about the runway.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c275/ksmithltn/GetImage2_zps97d168a3.jpg (http://s29.photobucket.com/user/ksmithltn/media/GetImage2_zps97d168a3.jpg.html)

[oftenflylo]

Well, I was working in ATC the winter of 1962-63 when the Luton runway was snow free but it had all slid down the sloping taxiway and aircraft were unable to reach the apron. Gave a few movements to other airports (we were grateful).

[mustbeaboeing]

So, was the 'new' concrete runway placed on top of an existing grass runway?

I was aware of the shorter 06/24 and. 18/36 grass runways
(Note the designators may have been different early 1960's)

[LTNman]

No idea but in the late 60's the airport looked like this.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c275/ksmithltn/layout_zps9c53d16d.jpg (http://s29.photobucket.com/user/ksmithltn/media/layout_zps9c53d16d.jpg.html)

[oftenflylo]

I think initially the concrete was shorter & 'maybe' only one taxiway to the apron - another oldie might be wiser

[LTNman]

That's right. The runway started off being 5,432 feet in length and was extended twice. Initially it had just one taxiway as per the photo with the present turn off marking what was the end of the runway.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c275/ksmithltn/Aerialphoto1960_zps2af01557.jpg (http://s29.photobucket.com/user/ksmithltn/media/Aerialphoto1960_zps2af01557.jpg.html)

[ZeBedie]

The farmhouse just to the north of the tower - what was it used for and when was it demolished?

[LTNman]

The farmhouse started off life as Eaton Green Farm together with the farm buildings seen to the left of the farmhouse. In 1937 it become the home of the aerodromes first manager who was called Mr H.T Rushton. I assume it became the airport admin building at some point.

The building was still there in 1969 but gone in this 1972 photo as the Britannia ops building can be seen behind the tail of the Monarch. So were these the last 2 Constellations ever to visit Luton?

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c275/ksmithltn/2CatairConstellations1972_zpseb5f634a.jpg (http://s29.photobucket.com/user/ksmithltn/media/2CatairConstellations1972_zpseb5f634a.jpg.html)

[oftenflylo]

Memory not so bad - that taxiway was where all the snow slid down hill trapping the Euravia L149s on the apron and leaving Autair Vikings & DC3 with nowhere to go if they had landed.

[vintage ATCO]

When the 'new' terminal was built, mid 60s, the farmhouse became the Luton Flying Club bar and run by Fred and Moira Pinchin. It was conveniently just a few paces from the tower where we could conveniently sink a pint or six following an afternoon shift. Had to be back at 08:00 the following morning.

I don't believe the hard runway followed an existing grass runway and I believe it even extended the airfield boundary. ISTR there were two 06/24 rwys, the second in front of the tower, 18/36 and one something like 15/33 although in the early days the whole area was 'a landing ground'.

[22/04]

So what is the date of the photo- LTN man?

I remember a Catair Constellation (F-BGNI?) at Luton 28/2/71 but that was parked on the "ponda rosa" (I know some don't like that name (IIRC)). The then Four Nations Cup. Don't remember them on the stand 11/12 area.

That weekend was particularly memorable as we were graced by a visiting Channel Comet and G-AYSI was delivered ( in World Airways colour to Britannia again IIRC).

BTW when was the stand 16/17 area laid down - I can't remember - 1969?

[LTNman]

I have the photo dated as 1972

So, was the 'new' concrete runway placed on top of an existing grass runway?

I have just read my 75 year anniversary book about the airport where it states that 2 additional pieces of land had to be bought before the concrete runway could be built so I would say that it did not sit over the top of a grass runway.

[Fokkerwokker]

ISTR Fred's bar closed promptly at 2230 and the side hatch opened at 2231........ Promptly!!

Happy daze

FW

:}

[Halcyon Days]

LTNman- Permission to use my original photo or a credit would be appreciated.?

They were the last connies I recall seeing there-they were in for rugby charters alongside a Trans Union DC-6 and some Europe air service Heralds I think?

[LTNman]

I have seen many photos of the old farmhouse where it is lurking in the distant background or in an aerial shot but I never seen a proper photo of the exterior of the building so I wonder if one exists.

The photo below is of the flying club but not sure if this is the farmhouse or the prefab that replaced it. Looking at the ceiling it looks like the prefab but the people in the photo seem to be from an earlier time.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c275/ksmithltn/bar_zps46e04c85.jpg (http://s29.photobucket.com/user/ksmithltn/media/bar_zps46e04c85.jpg.html)

[LTNman]

LTNman- Permission to use my original photo or a credit would be appreciated.?

I am always careful what I put here and ask permission if I know where the photo comes from. In your case I had no idea it was yours or where I got it from. If you wish I will remove it but I am more than happy to thank Halcyon Days for taking this historic photo.

[Halcyon Days]

No I wouldnt want it removed but when ownership isnt known-a comment to that effect should be made. (ie Origin of photo unknown/thanks to unknown photographer etc?).
For info I dont recall the exact date but think it was probably 1970 or 71.
I was working for Courtline and in those days we handled the majority of diversions and extra flights etc. (No Servisair/Menzies etc then).
There were three of them in-one on the "pond" and the other two outside the Monarch hangar. I have some poor photos of the Trans Union DC-6 and one of the European Heralds. They were the last Connies I saw at Luton anyway.

[vintage ATCO]

LTNman

It is a photo of neither, nor the farm buildings that were used alongside the control tower early 60s.

[LTNman]

This picture has appeared on PPrune before but not on this thread. It was one of those pack them in days football charters. Photo taken from a rather empty spectators area.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c275/ksmithltn/Southstands_zpsb4f24608.jpg (http://s29.photobucket.com/user/ksmithltn/media/Southstands_zpsb4f24608.jpg.html)

[compton3bravo]

The picture was taken in the late afternoon of Wednesday 20 May 1992 the day of the European Cup Final at Wembley between Barcelona and Sampdoria of Italy. Most of the Sampdoria supporters flew into Luton while Barcelona supporters mainly used Stansted. The cargo area was used as a large coach holding park.

[SpringHeeledJack]

From that perspective, you'd hardly think that any aircraft could get by on the taxiway without clipping it's wings on the parked aircraft :ouch: Seeing those Sterling aircraft reminds me of days of yore at Stansted when the weekly 'invasion' of Scandi-airlines took place on a sunday night.


SHJ

[Simtech]

I think you're confusing the south stands access road with the taxiway which is not visible in the photo - it's off to the right behind the TEA aircraft.

[thegypsy]

Fokkerwokker

Memories coming back of Fred's bar and the cubby hole opening as you say promptly at 2231.

Was full of Court Line, Monarch and some Britannia guys and gals. Full of smoke of course in those days.

I remember them moving across the road too. Both places were good pick up places for young single dashing good looking pilots like me then:{

I loved some of the comments written on the wall in the Gents;)

[Fokkerwokker]

Both places were good pick up places for young single dashing good looking pilots like me then

Ah yes <sob>

My Court Line hostie flat mate's black Lab was a babe magnet in Fred's bar. I used to get a terrible blocking, from said flat mate, for keeping the dog out all night after said dog got me into mischief. :}

[Halcyon Days]

Met my nearest and dearest in there -a Court Line hostie.

[LTNman]

Look at the height of that fence!

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c275/ksmithltn/LT1_zpsul73tp9o.jpg (http://s29.photobucket.com/user/ksmithltn/media/LT1_zpsul73tp9o.jpg.html)

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c275/ksmithltn/LT2_zpsmom8aocw.jpg (http://s29.photobucket.com/user/ksmithltn/media/LT2_zpsmom8aocw.jpg.html)

[Luton Anorak]

Ahhh - the beloved spectators area - spent many a happy hour parked up against that fence in my Mk.1 Cortina :)

[ATNotts]

Ahhh - the beloved spectators area - spent many a happy hour parked up against that fence in my Mk.1 Cortina

And what a fine array of British manufactured cars - Morris 1000, Ford Capri, Hilman Imp, Vauxhall Viva, possibly a Triumph 2000.

DC7 isn't bad either!!!

[JW411]

I do believe that the second one is a DC-4.

[Luton Anorak]

It is indeed - first picture is EI-AWG Douglas DC-7C and the second is EI-ARS
Douglas C-54E (DC-4) - pure nostalgia!

[10 DME ARC]

And a quick google finds EI-AWG DC-7CF was wrote off at LTN in 1974 after over running the runway after the crew could not select reverse! Interesting read.

[Airbanda]

The C54, which was named City of Galway, was much used for carriage of racehorses. Was a regular at Leeds from 75 onwards, its visits coinciding with racing at Doncaster, Wetherby and particularly the Ebor meet at York.

Last saw it there in Autumn of either 76 or 77 when it had veered off onto the grass after landing on 33. Believe it was flown out to LUT with gear down and repaired but I've no record of it visiting in later years.

Believe it ended up as a 'gate guardian' to former USAF base in Germany wearing a Berlin airlift era 'uniform'.

[SpringHeeledJack]

Those photos reek of nostalgia. :ok:Was the cafe/snack bar to the right of the photo ?


SHJ

[staircase]

Triumph 'Toledo' - not one of their beat sellers, and certainly not in Luton given the role of Vauxhall in the town.

[spekesoftly]

Triumph 'Toledo' I think it's the earlier Triumph 1300 as suggested by Jenkins. Some clues in the position of the Triumph badge on the right of the rear panel, and the rear bumper overriders. Not mentioned so far is what I think is a Mk1 Ford Escort.

Oh, and the aircraft photos are brilliant! ;)

[LTNman]

Is that soot or leaking oil on that DC7 engine?

[Airbanda]

I think it's the earlier Triumph 1300 as suggested by Jenkins. Some clues in the position of the Triumph badge on the right of the rear panel, and the rear bumper overriders.

I think it's a 1300 too. The registration isn't all that legible but the suffix looks like E which would be Jan to July 1967. The F registration began on 01 Aug 1967 marking a change to UK's registration year which thereafter ran Aug to July.

The 1300 was introduced in 1966 and succeeded by the similar Toledo in 1970. It had a revised nose/headlights but was superficially similar to the 1300 at rear. In a major step back the Toledo reverted to rear wheel drive as per the Herald - the 1300 was FWD.

[WHBM]

Is that soot or leaking oil on that DC7 engine?
Knowing Wright Turbo-Compounds, probably both. I believe each engine had a 56-gallon lubricating oil tank, and after a long-haul flight that was mostly gone. There were lubricating oil bowsers !

[JW411]

Which is why they were called petrol-cooled oil-burners.

[LTNman]

Was the cafe/snack bar to the right of the photo ?

If that Morris Minor reversed out of the space and kept going I would say it would have come close to touching the corner of the spectators building.

[vintage ATCO]

And a quick google finds EI-AWG DC-7CF was wrote off at LTN in 1974 after over running the runway after the crew could not select reverse!

Yes, landed on rwy 08 and the crew selected reverse and opened the throttles . . . . only for the aeroplane to start accelerating. Allegedly, as it went off the end, one of the crew was heard to say "Which end is Vauxhalllllllllls!?" No horses on board fortunately but grooms plus someone who had hitched a ride were up the back playing cards. They all legged it but then the 'passenger' returned to pick up his winnings.

No injuries, fortunately, unlike the Jet Star, but it was after both the CAA insisted on Runway End Safety Areas being installed.

[compton3bravo]

Two things I had heard about the DC-7 incident - firstly the Captain had pushed his seat back and when trying to reach the brake pedals when the aircraft started to accelerate he was too far back to do anything and secondly an Aer Turas crew member hitching a ride broke an arm while standing up in the back of the cockpit when landing! How true I don´t know but it was 41 years ago but still remember it was a very windy March Saturday night. Wasn´t the aircraft delivering the Irish Sunday papers which Aer Turas had a contract?

[LTNman]

DC7 crash report Air Accidents Investigation: 12/1975 E1-AWG (http://www.aaib.gov.uk/sites/aaib/publications/formal_reports/12_1975__e1_awg.cfm)

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c275/ksmithltn/EI-AWGbMarch1974AlanSills_zpscpraxawl.jpg (http://s29.photobucket.com/user/ksmithltn/media/EI-AWGbMarch1974AlanSills_zpscpraxawl.jpg.html)
Origin of photo unknown

[vintage ATCO]

It was an empty leg of a horse flight, there were grooms on board. It might well have been carrying newspapers. Fortunately it was my night off!

[10 DME ARC]

The accident report says it was loaded with news papers and equipment for the horse trip back. Interesting report like you said the throttles were cycled back to positive thrust twice to try to engage reverse. The aircraft left the top of the slope airborne it was still going that fast!
Takes me back during my training in the early 80's I used to have access to all of the UK AIB accident reports, must have missed this one!:)

[LTNman]

The appendix which is also in that link shows that the aircraft was doing close to 60 knots when it sailed off the end of the runway. The aircraft started bursting tyres 753m from the end of the runway with the last one bursting 500m from the end.

[norwich]

Interesting photo LTMman ! So glad to see it didn't take out that approach lighting column ! assembled and installed with my help many years ago, can I assume that is a centre line light ?? as the aircraft came to rest 90Mtrs (270ft) from the paved end of the runway and I think the 1000ft marker bar is the other side of the lane running through the approach ???? memory is not what it used to be !!


Keith.

[LTNman]

Year anyone?

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c275/ksmithltn/10688201_477333689073366_4244273422710492287_o_zpsfrk2s1wc.j pg (http://s29.photobucket.com/user/ksmithltn/media/10688201_477333689073366_4244273422710492287_o_zpsfrk2s1wc.j pg.html)
Origin of photo unknown

[Level bust]

1972? certainly no later than 1974 as both Donaldson and Court Line went bust that year.

[Luton Anorak]

Can't quite make out the name on the nose, it looks a bit like "Nike II" which would make it G-AZWA - delivered to Donaldson from Luton 22/06/1971 - so could be from that date until their demise in 1974, as Monarch (AEL) carried out their maintenance at Luton.

[PAXboy]

Amazing to notice how narrow the engine nacelles are! What particular type is this?

[Airbanda]

Amazing to notice how narrow the engine nacelles are! What particular type is this?

Boeing 707-320 series. The engines are Pratt & Whitney JT4A turbojets. The version was quickly superceded by the 320B which had first generation turbofans - P&W JT3D. Some 320 series aircraft were re-engined with the later type but others found there way to second-hand market and carriers such as Donaldson.

[Pain in the R's]

Interesting and diverse thread. There are not many single threads here that cover aircraft from Mew Gulls to Boeing 747's :ok:

[WHBM]

Boeing 707-320 series. The engines are Pratt & Whitney JT4A turbojets. The version was quickly superceded by the 320B which had first generation turbofans - P&W JT3D. Some 320 series aircraft were re-engined with the later type but others found there way to second-hand market and carriers such as Donaldson.
As I understand it, none of the 707-320 aircraft were converted to fan engines, as that was not technically possible, I seem to recall airframe as well as engine considerations. The slightly smaller 707-120, and the smaller again 720 did have conversions made available by Boeing, which a number of operators took - American Airlines had a large fleet of both these early models, and converted the lot. Those of the Monarch fleet at Luton that came from American included these.

[compton3bravo]

I would go for 1971 personally. There was a Donaldson 707 on the pond when I arrived back from Valencia in a Monarch Brit in April 1971. What a nice line-up of three Court Line Minis and a Monarch crew bus!!

[LTNman]

Looks like there are 3 flag poles in front of the 707. Can't see why the airport would want to put flag poles there in that isolated position.

[Airbanda]

As I understand it, none of the 707-320 aircraft were converted to fan engines, as that was not technically possible, I seem to recall airframe as well as engine considerations.

You are quite right, only the 120 series and Boeing 720 short range machines were re-engined.

Memory playing tricks on me.

[22/04]

How tatty those apron vans look- any airline would be terrified of reputational damage with anything like that today.

So G-INFO has the aircraft registered as 1972, de-registered 1974. I'll have to go for 1972 though there is nothing to say it wasn't '73. In for maintenance or painting with AEL?

Splitting hairs but of course Monarch's first 720Bs (051Bs)were ex Northwest. They then operated an leased Maersk example of similar origin (G-BHGE). They eventually inherited the two ex American 023Bs (BCBA/B) operated by Invicta and Somali respectively.

They did operate two ex American 707 (123Bs) G-BFMI and G-BGCT.

Enjoying this thread- when will we exhaust our memories?

[Antek]

Maybe it's an urban myth, but I've always been led to believe that (some of?) MON's 720s were actually older than their Britannias...

[ericlday]

Remember well travelling from Luton to St Lucia on B720B. Outbound via Gander and return via Santa Maria in the Azores.
Was a great time for the crew as they enjoyed a weeks stay over in St Lucia.

[Level bust]

The 720s also occasionally come back from St Lucia direct, usually ending up coming off BNN screaming for a straight in on 08 because they were short of fuel!

[compton3bravo]

Monarch used the B720s on a contract in the 1970s I think with Cable & Wireless to fly three to four times a year from Luton to Ascension Island in the South Atlantic carrying said staff from and to Ascension. The aircraft if I remember flew via Santa Maria in the Azores for fuel and probably a flight deck crew change.

[Heathrow Harry]

anyone remember the big tents when Court introduced Tristar's..............

never realised it was the future of aviation - the tents that is

[LTNman]

How tatty those apron vans look- any airline would be terrified of reputational damage with anything like that today.

They are in better condition than the airside bus.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c275/ksmithltn/6790128234_de0b911f96_b_zps1kgb1xf1.jpg (http://s29.photobucket.com/user/ksmithltn/media/6790128234_de0b911f96_b_zps1kgb1xf1.jpg.html)

[HZ123]

I believe Donaldson went in 72/73 as a policeman for the BAA Constabulary we travelled from LHR - STN daily for a few weeks as two 707's had been put into ElAl livery when the company folded, it was considered at the time as both a/c were at risk from an attack. One was located aside of the disused STN cross runway - with the nose wheel removed. In those days the authority's were worried about the a/c being stolen and flown off. (some may recall that in 78 an ElAl crew were attacked in Central London, with a number of fatalities)

[compton3bravo]

Please keep the photos coming LTNman this is a wonderful trip back in time! Cheers C3B

[Heathrow Harry]

"Maybe it's an urban myth, but I've always been led to believe that (some of?) MON's 720s were actually older than their Britannias..."

it probably is a myth

the last Brittania was built in early 1960

the first 720 wasn't delivered until late 1960

[LTNman]

Pure guess. I would say 1967? Were their Herald's ex BEA? Seem to remember they had 3 to replace the Vikings

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c275/ksmithltn/10933903_639977446129253_4952526814274163864_n_zpsighiy6rt.j pg (http://s29.photobucket.com/user/ksmithltn/media/10933903_639977446129253_4952526814274163864_n_zpsighiy6rt.j pg.html)

Photo by Caz Caswell (Thanks Tom)

[ATNotts]

LTNman

Checked G-APWC and this airframe was certainly leased by BEA from the Ministry of Supply, and passed to Autair in 1966.

If I recall correctly, the other Autair machines were 'WA and 'WB which both came via the same route.

[Level bust]

Unfortunately I can't see the picture on my I-pad, but Autair did lease GAPWA for a short while, but the 3 they bought were WB, WC and WD.

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

LTNman - the photo of Autair's Viking and Herald was taken by Caz Caswell in March 1968. I would suggest you credit him accordingly.
Cheers Tom.

[LTNman]

Thanks for the info. Picture has been now rightfully credited.

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

LTNman's last photo of Autair's Herald and Viking G-AGRW is one of my all-time favourites. The corner of the top floor of the building (part of the hangar) behind 'RW' is where Autair Route Planning was - with Ian Barras-Smith and his team. The ops room proper was next door. Even back in those days (1967) we had a CCTV camera perched on the roof above us so that we could watch the arrivals and departures on the runway. Round about the time this photo was taken the ops department was moved down the hill behind the hangars next to the catering department. Very dark and dingy it was too and probably had rats tho' I must admit I never saw any. Incidentally the ops staff lavatories at Gulf Air Muharraq was the place to see rats but that's another tale.

Autair's two remaining Vikings spent their last years based in Templehof and operated daily to Schipol from where they freighted flowers to the Berlin Markets.

G-AHPB and G-AGRW were both retired during the Summer of 1968 and both aircraft were subsequently flown to Soesterberg in Holland.
www.vc10.net/History/vikings_of_soesterberg.html (http://www.vc10.net/History/vikings_of_soesterberg.html)

The airframe of G-AGRW still survives today having been displayed in the vistors' area of Vienna Airport before being placed on a plinth at a Macdonald's nearby and more recently being re-assembled as such, at Voslau Kottingbrunn, Austria.
www.austrian-aviation-museum.com (http://www.austrian-aviation-museum.com)

[DaveReidUK]

Unfortunately I can't see the picture on my I-pad, but Autair did lease GAPWA for a short while, but the 3 they bought were WB, WC and WD.Yes, G-APWB/C/D were the ex-BEA aircraft, used by them on the Highlands and Islands routes. They (BEA) never operated PWA, except on proving flights, although that now survives wearing BEA colours at the Woodley museum.

[LTNman]

The corner of the top floor of the building (part of the hangar) behind 'RW' is where Autair Route Planning was

As you are probably aware that hangar was knocked down just before Christmas.

[rog747]

the name was Mikado

[22/04]

March '68 was the month I started visiting LTN frequently - don't remember any Vikings only saw one in '65 on a visit with an Uncle.

The picture seems to be taken where Ambassador 'LZV languished for most of the summer of that year. Were these proper stands parallel to the hangar or just an unidentified parking area.

[Lon More]

Re London EuropeanI flew once from AMS with them. Their big selling point was cheap duty frees, undercutting the airports. The CC was still dishing these out and taking payments during the landing and all the way up to the gate. The doors remained closed for about 5 minutes on stand until they'd finished.
I worked the summer holidays (1966?) as a loader/cleaner and remember being sent with a broom to sweep the pigeon crap out of what was to become the Monarch hanger just prior to their arrival

The photo shown here is Eaton Green Road taken in the early 70's with the airport boundary to the right
Luton Corporation (IIRC) operated double deckers down there at one time. I was one of several doing my Flying Scholarship at the time and one of the instructors regularly scared the crap out of us by taking the cotrols and trying to bounce off the roof.

No idea but in the late 60's the airport looked like this.
Looks like Pooley's Flight Guide. Still have a copy somewhere.

I once got my photo on the front page of the Times. The Coal Board Dove, GARUM was hangered in the Flying Club hanger and Always had to be pushed out first and back last every evening. All done by hand. The Chairman was giving a press conference on the apron prior to flying out to the Aberfan Enquiry. There was me in the background slouching across the tarmac




Happy days

[LTNman]

I used to count the passengers off their Viscount when they first started, their loads seemed very good. They ended up will a BAC-1-11 and were taken over by Ryanair who I think wanted their license.

[Lon More]

I remember hearing of a 1960s Vauxhall Sports Day at Luton when army paras were dropped onto the field. Everybody thought somebody else had co-ordinated the drop with ATC and it ended up with a Br31 flying through the paras.

Maybe LTN man can confirm?

[Proplinerman]

"Everybody thought somebody else had co-ordinated the drop with ATC and it ended up with a Br31 flying through the paras."


I couldn't help laughing at this, but it could easily have led to a tragedy.

[vintage ATCO]

All true, I'm afraid.

I started work in June 1967 and one of my first jobs was to compile a transcript from the RT tape (none of this impounding malarkey! :) )

There had been a briefing beforehand but the RT went something like:
Luton Twr: "Do not drop, do not drop. Oh dear, I see you have."
The next call was to the MON Britannia on final (rwy 08) to which the pilot replied "It's OK, I was at Arnhem." He then weaved around the parachutists.

A couple landed outside the Vauxhall sports field, one broke an ankle. However, there was no huge witch-hunt, no Dail Mail headlines. I could name the ATCO but won't!!! :)


The pilot of the Coal Board Dove was Basil Allum. Really nice bloke.

[treadigraph]

"Do not drop, do not drop. Oh dear, I see you have."

Priceless!

[22/04]

I stand to be corrected but wasn't '67 a bit early for a MON Britannia - thought they started April 68. Britannia A/W? BKS? RAF?

[vintage ATCO]

Hmmm, yes, you're right. I remember the first MON (or OM in those days :)) Brit and it was 1968. Must have been Britannia I guess.

Memory is not what it was :confused:

[compton3bravo]

Maybe I can jog your memory vintage ATCO, Monarch commenced commercial operations on 5 April 1958 with a flight from Luton to Madrid using Britannia G-AOVI. The other Brit in the fleet was registered G-AOVH both ex Caledonian. As most people know the airline was set up by two ex-British Eagle directors Messrs Hodgson and Peacock with the backing of the Globus (Cosmos) Group.
The Britannia you are quering could have been a British Eagle machine but my money for what it is worth is on Britannia Airways. Cheers.

[Offchocks]

Sorry compton but perhaps a slight typo, I'm sure you meant 5 April 1968.

[22/04]

That's cleared that up then- don't remember the event as '68 was the first year I was "allowed" to cycle to the airport- well went and told the parents I had afterwards.

[compton3bravo]

Yes, of course it was 1968, many thanks for that, should have known better!

[Proplinerman]

"It's OK, I was at Arnhem."


Again, priceless!

[22/04]

While we have lots of people's attention does anyone remember the folded cards the airport made up each weekend for enthusiasts around 1968, with the full list of flights and sometimes even pax number. I am sure I had some of these until I didn't get hold of them when I spit up with ex Mrs. 22/04, but am beginning to wonder if my memory is playing tricks.

Does Vintage ATCO remember who made them up? Does anyone still have any of them? I don't remember them after '68, when we all moved from the grass car park where hanger #89 stands now to the new spectators area.

[vintage ATCO]

I don't remember them at all :)

[LTNman]

That's too long ago for me but in the 80's if you knew where to look you could steal the weekly lists that were left on the agent desks.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c275/ksmithltn/IMG_zps0fj8iqxf.jpg (http://s29.photobucket.com/user/ksmithltn/media/IMG_zps0fj8iqxf.jpg.html)

[dc9-32]

ahhh the OM500 was a regular bus ride for me to TFS for my 4 days off :)

[compton3bravo]

Yes, I remember the cards that were printed in 1968ish, I think I have a few somewhere stacked away. Yes you are right, they sometimes included the number of pax carried. Also the printed sheets - I have them from the late 1960s to the mid-1990s. I would send stamped addressed envelopes to the airport and they posted them back usually on a Thursday for the following weeks movements. More often or not the Dan-Air movements and aircraft being handled by them were printed on a separate sheet. Makes interesting reading looking back on them now and again although my partner says I must get out more!:):)

[wallp]

I remember Luton in the 80's very well. So interesting to see those flight lists. I know here ones are for winter dates so there's fewer flights operating but I'd forgotten how quiet the airport could be at times during the day.

Interesting that even in winter, Britannia had a 767 at Luton.

I'd love to see some similar lists but for summer dates

[Level bust]

On certain midweek winter days in the late 70s/early 80s, there were only 4 pax flights a day. All done by the same a/c. Britannia B737 went to Belfast early morning, followed by 2 trooping flights, finishing up with the evening Belfast.

They weren't the most exciting days to work!

[LTNman]

Wasn't that service to Belfast a scheduled service and maybe Britannia's first and only?

[wallp]

Yes, it was a scheduled service - twice daily, morning and evening with a B732.

When they left the fleet, route wheat to Manx who switched it to BHD as I recall

[LTNman]

Then it went to Leeds Bradford based Capital which I think used BAE 146's??? Seem to remember they also used Short 360's but maybe not on that route.

[almost professional]

Don't remember Britania running the route, but Capital started with 360 and went on to 146, was a big deal because it was a scheduled service, something very unusual for Luton in those days, in fact I can't think of another except the east mids - Luton - Brussels a few years earlier, but then it was a long time ago!

[Level bust]

There were a few other schedules around the Capital era, (late 80s) including Virgin with a 727 to Dublin and a Viscount to Maarstricht.

[almost professional]

Ah now I remember the Maastricht, sat on stand 9, not the Dublin, but I moved on in 89 as things started moving on that front

[wallp]

Capital didn't just fly to BHD. Am pretty sure they also flew to LBA for a while too with a Shorts 360.

I think it was mid to late 80's too that IOM flights first started with a Manx Viscount.

Am I dreaming it or did KLM City Hopper fly to Amsterdam for a while?

[LTNman]

Seems that Capital also did 4 x daily to Dublin at one time Capital Airlines (UK) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capital_Airlines_%28UK%29)

[wallp]

Yes of course, I thought they had another route too but couldn't think what it was a. So, Virgin, Capital & Ryanair all operated to DUB at at the same time for a while? In the days before Ryanair switched its ops to STN, we must have had a hell of a lot of DUB flights departing each day from LTN

[Level bust]

Am I dreaming it or did KLM City Hopper fly to Amsterdam for a while?

Netherlines did, initialy with Jetstream 32s and later with SAAB 340s.

[LTNman]

I think this aircraft had seen better days.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c275/ksmithltn/HuntingPercivalP74Luton01-001_zpstxtjpuya.jpg (http://s29.photobucket.com/user/ksmithltn/media/HuntingPercivalP74Luton01-001_zpstxtjpuya.jpg.html)

Origin of photo unknown

[JW411]

I do believe that this is the prototype of the Percival P-74 hicopleeter that no one was ever brave enough to fly.

[DaveReidUK]

Reportedly, it didn't have enough installed power to lift itself off the ground.

Percival P.74 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Percival_P.74)

[vintage ATCO]

When Capital went bust they owed the airport a six figure sum. We had liens ready to nail to the masthead of any of the former BAe.146s that may have landed.

It was said, probably apocryphal, that they had a notice on the flight deck along the lines of 'Except in an absolute emergency, do not land this aeroplane at Luton!'. :)

[almost professional]

Not unusual as I recall - I remember getting Nicki Lauda to report to the briefing office to pay up, though did get his autograph

[LTNman]

A Connie meets its end on the airport dump

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c275/ksmithltn/bampw_090a_zpswvpbkkde.jpg (http://s29.photobucket.com/user/ksmithltn/media/bampw_090a_zpswvpbkkde.jpg.html)
vintage ATCO

[compton3bravo]

When Virgin operated there Dublin route besides using the Vickers Viscount they used two Boeing 727s from Club Air of Ireland. The aircraft, ex-Eastern were flown by US flight deck crews and Virgin cabin crew. They were both had rather garish colour schemes and the rumour goes when Richard Branson first saw the 727 land (the one without the turtle on the tail - it had been leased to Cayman Island Airways) at Luton while he was sat out on the balcony next to the Virgin office above what was the restaurant he is said to have muttered - Jesus Christ - and of course it became known as Jesus Christ as long as it was flying for Virgin. The cabin crew also tried to serve a full breakfast on the morning rotations but with flying time around 45 minutes they struggled somewhat!

[oxenos]

Certainly Britannia ran troopers all through my time. (80-94). Usually as a double, so 4 sectors instead of our usual out and back. Gave rise to the riddle
" What's got 4 legs and F*cks the cabin crew? A double trooper. "
They were later linked to a Belfast schedule, as level bust says, but I am sure that was not until the early 90's.
The Belfast schedules were always full, and it seemed to me that Brit missed a golden opportunity to expand on that. In 93/94 they got rid of their 737's at knockdown prices and paid a lot of money to a lot of pilots (me included) to accept redundancy.
With the ecomonies of scale they had, if they had used those pilots and aircraft to expand into lo-co schedule Ryanair would not have grown as it did, and Easyjet probably would never have started. As it was, Easy started with two ex Brit leased in 732's, and Ryanair had the 6 newest of the Britannia fleet.

[VictorGolf]

I'm a bit late in replying but I flew Luton-Belfast Harbour on Capital's Short 360 G-OLGW on 21 March 1989. I also did Luton-Amsterdam on Netherlines Jetstream 31 PH-KJB on 3rd April 1990. I hope that helps with the dates. I seem to remember the Shed came back at around FL100 which led to some ear-popping on descent.

[Lon More]

Thanks for confirming that Vintage ATCO. I wasn't sure if my memory was playing tricks. 1967 was overshadowed by the G-AVGW accident on Dec. 23 and i had my own (G-ASSO IIRC) when a piston collapsed on take off on 36. Quite a spectacular trail i was told.Thank God not alone but with Phil Jeffrey. At one time we were going to put down on the LGS playing field which might have ruined the first XI's cricket but made a wide gentle turn and landed on 18,
Wonder how many others from LGS ended up in ATC?

Martyn Cooper
Steve le Vien (sp?)
"Chum" ? On the same watch at LATCC. I used to give him a lift back to Luton often but cannot for the life of me remember his name

I often used the Virgin to Maastricht but from Gatwick. Was that before or after the Luton operation?

[LTNman]

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c275/ksmithltn/G-AMUP2_Cliff_Minney_zpsmuo4ojmk.jpg (http://s29.photobucket.com/user/ksmithltn/media/G-AMUP2_Cliff_Minney_zpsmuo4ojmk.jpg.html)
Cliff Minney

[Level bust]

I often used the Virgin to Maastricht but from Gatwick. Was that before or after the Luton operation?

If my memory serves me correctly (and there's no guarantee of that) the route started at Gatwick and then moved to Luton, but I have no idea why!

[Lon More]

but I have no idea why

freed up a slot presumeably

[LTNman]

Napier/English Electric at Luton in the 60s. So what aircraft were these parts for?

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c275/ksmithltn/10982813_10153594618559325_5896369040625664544_o_zpsdek405zj .jpg (http://s29.photobucket.com/user/ksmithltn/media/10982813_10153594618559325_5896369040625664544_o_zpsdek405zj .jpg.html)
Jane Pilbeam Creasey

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c275/ksmithltn/10960394_10153594618539325_1461590185458172452_o_zps7o2jswvi .jpg (http://s29.photobucket.com/user/ksmithltn/media/10960394_10153594618539325_1461590185458172452_o_zps7o2jswvi .jpg.html)
Jane Pilbeam Creasey

[lotus1]

Now on tv true entertainment old advengers show John stead has just boarded a herald possible ex bea great shots of Britannia Brits also a couple of dc3 parked up belive show around either67 or 68 great old entertainment

[Level bust]

The Heralds had just been delivered to Autair and yet to be re-painted.

[treadigraph]

LTNman, I'm guessing they are sub-manufacturing parts for Handley Page, those stabilisers might just be Jetstream, the spinner could be Herald.

[LTNman]

I think the photo was taken too early for the Jetstream. Also as far as I am aware most of the subcontracting was done by Scottish Aviation and Northwest Industries in Canada.

I am thinking maybe it was parts for the English Electric Canberra bomber which I think set an altitude record at Luton.