LUTON History and Nostalgia

[vintage ATCO]

6 Feb 1979 I was the Tower Controller. The BAL B737 at the old Alpha holding point helpfully said 'I say, that aeroplane has crashed!'. I think I replied 'so it has' as I pressed the crash alarm. Left MG collapsed as it was rolling down the runway. It left the paved surface and ended up on the south side. During the recovery process all the gear collapsed!

It was taken by road to Leavesden where it was subsequently repaired by Eagle Aviation.

Not my pic, probably DG.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e123/stevelevien/PPRuNe%20Pics/F-BPFN%206%20Feb%201979.jpg

[Spiney Norman]

F-FN seemed to operate for a considerable period but must have been replaced by another aircraft after the accident for at least a while. I have no idea what. Probably the longest lived cargo flight must have been EXT111 which, if memory serves, (it often doesn't), came from Maastricht? I recall it as a Swearingen, a Shorts 360, and a GAF Nomad. There must have been others? I noticed recently it still operates! But in to Birmingham these days. I was on duty the night the Swearingen ran off the side of 08 but was recovered and departed a few hours later! Also, when the Nomad went total radio failure whilst inbound and actually flew the full Barkway arrival. It was the only time I encountered a total R/T failure of an IFR aircraft in all my time as an ATCO, (fortunately).

[Level bust]

EXT111 came from Frankfurt, although occasionaly did a rotation to Brussels in between. The a/c used was a Beech 99, DIEXA and DIEXB, although one of them crashed one night on the way back to Frankfurt. One night one of the Beech's couldn't get its nosewheel down, so on the suggestion of JB (who was in the tower that night, I was on radar) was persuaded to land on 18 Grass in the dark, the end of the runway being marked by fire vehicles!

[Spiney Norman]

EXT111 came from Frankfurt, although occasionaly did a rotation to Brussels in between. The a/c used was a Beech 99, DIEXA and DIEXB, although one of them crashed one night on the way back to Frankfurt. One night one of the Beech's couldn't get its nosewheel down, so on the suggestion of JB (who was in the tower that night, I was on radar) was persuaded to land on 18 Grass in the dark, the end of the runway being marked by fire vehicles!

That's great LB! I'd forgotten the BE99 and the grass runway landing! I'd have loved to have witnessed that one. But not to have been filling the forms in afterwards!

[LTNman]

There was another parcel carrier called X something or other. Seem to remember it had a BN Trilander based at the airport.

[ATNotts]

There was another parcel carrier called X something or other. Seem to remember it had a BN Trilander based at the airport.
XP - Operated a green and yellow Trislander. Did they not start off out of Staverton, or is my memory playing tricks?

They were absorbed fairly quickly into one of the major players, think it was TNT but can't be sure. At that time the express parcels business was really in it's infancy, and evolving fast.

[Spiney Norman]

XP - Operated a green and yellow Trislander. Did they not start off out of Staverton, or is my memory playing tricks?

They were absorbed fairly quickly into one of the major players, think it was TNT but can't be sure. At that time the express parcels business was really in it's infancy, and evolving fast.

The XP parcels I remember was a Fokker F27 which I think came from Maastricht, (which I incorrectly thought was the EXT111 point of departure). It seemed to spend the day at Luton, often parked on the old stand 9 so it could taxy off. Might have been PHFKT?

[Level bust]

Partly right Spiney, the XP flight I believe started with a Trislander before upgrading to a Friendship, which departed about 2200 before returning in the early hours and then day stopping.

In those days we were busier at night than during the day, sometimes up to 60+ movements between 2200 and about 0130, comprising of small packages, Royal Mail and newspapers. Operated by all sort of companies and types, from Aztecs to Short 360s up to DC3. A lot of the Aztec and twin Cessna types were all single crew and more than happy to take crazy ATCOs around Europe in the middle of the night!

[Buster the Bear]

I remember the night that this happened VERY well!

http://i68.tinypic.com/14xjj0p.jpg

[Border Reiver]

Was not the XP Trilander part of Kondair's fleet based over in STN? Kondair later becoming part of National Airways. I did some XP work while flying the Bandit for National winter 88/89.

The F27 was run by XP themselves.

[HershamBoys]

The XPS F-27 was PH-FKT, the Trislander was G-BDOS. At one point there was also PN68 from Brussels. We also had Air Continental flashing around in B90s, and MacAlpine flying PA42s, this may have been papers going to Scotland for printing. The first half on a night duty was always busy, the second half dragged a bit.

[HershamBoys]

Forgot the Merchantman. Also, in the early 1980s, there was a company flying two FH227s doing freight operations, the name of which escapes me.

[22/04]

Might it have been Skyways (Lydd based?)

[Spiney Norman]

Partly right Spiney, the XP flight I believe started with a Trislander before upgrading to a Friendship, which departed about 2200 before returning in the early hours and then day stopping.

In those days we were busier at night than during the day, sometimes up to 60+ movements between 2200 and about 0130, comprising of small packages, Royal Mail and newspapers. Operated by all sort of companies and types, from Aztecs to Short 360s up to DC3. A lot of the Aztec and twin Cessna types were all single crew and more than happy to take crazy ATCOs around Europe in the middle of the night!

Lb. I certainly remember those nights! The most dificult part was getting time on the R/T to read out the Wobun clearances. One in the tower and one on Approach. I do remember a short lived DC3 joining in the fun, Air Luton or Luton Airlines or similar? It had an engine failure shortly after departure and returned unable to maintain altitude on to 08! I was on radar. The airline didn't seem to last long after that. Whether it was the fact they'd upset the Royal Mail or purely the cost of repairs I know not.

[GAZIN]

Didn't Air Luton's office burn down in suspicious circumstances?

[Antek]

The Merchantman went sick one night. Bristol Freighter subbed for it and rumbled slowly into the sky. Shortly after, the phone went. Eldery-sounding gentleman:

"I live in Luton and wish to make a complaint about that noisy aircraft that just flew low over my house. What on earth was it?"
"It was a Bristol Freighter"
"Ah, really? How nice, didn't know there were any left. I withdraw my complaint".

[Spiney Norman]

The Merchantman went sick one night. Bristol Freighter subbed for it and rumbled slowly into the sky. Shortly after, the phone went. Eldery-sounding gentleman:

"I live in Luton and wish to make a complaint about that noisy aircraft that just flew low over my house. What on earth was it?"
"It was a Bristol Freighter"
"Ah, really? How nice, didn't know there were any left. I withdraw my complaint".

Top stuff! We used to regularly try to get interesting transits to do a fly by. One day the BBMF lancaster was passing by and accepted our invitation. Meanwhile, a Monarch 720 was back-tracked ready for departure....The Lancaster came into sight running down 26 descending...And descending! With a mighty roar of four Merlins the Lancaster passed VERY close above the 720 then turned on course at the upwind end...

'Luton Tower Monarch 720" (Here comes the complaint and official report).

'Monarch 720 pass your message'. (With trepidation).

'That was fantastic and it's my old squadron! '

Sighs of relief all round.

*Someone who saw it may wish to tell the story of the RNHF Sea Fury and a certain ex-Satco.

[Level bust]

There was also the low level Vulcan up 36 grass. How we never got any noise complaints about that one I will never know! The Orion 737 did sound a bit confused when I told him to continue approach as there was a Vulcan to cross left to right in front!

[LTNman]

*Someone who saw it may wish to tell the story of the RNHF Sea Fury and a certain ex-Satco.

Sorry for the drift but wasn't there a guy at Elstree called Spencer Flack who used to fly a Sea Fury out of there. I wonder whatever happened to him?

[cj241101]

http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah165/colin_jones5/G-BDOS20Luton20110582_zpsmtvthjt2.jpg~original
G-BDOS 11/5/82
http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah165/colin_jones5/PH-FKT20Luton20060683_zpsf8dyfjbr.jpg~original
PH-FKT 6/6/83

[treadigraph]

Spencer crashed the Sea Fury short of the runway at Waddington after an engine failure en-route Humberside/Elstree in 1981. He was lucky to survive and later sold his Spitfire and Hunter. Later on he acquired a Mustang that was a regular on the UK circuit in the hands of Rod Dean and others for a few years.

Sadly he died in a historic motor racing accident a dozen years ago or so.

[cj241101]

Lb. I do remember a short lived DC3 joining in the fun, Air Luton or Luton Airlines or similar?.
http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah165/colin_jones5/G-AMHJ20Luton20171085_zpsm1xlrtxa.jpg~original
Air Luton fleet 17/10/85
Operated Post Office mail contracts Jan 1985-April 1986 along with G-ANAF
http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah165/colin_jones5/G-ANAF20Luton20090585_zpsylq8ez2i.jpg~original
G-ANAF 9/5/85

[cj241101]

The Merchantman went sick one night. Bristol Freighter subbed for it and rumbled slowly into the sky.
http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah165/colin_jones5/G-ANAF20Luton20280784_zps3nkcqviu.jpg~original
20/7/84

[Spiney Norman]

http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah165/colin_jones5/G-ANAF20Luton20280784_zps3nkcqviu.jpg~original
20/7/84

That's interesting. Atlantic air transport. Was that before/during/after Instone? One of our ATCAs went to work for them at Stansted. (AS). Top chap who, I've no doubt would have made an excellent ATCO but for a form of colour blindness.

I really didn't recall G-ANAF but do recall the other DC3. That was the one that had the engine failure. I'm intrigued by the 'office burning' as it does vaguely ring a bell.

Edit: Actually I see there was also G-AMPG as well! I only thought they had one DC3. (Probably due to post traumatic stress).

[cj241101]

That's interesting. Atlantic air transport. Was that before/during/after Instone? Actually I see there was also G-AMPG as well! .

Instone ceased Bristol Freighter ops on 11/11/83 and G-BISU was operated by Air Atlantique until October 1987. It was sold in Canada as C-FDFC on 20/12/88, and was written off in a landing accident at Enstone on 18/7/96. The other Instone Freighter was G-AMLK which they sold to New Zealand on 4/4/84.
http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah165/colin_jones5/G-AMLK20Luton20150983_zpsqe8ovpwi.jpg~original
G-AMLK 15/9/83

The DC-3 in the 1st photo is actually G-AMPO. It does look like "PG but that's just my dodgy photography....

[cj241101]

Skyways flew newspapers Luton-Amsterdam 6 nights a week between May 1979 and 16/10/80 when they ceased operations.
http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah165/colin_jones5/G-SKYA20Luton20060579_zpsgvn8oqf8.jpg~original
G-ASKYA 6/5/79

[lotus1]

Great pictures I remember around 86 seeing the Bristol 170 lifting of behind a sfair herc great sight when this passed the spectators area on a sunny Saturday late afternoon

[compton3bravo]

Interesting story, well I think it is. A well-known aviation society (Luton branch) ran a competition with the prize being a flight up to Scotland on an Air Luton DC-3 carrying newspapers, although you had to get back down south under your own steam so to speak. When the time came and the winner arrived at Luton ready for his flight he was met by a rather elderly gentleman (the captain) standing there in his carpet slippers (I kid you not) with a rather younger first officer awaiting instructions. Apparently the flight was very enjoyable and he returned safely the following day by train!

[LTNman]

Is that Skyways the same Skyways that operated out of Lympne with 748's? Seem to remember Dan-Air had their fingers in that pie towards the end but I could be wrong.

[cj241101]

Is that Skyways the same Skyways that operated out of Lympne with 748's? Seem to remember Dan-Air had their fingers in that pie towards the end but I could be wrong.
Yes in a convoluted sort of way. Skyways Coach Air were the Lympne based operator whose 3 DC-3 freighters were flown by their subsidiary Air Freight from 1970 until Skyways Coach Air reformed as Skyways International in Feb 1971. Skyways International then were bought by Dan Air in April 1972. Air Freight were not part of the Skyways International deal and continued operating independently, becoming Skyways Cargo in May 1975.

[cj241101]

Great pictures I remember around 86 seeing the Bristol 170 lifting of behind a sfair herc great sight when this passed the spectators area on a sunny Saturday late afternoon
Possibly July 1984. See my post http://www.pprune.org/9373899-post1446.html for a photo.

[LTNman]

Traffic lights on the route of the airports old terminal approach road but what year was this photo taken?
http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w504/nospamuk1/14729271_798770776929654_1246885709956638814_n_zpsb2a66a21.j pg (http://s1079.photobucket.com/user/nospamuk1/media/14729271_798770776929654_1246885709956638814_n_zpsb2a66a21.j pg.html)

...and again in 2003 when Taxiway Echo was being built.

http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w504/nospamuk1/P7060015_zps7115e9ea.jpg (http://s1079.photobucket.com/user/nospamuk1/media/P7060015_zps7115e9ea.jpg.html)

After completion of Taxiway Echo. In the background the lift shafts of the new pier can be seen being built.
http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w504/nospamuk1/P1010031_zps638f25e0.jpg (http://s1079.photobucket.com/user/nospamuk1/media/P1010031_zps638f25e0.jpg.html)

The traffic light was finally removed in around 2013 when the new FBO opened. The yellow lines of the old approach road can still be seen crossing the path.

http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w504/nospamuk1/P1030302_zps113c1aca.jpg (http://s1079.photobucket.com/user/nospamuk1/media/P1030302_zps113c1aca.jpg.html)

[cj241101]

Traffic lights on the route of the airports old terminal approach road but what year was this photo taken?

http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w504/nospamuk1/14729271_798770776929654_1246885709956638814_n_zpskvmk83ds.j pg (http://s1079.photobucket.com/user/nospamuk1/media/14729271_798770776929654_1246885709956638814_n_zpskvmk83ds.j pg.html)


I am guessing at 1985. My first sighting of G-BLEI was on 25/5/85. The "C" reg plates on the Ford Granada were issued from 1st August 1985.

[canberra97]

He obviously didn't apply the brakes very well as he is well over the white line, perhaps the driver wanted a closer look!

[HershamBoys]

If I remember correctly, Transavia didn't last very long, trying in banner towing, with the hook up from 18 grass.That car reminds me of NP's.

[cj241101]

Anyone remember this aircraft? It was based for several years in the 60's and 70's, operated by the National Coal Board (I believe the CEO lived near Breachwood Green, and was a vocal opponent of the airport). If anyone has a colour photo it would be a big help - this is my (crude) attempt at repainting a Flight Simulator aircraft but I'm not sure how accurate this is. I remember the registration on the tail as being black but the only photos I can find online are black and white and they look as if the reg is actually the same tone as the fuselage cheat line. It was repainted in 1968 with a larger (black) registration on the rear of the fuselage. I haven't managed to change the colour of the prop spinners yet - believe they should be white. Any comments etc. welcome. Also any info as the where it flew to would be helpful (ongoing FS project).

http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah165/colin_jones5/G-ARUM20Luton20131116_zpstjixbfqx.jpg~original

[LTNman]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/52467480@N08/6432705923

It later became G-DDCD after the above photo was taken but it kept the same colours

[treadigraph]

I vaguely recall G-ARUM at Biggin Hill in about 1977 (when I started visiting regularly), may have been with Fairflight for attention.


When it became G-DDCD, I think it may have been based at Biggin, I can recall a blue cheatlined Dove in the Surrey Aviation end of the Fairflight hangar.

[Level bust]

I know G-ARUM was looked after by Autair. My dad flew in it after a major check when the pilot asked the engineers if they wanted to come along for the ride. Probably thought if they had something wrong, they're going down with me!

[vintage ATCO]

I would have said the blue line on G-ARUM was a bit darker than that but it was a long time ago. The pilot was Basil Allum, really nice bloke.

Ah! Just seen the pic posted by LTNman, yes, all white.

[cj241101]

I would have said the blue line on G-ARUM was a bit darker than that but it was a long time ago.

Yes, the blue line doesn't look right, in spite of having copied the colour from the photo. Not sure yet how to change the prop spinner colour and yes, the lower half of the aircraft needs to be white. Will be playing around with it again in a few days when I'm not at work.

This is part of a long-term plan to recreate Luton traffic in FS2004 from the 60's and the 70's.
http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah165/colin_jones5/G-ALZV20Luton20281016b_zpsbkrnh5df.jpg~original

http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah165/colin_jones5/Luton20011116_zpsuqxyg5ow.jpg~original

(view from the old tower)


Apologies for the modern Luton. I'm working on that as well. Yes I know the Autair Heralds disappeared just ahead of the first Court Line 1-11's - just using a bit of artistic licence.

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

If I remember rightly the name of one of the pilots of G-ARUM in the mid-sixties when The National Coal Board had it was Ken Souter. I like the image of Autair's G-ALZV I had many a ride on her.

Incidentally mention of Skyways - was the last port of call for Autair's Ambassador G-ALZZ which was leased to Skyways Coach Air circa 1968. Autair's HS748s G-ATMI was also at one time or another leased to Skyways.

[22/04]

OUAQUKGF ops do you know any more about that lease- it seemed that the aircraft operated for both Skyways and Autair simultaneously-I think I remember (maybe wrong) it operated things like Luton Blackpool and Blackpool-Jersey flights in summer '68 while also operating for Skyways- did it fly from the grass at Lympne or Lydd for Skyways.

I always felt the Ambassador was a bit underpowered- some very long ground runs if hot and a crosswind at LTN- can't help it didn't help in the Munich accident. Any AS57 drivers out there to comment/prove me wrong.

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Well, it is all rather a long time ago! But it is quite probable that G-ALZZ operated some of Autair's Scheduled Services while still bearing the Skyways logo. At that time most of Autair's Scheduled Services were operated by HP Heralds. Almost certainly never operated G-ALZZ for Skyways out of Lympe being a grass airfield and rather too short for an AS57. Probably operated out of Gatwick. Incidentally the prototype operated off the grass at the manufacturer's airfield at Christchurch - Hampshire.

I've never heard mention of the Ambassador being under-powered. The Bristol Centaurus Engine being one of the most powerful of its kind. However at MTOW I would guess that it would need nothing less than a 6000ft runway. That said BKS operated Ambassadors out of Leeds Bradford (subsequently I am led to believe that this is incorrect and that their Ambassadors operated out of Newcastle and not Leeds) in the days when the runway there was considerably shorter than 6000ft. I believe BKS carried out weight saving modifications to their Ambassadors.But yes it would be interesting to obtain the opinion of somebody who has flown the beauty.

Autair routinely performed training and bi-annual checks on their pilots whilst operating the Saturday night newspaper run from Luton to Dublin. This would involve a single-engined approach, overshoot and landing at Dublin with two or three tons of newspapers on board.

However having just read Nick Corrie's Monograph on the Ambassador (Elizabethan Swansong) it would appear that apparently the aircraft could struggle to gain height if attempting a single-engined overshoot when very heavily loaded. At Dusseldorf on 8th April 1955 BEA's G-AMAB's port propeller slipped into reverse pitch shortly after takeoff. The engine was shut down and the aircraft returned in poor visibility for an emergency landing. Because the aircraft had not been properly aligned with the runway an overshoot was initiated but the fully loaded aircraft failed to climb and came down in a field a few miles away from the airfield. There was no fire and everyone survived. The cause of the initial malfunction was never discovered and as a result reverse pitch on the Ambassador was decommissioned. https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19550408-0

I seem to remember that George Errington gave a spirited single-engined display at Farnborough in the early years of the AS57's development.

[LTNman]

Skyways used to operate a scheduled service from Luton. I can't remember where it went to but I have the timetable in my loft somewhere.

(Edit) Someone is selling the timetable on ebay. It was 1971 and the destination was Ostend
http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w504/nospamuk1/timetable_zpsf05df0aa.jpg (http://s1079.photobucket.com/user/nospamuk1/media/timetable_zpsf05df0aa.jpg.html)

[cj241101]

Lympne/Ashford airport acquired a concrete runway which opened on 11th April 1968 but it was only 4500ft long and wouldn't have supported Ambassador operations.

http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah165/colin_jones5/G-ALZZ20Luton20161116_zpsfjfakabg.jpg (http://s1380.photobucket.com/user/colin_jones5/media/G-ALZZ20Luton20161116_zpsfjfakabg.jpg.html)

Another FS2004 version, with thanks to D-GHHH Simulationware.

[LTNman]

Lympne/Ashford airport got a concrete runway because of I think 2 crashes in a day including a 748 that ended up on its roof.

I think it was a year later that it was all over for Lympne and its new concrete runway.

[cj241101]

Skyways used to operate a scheduled service from Luton. I can't remember where it went to but I have the timetable in my loft somewhere.

(Edit) Someone is selling the timetable on ebay. It was 1971 and the destination was Ostend

Luton-Ostend twice on Saturdays and Sundays as Skyways Coach Air, summer 1970, then again in 1971 as Skyways International. In 1971 I remember 3 flights Sat, one on Sunday but that was 45 years ago.... Seem to remember they did Beauvais as well in 1971 - think they were charters though, not scheduled. LTNman if you find the timetable I would be interested in knowing the times/flt numbers etc.

[LTNman]

The power of the internet. A 20 second search and here it is.

http://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/sky/sky7103/sky713-3.jpg

Fares
http://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/sky/sky7103/sky713-4.jpg

[cj241101]

Thanks LTNman, that's much appreciated! (more info for my FS2004 LTN project).

[vintage ATCO]

Lympne/Ashford airport got a concrete runway because of I think 2 crashes in a day including a 748 that ended up on its roof.

I think it was a year later that it was all over for Lympne and its new concrete runway. You are confusing two events.

G-ARMV crashed at Lympne 10 July 1965 when landing bad weather. the nose wheel dug into the grass and the aircraft overturned. All 52 occupants escaped.

A hard runway was built which came into use in 1968. Commercial operations ceased at Lympne (now Ashford) in 1974 although it kept going for light aircraft until 1984.

The famous 'double-'eader' was at Portsmouth on 15 August 1967. G-ATEK overran the runway at 11:48, followed at 13:34 by G-ATEH. Famously it was reported that the controller said he didn't tell the second about the first because he thought "it might put him off".

This caused the cessation of commercial ops at Portsmouth and lead ultimately to the closure of the airfield.

[Haraka]

Also I remember the TV interviewer sticking a microphone into an airport official's face at the scene and demanding "Tell us , what happened?"
The guy just indicated with his finger at a dug-in nose and replied:

" Well, I would have thought that THAT was bloody obvious!"

[ATNotts]

Also I remember the TV interviewer sticking a microphone into an airport official's face at the scene and demanding "Tell us , what happened?"
The guy just indicated with his finger at a dug-in nose and replied:

" Well, I would have thought that THAT was bloody obvious!"
Brilliant!

Weren't the days before media training and professional spokespeople much more fun, not to mention honest?!

[Buster the Bear]

Ex Redcoat Bristol Britannia photographed yesterday by my good friend Mike Elvins. This image was taken from public land in the northeastern quadrant of Luton airport.

http://i64.tinypic.com/a1rdk5.jpg

[India Four Two]

So how did the Brit end up in that strange location?

What is the building to the north of it?

[Buster the Bear]

The Britannia after retirement was used for smoke training by the airport fire service. When a purpose built facility was introduced, the Britannia was moved to its current location. Here we have an image of it being moved from behind the Britannia Airways hangar to the fire training ground and reproduced with permission from Chris Coates.

http://i64.tinypic.com/2cp93tl.jpg

[falcon12]

If I had a pound for every hour I spent fixing VS and/or flying in it, I could well be retired by now.

Always a sad site after so many of years of your life spent on it and its sister fleet at IAS, Redcoat and Invicta, to name but a few operators of the 312F after BOAC.

[The AvgasDinosaur]

Learned contributors,
Regarding Skyways lease of Autair aircraft in early 1968.
Skyways leased G-ATMI and G-ALZZ to operate I.T. flights beyond the range of their Series 1 HS 748s ( Or were they still Avro 748s then ?) They were flown by Autair crews with Skyways cabin staff.
For further details and a couple of great photos one of each aircraft, see Dick Gilberts excellent book 'Skyways at Lympne'
Hope it helps
Be lucky
David
P.M. me for further details of the book if required (Avoids the advert police)

[22/04]

Skyways748_zpsa8306e46.jpg Photo by warner_phil | Photobucket (http://s44.photobucket.com/user/warner_phil/media/Skyways748_zpsa8306e46.jpg.html?o=1)


G-ARRW at Luton in 1971 One day I'll learn how to post photos - perhaps!

[brakedwell]

If I had a pound for every hour I spent fixing VS and/or flying in it, I could well be retired by now.

Always a sad site after so many of years of your life spent on it and its sister fleet at IAS, Redcoat and Invicta, to name but a few operators of the 312F after BOAC.

Happier days - VS at Manston in 1976


http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c32/sedgwickjames/aviation/Britannia312.jpg

[LTNman]

Didn't it get moved three times over the years after its wings were removed? The first time it ended up close to the fire station, then to the fire training ground and then it was dragged into the long grass.

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

I can't tell you how exciting it was for me as Autair Ops' Tea Boy and general assistant the day that HS748 G-ATMI was delivered to Luton from Woodford on the 30th March 1966.
Never had one seen inside an aeroplane so smart, pristine and with that lovely 'new' smell. Such a contrast to the dear old Ambassadors, the interiors of which resembled and smelt like a well used ash-tray.
After intensive crew training G-ATMI was put to work on schedules and IT charters as far afield as Corfu. She was joined shortly thereafter by G-ATMJ. During the Summer and early Autumn of 1966 both 748s performed an overnight rotation to Milan departing Luton at 2100hrs and 2115hrs respectively. G-ATMJ was exhibited at SBAC Farnborough that year, positioning there each morning from Luton after its return from Milan before flying back to Luton again in the evening ready for the Milan rotation.
Some interesting proving flights were made. These included in May 1966 a visit by G-ATMI to the grass airstrip at Riverside Park, Dundee, at that time the largest aircraft to land there.The airstrip was prone to water-logging and subsequently Autair started a Dundee-Luton (London) service in 1968 using RAF Leuchars. Another interesting airfield was Brough where the runway was just over 1000 metres long. Autair commenced their Hull-Luton (London) service from here in October 1966 using the 748s. Whilst the 748s performed very well from this relatively short runway the same could not be said for the H.P Heralds that replaced them. This factor combined with the construction of a bloody tall chimney adjacent to the airfield by RioTinto Zinc prompted a move to RAF Leconfield.
On a more personal note, I recall in those early days a staff outing in a 748 to Kidlington (Oxford and grass at that time) where several of Autair's pilots' had received sponsored training. On our departure back to Luton the pilot, Mike Ellis performed a high speed daisy-cutter, racing across the airfield before pulling the 748 up into a steep climb - quite exhilarating to those of us who had not lunched too heavily!
I remember watching Pete Hogg displaying the 748 at the GAPAN Garden Party at Denham when Sir Alan Cobham was the Guest of Honour. The runway at Denham was just a little short for a 748 so a landing was not attempted.
My last contact with G-ATMI was in the autumn of 1971 when I was working for Air Anglia. at Norwich. We had chartered an aircraft from BAF, an oil-rig crew change at Esbjerg. To my delight G-ATMI arrived from Southend outside Norwich Terminal (a collection of enhanced huts with, in those days, an excellent restaurant) having been leased to BAF by Autair. Better still the Captain was Geoff Cole, even better I was going on holiday to Denmark and Norway and cadging a lift. It was an absolutely vile day and the weather at Esbjerg was right on limits. A piece of cake for Geoff and the 748.

I would add that it has been a privilege for me and others of my generation who have enjoyed their employment in the airline business to work alongside so many veterans of the Second World War. Typically Geoff Cole. Google: 'Wings of War - Frightened by a Dragon'

[LTNman]

What a great story and is what this thread is all about. I wonder why Autair ditched the 748's for some ex BEA Heralds?

[Level bust]

This factor combined with the construction of a bloody tall chimney adjacent to the airfield by RioTinto Zinc prompted a move to RAF Leconfield.

My Dad arranged a day out to Jersey and back on the 5th June 1968 on Herald GAPWD, via Hull! We landed at Hull going up and then coached to RAF Leconfield and WD flew across empty. Coming back there were not many of us on board back to Luton so no need for the coach to Leconfield!

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

LTNman I've really no idea why the 748s were replaced by the Heralds. I suspect that Autair purchased the Heralds as a cheap job lot (Too good a bargain to miss my boy, know wot I mean!) and already had several pilots with the Herald on their licence who included Hazel Hazelden ex Chief Test Pilot of Handley Page. (I could rabbit on here about the number of graduates from the ETPS that Autair employed but some other time).

When the Heralds first arrived at Luton they were in pretty poor condition after a hard life on BEA's Highlands and Islands and were completely refurbished by Autair's engineers.

Perhaps the Company decided, probably quite rightly that they could make more money by operating IT Charters with the 748s and leasing them out rather than operating them on scheduled services which were not very profitable. The Herald having fewer seats and being perhaps less versatile in respect of IT Charters.

[Offchocks]

I remember flying into Brough when I was with Air Anglia on the light fleet in the mid 70s, never felt comfortable with that "bloody tall chimney" being so close to the runway!

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

At the risk of thread drift I've added a bit more to my post 1797 on the Ambassador.

[cj241101]

At the risk of thread drift I've added a bit more to my post 1797 on the Ambassador.
Thanks for posting the additional info OUAQUKGF. Do you have any further details about the Autair Ambassador routes? I don't think they were normally used on the scheduled runs, so info about where they flew regularly on charters would be very welcome.

[VictorGolf]

The Autair Ambassadors were definitely used on the Blackpool-Luton run as my "wife to be" travelled back to Luton on one. I was nearly emasculated next time we met up as apparently it was the bumpiest, scariest ride she had had in an aircraft until I learnt to fly!.

[Level bust]

I did 2 trips on the Ambassador. The first was a jolly to Copenhagen and back. I believe it was the last of a series of charters as it was full out with Danish passengers outbound and we were the only ones on the return.

The second time was to Luxembourg, which was a Clarksons four day wine tasting trip to Germany. It was supposed to be an Ambassador both ways, but it went tech for the outbound trip, so ended up going out on a 1-11 from Birmingham instead, where it had diverted to the night before! We did come back on GALZZ, which I believe was the last flight of an Autair Ambassador.

[LTNman]

The Autair Ambassadors were definitely used on the Blackpool-Luton

...and according to this they continued up to Glasgow.

https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=WBHEBQAAQBAJ&pg=PT56&lpg=PT56&dq=G-ALZS+Luton&source=bl&ots=2IJ0t5Y9gl&sig=yt3kMxqfZhx6XzQgM35r_4yaRvs&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjbk9OkxrzQAhVCFMAKHUlAA18Q6AEISzAH#v=onepage&q=G-ALZS%20Luton&f=false

It is worth scrolling up and down the page for some general interesting photos and facts about Autair

[LTNman]

Confirmation that in 1964 they operated Ambassadors and Vikings to Blackpool.

This from their timetable

http://www.timetableimages.com/i-or/ou6406i.jpg

http://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/ou1.htm

[cj241101]

Confirmation that in 1964 they operated Ambassadors and Vikings to Blackpool.


Many thanks to everyone who has replied. I should have worded my statement slightly differently i.e. "not used on scheduled runs once the Heralds and 748s came into service". Just wondering where the Ambassadors flew after then - I have vague recollections of IT flights to the south of France but I could be wrong. I see the 1967/68 timetable has a scheduled route Luton-Berne. Was this operated for long and which aircraft type? Any info very much appreciated.

[vintage ATCO]

They did. When G-ALZS slid off the end of the runway on 14 Sep 1967 it was on a charter back from Luxembourg. If memory serves, it had a local WI on board and the poor dears had to get off in the mud! Fortunately there were no injuries.

If you goggle the reg you can find a pic by airpixbycaz of it being broken up on the apron after its mishap.

[Level bust]

For info cj, both my flights were after the Herald and 748 entered service, April 1968 and September 1968.

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

If you scroll down on LTNman's link to 'Colours in The Sky' you will find an example of my sweat and tears which produced the Crew Roster which gives you an idea of some of the Ambassador destinations in August 1966. One Ambassador operating the schedule: BLK-LTN (ex nightstop) then LTN-BLK-GLA-BLK-LTN then LTN-BLK and nightstop.

Most IT Charters with the Ambassador were operated to the Mediterranean Resorts, south to Djerba, also north eastern Italy (Rimini and Treviso) and Athens. Also many charters to destinations in what was then politically Western Europe. Not a great deal in Scandinavia apart from Denmark. I do remember how one winter we undertook an MOD charter to Bardufoss in Northern Norway. Unfortunately we had failed to appreciate the very low temperatures that would be encountered there and the Ambassador promptly went AOG as a result of the hydraulics icing up. I'm not sure if the crew got home in time for Christmas or not!

There were also regular charters from Luton to Berlin and back for Service Families at Christmas. A series of charters was operated to Hamburg for Licensed Victuallers Associations who visited the Breweries. As a callow youth I went along on one of these flights and have never been the same since.
The Ambassadors also operated 'Works Outings Charters' The Dutch bulbfields and Northern France being popular destinations in this respect. On a personal note I wangled a seat for my cousin and myself when we sent two Ambassadors to Le Touquet for the day on a 'Works Outing'. Together with the flight engineer and some of the cabin crew we hired a car, stocked up in the market and drove off on a glorious day for a picnic in a wonderfully isolated coastal spot. It was only on leaving there that we noticed the notices regarding land-mines.
From time to time Autair's Ambassadors acted as flying classrooms for the local schools. I recall going along and giving the commentary when we took a party of children down to the West Country to look at the Severn Bridge which had recently opened. What a stunning photo that would have made with the old Ambassador circling over the bridge. Dave Hampson was the skipper.

While I was with Autair the company performed their last Mediterranean or Middle East Tour in 1966 when the Ambassador with one crew was tasked to trundle all the way round the Med in a leisurely fashion and be away for three weeks or so over Christmas. I was sent to London with the Crew's Passports to obtain the necessary visas. I think the tour visited Israel and thus had to route to and from Israel via Cyprus and then onwards to Egypt. I remember taking my dog with me to a deserted Luton Airport on Christmas Day to check the ops teleprinter and the progress or lack of it by the Ambassador.

Happy Days!

[staircase]

Between leaving school and joining the RAF I had a summer job working for Harry Carrass (is that how one spells it?) Catering driving a van putting the catering on Autair’s aeroplanes.

I remember sitting waiting for the arrival of G-ALZS to de-cater it and to take the bar back to customs.

I also remember there being no casualties until they were all back in the terminal building, and it was then reported that someone stood up, called for quiet, and asked all present to;

‘thank the good Lord for our deliverance from harm’

At which point a couple of the ladies fainted and needed medical attention.

All the temps working for Harry got the sack at the end of the summer season, but for a least a couple of months it was very ‘interesting’. How I remember the parties and the egg fights at 2am!

It even got me a ride in the back of one of the Heralds when Hazelden gave one of the pilots what I now know was a base check.

How times have changed!

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Despite a London-Berne service being featured on Autair's Timetable for Winter 1967/68 I cannot remember such a service operating. No mention of Berne on Autair's Summer 1968 Timetable. Perhaps they were hoping to start a winter service for Skiers. They certainly operated a series of ski-holiday charter flights roundabout that time using the HS748s and flying from Luton to Zurich. Still it's a long time ago and I could well be wrong!

[cj241101]

I recall going along and giving the commentary when we took a party of children down to the West Country to look at the Severn Bridge which had recently opened. What a stunning photo that would have made with the old Ambassador circling over the bridge.

I wasn't there at the time so this is the best image I can do...

http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah165/colin_jones5/G-ALZS20Severn20Bridge20231116b_zps0ab3nzpb.jpg (http://s1380.photobucket.com/user/colin_jones5/media/G-ALZS20Severn20Bridge20231116b_zps0ab3nzpb.jpg.html)

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Brilliant!

[cj241101]

Looks even better in FSX..


http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah165/colin_jones5/f3cdef1f-0e6e-4797-abf7-5dce78dd061f_zpsngby1i0o.png (http://s1380.photobucket.com/user/colin_jones5/media/f3cdef1f-0e6e-4797-abf7-5dce78dd061f_zpsngby1i0o.png.html)

[LGS6753]

cj- lovely pix, but the Severn is brown, not blue!

[cj241101]

cj- lovely pix, but the Severn is brown, not blue!
This was 1966 - pollution hadn't been invented. Have added a bit of mud.


http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah165/colin_jones5/f8f7d423-e56a-4625-8e33-c3e8cb1b144a_zpsj6zdbcao.png (http://s1380.photobucket.com/user/colin_jones5/media/f8f7d423-e56a-4625-8e33-c3e8cb1b144a_zpsj6zdbcao.png.html)

[cj241101]

Does anyone by any chance have any colour photos of the Luton Flying Club Cessna's in their original 1960's colours? G-ARZF, G-ASTV, G-ASUE and G-ASVF are the ones I am looking for. Google search draws a blank.

[vintage ATCO]

Here's one but probably not what you are looking for :)

GASUE in 1965 after it acquired a new fuselage. There are some on the FB group Luton Classic Movements but I am unsure of the copyright.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e123/stevelevien/PPRuNe%20Pics/65.4.22%20GASUE%20Luton.jpg

[staircase]

further to my post 1830.

I left school in July 1967, did a flying scholarship immediately, and then went to Harry's to cater Autairs aeroplanes.

During that flying scholarship Phil J*****ry sent me solo on G-ASUE the first week in August 1967. Nice to see her again!.

[cj241101]

Thanks vintage ATCO. Gives me an idea of the shade of brown which is what I am looking for. I remember G-ASSO and G-ASTV as red, G-ARZF as a different scheme in blue and G-ASVF as dark blue. They were repainted around 1968 with larger registrations.

[cj241101]

Having perused some of my fathers old slides I found this from July 1967. Shows Cessna 150's G-ASVF, G-ASUE (I think) and Tri-Pacer G-ARDT.

http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah165/colin_jones5/3020Luton20Airport2015076720probably_zpszhz6cl9g.jpg (http://s1380.photobucket.com/user/colin_jones5/media/3020Luton20Airport2015076720probably_zpszhz6cl9g.jpg.html)

[Discorde]

After hitch-hiking through Germany in late summer 1966 my chum and I flew as pax DUS-LTN in an Autair Ambassador early in September (can't remember the exact date or the aircraft reggie).

The flight was uneventful until mid-cruise when one of the cabin crew dropped a tray of cutlery in the galley. The clatter instantly silenced all conversation in the cabin for a few moments, with the passengers nervously looking for the source of the noise.

The night landing was firm, but of course in those years the threshold of R26 sloped upwards and therefore required an earlier flare and later power reduction to avoid same, especially in strong westerly wind conditions when this topographical anomaly triggered an associated downdraught.

IIRC the theshold was raised some years later to reduce this problem.

[LTNman]

Reading an old accident report the runway had the following characteristics.
Runway 26 2160mx46

Landing threshold of 26 was 504ft above mean sea level. Upward slope gradient of 1-66 for the first 500m then level at 525ft before dropping to 514ft.

From memory years later the 26 end was raised by building up the layers of tarmac to deduce the hump in the middle. Also the shear drop at the 26 end was removed and a more gentle slope was put in.

[vintage ATCO]

The eastern end of the runway was raise by 1.3m when the runway was resurfaced in the late 80s. The Runway End Safety Areas were installed before this following the overrun of the DC7 in 1974.

[LTNman]

50 years later this terminal is still in use but is mainly hidden by additions.
http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w504/nospamuk1/11412142_1043527889100901_6821936642296061544_o_zpsdb5ad676. jpg (http://s1079.photobucket.com/user/nospamuk1/media/11412142_1043527889100901_6821936642296061544_o_zpsdb5ad676. jpg.html)

http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w504/nospamuk1/14435356_1043527685767588_5070269942765727497_o_zps12910097. jpg (http://s1079.photobucket.com/user/nospamuk1/media/14435356_1043527685767588_5070269942765727497_o_zps12910097. jpg.html)

http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w504/nospamuk1/14525074_1043582112428812_6775853487726919413_o_zps35ad6457. jpg (http://s1079.photobucket.com/user/nospamuk1/media/14525074_1043582112428812_6775853487726919413_o_zps35ad6457. jpg.html)

http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w504/nospamuk1/14480509_1043582055762151_4136066030718260686_o_zps0e9e6532. jpg (http://s1079.photobucket.com/user/nospamuk1/media/14480509_1043582055762151_4136066030718260686_o_zps0e9e6532. jpg.html)

http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w504/nospamuk1/14468271_1043582009095489_9192178107568596687_o_zps3168b70a. jpg (http://s1079.photobucket.com/user/nospamuk1/media/14468271_1043582009095489_9192178107568596687_o_zps3168b70a. jpg.html)



All photos by Dennis Spittel

[HZ123]

That young lad looks like 'trouble'!

[cj241101]

50 years later this terminal is still in use but is mainly hidden by additions.
All photos by Dennis Spittel
The 3rd picture is from the spectators area to the south of the terminal, which at a guess is where the next 2 photos were taken from. Note the proper restaurant in the terminal, with napkins folded into cones. And no, that's not me with the bike (didn't visit until the summer of 1967).

[LTNman]

I can remember that restaurant but I can't remember anyone actually using it. Years later it became a Little Chef so I used to pop up there from home for Sunday breakfast.

[Stan Woolley]

That young lad looks like 'trouble'!

Are you management by any chance ?

He looks to me like a future pilot. Maybe that's what you meant. :)

[HershamBoys]

He is trouble...he is occupying airport space that could usefully be filled by a non-aeronautical revenue earning facility, thereby forcing the airport to depend on its aeronautical revenue to improve its balance sheet, and consequently deterring potential customers through high aviation-related charges. Kick him out, and get in a some car parking, or retail, or a business park, increasing non-aeronautical revenue, and allowing lower charges for the airline operators. Aviation has grown up.....

[LTNman]

I am lost on this one. So what was the airline, the full reg, what happened to the DC3 and what year was this photo taken at Luton? Start the clock!

http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w504/nospamuk1/12823523_1571596936492076_89736665580282607_o_zpse3b62378.jp g (http://s1079.photobucket.com/user/nospamuk1/media/12823523_1571596936492076_89736665580282607_o_zpse3b62378.jp g.html)

[MARK9263]

Derby Aviation G-AKJH.

[LTNman]

6 minutes to answer two of the four questions, ( I added another one in an edit) I am so impressed.

I think Derby Aviation became BMA.

[cj241101]

Registered to Derby Aviation 20/4/61, think they traded as Derby Airways before becoming British Midland. Would have been based at Derby-Burnaston. Photo taken outside hangar 8 I would guess (looks like hangar 9 to the left).

Full history:-

42-93271 USAAF 01/05/44
KG572 RAF 12/05/44
G-AKJH Maharajah of Baroda
01/04/48 Skyways Ltd 18/05/50
BEA - British European Airways 21/09/50
Derby Aviation Ltd 17/04/61
Nigeria Airways
Derby Aviation Ltd
British Midland Airways 01/10/64
Gregory Air Services 12/04/65
EI-ARR Emerald Airways 15/06/67
G-AKJH Gregory Air Services 05/12/67
VQ-ZJB Swazi Air 12/08/68
3D-AAH Swazi Air00.04.71
A2-ZHR Air Botswana (Protea Airways) 00.07.73
ZS-KAT Protea Airways 04/05/77
R3700 Rhodesian Air Force 08/01/78
3700 Zimbabwe Air Force 18/04/80 WFU at Manyame AB 02.86 to 02.98

[oftenflylo]

You've overlooked the fleet name painted on the nose .......dale

[oftenflylo]

Monsal Dale

[22/04]

This aircraft often appeared at Luton when with Gregory A/S c.1969

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

I saw it once on the ground at Denham in the days of Gregory Air Services.

[wallp]

50 years later this terminal is still in use but is mainly hidden by additions.
http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w504/nospamuk1/11412142_1043527889100901_6821936642296061544_o_zps0y1ulx2y. jpg (http://s1079.photobucket.com/user/nospamuk1/media/11412142_1043527889100901_6821936642296061544_o_zps0y1ulx2y. jpg.html)

http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w504/nospamuk1/14435356_1043527685767588_5070269942765727497_o_zpsebvetzee. jpg (http://s1079.photobucket.com/user/nospamuk1/media/14435356_1043527685767588_5070269942765727497_o_zpsebvetzee. jpg.html)

http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w504/nospamuk1/14525074_1043582112428812_6775853487726919413_o_zps51kq10x3. jpg (http://s1079.photobucket.com/user/nospamuk1/media/14525074_1043582112428812_6775853487726919413_o_zps51kq10x3. jpg.html)

http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w504/nospamuk1/14480509_1043582055762151_4136066030718260686_o_zps1wr7e2mh. jpg (http://s1079.photobucket.com/user/nospamuk1/media/14480509_1043582055762151_4136066030718260686_o_zps1wr7e2mh. jpg.html)

http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w504/nospamuk1/14468271_1043582009095489_9192178107568596687_o_zpszijhgwue. jpg (http://s1079.photobucket.com/user/nospamuk1/media/14468271_1043582009095489_9192178107568596687_o_zpszijhgwue. jpg.html)
All photos by Dennis Spittel

Wow I had no idea that you could once sit and watch planes from right next to the terminal. When did the Britannia/easyJet hanger get built?

[vintage ATCO]

Here is a pic from Oct 1967 where you can see the public enclosure next to the terminal building which opened in May 1966. The young lad in the pic above could easily have been me (but isn't :) )

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e123/stevelevien/PPRuNe%20Pics/October1967.jpg

Hangar 89 was built in 1969 by Tarmac Construction at a cost of £600,000. It is still owned by Luton Borough Council (or whatever they are called this week) and was leased to Britannia and later easyJet.

[wallp]

Here is a pic from Oct 1967 where you can see the public enclosure next to the terminal building which opened in May 1966. The young lad in the pic above could easily have been me (but isn't :) )

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e123/stevelevien/PPRuNe%20Pics/October1967.jpg

Hangar 89 was built in 1969 by Tarmac Construction at a cost of £600,000. It is still owned by Luton Borough Council (or whatever they are called this week) and was leased to Britannia and later easyJet.

Great pic. Wow how things have changed!

[LTNman]

The outline marked in red shows the original terminal that is still in use today. Since then I can count 8 extensions to the terminal including the one opposite.

This shot shows the area just after easyjet took over the hangar next door. Now the bus station is being filled in for a further terminal extension making 9 in total excluding piers and walkways.
http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w504/nospamuk1/term_zps64851697.jpg (http://s1079.photobucket.com/user/nospamuk1/media/term_zps64851697.jpg.html)

[India Four Two]

Here is a pic from Oct 1967

What surprises me is that there is one small aircraft on the ramp, but the car park is nearly full.

Were the rates low enough that passengers could afford to leave their cars there in "long term parking"?

[LTNman]

The car park in 1969
http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w504/nospamuk1/1969%20postcard%203_zps5a729bd0.jpg (http://s1079.photobucket.com/user/nospamuk1/media/1969%20postcard%203_zps5a729bd0.jpg.html)

[rog747]

may i ask did invicta ever use their Britannia a/c on IT charters from LTN on passenger flights ever or were they cargo and freight only


they were one of the later UK operators of the type after Britannia BKS Laker LLoyd British Eagle BUA Caledonian Donaldon Transglobe and Monarch and Tellair


thanks

[ATNotts]

The car park in 1969

How about a Christmas competition?

How many non-UK manufactured cars can you identify from the picture?

I can see a couple of VW Beetles and a VW Camper Van, but at first look I can't see many others. Plenty of BMC (Austin / Morris) 1100/1300s and lots of now defunct British marques.

How times change.

[Level bust]

Were the rates low enough that passengers could afford to leave their cars there in "long term parking"?

I may be wrong (I was only 10 in 1967!), but wasn't the car park opposite the teminal the only parking available. Although I vaguely remember that one of the hangars round the back was used for undercover parking at some point.

[LTNman]

may i ask did invicta ever use their Britannia a/c on IT charters from LTN

I can only remember them using Vanguards.

[LTNman]

I may be wrong (I was only 10 in 1967!), but wasn't the car park opposite the teminal the only parking available. Although I vaguely remember that one of the hangars round the back was used for undercover parking at some point.

That was Luton Undercover Airport Parking AKA Central Car Storage. They are still going and have a compound by the railway track in Kimpton Road.

They were in one of three T2 WW2 hangers that can been seen at the top of the page on the left of the photo and were set back from the road after being separated from the apron. Two of those hangars are still in place

[HZ123]

I am sure Vanguards was as far as they progressed !

[Level bust]

I am sure Vanguards was as far as they progressed !

They did have a couple of Boeing 720s for a short while, but I can't remember if they ever operated services from Luton.

[staircase]

Under cover parking - yeah right. A couple of my mates worked for a car parking company at the airport at that time, and two points;

1. The 'punter' dropped his car off at the under cover point and parked, and as soon as his fight had left the car was transferred to a field over towards Eaton Green until the day before his return, when it was driven back under cover.

2. I was always being picked up for a trip to the pub in the latest model of some up market motor on Friday and/or Saturday night!

[rog747]

re Britannia 300 series passenger services on Invicta many thanks but I have seen a photo now of one with passenger steps on and pax boarding at Pisa!

re the 720B's they bought 2 from AA G-BCBA & G-BCBB but that one never saw Invicta colours AFAIK - it went to Somali airlines and Deta on lease amongst other users and owners were Tempair Cyprus air Malta monarch air Ceylon and Maof

- Boeing 720-023B - Monarch Airlines | Aviation Photo #0120865 | Airliners.net (http://www.airliners.net/photo/Monarch-Airlines/Boeing-720-023B/120865/L?qsp=eJwtjEEKwkAMRe%2BStS5EcNGdXkAXXiCTfGqxOkMmoEPp3RsHd4/34C0k%2Be34%2Br0V0EAVbPKgHRU2flUaFnqifbJpMI37JClFrdn80sIoO84 iKA79%2B6sp7JdQpY/GGB8CYLfOdDyF16mWmfsDztNM67oBRUAuuA%3D%3D)

the other one was in Invicta colours and BOTH had the Boeing mods done with the 2 extra over-wing exits like Monarchs to enable 170Y pax

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Untitled/Boeing-707-123%28B%29/1312352/L?qsp=eJwtjEEKwkAMRe%2BStS5EcNGdXkAXXiCTfGqxOkMmoEPp3RsHd4/34C0k%2Be34%2Br0V0EAVbPKgHRU2flUaFnqifbJpMI37JClFrdn80sIoO84 iKA79%2B6sp7JdQpY/GGB8CYLfOdDyF16mWmfsDztNM67oBRUAuuA%3D%3D

[DaveReidUK]

The 'punter' dropped his car off at the under cover point and parked, and as soon as his fight had left the car was transferred to a field over towards Eaton Green until the day before his return, when it was driven back under cover.

A bit like what happens nowadays (allegedly) with some of the Gatwick valet parking operators.

I don't suppose their customers' cars have much fight left in them either. :O

[Buster the Bear]

http://i68.tinypic.com/bdl56s.jpg

G-ARXJ C-54B Skymaster and was once operated by Trans Meridian. During 1967 the aircraft was sold to Panama. Full history is - C/N 18370, C-54B-10-DO as 43-17170 for USAAF, next reg. as XT-100, next reg. as N8344C, N4270, N100J, G-ARXJ, HP-451, OO-FAK reserved NTU, [WFU].

[LTNman]

I can see a couple of VW Beetles and a VW Camper Van,

I think you have covered it!

[noflynomore]

What's lurking in the distance beneath the engines with a tiptank and apparently military roundels?

[DaveReidUK]

What's lurking in the distance beneath the engines with a tiptank and apparently military roundels?

I'd say it's a JP, with what could be a Devon behind it.

[22/04]

Invicta only used Brits for cargo ops AFAIK. G-AOVF c.'76-78) and G-ANCF (c.78-80), I think- only ever saw one at Manston. They leased 'NCF when it was still owned by Monarch- ( and still in Monarch c/s) - this was the last Monarch Britannia used largely for the Woomera run. And to my knowledge these were the last aircraft Invicta operated. Sq Ldr Kennard must have been "getting on a bit" by then I suspect having been involved with Air Ferry and Invicta and others before that - an early "serial entrepreneur".

[LTNman]

What's lurking in the distance beneath the engines with a tiptank and apparently military roundels?

This is the best I can do

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c275/ksmithltn/JP_zpserlgv1dr.jpg (http://s29.photobucket.com/user/ksmithltn/media/JP_zpserlgv1dr.jpg.html)

[jumpseater]

Looks like an RAF Jet Provost

[compton3bravo]

Regarding Invicta they used there Vanguards on a number of services from Luton including flights to Basel for Blue Cars holidays, regular UK forces relative flights to Dusseldorf and numerous day trips. Boeing 720 G-BCBA was painted in full Invicta International colours and used on numerous charters from Luton. I remember the flight deck crew saying they used QNH operation for landing and take-off which was one of the first I heard over the radio in the mid-1970s. I think the crews were employed by Templewood Aviation (Tempair). For those interested you can construct a 1/144th scale model B720 with Invicta decals.

[22/04]

Three Jet Provosts?

[LTNman]

Behind Britannia's old hangar. The track is now a busy road.
http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w504/nospamuk1/conni_zps8ff9724b.jpg (http://s1079.photobucket.com/user/nospamuk1/media/conni_zps8ff9724b.jpg.html)
photographer unknown

[diddy1234]

was the connie scrapped there or sold ?

[vintage ATCO]

Scrapped most likely. Not sure if this is the same one but it is just over the road from the previous pic.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e123/stevelevien/PPRuNe%20Pics/connie2.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e123/stevelevien/PPRuNe%20Pics/connie3.jpg

[22/04]

Invicta also picked up some ex Court line work after their demise in 1974 - for the remainder of that summer season. Can't remember if it was Jetway or Wallace Arnold- both were independent customers of Court Line. Any pax who expected a TriStar or One Eleven ended up with Vanguard plodding down to say Alicante, a bit of a come down

[LTNman]

We were booked on a Pontinental holiday using Courltline just before they went bust and ended up on a Dan Air Comet.

[cj241101]

If anyone thinks the airport is too congested now then they should have a look at 1968! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgdupI0CKvU

[LTNman]

Also poetic license has allowed you to use a taxiway that didn't exist in 1968:)

[LTNman]

After seeing those photos of the airports aircraft dump does anyone know the last aircraft to actually be scrapped at Luton? I have got a feeling it might have been a 707 maybe 15 years ago but the memory is vague.

[cj241101]

Also poetic license has allowed you to use a taxiway that didn't exist in 1968:)
Plan on redesigning the airport eventually to reflect the late 60's layout. It won't, of course, cope with the level of traffic I included in the video with aircraft backtracking 3 times the distance and everything exiting the main apron on taxiway Alpha. Can't do anything to make the flying club aircraft depart from the intersection. Poetic license also with the Viking and Argonaut which had been retired in 1967 before the Autair 1-11's and Britannia 737's arrived. Plan on further videos for later years (1970 - start of the Court Line era) then probably 1978/79 with the Scandinavians. This video has taken me 7 weeks of ground work, mostly repainting the aircraft, so the next ones are a while away while my eyes recover from the strain :eek:

[cj241101]

After seeing those photos of the airports aircraft dump does anyone know the last aircraft to actually be scrapped at Luton? I have got a feeling it might have been a 707 maybe 15 years ago but the memory is vague.
Last ones I recall were the 707 N751TA and the 720 N7201U, both of which were scrapped in 1982.

[Groundloop]

They all take-off without flaps!!

[cj241101]

They all take-off without flaps!!
Maybe that's why none of them is intersection able :confused:. A quick look at some landing videos I've done shows full flaps on landing, reverse thrust where appropriate, smoke from the tyres on touchdown; will post another video on YouTube to demonstrate sometime soon, watch this space....

[lotus1]

Regarding invictas 707s in the book invicta airlines a Kent airline there is a part when one of the 707s was stuck in Cyprus during the civil war of 74 Turkish troops where living in it and it substained a few hits of gun fire I beleive it was patched up and flow back to Luton for repairs by monarch also thomsons use to sublease the 707 and the 720 also Iraq airways leased these as well

[EGGW]

The last one i remember being scrapped or dismantled was the BAC 1-11, that was being overhauled by Mc Alpine for Mediterranean Express. It was dismantled and the fuselage trucked away. That would be about 1987.

EGGW.

[LTNman]

I remember that one now. A photo appeared here of that very aircraft. I can't think of anything after that date.

[cj241101]

Does anyone have any photos of Cessna 182 G-ATTD which was a regular in the McAlpine hangar circa 1967/8? Colour if possible (have a B&W photo already) or if anyone can remember the colour scheme that would help (green?).

[vintage ATCO]

Plenty if you Goggle but I guess you mean the original scheme as it appears to have been re-painted. I must have seen it but I don't remember it.

[cj241101]

Plenty if you Goggle but I guess you mean the original scheme as it appears to have been re-painted. I must have seen it but I don't remember it.
Thanks vintage ATCO. I have a B&W photo from 1967 which shows a classic Cessna scheme. I think the main colour was green but there is darker trim underneath. I remember seeing it regularly inside and outside the McAlpine hangar back in 1967, although registered to an owner in Leicester. As you say, is has long been repainted. It was registered to a Spanish owner in 2006, eventually going on to the Spanish register as EC-LXN in May 2013.

You'll probably remember these parked outside McAlpine's, though...
http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah165/colin_jones5/G-APWY20G-ASPC20G-ATXG20Luton20171216_zps5nnigpse.jpg (http://s1380.photobucket.com/user/colin_jones5/media/G-APWY20G-ASPC20G-ATXG20Luton20171216_zps5nnigpse.jpg.html)

[boeing_eng]

I can still hear those Piaggio's today!.....what a noise they made!;)

[LTNman]

They were banned from Elstree because of the noise they made I seem to remember.

[vintage ATCO]

Cessna 336/337s were, hadn't heard that Piaggios were too.

[cj241101]

Cessna 336/337s were, hadn't heard that Piaggios were too.
I had no idea the 336/337 had been banned from Elstree until this example appeared (4/6/94) the pilot of which found out when he went to pay his landing fee that his proposed Elstree trip wouldn't be happening.


http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah165/colin_jones5/I-ALJK20Luton20040694_zpskrepjaw6.jpg (http://s1380.photobucket.com/user/colin_jones5/media/I-ALJK20Luton20040694_zpskrepjaw6.jpg.html)

[lotus1]

I remember many years ago my brother and myself being invited to have a look in mc alpine hanger and seeing a very dusty looking marconis piaggio sitting there in a sad state must of been around 78 also there was a good clip in the Colour saint TVs show of a mcalpines piaggio taking of from Luton

[vintage ATCO]

The Marconi P166 G-APWY is in the Science Museum at Wroughton, it flew there from Southend in 1983. It use to shuttle back and forth between Luton and Southend, its regular pilot was Ralph Moring.

the last P166 I saw flying was at RIAT a few years ago, Italian Air Force.

[Buster the Bear]

http://i66.tinypic.com/novold.jpg

From a time when Wroughton had open days.

Image posted on behalf of a man with considerable interest in Luton.

[Buster the Bear]

http://i66.tinypic.com/5fjigo.jpg

[LTNman]

Cessna 336/337s were, hadn't heard that Piaggios were too.

That's me being wrong. I just remember a propeller facing the wrong way and put 2 and 2 together and got 5:O

[Mickey Kaye]

May I just say what a thoroughly interesting thread this one is.

[LTNman]

That's because we keep going off on a tangent:)

Not much has appeared here about Luton in the war years regarding military service probably due to the fact that apart from manufacturing Luton was away from the action.

I have read though that 264 squadron was based at Luton for a while flying Boulton Paul Defiants. The photo below was apparently taken at Luton in 1940.
http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w504/nospamuk1/No.%20264%20squadron%20at%20Luton%201940_zpsf87f9ad1.jpg (http://s1079.photobucket.com/user/nospamuk1/media/No.%20264%20squadron%20at%20Luton%201940_zpsf87f9ad1.jpg.htm l)

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

24 EFTS was based at Luton during the early years of the war using the airfield at Barton le Clay as their satellite. See superb photograph of Magisters Post 31 this thread. Many Fleet Air Arm Pilots learnt to fly at Luton thus.

Luton flight training (http://aggleton.name/0008gmainww2/0002Luton.htm)

Also read 'They Gave Me A Seafire' by Commander R Mike Crosley DSC (1986 with later reprint).

[noflynomore]

Something rather odd was built at Barton, wasn't it? Anyone remember what it was?

[DaveReidUK]

Something rather odd was built at Barton, wasn't it? Anyone remember what it was?

http://www.kingpinmedia.co.uk/_OtherSites/LutonMinor/images/Small%20Archive/G-BBCY%20Perth%2002.2006.jpg

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luton_Minor#/media/File:Lutonminorg-aepd1937.jpg

[Buster the Bear]

http://i66.tinypic.com/10xc5nb.jpg

5Y-ABF BRITAIR EAST AFRICA
Those around in the mid 60's will remember Capt. Kozubski's Britair East Africa operation. The ex Euravia Connie was WFU at Shannon in May 1966.

More info here.....

Falcon Airways (http://www.zoggavia.com/Falcon_Airways.html)

[noflynomore]

WFU??
What is that?

[treadigraph]

WFU = Withdrawn From Use.

[dixi188]

WFU = Withdrawn From Use.

[dixi188]

Treaders, I claim a draw!

[LTNman]

It has got the same colour scheme as the scrapped Conni on the last page.

[zetec2]

Are there any Luton Minors (or Majors) still flying ?.

[longer ron]

Spiney Norman posted

Top stuff! We used to regularly try to get interesting transits to do a fly by. One day the BBMF lancaster was passing by and accepted our invitation. Meanwhile, a Monarch 720 was back-tracked ready for departure....The Lancaster came into sight running down 26 descending...And descending! With a mighty roar of four Merlins the Lancaster passed VERY close above the 720 then turned on course at the upwind end...

Probably not the same day but when 'Jacko' kindly let me have the B Aimers posn in the Lanc,we did a low flyby along the Luton Rwy - :ok:
It was June 1980 - BBMF had diverted into Abingdon (weather I think) and we routed from Abingdon via Luton,x3 displays and landed Coningsby :)
I was based at Abingdon at the time as a Rigger.

I have finally caught up with this thread - really interesting and with some gorgeous pics !

[spekesoftly]

Are there any Luton Minors (or Majors) still flying ?

The UK CAA's database GINFO lists about 23 Luton Minor registrations, but only about 4 appear to have a current Permit to Fly.

[Spanish eyes]

Never knew that the Luton Aircraft Ltd was based just down the road at the airfield at Barton-Le-Cley before moving to Gerrards Cross.

Apparently Luton airfield became the home of No 5 Ferry Pool, an all-women group of the Air Transport Auxiliary (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Transport_Auxiliary) (ATA), who also used Barton-le-Clay as its Relief Training Ground.

A very interesting thread with maps and photos about Barton can be found here.

Barton(Beds) Aerodrome (http://forum.keypublishing.com/showthread.php?86219-Barton(Beds)-Aerodrome) Also contains photos of the Luton Buzzard, which I had never heard of.

[vintage ATCO]

There were many stories about Kozubski, I wish I could remember them and I wish even more they were true.

[vintage ATCO]

Luton Buzzard at Barton-le-Clay aerodrome. I would presume that is the designer, C.H. Latimer-Needham, in the cockpit in 1936.


http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e123/stevelevien/PPRuNe%20Pics/Luton%20Buzzard.jpg

[rentaghost]

OY-DSK B720, (may have been the one mentioned above as N7201U if re-registered before scrapping) and the 1-11 was G-AYUW which think ended up going to Hatfield for an emergency excercise as just the fuselage.

[LTNman]

Now that is a weird looking aircraft. The mark 2 had an enclosed cockpit and was made in 1937. It must have had a small propeller seeing that it is mounted behind the cockpit.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c275/ksmithltn/luton%20Buzzard_zpsrg17aswf.jpg (http://s29.photobucket.com/user/ksmithltn/media/luton%20Buzzard_zpsrg17aswf.jpg.html)

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

These snaps of obscure ultra-lights stirred a few grains of sawdust in the caverns of my mind. Can anybody recall the prang that the somewhat abrasive Luton SATCO Brimacombe Senior suffered flying a homebuilt at Luton in the sixties and the type of aircraft involved?

[vintage ATCO]

G-AFZE Heath Parasol 1 April 1966. As the ATCO who was sat in the seat at the time said to me "I wasn't sure whether to press the crash alarms or start a letter 'Dear Sir, I wish to apply for the vacant position of . . . . .'" :)

Got a pic somewhere . . . .

BTW It's Brimecombe.

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

There - I knew someone would know fifty years after the event. Wonderful thing this thread!

[LTNman]

photo of the prang here. ( photo can be clicked on the expand it)
http://www.airphotographicinternational.com/products/g-afze-heath-parasolluton-1966

So were was that photo taken?

[vintage ATCO]

The photo I had in mind is on the 'net but copyrighted.

If you look here AVIATION GOLDEN OLDIES - LUTON (http://www.edendale.co.uk/GO/LTN.3.html) at the bottom, right, you can see the aircraft with Brimecombe Junior seated in it and Brimecombe Senior standing behind.

[vintage ATCO]

LTNman

The pic is taken up against the fence on he south side of the airfield where the crash occurred although I would think the wreckage has been moved to one of the EP gates prior to recovery onto the airfield.

It was at Old Warden in 1982 with a new owner but I presume it ended up in a skip when he new owner died.

[LTNman]

The photo I had in mind is on the 'net but copyrighted.

I asked the copyright owner of that website a year or so ago whether I could reproduce some of his photos here with credits to him. The answer was a resounding no. It was the only time I have been refused as everyone else has been delighted to share their photos but the owner said he put a monetary value on his photos. I got the impression that he seemed upset that I had even asked.

He has taken some wonderful photos so his website is worth a look but just don't copy any of them!

[Buster the Bear]

Rule Britannia!

http://i66.tinypic.com/2ic4h7s.jpg
http://i68.tinypic.com/25yznn5.jpg

[LTNman]

Great photos Buster. You just can't beat a prop airliner.

[Buster the Bear]

G-AOVF passed over Luton during its last ever flight from Southend to Cosford during May 1984. I was sat in a garden in the north Luton area as it passed overhead on track to DTY wheels down. It might be a fading memory, but I also thought that it was on three engines?

[Buster the Bear]

More props!

http://i65.tinypic.com/2hqysf7.jpg
http://i63.tinypic.com/16j1te1.jpg

[LTNman]

Those were the days when cargo operators using Britannia's seemed to be two a penny but I think the reality was that it was spread over a few years. Was the Invicta one cargo or passenger?

[LTNman]

Wishing all PPRuNer's who follow this thread a Merry Christmas but does anyone know this imposter?
http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w504/nospamuk1/12373376_1625742054357500_6318389673677555333_n_zps847dc752. jpg (http://s1079.photobucket.com/user/nospamuk1/media/12373376_1625742054357500_6318389673677555333_n_zps847dc752. jpg.html)
Luton News

[cj241101]

Those were the days when cargo operators using Britannia's seemed to be two a penny but I think the reality was that it was spread over a few years. Was the Invicta one cargo or passenger?
Invicta the passenger airline closed down at the end of October 1975. The only Britannia they used was G-AOVT, leased from Monarch for just 3 months late 1974-75. Not sure if it was actually used for passenger work or not. The aircraft is of course the one displayed at Duxford in Monarch colours. Their other Britannias G-AOVF and G-ANCF were leased from IAS after the passenger business ceased, and were used purely for cargo work until Oct 1981 when the airline finally closed down.

http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah165/colin_jones5/G-AOVF20Luton20120480_zpsj90juzdy.jpg (http://s1380.photobucket.com/user/colin_jones5/media/G-AOVF20Luton20120480_zpsj90juzdy.jpg.html)
G-AOVF 12/4/80

[22/04]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6oTI-z1RAEU

Not seen this before Ah! The 1970s and that cheesy music

[squeaker]

Is the mystery Santa Derek Davison?

[ajd1]

I think it is the late DD.

[Buster the Bear]

http://i63.tinypic.com/2rm5jq0.jpg

[Lee Baker Street]

I think it is the late DD.

I can confirm it was Derek Davidson.

[compton3bravo]

Just a quick mention You Tube has a great video of a Capital Airlines 146 flight from Dublin to Luton in March 1990 with the late lamented D Gearing on Tower. Just key in Capital 676.

[brakedwell]

Those were the days when cargo operators using Britannia's seemed to be two a penny but I think the reality was that it was spread over a few years. Was the Invicta one cargo or passenger?
22 RAF Britannias were sold to civil operators in 1976 and a majority ended up at Luton at some time or other.
Invicta ceased passenger operations when it got rid of the Vanguards. The Britannia was a 312F.

[LTNman]

Luton is apparently going to get an outside airside terrace as part of its upgrade. Its been a longtime since the airport had its last airside terrace.

http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w504/nospamuk1/15698292_839718679501530_7190305466311622973_n_zps159bba06.j pg (http://s1079.photobucket.com/user/nospamuk1/media/15698292_839718679501530_7190305466311622973_n_zps159bba06.j pg.html)

[cj241101]

Luton is apparently going to get an outside airside terrace as part of its upgrade. Its been a longtime since the airport had its last airside terrace.

Think the location is where the DF shop was put around 1985.

[LTNman]

That's what I first thought but don't forget the terminal had a large extension put on the back just after the undercover coach lane was put in.

[LTNman]

The rear airside terminal extension
http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w504/nospamuk1/IMG_zps7f9aa264.jpg (http://s1079.photobucket.com/user/nospamuk1/media/IMG_zps7f9aa264.jpg.html)

[LTNman]

I have never heard of this aircraft but it is apparently a Dart Kitten II. Dart was based in Dunstable which is just down the road from Luton. The photo was taken at Luton around 1952

Would Dart somehow be linked to the Handley Page Dart Herald?


http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c275/ksmithltn/G-AEXT%20Dart%20Kitten%20II.%20The%20late%20Gerald%20Lawance_z pskcdm4htk.jpg (http://s29.photobucket.com/user/ksmithltn/media/G-AEXT%20Dart%20Kitten%20II.%20The%20late%20Gerald%20Lawance_z pskcdm4htk.jpg.html)
The late Gerald Lawance via Tony Clarke

[Groundloop]

Doesn't look like it's powered by a Rolls-Royce Dart!:ok:

[treadigraph]

Kitten was built by Dart Aircraft.

Dart Herald powered by RR Darts (named after the river) - name distinguished it from the prototype Herald which had four Alvis Leonides - and was force landed on fire at Milford Surrey during Farnborough Week sometime in the late 1950s.

[vintage ATCO]

Dart Kitten designed by A R Weyl and built by Dart Aircraft Ltd, Dunstable. Only four built, three in the UK and one in New Guinea. The above G-AEXT was based for many years on a strip near Aylesbury and I know the owner well. He decided to give up flying and sold it and the new owner pranged it! It is still around.

[LynxDriver]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1iGcUhi5rA

[Mickey Kaye]

G-AEXT is still going strong and is based at Breighton in Yorkshire and still flies regularly!

The Real Aeroplane Company - Breighton Aerodrome (http://www.realaero.com/collection.htm)

[happybiker]

LynxDriver, thanks for posting. The striking thing to me in the pictures and videos is how smart the passengers are, no torn jeans, no shell suits and definitely not a onesie in sight! Should we wind the clock back?

[brakedwell]

Mickey, thanks for posting. The striking thing to me in the pictures and videos is how smart the passengers are, no torn jeans, no shell suits and definitely not a onesie in sight! Should we wind the clock back?

A much better class of passenger in the good old days. Almost certain to be sober too! :cool:

[LTNman]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INohU3u6-iI

Via the old approach road- mute your speakers as the music is awful

[22/04]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71xTqrnP26o

Here's another with some footage of G-ARUM taxying for cj241101 (rather fast unless its speeded up) - they all bring back forgotten memories- those smoke marks from thrust reversers around the rear fuselage of 737s - forgotten about those until reminded by this.

[boeing_eng]

Fond memories of when flying from LTN was a pleasurable experience!:ok:

[22/04]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-HPg5oGlww

Not always!!! In fact 1975 did not turn out to be "desperate" but rather quiet as we now know. The two TriStars were still there but going nowhere.

I wonder if we lost one our "big two" today Luton would return to being a much quieter place!

[LTNman]

BRITANNIA NEWSPAPER FLIGHTS

In the 70's did Britannia fly newspapers to Belfast from Luton using 737's with freight doors and reinforced floors? It was at the time of the MOD contracts to West Germany so might have increased the utilization of the aircraft?

Assuming these aircraft did have freight doors did Britannia buy the aircraft with freight doors or were they put in by Britannia or a third party for Britannia?

[vintage ATCO]

Britannia use to run a schedule service to Belfast using the spare capacity of the trooping flights. I don't recall any of their 737s with freight doors.

[oldbalboy]

2 x freighters, NA & NB delivered with doors from boeing.

[DaveReidUK]

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/79/f2/e5/79f2e524031dcce22f30589fcd7cbdbe.jpg

[cj241101]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71xTqrnP26o

Here's another with some footage of G-ARUM taxying for cj241101.
Thanks 22/04, G-ARUM is on the back burner until I can figure out how to get rid of the blue prop spinners :{. Loads of other FS stuff on the go at the moment - Jersey 1967 and the Dutch invasion on 8/4/70 amongst others.

On the subject of Britannia 737's, G-AXNA and G-AXNB were -204C's i.e. convertible from pax to cargo config. Looks like the picture of 'NA is of a horse flight - at a guess they look like they were loaded in containers. Must have been a lot of deep cleaning needed afterwards before the aircraft did it's next pax flight!

[mpenage]

Overnight conversions each way to install/remove the cargo rollers & ball mats by Lofty and his gang! There were a couple of rows of seats retained at the back of the aircraft with a sawdust dam constructed in front of them. This was due to the "liquid" from the horses running aft on take-off and climb!

[LTNman]

So did any airline do newspaper flights in the 70's from Luton? Seem to remember a service to Jersey but that might have been a different decade.

Also seem to remember a newspaper flight from Luton crashing which I think was also going to Jersey but that might have been in the late 90's or early 2000's.

[pppdrive]

Air Bridge Carriers had a Merchantman (Vanguard) based at Luton for nightly newspaper run to Glasgow and other cargo runs during the day. This was in 1981 and 82 at least. Paul

[Bigt]

Mr LTNman may be referring to the incident involving EI-AWG Aer Turas DC-7C/F on 3/3/74 which over ran the runway. I think the flight was bringing in newspapers from Dublin with equipment and grooms for a return horse flight

[DaveReidUK]

Also seem to remember a newspaper flight from Luton crashing which I think was also going to Jersey but that might have been in the late 90's or early 2000's.

That would be the Channel Express F-27 that stalled on approach to Guernsey in January 1999.

[kenparry]

BRITANNIA NEWSPAPER FLIGHTS

In the 70's did Britannia fly newspapers to Belfast from Luton using 737's with freight doors and reinforced floors? It was at the time of the MOD contracts to West Germany so might have increased the utilization of the aircraft?

Not sure about BFS but I flew at least one night newspaper run to Edinburgh sometime in the 80s; about 10 tons of loose-loaded bundles, not on a freighter, but a normal passenger aircraft. A few seats were broken in the process.

The MoD Germany contract was about half a 737's work. Extra work was always welcome, if it was at the right price of course.

[cj241101]

So did any airline do newspaper flights in the 70's from Luton. Seem to remember a service to Jersey but that might have been a different decade.

Also seem to remember a newspaper flight from Luton crashing which I think was also going to Jersey but that might have been in the late 90's or early 2000's.


The Air Bridge - later Hunting Cargo - Merchantman continued to operate the 6 nights a week newspaper flights to Glasgow during the 1980's, Aer Turas did newspapers to Dublin circa 1970 with DC-4/DC-7 aircraft. They returned to operate the same flights with DC-8-63 aircraft in the mid-80's. Skyways Cargo used their FH-227 to take newspapers to Amsterdam during 1979.


http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah165/colin_jones5/EI-BNA20Luton20190185a_zps4zhqqphz.jpg (http://s1380.photobucket.com/user/colin_jones5/media/EI-BNA20Luton20190185a_zps4zhqqphz.jpg.html)
EI-BNA 19/1/85. The airport wasn't very good at snow clearance then either.

The aircraft that crashed on approach to Guernsey was Channel Express F-27 G-CHNL on 12/1/99. The inquiry found the cause was the aircraft C of G was outside the flight envelope and the deployment of full flaps on final approach moved the C of G further aft causing the aircraft to stall. No blame attributed to the loading team, incidentally.


http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19990112-0&lang=en

[Marchettiman]

There was a small airline called Euroair, which was started in the late 70's by Don Daines, a fellow member then of the Tiger Club. I flew their Islanders and Cessna 404 Titans on single pilot newspaper flights for several years, the routes were Luton-Dublin and Luton-Prestwick. I doubt whether many photos exist, we waited for the vans to arrive from Fleet Street around midnight, helped load the aircraft and then departed into the night. The Dublin route was the worst as fuel wasn't available until 4am at Dublin, I used to get a couple of hours kip in the Aer Lingus crew-room before setting off empty back to Luton. We carried the Daily Telegraph and the Sporting Life, rather more of the latter than the former to Dublin which also provided the luxury of a GCA in those days.

[hatters united]

In the early eighties there was a company called Air Continental running Navajo Cheiftains and Kingair 100's on newspaper runs every night. They certainly went to Geneva ( Navajo reg G-NEVA ) and Leuchars in Scotland on each weekday night. Their offices were between the Flying Club Hanger and the Helicopters hanger and one of the pilots flying for Air Continental is now the owner of Titan Airways at Stansted. If my memory serves me right I think the owner also set up the company "TrafficMaster" in one of the units on the old Vauxhall training site.

[lotus1]

Flew with euroair in 85 on page and moy charter to Amsterdam for the Dutch Gp they then had a viscount it was great flying over the North Sea and seeing gas rigs with there flames blowing away through the big viscount Windows

[The AvgasDinosaur]

I think one of the B.737-204QC's was leased to Pelican for a short time. Never seen a photo though. She had BY fuselage and Pelican tail colours.
Be lucky
David

[Level bust]

There were several operators flying newspapers around Europe in the 80s. Air Continental (Navajos and Beech 90 King Airs), Hubbardair (Cessna 404s and Twin Otters), National (King Airs and Beech 200s). Euroair (Islanders) to name but a few.

They were always operated single crew and good for a right hand seat ride, if you didn't mind flying round Europe during the middle of the night!

There were also small package operators such as Air Foyle (Aztecs) Nightflite (Navajo) and probably a few more that I have forgotten!

[LTNman]

The planned overnight freight movements for midweek for summer 1985 with a few passenger movements mixed in the pot

L/S = long stop over

http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w504/nospamuk1/tue_zps3fd3f7cf.jpg (http://s1079.photobucket.com/user/nospamuk1/media/tue_zps3fd3f7cf.jpg.html)

http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w504/nospamuk1/Wed_zpsc8f3be7e.jpg (http://s1079.photobucket.com/user/nospamuk1/media/Wed_zpsc8f3be7e.jpg.html)

[HershamBoys]

Flew Bergamo (LIME) - Maastrich(EHBK) - Luton in the RHS of a Air Continental Beech 90. Climbed in the back door with the pilot, which he shut and locked behind us, then we both had to squeeze along the six inch space between the packages and the cabin roof, then dive head first individually into the seats before rotating round the vertical axis to adopt a sitting position. I was thin and nimble then.....

[pppdrive]

1984 also saw Executive Air with their nightly Luton-Le Bourget run on G-VICK

[vulcanite]

There was also a company called Executive Express, who ran Kingairs amongst others. They also managed Britannia's Golden Eagle (C421) for them.
They did either newspapers or mail to Dublin - as I went RHS on one of them

[ATNotts]

The planned overnight freight movements for midweek for summer 1985 with a few passenger movements mixed in the pot

L/S = long stop over

http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w504/nospamuk1/tue_zpssopmobyi.jpg (http://s1079.photobucket.com/user/nospamuk1/media/tue_zpssopmobyi.jpg.html)

http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w504/nospamuk1/Wed_zpsxlya8yfp.jpg (http://s1079.photobucket.com/user/nospamuk1/media/Wed_zpsxlya8yfp.jpg.html)
Pleased to see a vintage copy of Airport Timetables UK is still being put to good use. Darned shame the new-fangled interweb thingy put paid to it!

(Person with vested interest)!!

[LTNman]

Anyone care to list the airlines on the above post from the flight numbers in the 2 columns without referring to Airports timetable UK? :E Answers later for any missing airlines.

[ATNotts]

Anyone care to list the airlines on the above post from the flight numbers in the 2 columns without referring to Airports timetable UK? :E Answers later for any missing airlines.
Without searching my ATUK archive I'll kick off with:-

KND - Kondair (for XP Express Parcels)
HBD - Hubbardair
MO - National Airways?
AK - Air Bridge Cargo
JE - Jersey European
UQ - Can't remember the Airline, but weren't they operating for Virgin on a daily AMS schedule?

More obvious ones-

BY - Britannia
OM - Monarch
LC - Loganair

Ought to remember ALF with the DC3, and EO - but my brain cells are dying off too quickly.

[DaveReidUK]

JE - Jersey European

I seem to recall Jersey being JY, I think JE was actually Manx, but I could be wrong.

[ATNotts]

I seem to recall Jersey being JY, I think JE was actually Manx, but I could be wrong.
Thinking about it, you're right.

[barry lloyd]

Yes, JE definitely Manx, but I have no idea why!

[dc9-32]

UQ = London European with their Viscount

[cj241101]

Without searching my ATUK archive I'll kick off with:-

KND - Kondair (for XP Express Parcels)
HBD - Hubbardair
MO - National Airways?
AK - Air Bridge Cargo
JE - Jersey European
UQ - Can't remember the Airline, but weren't they operating for Virgin on a daily AMS schedule?

More obvious ones-

BY - Britannia
OM - Monarch
LC - Loganair

Ought to remember ALF with the DC3, and EO - but my brain cells are dying off too quickly.
EO was both Euroflite scheduled service to Brussels and Night Express ("Executive Triple One") with their Beech 99. I am guessing ALF was the Air Luton DC-3 as 1985/6 was the era they operated. CME Air Camelot. XF Spacegrand. SM guessing Connectair (previously used by Skyways Cargo then Altair-Italian Caravelle operator but not Bandeirantes!). BSF I think probably Airbusiness (Danish B200 operator). DG Air Atlantique but what's a CD2?

[lotus1]

With regards to Euroair didn't they also operate a herald for a while and also I beleive there stewardesses took channel 4 to court for a remark made in a comedy show in the late 80s about them and they won the court case?

[vintage ATCO]

Splendid view of the old control tower, early 50s

The pic was upsetting my OCD so I have straightened it!! And removed some dust spots. Wonder if it was a 35mm slide?

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e123/stevelevien/PPRuNe%20Pics/Old%20Control%20Tower%2050s%202.jpg

[kcockayne]

Yes, they had a Herald. I've got a photo of it, somewhere. Reg' was G-BEYK.

[HershamBoys]

CD2 - didn't someone use a DHL Convair for a short time ?

[ATNotts]

CD2 - didn't someone use a DHL Convair for a short time ?
Googled the type CD2 - It's GAF Nomad.

[LTNman]

Just claiming the 2000th reply to this thread:ok:

The photo on the last page of the resplendent tower surrounded by grass and fields is a reminder of how much has now changed.

[DaveReidUK]

Googled the type CD2 - It's GAF Nomad.

And I suspect the operator (DG) might have been Nightexpress.

[TCU]

Dave, thank you for putting me out of my misery as could not find either DG or CD2 under any ICAO/IATA definitions in my record...closest I got was a CD2T....Cessna 402 Turbine...DG just flummoxed me.

LTNman congrats on the 2,000th post. I watch this thread from afar (Cape Town) but it cheers me up every time it rises to the top of the wonderful Aviation-History-Nostalgia category

As a young lad I was a STN spotter (mid 70's - early 80's) and always thought of LTN as rather exotic!!