Stansted Airport History and Nostalgia

[treadigraph]

I believe Keith Sissons flew Doug Arnold's ex Indian AF B-24J into Stansted - inside his Heavylift Belfast! The B-24 is airworthy with The Collings Foundation. (Peter Sissons read the news! :))

C-54 G-BCDT went Laos... Destroyed in Phnom Penh Cambodia 10.04.75. - during one of the attacks that led to the fall of Cambodia under the control of the communist forces of Khmer Rouge on April 17 1975 .

DC-4 G-BBVN scrapped at Southend in '77...

[Sotonsean]

The Mexicana Comet that the firemen at Stansted had to play with was a former BOAC example (G-APDR). The Comets broken up at Lasham were former Sudan/Dan-Air examples.

Mexicana DH-106 Comet 4 XA-NAP

Originally delivered to BOAC in 1960 as G-APDR, leased to Mexicana as XA-NAZ in 1966, re-registered XA-NAP. Sold to Channel Airways in 1971 for spares, broken up at the fire dump at London Stansted Airport in 1973.

I'll attach a photo of XA-NAP at the fire dump later.

[GAZIN]

In my dusty and somewhat intermittent memory of the fire dump I think I recall a Mexican Comet, a former Belgian Air Force C-54 and two British Civil DC-4/C-54 of uncertain ownership G-BANO, G-BANP.
Any confirmation or further details appreciated.
David
In 1977 there was the remains of an Air Links Argonaut present on the dump, perhaps that was one of them, the C54 had a red cheat line, if I remember correctly.

[Sotonsean]

In my dusty and somewhat intermittent memory of the fire dump I think I recall a Mexican Comet, a former Belgian Air Force C-54 and two British Civil DC-4/C-54 of uncertain ownership G-BANO, G-BANP.
Any confirmation or further details appreciated.
David

The former Belgian Air Force C-54 was re-registered as G-AZSI and bought by BAF for spares for their Carvair fleet in 1973. It was broken up at the fire dump in 1975. It had originally been built and delivered to SAS.

BAF had purchased two former Spantax DC-4's as spares for their Carvair fleet and we're registered G-BANO and G-BANO. Both were scrapped at the fire dump in 1975/76.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1023x673/3580882035_06e2ca09e5_b_d6e343df1cc15c904593c39e49815db7dc8b 5a86.jpg
Former Belgian C-54 re-registered as G-AZSI at the fire dump at London Stansted Airport in 1975. Bought by BAF as spares for their Carvair fleet.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x683/8099586789_a89d8aa524_b_7f44a16299d0ef4d4b01dd1ead6489e78d16 7b68.jpg
Former Spantax DC-4 sold to BAF and re-registered as G-BANO, seen on the fire dump at London Stansted Airport in 1975. G-BANP is out of view but was also present.

[v812]

I was lucky enough to go on the day trip to Ostend. a number of ground staff acted as Cabin crew at least 1 had cabin crew experience. Can't imagine it being allowed today. A few months later one of the crew told me they had trouble with the brakes on landing at Ostend and used every inch of the runway. Felt very lucky to be on it's las t flight

[Sotonsean]

In 1977 there was the remains of an Air Links Argonaut present on the dump, perhaps that was one of them, the C54 had a red cheat line, if I remember correctly.

The Airlinks Argonaut at the fire dump was G-ALHI, I'll try and get a photo to upload.

The C-54 was formerly with the Belgian Air Force, bought by BAF for spares and re-registered as G-AZSI. I've just uploaded a photo of the aircraft at the fire dump.

[Sotonsean]

I thought that when I looked at the pic, but I actually read your comment as "a basic RAF colour scheme"!

A CL-44 (or a Britannia?) does make an appearance as an RAF aircraft in Lindsay Anderson's film "O Lucky Man", the scene could well have been filmed at Stansted. Might watch it again later on...

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/500x333/37939307452_095a70bb8b_8307e4d4a1b7283dfba9eb6971fe7281cefa3 c6d.jpg

​​​​​​
The aircraft in question was a Transmeridian Air Cargo (TMAC) Canadair CL-44-D4-2, G-ATZH painted in a fake RAF colour scheme and for the purpose of filming it was temporarily registered as XV196.

Here is a photo of the aircraft in question along with a Canadair CL-44-D4-6 belonging to the Argentinian cargo operator Tar Transporte Aero Rioplatense seen at London Stansted Airport on the 17 July 1972.

[Sotonsean]

Many thanks.
Did either or both the would be ‘Son of British Eagle DC-4/C-54s end up on Stansted Fire School playground ? One may have been G-BCDT I can’t recall the other one, sorry.

There were some fairly exotic pieces of kit moved by Heavylift and probably by TMAC before them. I saw a Qatar Sea King in the hangar used by Instone being prepped for loading into a Belfast for delivery after flying in from Westlands.
It was interesting to note that the Instone Bristol G-BISU had colour coded prop and engine controls. Red and Green obviously. Can anyone confirm if the white one G-AMLK was similarly equipped?

Did TMAC and Heavylift Captain Peter Sissons ever bring his warbirds into Stansted?

Am I correct in thinking that Stansted was the chosen point for loading and dispatch of Oxfam etc aid flights?
Sorry it’s all questions, thanks for a wonderful thread and some amazing photos.
David

Not exactly answering your questions but seeing that you brought up Instone Air Line I thought that I would upload a selection of photos of their Bristol Freighters taken at London Stansted Airport.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x762/9014519667_4bc3887277_b_5d7c56df4df7e3ad4b7e88a6288d46f0dc45 329a.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x715/6888152045_da68efd3a4_b_ed7a5ec4344072b6548dac511a4649c03b97 1053.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/400x225/53028_1224427130_b3e74d52a7112c5a752a29040f46a957d5689e83.jp g
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x673/14565811542_30e7283d3d_b_819e1c3ee73c2d4383f6dc3d4f6ec726806 d8f41.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/500x321/49045433498_8cb38c9ddc_4c015a7027cc153638b49533be265f887bf4d 85d.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x705/14585216629_f3191d7b0f_b_87644b930e5c699c5171d88c06b1f134dc7 65d35.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x680/39592982564_8535494be4_b_c8a8723c30ec8c97ec7c3346cda17cddd5d bb19b.jpg

[Sotonsean]

Channel Airways Vickers Viscount G-ATVR was donated to the fire dump at London Stansted Airport in 1971 and was eventually scrapped in 1980.

Not the best of photos but the aircraft is seen at the fire dump in 1975.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/202x135/unnamed_1__657dca0a12003658c0cc74952fe457288ddcae53.jpg

[Sotonsean]

A few photos taken at London Stansted Airport in July 1975 including several former recently retired Royal Air Force Bristol Britannia's, plus Transmeridian Air Cargo (TMAC) CL-44 Guppy N447T in it's original colour scheme.

Flying Fortress "Sally B" G-BEDF is also visible in the first photo.
​​​
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/800x533/16634768466_c8bbd225f5_o_82fbe2e0f9d83a7d93d3b8703a3cfa77996 fa848.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x675/britt_497_1172b7f3391abcc230dd6dd7f4c46e0e40beedc4.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/800x533/16453404377_4dd2d3fab8_o_6908e407b0f5f7874359ffbec299d970cf8 20925.jpg

[treadigraph]

A few photos taken at London Stansted Airport in July 1973 including several former recently retired Royal Air Force Bristol Britannia's, plus Transmeridian Air Cargo (TMAC) CL-44 Guppy N447T in it's original colour scheme.

A Flying Fortress is also visible in the first photo.

I think that must be '75 at the earliest as the B-17 does look very much like Sally B in her original scheme; she arrived with Ted White at Duxford in March '75.

Pic of CL-44 G-ATZH in the "RAF" scheme is indeed as she appeared in "O Lucky Man".

I recall a TAR CL-44 LV-JTN at Gatwick in '77, delivering Aerolineas Argentina's HS-748 spares to Dan-Air who had bought AA's 748 fleet and spares inventory . The CL-44 was destroyed in a mid-air collision with a Su-15 after straying into Soviet airspace a couple of years later...

[Sotonsean]

I think that must be '75 at the earliest as the B-17 does look very much like Sally B in her original scheme; she arrived with Ted White at Duxford in March '75.

Pic of CL-44 G-ATZH in the "RAF" scheme is indeed as she appeared in "O Lucky Man".

I recall a TAR CL-44 LV-JTN at Gatwick in '77, delivering Aerolineas Argentina's HS-748 spares to Dan-Air who had bought AA's 748 fleet and spares inventory . The CL-44 was shot down by the Russians a couple of years later...

Your probably right regarding the year as being incorrect.

B17 Flying Fortress "Sally B" was brought to the UK from France in 1975 and put on the UK CAA register as G-BEDF. So the photo was taken from at least 1975 onwards rather than 1973 as I had originally stated.

I'm going to edit the photo details as taken in July 1975 rather than what I initially thought it was as in July 1973.

[Wyvernfan]

Absolutely amazing and fascinating photos and information from all of you. Many thanks and please keep them coming!


Rob

[GAZIN]

Long time STN resident ATEL. These pictures are from 1987, when the company became Qualtair.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1000x621/neg87b_17_hangar_4_1987_web_da49ce334419e6666c08d7b95f733b36 72f4627d.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/640x435/atelaug87_9e9398d5f75d10614bac28d1af5b4f39b783bc06.jpg

[GAZIN]

Flying Tigers DC-8 looking slightly nibbled after a very very close encounter with Intercontinental DC-8 5N-AVY, as seen in post #8.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1200x707/img411_b276705b0d02839142eab2d19eb66c6a1de005e0.jpg

[SpringHeeledJack]

Love the old cars in the carpark of ATEL.

That nibbled DC-8 was a regular into Heathrow back in the day.

What was the 707/720 dark tail in the photo with the Brittania and the B17 ?

[treadigraph]

What was the 707/720 dark tail in the photo with the Brittania and the B17 ?

Might be Tempair? Vague recollection of one belonging to them in that scheme.

[GAZIN]

What was the 707/720 dark tail in the photo with the Brittania and the B17 ?

I think it’s the ex air commerz 707-138B N790SA. It was later leased to THY.

[Musket90]

I believe the tail fin of the nibbled FT DC8 was repaired with the help of a piece of tail fin taken from another DC8 on the fire ground..

[Musket90]

The blue coloured Rich International DC8-62 photo is presumably ex Braniff. I wonder if it's the same aircraft as this one,taken at Gatwick.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1504/img_8470_19b207d3a8e73a0a54456127a9b70892775ebb5a.jpg

[DaveReidUK]

The blue coloured Rich International DC8-62 photo is presumably ex Braniff. I wonder if it's the same aircraft as this one,taken at Gatwick.


Both photos do indeed appear to be N810BN.

[happybiker]

Love the old cars in the carpark of ATEL.

You probably did not own a Marina then!

[Musket90]

Both photos do indeed appear to be N810BN.

Yes Dave they appear to be. I photographed the Braniff one in late 70's early 80's when Braniff very rarely replaced the "big orange" B747 with the DC8-62

[Sotonsean]

Yes Dave they appear to be. I photographed the Braniff one in late 70's early 80's when Braniff very rarely replaced the "big orange" B747 with the DC8-62

Braniff International had several DC-62's painted in a similar blue livery as seen in the photo and the DC 8-62 is the same aircraft in both.

Rich International acquired one DC8-62 from Braniff International in December 1983 N610BN. It was sold to LACSA in August 1986 having never been fully painted in the Rich International livery of silver body with a red, white and blue cheatline.

Regarding the "Big Orange", this reference was to their original Boeing 747 N601BN delivered in 1971 which had an orange body with a white tail with the large letters BN in orange.

From 1971 to 1979 Braniff International had just the one Boeing 747 in their fleet, their original flagship N601BN which was affectionately referred to as the "Big Orange".

From 1979 up until the airline's collapse in May 1982 Braniff International had eight Boeing 747 in their fleet including three Boeing 747SP variants, all fully painted orange including their tails. N601BN remained in it's original livery throughout it's career with Braniff International.

Once more examples started entering service with the airline the term "Big Orange" tended to be collective term of phrase regarding the entire Braniff International Boeing 747 fleet.

By 1979 up until the airline's collapse all of Braniff International fleet of Boeing 747's we're used on DFW-LGW and all we're referred to as the "Big Orange".

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/319x208/27872162029_0a1d336422_n_c03a3ffcea73837f9b338e5c05288462f0b 2f684.jpg

Not a full size photo but here is Braniff International N601BN the original ''Big Orange'' at London Stansted Airport on a weather diversion from London Gatwick Airport in October 1978. Also in view is a BWIA British West Indian Airlines Boeing 707 on a similar weather diversion from London Heathrow Airport.

[Sotonsean]

Regarding the previous discussions about the Mexicana Comet XA-NAP, here are two photos of the aircraft taken at the old fire dump in 1973.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1021x660/mexicana_comet_xa_nap_ecf652de5307328e2c502d977c3a27ae4c739d 8c.jpg


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/673x450/mexicana_comet_xa_nap_2_077efe4b69fe17914d88dd0bf7598ebbc05f d6d7.jpg

[Musket90]

The original Braniff "Big Orange" then a different one with the "All Orange"
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1504/img_8450_e38fa6b8cd0f26151fc3ebcde9b00bc18b8ddeba.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1504/img_8481_061d89dc4f78eb3b0502a6f56bbe8f45b21cd15f.jpg

[Sotonsean]

Getting back to London Stansted Airport History and Nostalgia....

I previously posted several photos of the Fordair aircraft at London Stansted Airport but I had overlooked their Boeing 727's.

Here is a photo of one of their Boeing 727-100's N329K arriving at London Stansted Airport in July 1973.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/800x533/16038403884_9729f0c3b2_o_c7fafba33ccd897c1779ff4c3e75678d1b9 4288f.jpg

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/800x533/16038403964_efc0a6ef08_o_f5f8f5aeb62efe15470bace434a6b3c9e83 31e3c.jpg

[Sotonsean]

In 1980 Gulf Air had retired their small fleet of Standard VC-10's and two examples were temporarily stored at London Stansted Airport, they were eventually sold to the RAF.

A40-VI with another Gulf Air VC-10 A40-VL to the right.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x567/42511959061_1dea796cbb_b_1bdb6c081b6897a72b3b1f81571d288a587 afd59.jpg

[Sotonsean]

A few shots of AERO AMERICA Boeing 707-123B N7522A stored at London Stansted Airport in 1979.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x683/31290829802_17a1c5ace3_b_06b052d0208fceebde2de9210d64c0c9dac 99e5f.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1023x694/5729994511_7368b76f44_b_3a66fafa1afc44a469c6c9d7c7221dd46ce5 d387.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x727/32939027482_9f9a9d052c_b_47f78b211355dc1aa1b4c228c3b2df6e5ed c1862.jpg

[Sotonsean]

​​​​​​A selection of aircraft at London Stansted Airport in 1979.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x666/40594940451_c50ccac0fd_b_d2b9fd19883e23600fcb8d81624902f6e2b daf91.jpg


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/500x327/24230832113_5bd23cff38_00af752eb8fce8fe635579f33660218747690 d62.jpg


​​​​https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x654/42885733435_befbc49635_b_b039e5c57767614dac67c12b5404a6d18ef 1a496.jpg

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x659/ef37bf2edbdeb66c8c951e1a148d335a_477ca537b717935505c27d7f165 3abd9b0066c70.jpg



https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1023x662/biman_boeing_707_london_stansted_august_1979_b2edbcce75e8ebd 59ea502451964cf1522e9a03b.jpg

[Sotonsean]

A couple more photos of the old fire dump from 1979 showing the former Perfect Air Tours Boeing 707-320B N702PT. There's not much information regarding this short lived US operator. I believe that it was owned by a US travel club similar to the previously discussed Denver Ports of Call.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x683/31318015646_51e8e23dc9_b_ca449b6c42e3d33499d5f3ed4abd4a1a233 f5723.jpg

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x683/30984987500_2b93be0cb0_b_0bef2c423218fd0e8879fd97615e5c0e822 93b5a.jpg

[horatio_b]

More information about Perfect Air Tours here:

Perfect Air Tours (http://www.oldjets.net/perfect-air-tours.html)

[Sotonsean]

More information about Perfect Air Tours here:

Perfect Air Tours (http://www.oldjets.net/perfect-air-tours.html)

Many thanks for adding the very informative link regarding Perfect Air Tours, it's much appreciated 🤗

[Sotonsean]

Civil Aviation Authority HS-125 G-AVDX at London Stansted Airport in 1973.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/800x600/16453404437_833b2f46d0_o_adbe8bcd8dc960fd88c2917f0940a5c2988 2c97c.jpg

[Sotonsean]

Flying Tigers DC-8 looking slightly nibbled after a very very close encounter with Intercontinental DC-8 5N-AVY, as seen in post #8.


A few more photos and details regarding incident involving the Flying Tigers DC-63F N786FT at London Stansted Airport in 1982.

An Intercontinental DC8-54F 5N-AVY was attempting to land at London Stansted Airport on the 05 September 1982 in thick fog when it went off course and hit the tail of the Flying Tigers DC-63F.

It was miraculous that the aircraft didn't crash. 5N-AVY was eventually scrapped at London Stansted Airport in 1985 and the Flying Tigers DC-63F was repaired shortly after the incident with a tail fin acquired from the fire dump.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/810x540/flying_tigers_dc86_n786ft_after_dc85_rp_c830_collided_with_i t_05_sep_1982_831f1e51d6e5fc0af0bf96fe31e9a8d6111e636d.jpg

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/500x334/38293588161_2894b5c3db_6131cfe82f0e23fc805f0f3b2d522c9635bc8 a3c.jpg

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x690/7010904195_ebfa1a314d_b_ba1aecb00fc405f3c947f944b4f76ec947a1 7814.jpg

[dc9-32]

Anyone have photos of Stansted in the late 80's era with shots taken of the famous Sunday influx from the Scandinavian regions ?

[Sotonsean]

Anyone have photos of Stansted in the late 80's era with shots taken of the famous Sunday influx from the Scandinavian regions ?

The early to mid 80's had more of a variety when it came to the Sunday Scandinavian Invasion. A few photos have already been uploaded showing some of the Scandinavian aircraft.

On page 1 of the Stansted Airport History and Nostalgia thread we've discussed in great detail regarding the Scandinavian visitors and I intend to getting around to uploading several photos over the next few days. As the aircraft were generally parked directly in front of the terminal it was difficult to take photos of them lined up..

When I first started this thread it was initially entitled "Stansted Airport Scandinavian Invasion" but I changed the title to "Stansted Airport History and Nostalgia" to better reflect the history of the airport.

[Sotonsean]

Seeing as it's the weekend and Sunday tomorrow I thought that I would start uploading several photos of some of the Sunday Scandinavian visitors to London Stansted Airport in the late 1970's through to the late 1980's.

We're start with a few Linjeflyg F28.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x662/43800619421_91203955f1_b_c0f38aabc0e81c2093a3ee85857301e353a f03ca.jpg

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x597/29415740892_cc258e1410_b_c84433f21e52b3281127b58eb680991159a 9f8df.jpg

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1023x576/28890929855_c5b78b7b01_b_1664c9cebeeb2248d272bd84e9d25c2427a 22d28.jpg

[Sotonsean]

Braathens SAFE Boeing 737

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1023x671/49721469092_7b3c9393c1_b_12dad51b2d7ca4f385e2daf245e895fc297 de833.jpg

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x576/49188830471_44d553a05f_b_8bf3caa0e0883cab5eaaad5a46620e41532 3c12b.jpg

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x683/46885396464_ccf01a5128_b_633192976e302c683b72b0a491f16084de5 2692b.jpg

[Sotonsean]

Transair Sweden Boeing 727-100

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x683/35374349452_8fd622eb77_b_ab6421b6a90438c5b93a351351aaef80971 4f8b0.jpg

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x683/34732432903_7dbcaca82f_b_7d42b179a171f14e5c062038e9f23183916 4a0a9.jpg

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x683/34732431903_3e03cd9496_b_e3c3680482987f7291d4befedda83dd99b4 962f4.jpg

[Sotonsean]

TRANSWEDE Caravelle and MD83

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x683/10222347753_d330df283e_b_4c5f2955b47e434ef53e0dcccde4c4cb636 bbf17.jpg

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x639/sud_se_210_caravelle_10b1r_transwede_airways_an0196759_91806 a52973b023992d9e6df6fadc0414434ccd2.jpg

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x685/10222242295_82cbb70d91_b_59253ea5f725d395d977758e5c9f2e9ab66 77dfb.jpg

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x664/29173049246_fc134b6ba3_b_052801897b5cc5ec1f53459f8ecd6e54464 ca34a.jpg

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x760/49720618843_4a2a047370_b_83c8b06da7de4e89f5898a30c45c05f2095 ec5d0.jpg

[Sotonsean]

Busy Bee Fokker F-27 LN-AKA, will load a photo of the airline's sole Boeing 737 at London Stansted Airport later.
​​​​​
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x692/44686847104_f6f334a701_b_f5ed88143dbec10ff38a58848c1c3b54f02 47c3e.jpg

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x673/44496676305_e2e96c3cbd_b_cb3df00b841967612d73dc73ba0f1301df8 53b92.jpg

[Wyvernfan]

A few more photos and details regarding incident involving the Flying Tigers DC-63F N786FT at London Stansted Airport in 1982.

An Intercontinental DC8-54F 5N-AVY was attempting to land at London Stansted Airport on the 05 September 1982 in thick fog when it went off course and hit the tail of the Flying Tigers DC-63F.

It was miraculous that the aircraft didn't crash. 5N-AVY was eventually scrapped at London Stansted Airport in 1985 and the Flying Tigers DC-63F was repaired shortly after the incident with a tail fin acquired from the fire dump.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/810x540/flying_tigers_dc86_n786ft_after_dc85_rp_c830_collided_with_i t_05_sep_1982_831f1e51d6e5fc0af0bf96fe31e9a8d6111e636d.jpg

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/500x334/38293588161_2894b5c3db_6131cfe82f0e23fc805f0f3b2d522c9635bc8 a3c.jpg

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x690/7010904195_ebfa1a314d_b_ba1aecb00fc405f3c947f944b4f76ec947a1 7814.jpg


Utterly superb contributions as ever, thank you!

Going back to the Flying Tigers / Intercontinental incident - which was arguably the closest that Stansted has ever come to a Tenerife like tragedy, does anyone have any idea as to what part of the Inter DC-8 hit the tail of the Tigers DC-8?


Rob

[rog747]

Re the Mexicana Comet XA-NAP, was it Channel AW that bought it for spares?

[treadigraph]

does anyone have any idea as to what part of the Inter DC-8 hit the tail of the Tigers DC-8?


Right hand flaps and right main gear were damaged...

https://reports.aviation-safety.net/1982/19820905-0_DC85_RP-C830.pdf

[dc9-32]

Thanks for the Scandywegian photos. Great memories of working on the STN ramp during those busy days. Sunday was a hive of activity with those movements plus the regular Air UK Fokkers and Sheds, and later the Air UK Leisure 737's.

[Wyvernfan]

Right hand flaps and right main gear were damaged...

https://reports.aviation-safety.net/1982/19820905-0_DC85_RP-C830.pdf


Thank you!

[GAZIN]

The Flying Tigers D.C.-8 was loading, or preparing to load horses at the time, it must have come very close to loosing the cargo door as well. I believe that an engineer working in the cockpit was slightly hurt when he was thrown to the floor. The Intercontinental aircraft then narrowly missed hitting hangars 31 and 32, probably because they were located in a bit of a dip.

[Musket90]

Found these in my slide collection
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1048x786/p4180521_9cfd1004bfa95e7766ed546f5a7b2491041c6052.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1064x798/p4180524_b1f9c59825656995af19e8c360a6e1a73db514f6.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1064x798/p4180525_4aeb469a96042e9406c8ffc1b1c2c14b2c0b6330.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1064x798/p4180526_3ebb742174b256374e372a63440e5eac565e924d.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1064x798/p4180527_a9a2a0b903ccecbef272b3e7997e038a54d4cf93.jpg

[Musket90]

The British Airtours Tristar G-BEAM about to start training circuits stuck in the mud March 1984.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/640x360/p4183887_f7d7f51f33aceda90f59c9ea97abdc66b44c4ce6.jpg
G-BEAM well and truly stuck
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/640x360/p4183886_67e41c88dbae31191025e369455f293837ad0aac.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1064x598/p4183885_f50e4324c0640a86036e81eb774a8f72e56c0892.jpg
Successfully pulled out

[Musket90]

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1048x786/p4180537_b26ea2fa605637cc137442079f30f898c4c6463d.jpg
B767-200 LN-SUV 1984

[Sotonsean]

Re the Mexicana Comet XA-NAP, was it Channel AW that bought it for spares?

Yes it was Rog.

Channel Airways purchased XA-NAP in 1971 for spares for their small fleet of former BEA/Olympic Airways Comet 4's.

[Sotonsean]

Musket90

Many thanks for your comments it's appreciated and many thanks for your photos, hopefully other members might upload some of their photos of the Scandinavian visitors to London Stansted Airport during the same period.

[Sotonsean]

Maersk Boeing 720 and Boeing 737

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/275x183/download_1__182ca2ac9ec1c202204de335e2a8524711191065.jpeg

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x663/43224361134_934a129882_b_5a50a0410a7540e241551d8a8da5e775328 b3934_6882db5ea2fbaf24283a3743de52401fff6c1919.jpg

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x685/6432766095_4112d46729_b_19712cbdfaa7714f3048748866f8fa60cac5 baa2.jpg

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1023x576/25229320257_d1b1c0dfbe_b_8c2a90ee1d3c77829c86a2516a31314395d 0003a.jpg

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x683/32818935735_19e55382ab_b_1__0090947e6ad462468f6aeaf19c87ec15 74ad1e36.jpg

[Sotonsean]

Conair of Scandinavia Boeing 720

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x743/49721468922_27c02ec30b_b_b6bc78b02b1b260470b28a1cfb31e01bb9b 87efd.jpg

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/499x334/49449208447_d604105ac8_3f38b84b169caed137f9b94642436c7c200e3 a6d.jpg

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/500x281/49742621333_d4a8a76c23_8e99f5e5a1d305638c4ff78009284a66c88dd 0a1.jpg

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x672/46162631895_47951d69b4_b_65c60133c2a7388551b8959bd64d58e9d86 e5a67.jpg

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x683/5730424933_5c1e0dccd7_b_d82f8b8ddcc7b70c63da72a315a63acc824a cdcf.jpg

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x671/4790087053_d1ca999950_b_3b1cf9061280496695a8eee2fadcb43d2d4d 0105.jpg

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x683/32438238340_9ec738f54d_b_6ad8794d718a1178d5424377efeff5d1d2c 149e4.jpg

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x664/5730553788_76524cb6a1_b_80a09f844aaf6d231d05e46e4cdb82d0c838 314d.jpg

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x628/5715517921_994e0ac3c9_b_71446d45bb87faa8e3df686c84fc39752407 2134.jpg

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1262x450/1007925_medium_080f44f09a907ef88d409f626bb68611dc8c595a.jpg

[Sotonsean]

Conair of Scandinavia Airbus A300 and Airbus A320

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1023x663/30173717757_1cf19d481d_b_1cc991a3c0a7d2a5ed108a3d97fb020854f 2bc70.jpg

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/400x225/36244_1169232719_4ee67e814a51d345d42dfd06d19f6f05cf7ff5df.jp g

[Sotonsean]

Scanair DC 8-63, DC-10-10, Airbus A300B4

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x665/5730555634_7da40e65c7_b_fc8cc7e2ddc42ba1128835d80b7251d4b661 6b0e.jpg

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x694/5733203345_800dd4b24a_b_3e17ce0c4749ef3177cd6a7a1ad97f3e3902 5cc2.jpg

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x593/scanair_douglas_dc_8_63_jetpix_2_c389d29cb98ab90c91166d6cd64 c75caef0220b2.jpg

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x691/5733746614_e7305fe573_b_f9582663142406b7119f05df727e0c63042a 19d5.jpg

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x696/5730419555_cb06746165_b_35697bfb034e8efde561a80abc5a61c8dd4c 582e.jpg

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x474/8611666742_8af06e1856_b_2b8d6751dadea0521dc4542d7305f80d1015 e435.jpg

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x566/7065602507_a4f680a0af_b_2d0297ceee7fb43aec7e0f358fd65a31f364 e65e.jpg

[Sotonsean]

SAS Scandinavian Airlines DC8-63, DC9-41

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/750x528/16255656228_0a66c60845_b_f8347733fdbf0e9b0806378fe288c59d485 9e517.jpg

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x707/49721470612_4aeb019f52_b_1__5ec9946d18fee9e6e98d40015915fb25 2bcee0a7.jpg

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1023x689/28022232268_f324d3b031_b_dbcdd3e8ca67c7f9385ce6fc315704ba058 37233.jpg

[Sotonsean]

Sterling Airlines Boeing 727-200, Caravelle-10, DC8-63

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/699x450/1547495_medium_7847f9de6cb3cd780babaa664f714e0d431c61d2.jpg

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x643/b727_2j4_oy_sat_1987_1_stansted_uk_ebc1046a11af0a095d5e8d6f1 8b7834a6fa7188a.jpg

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/400x225/68880_1318170145_bc07bf63f38e15b8a6dfe0c9345edfc212eebb39.jp g

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x606/boeing_727_2j4_adv_sterling_airways_an0200661_07806bde6ccb16 17b59349eabcdc408eea4109f1.jpg

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x675/25392165742_e2ffcffbfd_b_69fea183c6b0b3832e07c7aa873070f0221 6041a.jpg

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/635x450/1547070_medium_444ab29575d5e5bcd2b0fc89b73034a5d5885d26.jpg

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x587/boeing_727_2h3_adv_sterling_airways_an0200659_2c0711adc7ef1e 0baf002825707ddec2b17a531f.jpg

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x704/10205275844_5b3343940e_b_169e7084189fb8a790c2167e8057e9d84c2 a42e4.jpg

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x666/10222249255_eb994274eb_b_1a6f1f89b08c610bd339575989b39a107e9 dadaf.jpg

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x683/10104994314_a86412731e_b_13577474d6a0c172de6bbb9e34c23cb0e6d f3415.jpg

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x674/5730044435_6cb89f48fa_b_1d67fc0299187cabdc4a3ca23c57402b3780 e7ad.jpg

[Sotonsean]

In December 1993 Conair of Scandinavia, owned by the Danish Spies Group and Scanair of the Swedish SLG Leisure Group merged to form a combined charter airline and Premiair was formed on the 01 January 1994.

By the time that Conair and Scanair merged in 1994 to form Premiair the Sunday Scandinavian visitor's had totally declined and I believe that the few charters from Premiair were the final flights. With the changes in aviation and the advent of cheap flights the low cost era had already made an impact on these familiar charter flights by around 1990/91.

In 1992 Braathens SAFE started flying scheduled flights between Norway and London Gatwick Airport and Linjeflyg had moved their charter flights to London Gatwick Airport during the mid eighties although they didn't last long as the airline retrenched into being a domestic airline again before being taken over by SAS Scandinavian Airlines in 1993.

Braathens had bought Transwede Airways in 1996 who had bought Transair Sweden in 1980.

In 1990 Mearsk Air commenced scheduled flights to London Gatwick Airport, ceasing all charters into London Stansted Airport.

Braathens SAFE on the other hand briefly moved their London Gatwick Airport flights to London Stansted Airport in 2001 but returned back to London Gatwick Airport in 2003. Braathens merged with SAS Scandinavian Airlines on the 01 June 2007.

Not many photos of Premiair aircraft at London Stansted Airport but here is one of their DC10-10's just about to land at London Stansted Airport.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x658/40347327513_9f3e228379_b_33fd60b569c003b3aa4ca1e99588bb33db8 ef137.jpg

[Sotonsean]

So there's my imput and contribution to the Scandinavian visitors to London Stansted Airport during the 1970/80's.

With all this time on my hands I'll have to think of another topic for the coming week. I had mentioned discussing London Stansted Airport and it's history with trans-Atlantic flights with American Airlines, Continental Airlines, EOS, Highland Express, Maxjet and Premair.

I know that we have very "briefly" discussed them but there is far more to add in my opinion!

But I think that's it for now, have a great day guys and keep safe 🤗

[rog747]

My fav's are the Transair Sweden 727's - first saw a pair at Palma 1969
Followed by the very shiny Braathens 767's - again I saw the pair together at Palma 1984/85

March 1980 - Watched a full, very heavyweight (180 pax) Sterling 727-200 lift off at Colombo on its way back to CPH - I assume it stopped for fuel at DXB?
Nose lifted then took an age for it to lift off and the climb was so shallow.
Had met the crew the evening before in the lovely old Colonial Mount Lavinia Hotel - we had sunset drinks on the terrace with the BA girls too.
I was on leave after a spell working with my company BMA on behalf of PIA in KHI (707 contract) and I decided as I had 28 days Hols to take I would rather do it in the Tropics than in a
rather cold rainy Blighty in March. PIA gave me a free ticket to CMB and back.
I was at CMB airport that day waiting for the then once a week brand new Air Lanka airline 737-200 flight to somewhere quite new for me - Male Maldives (where, I thought?)
I had met the CMB Town Manager for the new airline (UL) and she offered me an ID50 ticket to Male -
Try it she said - It's quiet but if you want nice beaches etc etc - It's cheap as chips she said, only the Germans and Italians go there.
I got there - We landed on a pure white tiny coral strip, perfect 737-200 territory - We walked over to a tin hut open air terminal with yes a load of Germans and fellow Europeans -
Could not see a thing in the glare as I had packed my sunglasses - Loads of island folk all lined up offering accommodation. (Bit like the Greek Islands)
Stayed 3 weeks on a stunning island with about 8 thatched huts, no news no shoes, 2 hours by Dhoni boat from Male (Male - Tiny little quaint mad Arabesque place back then)
$15 a day Full Board !
Pure Bliss

[dc9-32]

What about Transwede ? Any photos ?

[Sotonsean]

What about Transwede ? Any photos ?

Come on now keep up, I've already uploaded Transwede photos yesterday on post 291 🤗

[Sotonsean]

Rog

Strange that you mentioned the Mount Lavinia Hotel near Colombo, Sri Lanka

I too have been there several times, mostly in the eighties. Having drinks on the terrace, lunch by the pool, going down the cliff's to take a swim in the Indian Ocean. What a lovely view and a beautiful old colonial hotel with a great history. Whenever I hear of Sri Lanka immediately think of the Mount Lavinia Hotel ☺

On one occasion and I distinctly remember there was a snake charmer amusing the onlookers in the grounds of the hotel with a huge cobra, to say I was **** scared was an understatement, I absolutely have a fear of snakes 😂

Have a great day

Sean

[DaveReidUK]

A few more photos and details regarding incident involving the Flying Tigers DC-63F N786FT at London Stansted Airport in 1982.

An Intercontinental DC8-54F 5N-AVY was attempting to land at London Stansted Airport on the 05 September 1982 in thick fog when it went off course and hit the tail of the Flying Tigers DC-63F.

It was miraculous that the aircraft didn't crash. 5N-AVY was eventually scrapped at London Stansted Airport in 1985 and the Flying Tigers DC-63F was repaired shortly after the incident with a tail fin acquired from the fire dump.

The Intercontinental DC-8 was still registered in the Philippines (RP-C830) at the time of the accident. It didn't become 5N-AVY (officially) until a couple of months later.

[Sotonsean]

Thanks for clarifying that Dave.

​​​​​I've seen photos of an RP registered Intercontinental DC8-54F at London Stansted but didn't realise that it was the same aircraft.

There are several photos online showing an Intercontinental DC8-54F being dismantled at London Stansted Airport.

Do you know if it ever flew again after the incident with the Flying Tigers DC8?

If it was the case that it never flew again do you know the reason why it was given a Nigerian registration!

[treadigraph]

It diverted to Manchester following the collision and after repairs flew until August 1984 with Intercontinental.

[Sotonsean]

It diverted to Manchester following the collision and after repairs flew until August 1984 with Intercontinental.

Thanks for that additional information, that confirms why it was re-registered to the Nigerian registry.

[Sotonsean]

In the 1970's Finnair and it's subsidiary Karair Finland also often used London Stansted Airport with charters from Helsinki although not as frequent as their Scandinavian counterparts.

Karair Finland had been flying to London Gatwick Airport during the sixties with DC6B's of which they had three in their fleet.

Karair Finland often used London Stansted Airport during 1970/71 but they moved their London flights to London Gatwick Airport in 1972. In the eightes Karair Finland also used Luton Airport.

Although Karair Finland at the time had a small of DHC-6 Twin Otters for regional flying they also flew the DC8 on charters to European destinations.

1961 until 1972 Karair Finland had a single DC8-51 OH-KDM and from 1968 till 1984 a DC8-62 OH-LFZ. In 1984 Karair Finland acquired two Airbus A300B4 transferred from it's parent airline Finnair. OH-LAA from 1984 till 1986 and OH-LAB from 1984 till 1987, both repainted in the revised Karair livery.

Finnair infrequently used London Stansted Airport in the seventies as well as London Gatwick Airport as well as Luton Airport on charters from Helsinki generally with DC8-62.

During the mid eighties Finnair flew a short summer series of weekly charters between Helsinki and either London Gatwick Airport or London Stansted Airport with Airbus A300B4, DC8-62, DC10-30.

Finnair Airbus A300B4 at London Stansted Airport on 07 August 1984.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/800x545/800px_airbus_a300b4_203ff_finnair_an0215762_0c037c0ade5eddac b362e118fbeb476397aece77.jpg

Finnair DC10-30 at London Stansted Airport on 26 July 1986.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x683/11696057543_cefc747cb7_b_5e57dd72510b546db2a8cfcb5a8a279e4e9 b7584.jpg

[GAZIN]

Some 80’s transatlantic.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/640x434/8baebe93_9ce7_4c54_99bc_ad8dd90a6c64_f1fec3f8d89a547743336b4 697480c02b0f045a3.jpeg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/640x431/29f31032_291e_4ee9_97b5_ad5e29007a34_42b5c99b6f68cec02bc378f d235779d283bcdbe9.jpeg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/640x429/d7d80115_2cad_4a9e_9180_25e22d989c5e_af7b9b4e91d53b084069670 66f826948a7045c33.jpeg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/640x419/b052d09d_a441_437e_a042_2f8d14553356_52cb64fe1adad0f561cff9b 95c49667206dcaee1.jpeg

[dc9-32]

Come on now keep up, I've already uploaded Transwede photos yesterday on post 291 🤗

Oops slipped the net, thanks for those photos. What ever happened to Mr Murphy, the Transwede rep ?

[Musket90]

Some more photos. The Karair and TAC DC8-50s are
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/640x360/p4183888_577f32ba0be263949b58c4ffcbc9c2409d5b779c.jpg
at Gatwick Late 70's early 80's. The rest at Stansted mid-80's.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1048x785/img_8471_ff213ddd60c56446d93078e6f16ec3785adfbfed.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1048x786/p4180530_17f81ec572e4e49bc084202afbeb1d0f2161a08c.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/640x360/p4183889_1772bc969f303ebaa91bec9e9c4b265936ddfa85.jpg
Looks like a Wardair DC10 in the background
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1048x786/p4180534_65b01c3cb9305c51b7446a95dcef2204d0e57485.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/640x360/p4183902_d5c73a1fa09bfb66558de3ba112f761117d38429.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/640x360/p4183904_6b58106e155500f359e285a02d890bb693c87fad.jpg
Algerian L100 Hercules
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/640x360/p4183905_d4a2a79c581d76a519ed378b03b69b1154508ad9.jpg
Algerian AN12 which rarely replaced the Hercules
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/640x360/p4183906_7e9a431049f587caf86d1baa2d2719e712a421f0.jpg
Air UK's Bandeirante operated a Paris CDG schedule for a time
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/640x360/p4183876_25eefb27222bc093848581db8e65c43fbf396267.jpg
G-BISU with Atlantic Air Transport and Instone titles
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/640x360/p4183901_65a2f3efb5eebd63d98aacc45b596a49e7b2b9c4.jpg
G-BISU with Air Atlantique title

[Sotonsean]

Musket90

Great photos, thanks for sharing them here on the Stansted Airport History and Nostalgia thread.

Transmeridian Air Cargo (TMAC) merged with IAS Cargo Airlines on the 15 August 1979 to from British Cargo Airlines, which began trading under it's new name five days later.

By 1983 Air UK had withdrawn the EMB -110 Bandeirante from their fleet. London Stansted Airport to Paris CDG was operated by the Fokker F-27s from 1982.

I was contemplating uploading a Karair Finland DC8 taken by myself at London Gatwick Airport in the early eighties but decided not to because I wanted the thread to remain London Stansted Airport centric.
​​
Hopefully you have some more photos from London Stansted Airport from the same era to share with us.

[Sotonsean]

GAZIN

Those photos are excellent, I'd go as far to say that they are my favourites so far uploaded ☺

​​​​​​I know that Worldways Canada used London Stansted Airport during the 1980's but I never saw any personally. I've never even seen any photos of Worldways Canada at London Stansted Airport before either, so your photo is like gold dust 🤗

You don't have any other photos of Worldways Canada at London Stansted Airport by any chance? Perhaps a photo of one of their DC8-63's. I saw them many times at London Gatwick Airport but would love to see one taken at London Stansted Airport.

The Arrow Air photos are also excellent. Can you remember if these were one off flights or a regular summer charter series of flights into London Stansted Airport. Arrow Air we're regulars at London Gatwick Airport during the same period.

Great shot of the Wardair DC10-30, again I never personally saw one at London Stansted Airport as it was usually scheduled as a Boeing 747.

Looking forward to more photos taken from the same period at London Stansted Airport.

Although London Stansted Airport has always been a favourite of mine from the 1970's onwards it wasn't frequented as often as London Gatwick Airport or London Heathrow Airport were which were my playground's every weekend and summer holidays.

I'm not touching either London Gatwick Airport or London Heathrow Airport in the Stansted Airport History and Nostalgia thread thread as both airport's are well documented. I started this thread to try and document the history of London Stansted Airport and the airline's that previously used the airport.

I was hoping to start a discussion during the week about London Stansted Airport and it's history with trans-Atlantic flights and in particular those flights from American Airlines, Continental Airlines, EOS, Highland Express, Maxjet and Premair.

As I've already mentioned in a previous post, we've more or less touched on the subject regarding American Airlines and Highland Express but I feel that there is so much more to add.

We've already discussed the affinity charters by US airline's during the seventies on page 1 of the Stansted Airport History and Nostalgia thread.

​​​​​​I don't feel the need for photos taken at London Gatwick Airport to be added to the London Stansted Airport History and Nostalgia thread. It's photos taken of aircraft at London Stansted Airport that counts towards the thread.

[pennypitstop22]

Absolutely cracking scheme, really suited the DC-8, the 727 and the 747. Them was the days...

Is that a Seneca in the background of the 747, can't ever recall seeing light aircraft over on that side of the airfield.

This used to reside outside the BCAL Maintennance hangars on the south side of LGW in the late 1970s, I believe it was privately operated by someone with an affiliation to BCAL.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x682/81f38879_61a4_499a_8b09_2cd586a02543_9c79d4ba55e448fc19a52a4 11a5f2367dfefb8b3.jpeg

[WHBM]

We went on holiday with Jet2 a few months ago from Stansted, and were checked in extremely efficiently (as Jet2 always seem capable of doing) by a more senior gentleman. I don't know how we managed, in just a few sentences, to get from checking in the family hold baggage to discovering that he had been at Stansted all his career and went back to Mike Keegan's days there at Transmeridian Air Cargo. A pleasant discussion. I hope the crew there are not suffering unduly during the shutdown.

[SpringHeeledJack]

How about some photos (ppruner shot ;-) ) of the terminal, various Mx buildings, ground engineering etc etc of this period ? A setting of the scene as it were. Fantastic array of aircraft photos btw!

[Musket90]

Couple of CL44's
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1948x1461/p4180511_copy_69eb6e60970a2c441c0c6b35e0851cbe1d45ba4f.jpg
9Q-CQS
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1948x1461/p4180507_copy_955af38549397d692bb6d14aaec76858feea4e9c.jpg
9Q-CQU

[Sotonsean]

In post 311, I mentioned that I will bring up the topic of London Stansted Airport and it's history regarding "scheduled" trans-Atlantic flights to the USA with American Airlines, Continental Airlines, EOS, Highland Express, Maxjet and Premair.

I thought that we would start the discussion with Highland Express who were the first airline to start scheduled trans-Atlantic flights to the USA from London Stansted Airport in June1987.

The airline only operated for just under six months, their single Boeing 747-123 with it's excellent livery looked great at London Stansted Airport.

Boeing 747-123 G-HIHO was originally delivered to American Airlines on the 27 November 1970 as N9669 and was the 87th Boeing 747 off the production line.

After several delays Highland Express eventually began operations between London Stansted Airport and Newark Airport via Prestwick Airport on Tuesday 30 June 1987.

VY202/202 London Stansted Airport to Newark Airport via Glasgow Prestwick Airport operated four days a week.

The airline collapsed on the 11 December 1987 with debt's of GBP8.4 million including the trading loss of GBP6 million accrued between 31 March 1987 and 11 December 1987.

​​​​​​www.simpleflying.com/highland-express-airways/amp/

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1200x633/1200px_highland_express_airways_logo_svg_e82b4e100936a0bc191 34d92b95c37979d31df1b.png

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/162x346/9958166_orig_33bab12d10210d6454a6dd81bfdbd98c729d5f92.jpg


​​​​At the official launch of the airline it was initially intended to use the Lockeed L1011 Tristar.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1000x666/gettyimages_1211574614_1000x666_1b8cf0e2f6e3b9123ce00e064543 383993a173fa.jpg

​​​​​​The start up airline Highland Express eventually decided on the Boeing 747.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1100x687/8648393_orig_d918a13fc9cb345698ca4bcff2271a43fc539ac5.jpg

Several photos of Highland Express single Boeing 747-123 G-HIHO at London Stansted Airport in 1987.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1280x829/g_hiho_20e5b1c2df1b7cb1928f89c10bd2328153be41af.jpg

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x723/12900103415_838067fd2a_b_4678f44df87193db96710819fcdda5b4de9 6705a.jpg

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x667/11416435546_11fb864363_b_4b5ffdddbf34ef742413811759bbbf1fe07 3d93a.jpg

[dc9-32]

Superb thread and photos. Is it me or are there no shots of Air UK F27's (other than with gear collapsed), 146's, SH360's and the Air UK Leisure 737's ?

[Sotonsean]

Superb thread and photos. Is it me or are there no shots of Air UK F27's (other than with gear collapsed), 146's, SH360's and the Air UK Leisure 737's ?

​​​​​​Air UK hasn't been mentioned in great detail yet. We've discussed the formation and the history of Air UK Leisure which I think that you were part of.

I wanted to cover the US Affinity charters along with the history of Channel Airways and the Scandinavian tour operators behind the Scandinavian visitors during the seventies and eighties which we did on pages 1 and 2.

Quite a few photos from the old fire dump, visitor's to ATEL although there are more to come. The incident involving the Flying Tigers DC8 and much more.
​​​​​​
I've started a discussion today regarding London Stansted Airport and it's history with "scheduled" trans-Atlantic flights starting with Highland Express. Next airline to be discussed will be American Airlines and it's history with London Stansted Airport.

As your aware I've recently uploaded quite a few photos of the Scandinavian airlines that visited London Stansted Airport during the seventies and eighties. (Including Transwede) 😉

Rather than mish mash the discussions and photos I thought that it would make more sense to concentrate on one topic at a time.

I will eventually get around to discussing Air UK as well as Air UK Leisure and their operations at London Stansted Airport at some point but not for now!

Obviously others can upload photos and discuss what ever they feel appropriate, it's not for me to set the rules but I think it's quite a good idea to focus on one topic at a time otherwise it can all get a bit confusing.

Hopefully your appreciate where I'm coming from 🤗

[dc9-32]

I have no problem where you're coming from. As I said, superb thread. I was just asking....

[rog747]

G-HIHO of HEX became Virgin's G-VMIA 747-123 Miami Maiden (then Spirit of Sir Freddie)
A very busy member of VS's fleet kitted out with 474Y and 14J seats. Always operated at MTOW's usualy to MIA or MCO but in her later years was seen on the BOS.

[Sotonsean]

I have no problem where you're coming from. As I said, superb thread. I was just asking....

Don't worry the operation's of Air UK and Air UK Leisure at London Stansted Airport during the eighties and early nineties including photos will be covered in due course 😉

[Phileas Fogg]

Superb thread and photos. Is it me or are there no shots of Air UK F27's (other than with gear collapsed), 146's, SH360's and the Air UK Leisure 737's ?

There's a pic of an Air UK Bandit also :)

Interesting handle that you have, one day our mid afternoon AMS/STN F27 had gone tits up, I got on to KLM, no F27 or F28 availabilty, I settled for sub-chartering a KLM DC9 on the route, commercial loved having a jet covering our flight, I joked with them that I would have gone up to B737 size to cover our F27

[pennypitstop22]

I thought that we would start the discussion with Highland Express who were the first airline to start scheduled trans-Atlantic flights from London Stansted Airport in 1987.

The airline only operated for just under six months, their single Boeing 747-121 with it's excellent livery looked great at London Stansted Airport.



A small point: G-HIHO was a Boeing 747-123, built for and originally operated by American Airlines.

[dc9-32]

Phileas Fogg

I remember when Air UK subbed our BAC111-475 to cover GCI/JER/SOU routes. Happy days taking a fully loaded 1-11 into and out of GCI :D

Not sure the locals were too impressed by the noise though !

[Sotonsean]

A small point: G-HIHO was a Boeing 747-123, built for and originally operated by American Airlines.

Your absolutely correct, I should have known better when I typed it. Originally delivered to American Airlines on the 27 November 1970 as Boeing 747-123 N9669, it was the 87th Boeing 747 off the production line.

Serial 121 obviously being Pan Am whereas serial 123 being American Airlines.

I'm going to edit the photo details accordingly.

Many thanks for pointing it out 🤗

[Akrotiri bad boy]

I remember receiving the publicity manifesto from Highland Express when they were touting for investors. Fortunately my meagre salary didn't quite stretch to the minimum level required....., dodged a bullet there:hmm:

[SpringHeeledJack]

Your absolutely correct, I should have known better when I typed it. Originally delivered to American Airlines on the 27 November 1970 as Boeing 747-123 N9669, it was the 87th Boeing 747 off the production line.


Thanks to your digging on G-HIHO's history, I can say that I flew on it as N9669 American Airlines between HNL and LAX in 1983. The Palindromic registration is what made it stick in my mind. Who was/would have been responsible for the technical side of Highland Express at the time ?

[Sotonsean]

Thanks to your digging on G-HIHO's history, I can say that I flew on it as N9669 American Airlines between HNL and LAX in 1983. The Palindromic registration is what made it stick in my mind. Who was/would have been responsible for the technical side of Highland Express at the time ?

Sabena was responsible for the technical side of the Highland Express Boeing 747-123 G-HIHO and the aircraft would be scheduled to fly to Brussels Airport on a weekly basis for routine maintenance.

It does state that in the link provided, if you haven't already done so it's worth a read 😉

[rog747]

SotonSean
re your PM to me -

Sorry i cannot access my inbox - nor send you a reply --- seems I have been Mod'd and my account is now quite restricted,
guess it will be a while before I can access PM's again

Re G-HIHO- you know this became G-VMIA? I worked on it a lot at VS.

[GAZIN]

Sotonsean , thank you for your comments on the earlier pictures, I don’t have any info on the flights unfortunately. The Worldways DC8’s did visit STN for maintenance , I don’t think they flew any routes from here. The same is probably true for the 707.
Here are some more Canadians.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/640x458/665aa818_20fc_4c21_8f33_77a3cb1d870b_e1e9fc410c4c3ebc1471f74 e265d40cfeceb5355.jpeg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/640x436/81d8f670_b648_416f_a788_fcf28b764ace_870a0ff21ee1be7fb0b27ad 36d1a9d9a278a7352.jpeg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/640x437/822c7a03_0c53_40bb_b549_27e6b8f91700_b9aa04029e1c6bd93d0b444 9ee3aa8203b4c9e27.jpeg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/640x440/f7928da5_9332_4872_b36f_c8d9aeab03b9_8512c985ab223e7b5dd2a54 16469a6145aa10369.jpeg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/640x440/a2e7f018_acb4_4677_8b81_b89b73c048d0_296540edfed9d3cbfe8a040 5bb39cba98d1029d1.jpeg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/640x437/d95eb1b3_e1e3_47af_8fee_20e513a124cf_80aef1a9497d04ef75ace66 394215e010e253311.jpeg

[Sotonsean]

GAZIN

You've made my day, you've ABSOLUTELY excelled yourself.

These are just the type of photos I've been looking forward to. Amazing selection I have to say. The photos I have posted have been good but your photos are so rare I'm ABSOLUTELY overwhelmed. I can't thank you enough for sharing them with us here on the Stansted Airport History and Nostalgia thread 🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗

The fact that you have a photo of a Wardair A310 at London Stansted Airport is just fantastic. I'd completely overlooked the fact that Odyssey International used to use London Stansted Airport. All of them are great, honestly I can't stop looking at them 😉

Top quality mate, I can't thank you enough.

London Stansted Airport wasn't the busiest of airports but it just goes to show the variety of airlines that previously used the airport prior to the new terminal being opened in 1991.

I am so glad that I started the Stansted Airport History and Nostalgia thread as I knew that it was going to be a worthy thread.

I look forward to any more gems that you might have hidden away.

Once again thank you very much, your on my Christmas card list 🤗

[ifonly]

Had a scroll through and couldn't see a mention of these two -apologies if they're already on here.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1620x1100/scan_20200420_2__b235dd35e9a79be0b15da70be87bc13a4811326b.jp g
December 1988
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1620x1100/scan_20200420_20__cc205d255c76e91a152a74abf25fa952b66a9726.j pg
July 1989

[Sotonsean]

SotonSean
re your PM to me -

Sorry i cannot access my inbox - nor send you a reply --- seems I have been Mod'd and my account is now quite restricted,
guess it will be a while before I can access PM's again

Re G-HIHO- you know this became G-VMIA? I worked on it a lot at VS.

Hi Rog

I wasn't sure if you knew that I had PM you as it said that your inbox was full. I had enquired about your membership and why your now a "new member"!

Yes I'm fully aware of the history of G-HIHO and it's later life with Virgin Atlantic as G-VMIA. You have also mentioned it in your post 334. The history of G-HIHO is also listed on the link provided to the Highland Express article.

I won't repeat what I've wrote in my message as it was Pvt but hopefully your be able to access your messages soon and we can respond accordingly.

Hope your well and keeping safe.

Regards

Sean

[Sotonsean]

Ifonly

Many thanks for sharing your photos with us here on the Stansted Airport History and Nostalgia thread and neither airline has been discussed as of yet so they are very welcome especially the Evergreen International Boeing 727-100.

Evergreen International were fairly frequent visitors to London Stansted Airport over the years especially with their Boeing 747's and it's an airline that hasn't been mentioned until now. I'm not really familiar with Air Freight, so a photo of one of their DC8-63F's is very welcome.

​​​Much appreciated and hopefully your have some more photos to share with us. 🤗

Regards

Sean

[GAZIN]

I always liked the Evergreen livery. The DC8 is. 62 series, ex Zantop, I think I changed an engine on that very plane at PIK, when it was in Zantop colours.
Here is another DC8-62, again I am sorry I have no other details.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/640x436/3e4a28e2_020b_4010_98d5_e6ee3d86ab56_d2a1007ac8fe19e6d66f0e5 332f1179d326d5bdf.jpeg

[Musket90]

Thank you all for the many fond memories and amazing photos from Stansted's past. I'v got a few more photos and memories to share in due course..

On the transatlantic schedules, I remember when EOS first started in 2006 (?) the first one or two B757's were in all white livery with the pre-EOS registrations. Ex Mexicana but American registered. They may have been trial flights before they were painted in EOS livery.

Also on the cargo front Fedex operated a schedule and still do I believe. The Air Express International CL-44 to JFK was also a schedule and I remember it used to arrive on a Sunday morning in amongst all the the Scandinavian flights which made a Sunday viewing something not to be missed.

[WHBM]

I believe the Air Express CL-44 was the last, ever, transatlantic propeller schedule of any sort. When did it end ?

[Sotonsean]

GAZIN

You've excelled yourself yet again 🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗

​​​​​​I knew that Hawaiian we're using London Stansted Airport during the late 1980's but I never personally saw one and I've never seen a photo of one at London Stansted Airport so your photo is yet another ABSOLUTE gem 🤗

I had seen Hawaiian DC8's, DC10-30's and L1011's at London Gatwick Airport during the same period but was never fortunate enough with seeing one at London Stansted Airport.

I had previously searched online to find details of the Hawaiian flight's at London Stansted Airport but that was before I started this thread, but I've never been able to find the information since. That's a task for me this week so I can add some information regarding these flight's.

I knew that you were going to come up with with yet another ABSOLUTE gem of a photo and you didn't fail me.

I thought that I might have misjudged the DC8 as being a 63 series rather than a 62!

Once many thanks for your contribution, it's really appreciated 🤗🤗🤗

[Sotonsean]

Musket90/WHBM

I'm not sure what year that the AEI Air Express International scheduled flight's from New York JFK to London Stansted Airport ended but I have a feeling that it was in 1983 or 1984. I will try and find out the exact year and it was indeed the last trans-Atlantic "propeller" scheduled flight.

Indeed they we're regulars on a Sunday and if you look at one or two of the Scandinavian visitors that I've uploaded the aircraft can be seen in the background at the former cargo terminal. The flight operated upto three times weekly. Myself and others have already uploaded photos of AEI Air Express International CL-44's at London Stansted Airport.

Regarding FedEx, they are very much a prominent freight carrier at London Stansted Airport with several flights a day. I'm going to cover the history of FedEx at London Stansted Airport once I've gone over the history of American Airlines, Continental Airlines, EOS, Maxjet and Premair trans-Atlantic flights from London Stansted Airport to the USA. That's something that I intend to do this week after initially starting with Highland Express yesterday.

Regards Sean 😉

[Sotonsean]

That DC8, N810ZA (was Zantop) is in the colours of Consolidated Freightways

Thanks for the additional information.

I've not come across Consolidated Freightways before although Zantop DC8's were once fairly regular visitors to London Gatwick Airport during the late 1980's early 1990's.

Regards Sean

[WHBM]

I've not come across Consolidated Freightways before although Zantop DC8's were once fairly regular visitors to London Gatwick Airport during the late 1980's early 1990's.Regards Sean
Consolidated Roadways was the largest trucking company in the USA for many years, and Freightways was their air freight side. I don't think they operated in their own right, but subcontracted other freight carriers. For some time they also owned Emery, who did their operations. They went bankrupt in the early 2000s, then re-emerged, and finally were merged into UPS.

Zantop was one of the big US freight operators based in Detroit, doing much work for the major automobile companies taking parts between factories. Kalitta, still very much around, is another. Besides the car company work there is a huge amount of dedicated air freight in the US, civil and military, lots have consolidated into FedEx and UPS in recent times but still lots of other operators, who regularly subcontract work between each other.

[GAZIN]

The Odyssey 757 pictured above, was recently back at STN operating a FedEx freight schedule to LGG. Fedex still operate transatlantic scheduled flights from STN, to and from MEM and IND using the MD-11 and 777. The 757 and 767 operate from STN into Europe.

[GAZIN]

Air Express and other early 80’s cargo.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1379/82843c3e_1007_42c0_9872_6a80d40af037_55ca2adc077cb0d2c500e9e a6e53bad70f0fbbc2.jpeg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1325/8d0ebbeb_7a25_4284_a773_f8926ae1aaad_d9e401095bbc3ec60a17c33 dfceb8f1ffefcefd0.jpeg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1370/f4de01e4_a082_4e1f_b7f0_8caaaa7bc156_c33619e7590bdaa9e69d8b3 341af7725274024a8.jpeg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1399/6461fb3f_fd72_4a17_bc87_95f49e709060_f005443c821b287a99c2441 4265d9206d8a3c267.jpeg

[treadigraph]

Is that a TEA 707 in the background left of he last Tradewinds shot?

LV-MSG seemed familiar, it's ex G-BEAF, Dan-Air and Tradewinds.

[rog747]

Is that a TEA 707 in the background left of he last Tradewinds shot?
.

Yes indeed, TEA 707 is on the ramp. In 1982 TEA had 4 or 5 707's but the 720's had gone by then.

[SpringHeeledJack]

Is that a TEA 707 in the background left of he last Tradewinds shot?


Two of the boeings that I remember back then. Wasn't the TEA there for a good few years ?

[GAZIN]

Is that a TEA 707 in the background left of he last Tradewinds shot?.

I am not sure, but the previous photo, to the Tradewinds, in my album is this one, it may have hung around for a while, by the look of the steps, it was a maintenance visit.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/640x437/9a55bfed_149d_43b8_8b94_42bf8bf48f8f_9402ca583994924fa6dd3f6 cdb5655e360f1c8a7.jpeg

[JW411]

GAZIN/Sotonsean - Arrow Air Post #325:

I was flying for Arrow Air at the time the photograph of N917JW was taken. In fact, I was the outbound captain on 13 Jul 84! The flight number for all of my Stansted to JFK flights was JW821. I seem to remember that we were still waiting for LGW slots to become available and started at STN in the meantime.

I flew my first JW821 on 29 Jun 84 in N902JW then 13 Jul 84 and 20 Jul 84 in N917JW. My next JW821 flight was from LGW on 03 Aug 84 in N917JW so it looks like a LGW slot became available on or about 01 Aug 84.

[GAZIN]

JW411 good to hear from you I am sorry it wasn’t a better picture!
Most of the long haul operators at STN at that time were waiting for Gatwick slots.

[dc9-32]

Sotonsean

Are you still running this thread ?

[G-ANPK]

On Tuesday 5th May, the Stansted Branch of Air-Britain held a virtual meeting, it can be found here-:
https://www.facebook.com/AirBritainStanstedBranch/?modal=admin_todo_tour
You do not need to be signed up to Face Book to see it. It will changed over to our web site in a few days time, that can be found here-:
https://airbritainstanstedbranch.wordpress.com/
We are hoping to do another meeting next month on Tuesday 6th June, commencing 20.00, anyone is welcome to join in or just watch.. There are two sections of photo`s taken at Stansted from the past and one up to date section , well worth a look, the quiz is just for fun you don`t have to enter but it would be nice if you did, there are no prizes.
Hope some of you take a look.
G-ANPK.

[pamann]

I'd be really interested to know if anyone has any of the charter timetables for Dan-Air, Britannia, Air Europe or Air UK Leisure from the 80's through to the early 90's (old terminal)?

Did any other operators use the airport regularly on sun routes in the 80's and 90's?

I remember going on holiday August 1990 from Stansted to Corfu on a Monday night with Air UK Leisure on one of their shinny new 734's. We checked in next to a Dan-Air flight, I think operating for Thomson Holidays going to Heraklion on the island of Crete. I remember seeing the Dan-Air 727 parked up on the tarmac as you could sit outside on the wooden picnic benches, think it was part of a bar in the departure lounge? Ours was the last departure that evening.

I honestly surprise myself with my memory.

Also anyone got any old pics/maps of the old passenger terminal?

Such great memories of flying through Stansted as a youngster.

[rog747]

Other UK charter flights from STN in the 80's were with Orion 732, British Airtours Tristar,

There were Spanish ones - Caravelles of Transeuropa then Hispania - who also went into SEN.
Do not recall any series of Aviaco or Spantax charters coming in as they usually went to LTN LGW and BHX.

Yugoslavia charters were flown in and out by Inex Adria DC-9, and Aviogenex TU-134, 727
Pula, Split. Dubrovnik

Air UK Leisure based at STN was new to the IT market in 1988, first with leased 732's then new 734's,
replaced much later in 1996 by an Airbus fleet and the Company was bought by Unijet.

Never seen any Mayflys' for STN on here - Plenty of old LTN ones on their thread.

[pamann]

There were Spanish ones - Caravelles of Transeuropa then Hispania - who also went into SEN.
Do not recall any series of Aviaco or Spantax charters coming in as they usually went to LTN LGW.

There’s definitely footage I think on YouTube of the old terminal early 80’s of an Aviaco DC9 departing to Tenerife.

[TCU]

There’s definitely footage I think on YouTube of the old terminal early 80’s of an Aviaco DC9 departing to Tenerife.
As noted in a very early post, I flew Aviaco STN-PMI-STN, out on 02.09.84 and back 16.09.84. Both DC-9's, and sadly some of the few flights in my log where the registrations were not captured.

[dc9-32]

Sotonsean (https://www.pprune.org/members/500916-sotonsean)

Are you still running this thread ? I hope you are ok as you appear to have fallen silent for some weeks now.

[G-ANPK]

Tonight at 20.00 local time is our second virtual meeting, it will take place on our noticeboard : https://www.facebook.com/AirBritainStanstedBranch/ .
No need to be a signed in member of Face Book, it`s open for everyone to view.
We have stepped beyond the very basic trial last month and this month's presentations, have audio narrations added to them to hopefully make them more interesting.
The meeting will have 6 items starting with an introduction and chairman's message followed by our main part of the evening, a narrated video talk entitled "The M.40 meander", a road trip along the M.40 corridor with photos and a guide to the airfields visited.
We will then continue with 4 slideshows also with some narration:
1: Stansted recent photos by Michael Jones
2: Latin American tour - photos from some of Brian Richards' visits to that region
3: RIAT 1993 and 1994 (for the military fans) - featuring photos and an introduction by Nick Challoner
4: D.Day Dakotas, June 2019. The congregation of Dakotas at Duxford last June, including the visit of some to Old Warden and the Duxford night shoot - with photos by Andrew Goldsmith & Michael Hibbins.
It will also be posted on our website at about the same time, link to web site below -:
https://airbritainstanstedbranch.wordpress.com/
Stay safe & cheerful.
I hope you will join us.
G-ANPK.

[Atico163]

I first flew from Stansted to Girona on Channel Airways - a BAC 1-11 on 8 May 1971 - Flight No. LY 637 - Lyons Tours holiday booked through Tom Hill Travel of Romford - two week full board - at the Hotel Sol Mar, Calella de la costa - at an adult cost £37.50 - my parents and my three older sisters and I. It was the first flight out of the season and the stewardesess remarked that they would be able to relax on the flight back as there would be no passengers - though seats had been randomly allocated on our channel airways tickets, all over the aircraft, the stewardess said we could sit anywhere - we sat in row 5 and 6 A-C - there was no door on the cockpit and and thick curtain pulled across for take over.

We departed at 8.30am - the check in seemingly chaotic in a rather modern but quite small check in area at the far left of the terminal - I was sharply told to wait with my sisters while my dad and mum checked us in - to an 8 year old it was awesome and exceedingly exciting - the extended departure area was made up of a large prefab hut with wooden floors and also a seating area outside. I remember the flight being called and we walked out to the waiting aircraft and boarded - i had the window seat. We departed at 8.30am and went across to the west then over east central London and then turned again across southern England - going out across the Needles of the Isle of White and I then later recall seeing Paris on the left in broken cloud far below and then an hour or more later the snow of the Pyrenees and the turbulence - we were served breakfast and my parents were given a small bottle of cava champagne with theirs - it was complimentary as a 'champagne flight'.

the arrival into Girona was exciting and we landed in brilliant sunshine - i don't recall the airport but were then on a coach which must have taken an hour to the hotel.

It was an amazing two weeks holiday - too many things to recall here - we flew home on 22 May at about 1pm on a Comet 4b of Channel Airways - former BEA aircraft as you could see BEA under the coverings of the fuselage - we boarded at the back and all sat at the front in a two facing set and on the other side - cloud all the way back and rain at Stansted - we were home !





.

[ExBa]

Memories of STN late sixties base training in British Eagle 1-11 and Britannia’s. Icing on the cake BOAC super VC10 performing touch and go’s. All we had to do was report at crew briefing ask the Training Capt permission to ride along, no problem.Had many enjoyable weekends doing this.

[TCU]

This picture taken from the road by the old fire dump near Takeley, when you could lean your bike up against the fence.

This Falcon 20C wore the reg N50CA between 1977 and 1981. I'm guessing I took the picture between 79 and 80.

Looks like it had a racoon style glare shield paint job.....now very much back in fashion with Airbus
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1574x1180/n50cc_db3506be55916d07579585e0bd10bfb1fe9b372a.jpg

[Flightrider]

I remember going on holiday August 1990 from Stansted to Corfu on a Monday night with Air UK Leisure on one of their shinny new 734's. We checked in next to a Dan-Air flight, I think operating for Thomson Holidays going to Heraklion on the island of Crete.


1990 Stansted schedule has an Air UK Leisure flight to Palma on a Monday night at 2020, UK2115 for Intasun Dan Air 727-100 was DA2286 to Heraklion for Airtours Holidays departing at 2000.

Tour operator programmes could change very rapidly then as now, so I guess the UKL Palma flight was switched to cover a Corfu after the book I have was printed !





[dc9-32]

Sotonsean (https://www.pprune.org/members/500916-sotonsean)

Are you still around and running this thread ? I hope you are ok as you appear to have fallen silent for many weeks now.

[WHBM]

we flew home on 22 May at about 1pm on a Comet 4b of Channel Airways - former BEA aircraft as you could see BEA under the coverings of the fuselage - we boarded at the back and all sat at the front in a two facing set and on the other side - cloud all the way back and rain at Stansted - we were home !.
The Channel Comet 4Bs were actually the onetime Olympic Airways fleet, bought as a block. These were indeed operated in a joint pool with BEA, sometimes being exchanged to and fro, with similar livery apart from the actual logos. In best Sqn Ldr Jack Jones (Channel MD) minimalist approach they just had the former markings overpainted, possibly by hand, in (sort-of) matching colours, which after a while, as you describe, started to wear through (must have watered the paint) and hung down in tatty shards at the edges. There was one on an adjacent stand to us at Manchester a couple of months later, in summer 1971, and I think I wrote here a while ago I had never seen such a shabbily-presented airliner. Few months later, and Channel were gone. Surprisingly, the Comets then went on to Dan-Air, who at least had a decent mainstream maintenance operation at Lasham, were repainted properly, and actually ran on for quite some years afterwards.

Lyons were a mainstream tour operator of the era, who had previously used British United One-Elevens, but Channel took the contract without really having the capital for a substantial addition to their fleet; the former Olympic Comets were the best they could get. They took all five, operated one aircraft each at Stansted, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle and Glasgow, in usual IT style of the times normally operating to the same Mediterranean destination together on the different days of the week. Crewing all that from their Southend base must have been a challenge as well. The operation was plagued with mechanical difficulties, which got into the national press on multiple occasions. Their other jet fleet had worse issues - of the two Tridents in 1971 one was sat at Stansted donating engines etc to the other operating out of West Berlin, as they were out of credit with either Hawker Siddeley or Rolls for overhauls.

Some notes here

https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=5GAzDAAAQBAJ&pg=PT144&lpg=PT144&dq=lyons+holidays+1971&source=bl&ots=MAj1xat73o&sig=ACfU3U2q5suUUj98mdwMMfJDoYyWbhpVxQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi939HekJjqAhX2URUIHRuvA-MQ6AEwB3oECAgQAQ#v=onepage&q=lyons%20holidays%201971&f=false

[G-ANPK]

As 'live' meetings are currently impossible due to restrictions we at Air-Britain Stansted branch are hosting monthly virtual meetings which appear live on our website and Facebook page at 8pm on the first Tuesday of the month. The July meeting will start at 8pm on Tuesday 7th July

This month's programme.....
8:00pm Intro and Meeting agenda
8:04pm Canary Country Circular Tour – A 25min illustrated tour and guide to airfields in East Norfolk prepared and narrated by Andrew Goldsmith
8:30pm Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation, Flixton – a 4min slideshow of the museum by Michael Jones
8:35PM RIAT 2019 – An 11min narrated pictorial story of the 2019 Royal International Air Tattoo featuring photos from Nick Challoner and Michael Hibbins
8:50PM Stansted June 2020 – A 4min slideshow of June’s Stansted movements by Michael Jones
8:55PM North American Floatplanes – An narrated 11min portfolio of photos by Brian Richards
9:10pm Memories of Stansted Part 3 – 4mins of historic Stansted photos from Phil Kemp and the collection of his late father and branch founder Derek Kemp.
9:15PM China Aviation Museum – an 11min photographic story with commentary by Nick Challoner of a visit to one of the most amazing aircraft museums in the world
9:30PM Links and Meeting Close.
The meeting will be hosted on our Facebook noticeboard:https://www.facebook.com/AirBritainStanstedBranch/
(by using the noticeboard you do not need to be a Facebook member)
and a complete ready to view version of the meeting will also be available at 8pm on the branch website at https://airbritainstanstedbranch.wordpress.com/
We have an amazing selection of photos from all over the world so why not join us for the evening.

G-ANPK.

[dc9-32]

Sotonsean (https://www.pprune.org/members/500916-sotonsean)

Are you still running this thread ?

You start a very interesting thread to which many have made contributions then, silence. I hope you just got bored of it and didn't fall foul of CV19.

[Sotonsean]

Sotonsean (https://www.pprune.org/members/500916-sotonsean)

Are you still running this thread ?

You start a very interesting thread to which many have made contributions then, silence. I hope you just got bored of it and didn't fall foul of CV19.

I there and first of all thank you for asking if I was still around, I certainly am and totally covid free.

Yes I am still around after a break of 12 months. I can't really answer as to why but I just got instantly bored and one day decided that I wasn't interested in participating on pprune anymore. I've only just started reading the thread's again but tbh I don't think that I have any interest in participating.

But in saying that, now that I have been looking at pprune again after a years abstance you may well find me adding the odd post or two.

Hope your well and that goes for everyone else who has participated in this thread.

Best regards
Sean

[GAZIN]

The main thing is that you are alright Sean. There are so many outlets now, it’s hard to know which one to follow.

S.B.

[TCU]

Sean starting this thread should be applauded. Your energy and passion for the subject is superb Sir.

However, if there is one small criticism, it is that it should have followed the natural meanderings of the similar Luton thread. It was far too rigid.

As someone who grew up in the village and spent far too much time at the airport in my formative years, (mid/late 1970's......much to the detriment of my O and A levels), I hope it gets a re-boot from Seans re-connection. I am sure there is plenty of untapped information still out there.....

Any former Stansted Aviation Society Members on here, who, like me, spent hours in that freezing portacabin next to the old terminal, drinking tea and watching the very rare arrivals and departures (Scandi Sunday aside)!?

[JW95]

Recently passed through Stansted via satellite 2. Am I right in saying that KLM UK was once based here, along with their business class lounge where the Wetherspoon's Express Pub now is? Would love to see some photos of the KLM lounge if anyone has them!

Also, when American Airlines flew STN-JFK, hadn't they just built and opened up their own lounge in satellite 2 just prior to the service being cancelled in July 2008? Whereabouts was the lounge?

[WHBM]

Having used it from those early 1990s times of the new terminal, what I recall was Satellite 2 being only used for domestic operations; AirUK had then quite a trunk operation to Glasgow/Edinburgh etc, and I believe Ryanair started there as well to Ireland (Common Travel Area). It was always connected by a high level walkway from the start, so more a pier than a Satellite. Inbound passengers just walked straight out along the terminal building periphery, where there was a baggage belt, I don't recall a route for passengers to immigration/customs - all the early international flights I took were from the "real" Satellite 1, accessed by the Transit.

The operation went through various name changes every few years, from Air UK, which slowly got absorbed by KLM, was rebadged KLMuk, then the non-Amsterdam routes were renamed again as Buzz, and finally that was sold off to Ryanair.

[JW95]

A very interesting read! :) Such as shame that KLM ceased flying to STN in the early 2000s once Buzz took over the AMS route :( Would love to see KLM (City Hopper) back at Stansted- back then, KLM UK offered 5-6 times daily to AMS with their own lounge in satellite 2, whereas these days EZY offer 1, max 2 daily rotations, how times have changed :/