Island Air Services
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Island Air Services
I'm trying to gather information on a company that used to operate from London Heathrow in the 1950s called Island Air Services. They operated Rapides off the grass that existed where T1 now stands, and, amongst other things, offered pleasure flights in them around London. I believe that the company was founded/operated by a former member of the ATS.
The reason for my interest is that my first flight as a very young child was in one of those Rapides (piloted by my great-uncle) and it stirred a passion that has still not left me. I would welcome anyone else's recollections or information on IAS in order to backfill some gaps in family history!
Incidentally, I believe that one of IAS's original Rapides is currently in the process of restoration at Duxford.
The reason for my interest is that my first flight as a very young child was in one of those Rapides (piloted by my great-uncle) and it stirred a passion that has still not left me. I would welcome anyone else's recollections or information on IAS in order to backfill some gaps in family history!
Incidentally, I believe that one of IAS's original Rapides is currently in the process of restoration at Duxford.
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Aeroplane Monthly did an in-depth article about the Rapide earlier this year, which mentioned IAS. The airline was started by Monique Agazarian.
G-AGJG, the aeroplane at Duxford, has now flown painted in wartime BOAC colours and looks very nice! I recall it at Biggin in the mid-70s painted purple and decidedly dilapidated!
Here's a kit of one of their Rapides a friend of mine built:link
Treadders
G-AGJG, the aeroplane at Duxford, has now flown painted in wartime BOAC colours and looks very nice! I recall it at Biggin in the mid-70s painted purple and decidedly dilapidated!
Here's a kit of one of their Rapides a friend of mine built:link
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Come on, Treaders! You know the Rapide has Scottish Airways on the panel on the nose. That's not BOAC!!!
If Seloco wants a nice potted history of Island Air Services, he could do worse than look at the obituary for Monique Agazarian which appeared in the Telegraph on March 8 1993, which should be easy to call up on the web.
Incidentally, what was great uncle's name?
If Seloco wants a nice potted history of Island Air Services, he could do worse than look at the obituary for Monique Agazarian which appeared in the Telegraph on March 8 1993, which should be easy to call up on the web.
Incidentally, what was great uncle's name?
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Speaking off the top of my head there, always a dangerous stand point even if it's not very far to fall!
Must admit, I rather assumed it was BOAC after seeing it taking part in that memorable six-ship Rapide formation at Leg Ends...
Must admit, I rather assumed it was BOAC after seeing it taking part in that memorable six-ship Rapide formation at Leg Ends...
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According to British Independent Airlines 1946-1976, Island Air Services was formed by someone with the splendid name of Daughley Hills-Grove-Hills.
Pleasure flights from Heathrow were operated 1948-1956, 15 minutes for a quid ! Their Rapides were G-AESR, FFB, GJG, GSJ, IYP and LBB (which crashed at LHR in 1952). They also had 2 Proctors and a Consul.
Pleasure flights from Heathrow were operated 1948-1956, 15 minutes for a quid ! Their Rapides were G-AESR, FFB, GJG, GSJ, IYP and LBB (which crashed at LHR in 1952). They also had 2 Proctors and a Consul.
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Thanks to all for these very useful replies, which have indeed filled in several historical gaps for me. I can remember meeting Monique Agazarian at Heathrow; I was a child of about five and not surprisingly she seemed rather daunting!
Penny Washers: my great uncle was one Group Captain Gordon V Carey. He learned to fly in WW1, joined the RAF, did transports in WW2, IAS in the early fifties and ended his career as an Instructor at the Surrey and Kent Flying Club at Biggin Hill, where he taught me to fly Aircoupes and Chipmunks as a teenager in the 60s. Incidentally whilst at Biggin he also used to fly the club's Rapide for twin training. It was G-AKIF, which is of course now based at Duxford. It was a huge delight to fly in her again (with my own teenage sons) recently after a gap of nearly forty years!
Penny Washers: my great uncle was one Group Captain Gordon V Carey. He learned to fly in WW1, joined the RAF, did transports in WW2, IAS in the early fifties and ended his career as an Instructor at the Surrey and Kent Flying Club at Biggin Hill, where he taught me to fly Aircoupes and Chipmunks as a teenager in the 60s. Incidentally whilst at Biggin he also used to fly the club's Rapide for twin training. It was G-AKIF, which is of course now based at Duxford. It was a huge delight to fly in her again (with my own teenage sons) recently after a gap of nearly forty years!
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To yazman's IAS fleet list must be added Rapide G-AGUF — perhaps the best known of their Rapides. I flew in it as a child from 'London Airport' as we called it then with the redoubtable 'Aggy' Agazarian. Can't recall exactly when, but I think there were BOAC Comet 1s around so probably 1953. More than a quarter century later I met 'Aggy' again when she was running a simulator operation at Booker.
Ah, I see now that Treadders' model is of that very same aeroplane...nice!
Ah, I see now that Treadders' model is of that very same aeroplane...nice!
Seloco
I guess that makes us cotempories.
My randfater was the quantity surveyor for the airport. I used to get rides in the Rapides and I remember standing in the nose next to the (lady) pilot as we circled round the Tower Of L and Tower Bridge. I also remember screaming because on one visit he would not let me go up. He was trying to conduct an important business deal and laid me out flat on my back when I would not stop yelling! Different times.
I remember the airport well in those days. 'The' restaurant was in a Nissen hut beside the field, I had my fifth birthday party there followed by huge bonfires and fireworks down by the Staines resevoirs after, Oh, and a tour of the Comet.
My grandfather used to organised cricket matches between the contractors and the other airport staff on the grass beside the runways and other times trips to the races followed by roulette back at home!
I was there a few weeks ago, Ghastly place now, stinking maze fit only for troglodytes and the food wasn't fit even for them.
I guess that makes us cotempories.
My randfater was the quantity surveyor for the airport. I used to get rides in the Rapides and I remember standing in the nose next to the (lady) pilot as we circled round the Tower Of L and Tower Bridge. I also remember screaming because on one visit he would not let me go up. He was trying to conduct an important business deal and laid me out flat on my back when I would not stop yelling! Different times.
I remember the airport well in those days. 'The' restaurant was in a Nissen hut beside the field, I had my fifth birthday party there followed by huge bonfires and fireworks down by the Staines resevoirs after, Oh, and a tour of the Comet.
My grandfather used to organised cricket matches between the contractors and the other airport staff on the grass beside the runways and other times trips to the races followed by roulette back at home!
I was there a few weeks ago, Ghastly place now, stinking maze fit only for troglodytes and the food wasn't fit even for them.
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I found it a hugely satisfying kick to fly member of the family - I almost managed the full set. Shortly after getting my PPL thru the ATC flg Schol scheme in the 60's, I flew my father in an Aircoupe (G-AROO) [he was an ex-wartime Whitley/Anson Observer]. Later I flew the wife in one af Aunt Betty's Chipmunks during an ATC summer AEF camp at my base [she was a MOD employee at the time]. Flew my eldest [RAF] in a Canberra T4, but never managed to 'do' the youngest [Army] - timings never right.
I don't know, maybe it went some way to having an understanding family around me who didn't give me vast amounts of grief when dragged away frequently from the bosom to swan around the world on Betty's business over the years. It also only lately occured that they might have had just a touch of envey that on return from various locations, they might like to have had chance to visit too!
Did manage, though, some hols with She Who Must Be Obeyed to the ever-loved Kokinnelli Isle a few times in our later years [she actually like the 'red infurater', too!]
I don't know, maybe it went some way to having an understanding family around me who didn't give me vast amounts of grief when dragged away frequently from the bosom to swan around the world on Betty's business over the years. It also only lately occured that they might have had just a touch of envey that on return from various locations, they might like to have had chance to visit too!
Did manage, though, some hols with She Who Must Be Obeyed to the ever-loved Kokinnelli Isle a few times in our later years [she actually like the 'red infurater', too!]
