Manchester Airport - Then & Now
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"I was one of those boys in my fawn Parker with the 10x50 bins and big radio in the 70's." Like the guy on the right in this photo of mine from 1974 (taken at EMA rather than M/C, but a good illustration of mid-1970's teenaged boys fashionable attire back then): Piper Apache G-ASDI, Castle Donington, 16-3-74e | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Airband radios: my first was a "Flight Four," I think. Made in Hong Kong (as most radios in those days were) and pretty good. But when I got older (bit more pocket money from my not ungenerous parents), I got really ambitious and bought myself a HUGE Hira airband radio, costing a lot of money in those days.
Whereas I had been able to fit the Flight Four in a shoulder bag, I had to buy a special holdall for the Hira. I think I only finally threw both out as recently as 2000, when I moved house and had a major chucking out session-both had long since ceased working.
On bad weather days, I would sit in "The Glasshouse" on top of the then main terminal building. And this am, in one of those strange quirks of memory, someone mentioned a guy with the surname Fox, who I used to know (not a spotter and not from the 1970's); and it reminded me of how, whenever his name was/is mentioned, I used to/still do refer to him as "Foxie 55."
That moniker came from a day spotting at Ringway in the 1970's, when I picked up on my Hira radio, a US military "flyover," using the call sign "Foxtrot 55." In a subsequent communication, he shortened that to "Foxie 55" and that moniker came back to me when I met this guy named Fox twenty-five years later!
And here are links to a few other of my a/c photos from the 1970's, where-accidentally-other spotters are in view:
Biggin Hill 18-5-74 IAS Britannia G-AOVS | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Manchester1973Alitalia747 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
ScanImage 6v2-G-APPX as improved by PeterEdin | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Anybody recognise themselves?
Finally, given the total rip-off parking prices at the airport's (otherwise excellent, but a £3 for one hour, £6 for two hours; and £12 for any period of three hours or longer charge really does ruin it), I actually spent some time finding out yesterday how to get there by train and bus-and it's quite do-able. Either that or take a car-load of people.
Back in the 70's, I used to catch the 44 bus to the airport from Gatley, after quite a long walk from my parents' house in Cheadle.
Airband radios: my first was a "Flight Four," I think. Made in Hong Kong (as most radios in those days were) and pretty good. But when I got older (bit more pocket money from my not ungenerous parents), I got really ambitious and bought myself a HUGE Hira airband radio, costing a lot of money in those days.
Whereas I had been able to fit the Flight Four in a shoulder bag, I had to buy a special holdall for the Hira. I think I only finally threw both out as recently as 2000, when I moved house and had a major chucking out session-both had long since ceased working.
On bad weather days, I would sit in "The Glasshouse" on top of the then main terminal building. And this am, in one of those strange quirks of memory, someone mentioned a guy with the surname Fox, who I used to know (not a spotter and not from the 1970's); and it reminded me of how, whenever his name was/is mentioned, I used to/still do refer to him as "Foxie 55."
That moniker came from a day spotting at Ringway in the 1970's, when I picked up on my Hira radio, a US military "flyover," using the call sign "Foxtrot 55." In a subsequent communication, he shortened that to "Foxie 55" and that moniker came back to me when I met this guy named Fox twenty-five years later!
And here are links to a few other of my a/c photos from the 1970's, where-accidentally-other spotters are in view:
Biggin Hill 18-5-74 IAS Britannia G-AOVS | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Manchester1973Alitalia747 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
ScanImage 6v2-G-APPX as improved by PeterEdin | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Anybody recognise themselves?
Finally, given the total rip-off parking prices at the airport's (otherwise excellent, but a £3 for one hour, £6 for two hours; and £12 for any period of three hours or longer charge really does ruin it), I actually spent some time finding out yesterday how to get there by train and bus-and it's quite do-able. Either that or take a car-load of people.
Back in the 70's, I used to catch the 44 bus to the airport from Gatley, after quite a long walk from my parents' house in Cheadle.
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Yes, the 200 bus runs hourly Wilmslow - Styal Mill - Airport bus station - Runway Visitor Park (RVP) and return. In addition, the 88 bus runs hourly in each direction Altrincham - Wilmslow - Knutsford and return (no service on Sundays), stopping at Sunbank Lane on Altrincham Road near the Romper pub, a short walk from the RVP.
If you walk or cycle in, it's free entry!
If you walk or cycle in, it's free entry!
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Book yourself on one of the Concorde Tours and you get free parking.
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Proplinerman,
Looking at your mid 1970s photographs of EGNX…..The left Viscount 700 was definitely G-APPX.
Not sure of the Channel Airways identity, but I'll keep trying.
I think the right-hand airframe is possibly PK-RVN of Mandala Airlines., it is certainly their colour-scheme.
The Channel Airways Viscount is almost certainly G-ATUE.
Looking at your mid 1970s photographs of EGNX…..The left Viscount 700 was definitely G-APPX.
Not sure of the Channel Airways identity, but I'll keep trying.
I think the right-hand airframe is possibly PK-RVN of Mandala Airlines., it is certainly their colour-scheme.
The Channel Airways Viscount is almost certainly G-ATUE.
Last edited by ZOOKER; 29th Dec 2013 at 12:02.
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Manchester Airport - Then and now
Some great memories, I flew as an Air Steward with BOAC in the early 70's on VC-10 and 707's including the cargo variant.
Manchester to New York was operated with both types often via Prestwick although I remember operating nonstop on Standard VC-10's
If the aircraft was required back in London it was flown back with just the cabin crew and the short take-off was something to remember!
Perhaps someone can suggest what types of aircraft were stored by the hangars adjacent to the Altrincham to Wilmslow Road circa 1955 -ish when my Grand Father would walk me from Hale, I think there was also a derelict aircraft closer to the airfield. Lancaster?
Manchester to New York was operated with both types often via Prestwick although I remember operating nonstop on Standard VC-10's
If the aircraft was required back in London it was flown back with just the cabin crew and the short take-off was something to remember!
Perhaps someone can suggest what types of aircraft were stored by the hangars adjacent to the Altrincham to Wilmslow Road circa 1955 -ish when my Grand Father would walk me from Hale, I think there was also a derelict aircraft closer to the airfield. Lancaster?
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In the early 60's I spent many happy weekends standing on the footpath that led from the original Airport Hotel and passed within a few yards of the threshold of runway 24. We would then cycle to watch the construction of the new terminal,
The passenger building was an old black hangar situated where T3 is now. Between this hangar and the 'new' terminal was a car park where you could get to within a few yards of the aircraft. It was possible to walk around the construction site at weekends and get very close to the aircraft. Sometimes the pilots would invite us to look round their aircraft.
The ATCO's were also very friendly with the small group of regular spotters, and often would invite us up into the tower (see photo). Nowadays it is hard to believe that there was absolutely no security.
When the new terminal was completed, the two piers were a fantastic place to watch the aircraft. It cost sixpence to go onto the roof and piers. In the winter one could stand by the big window at the front of the terminal. Spotters were welcome in the terminal then.
In 1969 I was proud to land a VC10 on runway 24 at Manchester. That was the start of over 30 years of operating VC10s, 747s and 744s into Manchester. I still love to go to the viewing park when in the area, although the terminal building is now a no-go area unless you have a boarding pass.
Happy Days!
The big windows at the front of the terminal can be seen here. Spotters welcome in those days.
MyAviation.net - Aviation Photo Gallery
The passenger building was an old black hangar situated where T3 is now. Between this hangar and the 'new' terminal was a car park where you could get to within a few yards of the aircraft. It was possible to walk around the construction site at weekends and get very close to the aircraft. Sometimes the pilots would invite us to look round their aircraft.
The ATCO's were also very friendly with the small group of regular spotters, and often would invite us up into the tower (see photo). Nowadays it is hard to believe that there was absolutely no security.
When the new terminal was completed, the two piers were a fantastic place to watch the aircraft. It cost sixpence to go onto the roof and piers. In the winter one could stand by the big window at the front of the terminal. Spotters were welcome in the terminal then.
In 1969 I was proud to land a VC10 on runway 24 at Manchester. That was the start of over 30 years of operating VC10s, 747s and 744s into Manchester. I still love to go to the viewing park when in the area, although the terminal building is now a no-go area unless you have a boarding pass.
Happy Days!
The big windows at the front of the terminal can be seen here. Spotters welcome in those days.
MyAviation.net - Aviation Photo Gallery
Last edited by Airclues; 2nd Jan 2014 at 22:32. Reason: renewing photo
Thought police antagonist
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" Back then the Wilmslow - Altrincham road was quiet and quite narrow (you can still see sections of it near the Holiday Inn at Oversley Ford, and by the Romper pub).
I would politely dispute the above, in part. The road was never quiet, it was a very busy road and, for a kid on cycle ( me and others ) decidedly dangerous. Hence I preferred to use the path / field adjacent to the Airport Hotel.
However, the new Terminal did offer a vast improvement, and, for some of us, a free pass as it were. In those days, one was a bit slimmer and thus, with a bit of adroit squeezing, could gain entry at the steps ( assuming nobody was in the ticket booth ) and then on to the International Pier as it was then called, by virtue of the gap in the middle of the turnstiles being larger than the rest.
I would politely dispute the above, in part. The road was never quiet, it was a very busy road and, for a kid on cycle ( me and others ) decidedly dangerous. Hence I preferred to use the path / field adjacent to the Airport Hotel.
However, the new Terminal did offer a vast improvement, and, for some of us, a free pass as it were. In those days, one was a bit slimmer and thus, with a bit of adroit squeezing, could gain entry at the steps ( assuming nobody was in the ticket booth ) and then on to the International Pier as it was then called, by virtue of the gap in the middle of the turnstiles being larger than the rest.
Last edited by Krystal n chips; 1st Jan 2014 at 14:53.
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Ah yes! Who remembers the old Swordfish (I think - there wasn't much left of it) on the dispersals to the right of that picture, past the radar head, by the road than followed the southern boundary? We used to play on that as kids!
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This is not an advert but I've recently joined this Facebook Group, https://www.facebook.com/groups/461165080672217/ . I wouldn't see it as a rival to this fine PPRuNe Thread but it is likely to come up with some interesting photographs and, perhaps, stories.
Needless to say, the great advantage of PRRuNe is that it benefits from the input of professional aviators and Techies.
Needless to say, the great advantage of PRRuNe is that it benefits from the input of professional aviators and Techies.
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Here's a bit of then and now...
Perhaps more relevant to the first posts in this topic, having seen a few 70s pictures of the terminal expansion I stumbled across this...
This appears to be taken from level 1 of the 70s terminal 1 multi storey car park. As you can see there is some sort of taxi bay and it runs quite a distance through the car park, you can count well over 10 support columns
However in this more recent picture, the same level 1 doesnt go back half as much? There is a wall after the 5th column? its the same car park and the same level though.. has this wall been put in after? And if so, what is behind it now?
Another odd feature are these braces
Anyone with good memories of this place might be able to recall how this structure was originally?
Perhaps more relevant to the first posts in this topic, having seen a few 70s pictures of the terminal expansion I stumbled across this...
This appears to be taken from level 1 of the 70s terminal 1 multi storey car park. As you can see there is some sort of taxi bay and it runs quite a distance through the car park, you can count well over 10 support columns
However in this more recent picture, the same level 1 doesnt go back half as much? There is a wall after the 5th column? its the same car park and the same level though.. has this wall been put in after? And if so, what is behind it now?
Another odd feature are these braces
Anyone with good memories of this place might be able to recall how this structure was originally?
Those taxi's were at ground level. The area is now the staff shop and an indoor walkway providing access towards T3 and the lifts to the multistory carpark.
The more distant part of the taxi rank is separated from the new indoor area and remains as a small, mostly airport management, staff carpark. The entrance/exit is the same as when it was the taxi rank.
The more distant part of the taxi rank is separated from the new indoor area and remains as a small, mostly airport management, staff carpark. The entrance/exit is the same as when it was the taxi rank.
Last edited by ZeBedie; 12th May 2014 at 11:23. Reason: extra para
This thread has revived a lot of very happy memories of my youth! The photos, particularly that of the concourse, and the lists of companies operating in the 60s and 70s and the airliners they used brought me back to a comfy feeling of 'modernity and progress' that has been fast-forwarded often beyond my financial means!
My earliest memory of Ringway was watching the planes through a diamond-shaped wire mesh fence with my father. I suspect this would be around 1960 or so, before the new terminal was built, and remember asking a uniformed gentleman with stripes and 'scrambled egg' on his hat if he was the 'pirate'; I don't think he appreciated that at this stage in my development I had not grasped the difference between 'pirate' and 'pilot', and he didn't deign to reply. I remember going for an orange squash in Forte's restaurant ... if I remember correctly there were maroon and cream banquette seats, something totally different to what we sat on at home.
I was fortunate to fly to Paris on an Air France Caravelle (tins of drinking water and little salt and pepper shakers on the meal tray), to Guernsey via LHR on a BEA Vanguard and Viscount, and to return to the airport around 1970 with a family member making her second flight after her first one 50 years previously! She had a wonderful time.
My school days were made far more enjoyable by being on the direct approach, watching from my dormitory window and from the prep room window and dreaming where each plane had come from rather than concentrating on the exercises set for homework. Many a time the roar from from a climbing BAC1-11 drowned out my teachers' voices and led my to dream about what would be happening aboard rather than face dull reality.
I used to walk from Cheadle Hulme to Ringway at weekends just to enjoy time in the concourse ... oh the smell of the rubber flooring and the sheer exoticism of the airline liveries and details of the departures and arrivals boards. I remember the chandeliers so well, and the travellators in the car park! One of my friends dad had a dairy farm just opposite the airport that supplied the airport with some of its milk.
All that has now gone. On the rare occasion I travel through Manchester I try to superimpose my memories on the actual facilities. No joy. The past has gone, and, I suspect, much of the romance of foreign air travel. Thank goodness that we have our memories, and a big thank you to all those who have contributed before me to this thread in helping me to relive them.
My earliest memory of Ringway was watching the planes through a diamond-shaped wire mesh fence with my father. I suspect this would be around 1960 or so, before the new terminal was built, and remember asking a uniformed gentleman with stripes and 'scrambled egg' on his hat if he was the 'pirate'; I don't think he appreciated that at this stage in my development I had not grasped the difference between 'pirate' and 'pilot', and he didn't deign to reply. I remember going for an orange squash in Forte's restaurant ... if I remember correctly there were maroon and cream banquette seats, something totally different to what we sat on at home.
I was fortunate to fly to Paris on an Air France Caravelle (tins of drinking water and little salt and pepper shakers on the meal tray), to Guernsey via LHR on a BEA Vanguard and Viscount, and to return to the airport around 1970 with a family member making her second flight after her first one 50 years previously! She had a wonderful time.
My school days were made far more enjoyable by being on the direct approach, watching from my dormitory window and from the prep room window and dreaming where each plane had come from rather than concentrating on the exercises set for homework. Many a time the roar from from a climbing BAC1-11 drowned out my teachers' voices and led my to dream about what would be happening aboard rather than face dull reality.
I used to walk from Cheadle Hulme to Ringway at weekends just to enjoy time in the concourse ... oh the smell of the rubber flooring and the sheer exoticism of the airline liveries and details of the departures and arrivals boards. I remember the chandeliers so well, and the travellators in the car park! One of my friends dad had a dairy farm just opposite the airport that supplied the airport with some of its milk.
All that has now gone. On the rare occasion I travel through Manchester I try to superimpose my memories on the actual facilities. No joy. The past has gone, and, I suspect, much of the romance of foreign air travel. Thank goodness that we have our memories, and a big thank you to all those who have contributed before me to this thread in helping me to relive them.
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Those taxi's were at ground level. The area is now the staff shop and an indoor walkway providing access towards T3 and the lifts to the multistory carpark.
Also, in the top picture, you can see the taxi is about to set off the direction he is pointing. If you look at the tyre marks on the floor you can see where the flow of traffic is. Assuming this is an up ramp to level 2, this would be impossible due to that area being the terminal 1 arrivals lounge? If you stand in the current t1 arrivals lounge, there are no ramps, no supports, no pillars, nothing! No trace of anything?
Also, the old style travellators that went from levels 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 etc were presumably in place of the current lift shafts. I can't understand how level 7 would work, because at the time of the travellators, there was no skywalk system running through the middle of the car park finishing on level 7. If you stepped off the travellator on level 7 there would be no car park floor, nothing to step on, just thin air!
Last edited by wakey1512; 12th Dec 2014 at 19:03.
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the top surface of the spotter piers were asbestos cement tiles! Honest