Manchester Airport - Then & Now
Pilot of the Airwaves
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Speaking of days on the terrace.........
I have before me two copies of "Manchester International Airport Schedule of Services", one for May 1979 and the other for June 1979. They cost 10p each.
They have a notice on the front cover which reads:
BIRDS ARE A HAZARD TO AIRCRAFT.
FEEDING OF BIRDS FROM THE PUBLIC TERRACES IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN.
BY ORDER
AIRPORT DIRECTOR
I have before me two copies of "Manchester International Airport Schedule of Services", one for May 1979 and the other for June 1979. They cost 10p each.
They have a notice on the front cover which reads:
BIRDS ARE A HAZARD TO AIRCRAFT.
FEEDING OF BIRDS FROM THE PUBLIC TERRACES IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN.
BY ORDER
AIRPORT DIRECTOR
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how many access points to the spectator terraces were there? form old photos that i've seen, there was a kind of spiral typre staircase which went up and over tower rd (the old apron acces) onto the roof just under where the admin block is at the back of the tower. Also, i think there was a starcase at the back of the old pier A. Was there somewhere from within the concourse that you could get to the terrace from. Also, what and where was the 'TV room?
You're right Wez, there was an access point from the concourse on to the terrace. The door was just aft of the "Brabazon Suite", which was situated on the right hand side as you stood under the chandeliers looking toward the apron. The door was between the suite and the newsagents and gave access on to the terrace in the enclosed section, (where PB Enterprises hovered), a few steps up from the little shop.
Pilot of the Airwaves
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Interesting on studying the 1979 timetables, that most of the airlines operating then, have passed into history.
B.Cal, Dan Air, Laker, Sabena, Swissair, Clyden, Aviaco, British Airtours, British Island Airways, Ontario Worldair, Avio Genex, Canadian Pacific (CP Air), TAE, Wardair, Trans Europa, TIA, Spantax.
Some items of interest are that Dan Air operated 727s on ITs to and from Gibraltar, given the discusions about aircraft possibly operating into Gib in the future and available runway length, on that thread.
A BIA Heralds used to arrive from BLK, Monday to Friday, then operate out to Rotterdam and back, twice a day.
Dan Air 748s doing Newcastle, Bournmouth, Cardiff and Birmingham schedules.
B.Cal, Dan Air, Laker, Sabena, Swissair, Clyden, Aviaco, British Airtours, British Island Airways, Ontario Worldair, Avio Genex, Canadian Pacific (CP Air), TAE, Wardair, Trans Europa, TIA, Spantax.
Some items of interest are that Dan Air operated 727s on ITs to and from Gibraltar, given the discusions about aircraft possibly operating into Gib in the future and available runway length, on that thread.
A BIA Heralds used to arrive from BLK, Monday to Friday, then operate out to Rotterdam and back, twice a day.
Dan Air 748s doing Newcastle, Bournmouth, Cardiff and Birmingham schedules.
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The internal entrance to the terraces is still there, its a pair of double doors behind the sunglasses shop, it leads up to the covered observation area which is now enclosed and is home to the "The Airport Tour Centre" a business owned and operated by "The Aviation Society". This society can trace its ancestry back to the remnant membership of PB Enterprises, which was disbanded. TAS as its known locally also owns and runs the 2 aviation stores at the airport and has a membership of about 1500. Its is always on the lookout for new members, if you are interested see
www.tasmanchester.com
The society and its business interests are directly responsible for introducing thousands of people of all ages to the world of aviation.
Back to the thread: The other entrance was a set of turnstiles near to the current Mytravel entrance at Tower road. A path lead to stairs at the end of pier A. There was another set of stairs near the entrance that lead up to a paved walkway which passed under the northern face of the Tower to the other side of the terminal and pier B (and later pier C) pier A and pier B were directly connected by a wide paved area which had the earlier mentioned viewing area on the apron side. Most of this terminal roof viewing area is still intact but no longer open to the public, except for the small section outside the Airport tour centre.
www.tasmanchester.com
The society and its business interests are directly responsible for introducing thousands of people of all ages to the world of aviation.
Back to the thread: The other entrance was a set of turnstiles near to the current Mytravel entrance at Tower road. A path lead to stairs at the end of pier A. There was another set of stairs near the entrance that lead up to a paved walkway which passed under the northern face of the Tower to the other side of the terminal and pier B (and later pier C) pier A and pier B were directly connected by a wide paved area which had the earlier mentioned viewing area on the apron side. Most of this terminal roof viewing area is still intact but no longer open to the public, except for the small section outside the Airport tour centre.
Last edited by MAN777; 27th Mar 2007 at 19:40.
My former boss, who moved to Manchester as Station Manager before SAS started flying CPH, recounted a tale of a "forgotten bag" (or maybe sandwiches) being thrown down to a boarding DUB passenger from a relative on one of the "pier balconies".
Times have changed.
Apparently, the first landing SAS Caravelle deployed a parachute. What an arrival...
r
Times have changed.
Apparently, the first landing SAS Caravelle deployed a parachute. What an arrival...
r
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Regarding the Tour Centre. Is is possible just to pop in to visit TAS in the old covered observation enclosure, up the afore-mentioned staircase? or do you need to make a special arrangement?
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The Airport Tour centre is really a presentation / classroom and also the admin offices for TAS. to visit I think you would have to be on an organised tour. Theres not a great deal to see just loads of photos and a few bits of memorabilia. The great view it once had has been blocked by the terminal extension. The actual tours, tour the terminal and the tour centre is used for showing films etc.
PB Enterprises(aero) was formed by Peter Hardy and friends, it used to meet in the rear room of the "Airport Hotel" pub (at the end of runway 24right.
They used to run regular aviation coach trips all over the UK, I am not sure why it disbanded.
PB Enterprises(aero) was formed by Peter Hardy and friends, it used to meet in the rear room of the "Airport Hotel" pub (at the end of runway 24right.
They used to run regular aviation coach trips all over the UK, I am not sure why it disbanded.
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It was good to see a picture of the old concourse at T1, I worked for the then Midland Bank our main office was on the concourse about where Cotton Traders shop now is. Great times from 1973 till it closed in Oct 1985. Who remembers Archie's (special branch) discos?
Statsman
Statsman
Manchester Memories...
The revolving light on top of the hangar near the aviation viewing park which reflected off the low clouds at night
The dark blue fuselages and gold lettering of BOAC VC10s - very posh - and the more workmanlike BEA with their Vanguards
Court Line with their dayglo coloured aircraft - each one a different colour
Soviet Tu-134s sounding like a jet fighter on take off..
Taking my airband radio - you just tuned up and down the band until you found someone transmitting - to be checked by the airport technicians.
The long piers which were great for viewing..
the parafin smell of the fuel...
The revolving light on top of the hangar near the aviation viewing park which reflected off the low clouds at night
The dark blue fuselages and gold lettering of BOAC VC10s - very posh - and the more workmanlike BEA with their Vanguards
Court Line with their dayglo coloured aircraft - each one a different colour
Soviet Tu-134s sounding like a jet fighter on take off..
Taking my airband radio - you just tuned up and down the band until you found someone transmitting - to be checked by the airport technicians.
The long piers which were great for viewing..
the parafin smell of the fuel...
Thought police antagonist
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Distant--and happy memories. The field at the side of the Airport Hotel was almost my second home at times. When the "new" Terminal opened however, we all seemed to move en masse to the viewing areas. As for gaining access, well you invariably had to pay the 1 shilling at the main turnstile by the tower entrance, however gaining access to the piers was another matter. Whether by accident or design I do not know, but the gap in the centre of the turnstile bars was wider than the rest of bars---so, the more svelte like of us could squeeze through thus depriving MAPLC of more revenue. 
Viewing at the end of 06 was tantamount to suicide at the time due to the volume of traffic on the Wilmslow road---however it was the only way to see the Mooney based in the Airworks ? hangar of course. The other option was down the lane by the side of Fairey's hangar--and the sight of the odd Jindavick or two outside.
I remember the BUA troopers, the Bev parked at the end of Pier A when the Terminal was officially opened ( I think the plan was for a para drop but the weather was c%%p ) and all the other regular visitors mentioned here.
In between leaving school and joining the RAF, I got a temp job with Forte's in the terminal---collecting and sorting / delivering beer bottles from the various bars---no draught in those days !!!----however, this did offer me ahem, a sort of added value to the job as I soon discovered that wearing a brown dustcoat and carrying a clipboard made me look "very official"---quite how official a spotty faced 16 yr old was supposed to be is a moot point of course--but this image allowed me to happily wander around the ramp area and gain access to anything I could--which was almost heaven at the time. Sadly, my employers concept of my employment and mine did not quite match each others wishes----so I was transferred to the old staff canteen in the RAF barrack blocks---which worked in my favour as it allowed me to have Saturday's free to go to Burtonwood and enjoy the delights of the Cadet Mk 3.
I have a few, if I can dig them out, pics taken from the lane at Fairey's and one of a World Airways 727-100--now that was an exotic visitor at the time and--and if anybody can scan them in or wishes to see them, am more than happy to post them.
Viewing at the end of 06 was tantamount to suicide at the time due to the volume of traffic on the Wilmslow road---however it was the only way to see the Mooney based in the Airworks ? hangar of course. The other option was down the lane by the side of Fairey's hangar--and the sight of the odd Jindavick or two outside.
I remember the BUA troopers, the Bev parked at the end of Pier A when the Terminal was officially opened ( I think the plan was for a para drop but the weather was c%%p ) and all the other regular visitors mentioned here.
In between leaving school and joining the RAF, I got a temp job with Forte's in the terminal---collecting and sorting / delivering beer bottles from the various bars---no draught in those days !!!----however, this did offer me ahem, a sort of added value to the job as I soon discovered that wearing a brown dustcoat and carrying a clipboard made me look "very official"---quite how official a spotty faced 16 yr old was supposed to be is a moot point of course--but this image allowed me to happily wander around the ramp area and gain access to anything I could--which was almost heaven at the time. Sadly, my employers concept of my employment and mine did not quite match each others wishes----so I was transferred to the old staff canteen in the RAF barrack blocks---which worked in my favour as it allowed me to have Saturday's free to go to Burtonwood and enjoy the delights of the Cadet Mk 3.
I have a few, if I can dig them out, pics taken from the lane at Fairey's and one of a World Airways 727-100--now that was an exotic visitor at the time and--and if anybody can scan them in or wishes to see them, am more than happy to post them.
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Chandelier Photo
Have a look at this link. It's from the from the Italian fine glass makers Vannini who made the chandeliers. This one is very similar to the ones that used to be in the concourse. Can't believe they got rid of them, they were awesome.
http://toddmerrillantiques.1stdibs.c....php?id=128182
http://toddmerrillantiques.1stdibs.c....php?id=128182
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Never mind the chandelliers....
Wot abart the ribbed rubber floor tiles? Made a great sound if you could get a baggage trolley up to 20 mpk!
Also, the wavy canopy over the arrival departures lane. I've been told it's still there buried in the baggage hall.
G-AGXN pah! G-AOBV rules
Sir George Caley
Wot abart the ribbed rubber floor tiles? Made a great sound if you could get a baggage trolley up to 20 mpk!
Also, the wavy canopy over the arrival departures lane. I've been told it's still there buried in the baggage hall.
G-AGXN pah! G-AOBV rules
Sir George Caley
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the good old days, when domestic baggage reclaim was where My Travel now check in, and Dan Air was the highest airport employer (apart from the airport itself), and i still miss those SU Tupolovs, best looking aircraft ever, just would never fly on one!!
>Wot abart the ribbed rubber floor tiles?
'kinneck! I'd forgtten about them. Add in the stream of multilingual departure calls, plus B-11 banshee air starts, and I'm back in 85... :-)
r
'kinneck! I'd forgtten about them. Add in the stream of multilingual departure calls, plus B-11 banshee air starts, and I'm back in 85... :-)
r
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Midland331, I was one of the lucky souls who saw the SAS Caravelle deploy its parachute - amazing sight. I dunno whether it was its first flight into MAN, but the weather on the day was slushy snow, so I always assumed that was why it deployed.
And Sir George, thanks for recalling the rubber tiles, I'd completely forgotten them - ah, happy days - especially on 'div days' when LHR was fogbound and we'd get all the 'rare' beasts in...
And Sir George, thanks for recalling the rubber tiles, I'd completely forgotten them - ah, happy days - especially on 'div days' when LHR was fogbound and we'd get all the 'rare' beasts in...