LUTON History and Nostalgia
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Probably a long shot but does anyone have a photo of the single lane tunnel that used you used to have to pass through to get up to the airport? It was just off the the Lower Luton Road probably where Parkway station is now.
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The list from Airport Timetable UK 1985
EO Euroflight/London European
KND Kondair
XF Spacegrand
SM Air Ecosse
CME Air Camelot
JE Manx Airlines
MO Airmore/ National
LC Loganair
BSF Business Flight Services
DG Holland Airlines
ALF Air Luton
HBD Hubbardair
KND Kondair
AK Air Bridge Carriers
EO Euroflight/London European
KND Kondair
XF Spacegrand
SM Air Ecosse
CME Air Camelot
JE Manx Airlines
MO Airmore/ National
LC Loganair
BSF Business Flight Services
DG Holland Airlines
ALF Air Luton
HBD Hubbardair
KND Kondair
AK Air Bridge Carriers
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Vintage ATCO loved the picture of what was then a newish tower. A time that will never return. Any more like that, especially if in colour would brighten a very dull January day.
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That was an alternate route for the locals who did not look at the road signs. Once though the tunnel it was a sharp right turn followed after a few yards by a sharp leff.
The route can still be seen on Google maps on the satellite view and ends up between the Vauxhall dealership and Express newspapers.
The route can still be seen on Google maps on the satellite view and ends up between the Vauxhall dealership and Express newspapers.
Last edited by LTNman; 15th Jan 2017 at 11:42.
Here's one for the log keepers...I believe the Nomad that operated the Nightexpress flight for a short time after they commenced ops with that type may have been a 'manufacturers loan' with a VH registration. I never saw this sircraft 'in the tin' but seem to remember the registration being stated as VH-*** in box 18 of the flight plan form.
Pleased to see a vintage copy of Airport Timetables UK is still being put to good use. Darned shame the new-fangled interweb thingy put paid to it!
(Person with vested interest)!!
(Person with vested interest)!!
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Here's one for the log keepers...I believe the Nomad that operated the Nightexpress flight for a short time after they commenced ops with that type may have been a 'manufacturers loan' with a VH registration. I never saw this sircraft 'in the tin' but seem to remember the registration being stated as VH-*** in box 18 of the flight plan form.
N5579M 19/1/85
Going back to the Airport Timetables flight listings, does anyone know when Air Ecosse changed from their "WG" prefix? Their Bandits became regular during summer 1979 on mail flights, always using the "Whisky Golf" callsign. Up to 4 a night IIRC, WG912/914/916/918 possibly.
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How many of those night flights were Royal Mail flights rather than newspaper flights? My grandfather set up Datapost in the 80's and I wish I knew more about the routes and aircraft he set up. I know he used Air Ecosse a lot and BCal and their regional partners ex LGW, but he also dealt with Hubbardair, National, Chanex, BAF and others and certainly set up flights ex LTN as he was very familiar with it. I vaguely recall he mentioned a carrier with a 402/404 but may have been ex LGW. Also a carrier with P68's to the Channel Isles, in fact he flew one (not ex LTN, maybe BOH in connection with Chanex), as I say I wish I remember more.
I have a very large scale National King Air and a smaller scale Chanex Herald (plus a BCal A310) he was given by reps and a photo of a Connectair Shed and a bronze BAF Viscount I still have on my wall.
I have a very large scale National King Air and a smaller scale Chanex Herald (plus a BCal A310) he was given by reps and a photo of a Connectair Shed and a bronze BAF Viscount I still have on my wall.
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How many of those night flights were Royal Mail flights rather than newspaper flights?
Changing the subject one of those nightly airlines was Spacegrand, they operated scheduled passenger services out of Blackpool for a while.
http://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/xf.htm
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DATAPOST...C404's Executive Express operated the BRS (Bristol) LTN BRS and CWL (Cardiff) LTN CWL Datapost services with these aircraft, having an aircraft and pilot based in each place
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To add to the list - Centreline (HG) with Bandit/s. Went up north somewhere, possibly Glasgow.
There was also a P68 that did a run to Brussels I think most nights, often flown by very young pilots. Fixed-pitch props and welded gear, well suited to the recently-qualified.
And an Islander that went to Manchester, or was that Euroair? Long time ago...
And Air Continental's designator was CW.
There was also a P68 that did a run to Brussels I think most nights, often flown by very young pilots. Fixed-pitch props and welded gear, well suited to the recently-qualified.
And an Islander that went to Manchester, or was that Euroair? Long time ago...
And Air Continental's designator was CW.
To add to the list - Centreline (HG) with Bandit/s. Went up north somewhere, possibly Glasgow.
There was also a P68 that did a run to Brussels I think most nights, often flown by very young pilots. Fixed-pitch props and welded gear, well suited to the recently-qualified.
And an Islander that went to Manchester, or was that Euroair? Long time ago...
And Air Continental's designator was CW.
There was also a P68 that did a run to Brussels I think most nights, often flown by very young pilots. Fixed-pitch props and welded gear, well suited to the recently-qualified.
And an Islander that went to Manchester, or was that Euroair? Long time ago...
And Air Continental's designator was CW.
I did a RH seat ride to Manchester in the BN2 and believe it was G-BDWG which was Euroair. We delivered the load to the Southside Hangars which are now long gone under 23L/05R. We flew outside controlled airspace joining the EGCC CTR Special VFR. The pilot told me the most useful navaid on the route were the obstruction lights on top of the Evans lift tower in Northampton!
Re the PN68 you mention. Wasn't that Hubbardair?
Air Continental did a Leuchars return, generally in the Beech C90 but occasionally using a second aircraft, a PA31 Navajo when, I presume, the load was too large for the BE90. I did a RH seat flight on that too and went up on the BE90, (fabulous st.Elmo's fire demo). Then back on the PA31 Navajo. In the dark of night, in heavy rain and cloud, the glow of the turbo through the air vents in the engine cowling on my side was quite scary!
Although it wasn't a postal/paper flight there was a regular I haven't seen mentioned. G-AZBK, an Aztec which regularly flew to Deelen in the Netherlands. This one was during the day. I believe it belonged to a London company who's name escapes me. Another one that was good for a RH seat ride to a very interesting destination.
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Wasn't the P-68 G-SVHA of David Martin Couriers? It seemed to be airborne every night in the early eighties.https://www.flickr.com/photos/55101137@N02/8036708610
They also had PA-31 G-BCAT https://www.flickr.com/photos/peamasher/2511557652
Seems the UK company disappeared in c.1990, but continues in some shape or form in NL.
They also had PA-31 G-BCAT https://www.flickr.com/photos/peamasher/2511557652
Seems the UK company disappeared in c.1990, but continues in some shape or form in NL.