LUTON History and Nostalgia

[cj241101]

Originally Posted by 22/04

Second Aztec shot Northeast corner of what was then McAlpine's apron before the Pond was built - from the Hangar side looking towards what is now taxiway Alpha with the runway line in the back background. Is the fence on the left the old spectators car park?

22/04, yes, I think you are correct. Some time late in 1967 - I think - the grass area between the terminal and the taxiway was fenced off and designated a spectator car park. The fence was one of those roll up wooden stake types which fits the appearance of the one in the background. There is an aerial shot somewhere on this thread which shows the car park very well - I will try and locate it.


found it, not sure who to credit it to originally

[compton3bravo]

Talking of Air UK Leisure I wonder if Vintage ATCO or any other people who worked in ATC can remember when one of their B737s was about to park on Stand 9L and just stopped in time when it was about to hit the fence with dear Dave Gearing bellowing on the mike to stop. Fortunately it did. This incident occurred on a summer evening.
Regarding Cyprus Airways Luton was the designated diversion airport when they could not land at Heathrow. I remember seeing the odd B707 at Luton during the 1970s when Heathrow was fogbound.

[LTNman]

Don't think there was a stand 9L in those days but just a stand 9.

[compton3bravo]

Thank you LTNman for correcting me.

[noflynomore]

Seems an extraordinary juxtaposition, a glamorous exec aircraft and that ghastly old nail of a Viva, of all things! Perhaps it was intended as ironic?

[Snarlingdog]

Hangar 89 trivia?

As a newcomer here, it's great to read some of Luton's history in these threads. In the early 70's as a small boy from Romford I used to peer through the chain link fences of this and all the London Airports, spending all day on the roof at Gatwick or Heathrow (They were mostly just 'boring' old BAC 1-11s or Tridents back then!)


Now I'm working in the orange world at Hangar 89, I wonder if anyone has any history, pictures or trivia on the Hangar? Nobutz posted some fascinating photos of the BCal 707 with the hangar half built in the backdrop on p64 but I wonder if there are any more out there......

[LynxDriver]

Been looking through some old photos I've taken at Luton over the years. I believe I photographed this Britannia Boeing 767-205ER still wearing its Varig livery towards the end of 1987.

[LTNman]

Hangar 89

Wikipedia reports the hangar was built in 1974 which is incorrect as it was being built in 1969.

[unstirred]

LLA Taxiway Alpha

I'm doing an engineering degree and studying the Taxiway Alpha underpass at LLA. Does anyone have any images of it during the build in 1997, any plans/details or suggestions where I could find them?

[YVRLTN]

What happened to Magec Aviation?

[LTNman]

I'm doing an engineering degree and studying the Taxiway Alpha underpass at LLA. Does anyone have any images of it during the build in 1997, any plans/details or suggestions where I could find them?

Bridge was built in two halves to allow the taxiway above to remain open. The taxiway in the photo below was the temporary taxiway.

Looking at the roof of the tunnel today shows that the roof was poured on what looks like panels of boarding as the uneven edges can still be seen.

[LTNman]

What happened to Magec Aviation?

I think this was the order as each in turn was sold.

McAlpine- Magec- Lynton-Signature

[unstirred]

LLA Taxiway Alpha

Originally Posted by LTNman

Bridge was built in two halves to allow the taxiway above to remain open. The taxiway in the photo below was the temporary taxiway.

Looking at the roof of the tunnel today shows that the roof was poured on what looks like panels of boarding as the uneven edges can still be seen.

Thank you very much LTNMan. It has been due to the kindness of strangers like yourself I am able to piece together the construction method as BAM Nuttall couldn't help me, LLA wouldn't help me and LBC would...for £75 ph! At times I have been !

[Snarlingdog]

What were these hangars?

Judging by all the aerial photographs, there appears to be at least two hangars still standing from the early days of Luton.

If my photo posting skills work, there will be two photos below of different eras. The one circled blue is along Percival way and now a vehicle maintenance workshop. Another one is the arched hangar (circled red) opposite the easyJet academy on Prince Way. I've also got earlier pictures from the 30's I think showing the hangars being built.

It's interesting that they are still standing - does anyone know if they were of any significance or were they just plain old hangars?

[LTNman]

March 9th 2006. Luton had seen a BA 747 before but I think this was the only 400 to arrive at Luton. This 747 parked on the eastern apron.

[compton3bravo]

Yes the only 400 I can remember. It arrived from Los Angeles and the passengers were disembarked and coached to Heathrow, the aircraft being positioned to Heathrow some time later. I think it diverted because it was very low on fuel.

[LTNman]

Taken at Luton but what is the aircraft type? Are they really landing lights in the nose?

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Airspeed Ambassador without a doubt. Possibly test bed aircraft for Napier Elan or Bristol Proteus Engines but livery a bit of a mystery.

[oftenflylo]

Ambassador

[LTNman]

Judging by all the aerial photographs, there appears to be at least two hangars still standing from the early days of Luton.

If my photo posting skills work, there will be two photos below of different eras. The one circled blue is along Percival way and now a vehicle maintenance workshop. Another one is the arched hangar (circled red) opposite the easyJet academy on Prince Way. I've also got earlier pictures from the 30's I think showing the hangars being built.

It's interesting that they are still standing - does anyone know if they were of any significance or were they just plain old hangars?

I don't know who the red circled hangar was built for it was not there in 1946 so I think it was erected in the 50's but it seems to be based on a WW2 blister hangar. Its history seems to be associated with helicopters as tenents include Autair Helicopters, Helicopter Services Ltd, Heletech and Trent Helicopters but not in that order.

The hangar is set to be knocked down within the next 2 years.

I will cover the other hangar in another post