LUTON History and Nostalgia
Further to the photograph of the Ambassador I've come to the conclusion that it is probably in Autair livery - difficult to tell from a black and white photo. LTNman any dates or clues on the photo? I can't remember if the inner nacelles were painted or not on Autair's aircraft. (A bit later) Inner nacelles not painted so pretty sure it's an Autair Ambassador.
Last edited by OUAQUKGF Ops; 16th May 2017 at 08:34. Reason: Additional Info
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No idea about the date but the photo is unusual as 2 of the 3 engineers seem to have an Asian heritage which in the 60's would have been quite rare as Luton was not multicultural in those days. Not even sure the middle engineer looks native English so I wonder if Autair recruited from abroad.
Well judging from the state of their overalls they certainly ain't engineers or even hangar sweepers. Probably just an opportunity for Corporation work mates (Aircraft Toilet Servicing Team?) to have their snap taken in front of an aeroplane. Yes Autair did employ Asian technicians - there was a lovely radio engineer called Raj who could fix anything!
Last edited by OUAQUKGF Ops; 16th May 2017 at 12:00.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ydVbn0gMk4
For no other reason than to bump the thread back up and to give a nostalgic smile to those who remember the commercial ;-)
For no other reason than to bump the thread back up and to give a nostalgic smile to those who remember the commercial ;-)
In one of Betty's aeroplanes operating out of Gib when this was overheard circa mid seventies;
‘Seville, Britannia 123’ – no answer.
Again ‘Seville, Britannia 123’ – still no answer.
Another voice; ‘Seville there is a Britannia 123 calling’
Seville replies; ‘Ask Britannia his departure point and destination’
‘Britannia, for Seville, what is your departure and destination?’
‘We are climbing out of Tangier, destination Luton’
‘Roger that – Seville he is climbing out of purgatory on wings to Paradise!’
‘Seville, Britannia 123’ – no answer.
Again ‘Seville, Britannia 123’ – still no answer.
Another voice; ‘Seville there is a Britannia 123 calling’
Seville replies; ‘Ask Britannia his departure point and destination’
‘Britannia, for Seville, what is your departure and destination?’
‘We are climbing out of Tangier, destination Luton’
‘Roger that – Seville he is climbing out of purgatory on wings to Paradise!’
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Remembering the days when Virgin opened a second London base at Luton. No 747's here just the Viscount that was eventually replaced by a pair of 727's
I can just hear the whine of the engines in that photo, ah nostalgia, or is it neuralgia ? Does anyone remember the 'exotic' various 737's that visited LTN for MX with Brittania back in the 70's an 80's ? I'm assuming it was for C/D checks as they seemed to be in the hangar for a good while.
There were also a lot of exotic 737s that went to Monarch, they had the contract for the Guiness Peat a/c. At the time I believe they were the largest operator of a/c leased out.
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Think this is the building located on the apron. AVIATION GOLDEN OLDIES - LUTON
Last edited by LTNman; 15th Jun 2017 at 21:20.
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I don't think so, comparing them side by side, I think you would just be seeing the window frame which is apparent in the 'golden oldie' photo. Besides, these were not 'terminal buildings' but were Percival line offices I think. Although I am talking early 60s here, maybe they were used as such before then; the pic has to be from the 50s.
The folk getting off the York and walking quite purposely somewhere and looking very smart!
The folk getting off the York and walking quite purposely somewhere and looking very smart!
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The window is further over to the right so would not appear in the York photo but that photo does show a vertical length of wood which appears in both photos in the same location.
Also looking at the photos below shows what would appear to be Luton's first terminal which is raised off the ground in both photos. When compared to the middle photo the terminal is between two hangars and is on the apron.
This is confirmed in the bottom photo which show no terminal by the farmhouse.
Also looking at the photos below shows what would appear to be Luton's first terminal which is raised off the ground in both photos. When compared to the middle photo the terminal is between two hangars and is on the apron.
This is confirmed in the bottom photo which show no terminal by the farmhouse.
Last edited by LTNman; 16th Jun 2017 at 09:06.
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Oh, awright! I give in 
Your bottom pic is from 1949, here's one from 1959
The wooden terminal that was in front of the old control tower, the infamous Building 50, was built around 1962.
Your bottom pic is from 1949, here's one from 1959
The wooden terminal that was in front of the old control tower, the infamous Building 50, was built around 1962.
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Got to confess I had no idea a terminal was ever located on the apron until I went through my entire photo collection looking for photos of huts around the airport. I guess the word terminal is not really an accurate description but I don't know what else to call it unless I stick to the word hut.
RuthAS
RuthAS
Last edited by LTNman; 17th Jun 2017 at 04:44.
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The colour photo taken in 1959 shows McAlpine's first hangar. The company must the airports oldest customer. In later life it became Magec Aviation before becoming Signature.
McAlpine ops https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cS9sZlOCos
McAlpine ops https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cS9sZlOCos
Last edited by LTNman; 17th Jun 2017 at 05:28.
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I sit reading this in an almost identical building. 2x4 frames, weatherboard exterior and in my case lined with 1/2 inch fibreboard. The building is bolted together in sections as shown in the pic.
Does anyone know the provenance of these buildings? Family folklore has it as a WW1 flatpack building - one of the first - intended for use behind the lines. It certainly arrived here between the wars.
Does Prune run to ancient wooden buildings experts?
Does anyone know the provenance of these buildings? Family folklore has it as a WW1 flatpack building - one of the first - intended for use behind the lines. It certainly arrived here between the wars.
Does Prune run to ancient wooden buildings experts?