LUTON History and Nostalgia
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: 3 miles short of 08
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have a strange request regarding Britannia G-BDLZ of Air Faisal - this aircraft (ex XM490) was delivered to Stansted 30th October 1975 for civil conversion by Aviation Traders - it was rolled out of their hangar 4th December 1975 named "Al Mubarak" and with the airline titles incorrectly painted as "Air Faisel" (with an "e" instead of an "a") - it remained this way until at least June 1976 - as per photo below - I am trying to find a date for when this was corrected - if any of you have photos of this aircraft (and you know the date they were taken) could you please have a look as you may be able to narrow down the date a bit - Thank You (I am currently writing a concise history of Luton Airport and putting details against all the aircraft that were based at Luton from 1937 until present day)
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Luton
Posts: 548
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Can't help with a photo - I only took one and it was in 1979. G-BEMZ which Faisal also operated suffered the same problem, photos on ebay:-
https://www.ebay.ie/itm/AIR-FAISAL-A...item2ccab6514b
Also loads (and loads!) of Britannia and CL-44 photos, many taken at Luton, here:-
Flickriver: Random photos from Bristol Britannia pool
There is an Air Faisal thread on pprune:-
Air Faisal
The date for the "Flight International" report should have read 1978 not 1976.
https://www.ebay.ie/itm/AIR-FAISAL-A...item2ccab6514b
Also loads (and loads!) of Britannia and CL-44 photos, many taken at Luton, here:-
Flickriver: Random photos from Bristol Britannia pool
There is an Air Faisal thread on pprune:-
Air Faisal
The date for the "Flight International" report should have read 1978 not 1976.
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: london
Age: 58
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Did see both Britannias at manston 78/79 both operating at manston was it here that they got caught with naughty stuff on board there aircraft also trade was that good they where looking at a fleet of 707s
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Luton
Posts: 548
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
As promised a couple of weeks ago here's some diversion photos starting with 30/11/82:-
HB-IND
D-ABKE
CS-TBY
The KLM DC-9 was PH-DNO; the Cyprus 707 5B-DAK. Also present on stand 1 was Icelandair 727-100 TF-FLG.
then this from 17/2/84:-
G-BJZE
having checked this was actually operating Britannia flights but I'll leave it here anyway.
and these from 28/12/84:-
Luxair 737 was LX-LGH, the BA G-BGDC, the Aer Lingus EI-BEB and the Air Malta 9H-ABB. Manx Viscount G-BLOA on stand 9 was also a Heathrow diversion.
G-AVMN
OO-SDO
PH-AGF
These were all in the morning along with Air UK F27 G-BAUR and Air UK SH360 G-DASI, presumably diverted from Stansted.
I was working nights and didn't manage any photos of the evening diversions, which included another Luxair 737 LX-LGI, Alitalia MD-82 I-DAWD, Sabena 737 OO-SDN, BA 1-11 500 G-BGKF (diverted from Birmingham), then after midnight BCAL DC-10 G-BEBM and BCAL Commuter SH330 G-BIRN both diverted from Gatwick.
More to follow.
HB-IND
D-ABKE
CS-TBY
The KLM DC-9 was PH-DNO; the Cyprus 707 5B-DAK. Also present on stand 1 was Icelandair 727-100 TF-FLG.
then this from 17/2/84:-
G-BJZE
having checked this was actually operating Britannia flights but I'll leave it here anyway.
and these from 28/12/84:-
Luxair 737 was LX-LGH, the BA G-BGDC, the Aer Lingus EI-BEB and the Air Malta 9H-ABB. Manx Viscount G-BLOA on stand 9 was also a Heathrow diversion.
G-AVMN
OO-SDO
PH-AGF
These were all in the morning along with Air UK F27 G-BAUR and Air UK SH360 G-DASI, presumably diverted from Stansted.
I was working nights and didn't manage any photos of the evening diversions, which included another Luxair 737 LX-LGI, Alitalia MD-82 I-DAWD, Sabena 737 OO-SDN, BA 1-11 500 G-BGKF (diverted from Birmingham), then after midnight BCAL DC-10 G-BEBM and BCAL Commuter SH330 G-BIRN both diverted from Gatwick.
More to follow.
Last edited by cj241101; 11th Dec 2017 at 12:28.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: In the sticks
Posts: 9,858
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have never seen a photo of the Virgin 747 that landed from New York and then flew back empty as it was a delayed flight rather than a weather diversion. I think the only reason it came to Luton was that it was able to depart after midnight without being affected by a curfew.
I just happened to be listening to my single band air band radio when the controller mentioned to another aircraft that a 747 was on its way. I thought I was hearing things and could not get up to the airport quick enough so I was able to watch it land.
I then went into the old terminal and watched as the bemused Americans came out of this small building where they were the only passengers.
I just happened to be listening to my single band air band radio when the controller mentioned to another aircraft that a 747 was on its way. I thought I was hearing things and could not get up to the airport quick enough so I was able to watch it land.
I then went into the old terminal and watched as the bemused Americans came out of this small building where they were the only passengers.
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Luton
Posts: 548
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
G-AWNF 28/9/92 Toronto-Heathrow BA092
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: London
Posts: 837
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
As promised a couple of weeks ago here's some diversion photos starting with 30/11/82:-
HB-IND
D-ABKE
CS-TBY
The KLM DC-9 was PH-DNO; the Cyprus 707 5B-DAK. Also present on stand 1 was Icelandair 727-100 TF-FLG.
then this from 17/2/84:-
G-BJZE
having checked this was actually operating Britannia flights but I'll leave it here anyway.
and these from 28/12/84:-
Luxair 737 was LX-LGH, the BA G-BGDC, the Aer Lingus EI-BEB and the Air Malta 9H-ABB. Manx Viscount G-BLOA on stand 9 was also a Heathrow diversion.
G-AVMN
OO-SDO
PH-AGF
These were all in the morning along with Air UK F27 G-BAUR and Air UK SH360 G-DASI, presumably diverted from Stansted.
I was working nights and didn't manage any photos of the evening diversions, which included another Luxair 737 LX-LGI, Alitalia MD-82 I-DAWD, Sabena 737 OO-SDN, BA 1-11 500 G-BGKF (diverted from Birmingham), then after midnight BCAL DC-10 G-BEBM and BCAL Commuter SH330 G-BIRN both diverted from Gatwick.
More to follow.
HB-IND
D-ABKE
CS-TBY
The KLM DC-9 was PH-DNO; the Cyprus 707 5B-DAK. Also present on stand 1 was Icelandair 727-100 TF-FLG.
then this from 17/2/84:-
G-BJZE
having checked this was actually operating Britannia flights but I'll leave it here anyway.
and these from 28/12/84:-
Luxair 737 was LX-LGH, the BA G-BGDC, the Aer Lingus EI-BEB and the Air Malta 9H-ABB. Manx Viscount G-BLOA on stand 9 was also a Heathrow diversion.
G-AVMN
OO-SDO
PH-AGF
These were all in the morning along with Air UK F27 G-BAUR and Air UK SH360 G-DASI, presumably diverted from Stansted.
I was working nights and didn't manage any photos of the evening diversions, which included another Luxair 737 LX-LGI, Alitalia MD-82 I-DAWD, Sabena 737 OO-SDN, BA 1-11 500 G-BGKF (diverted from Birmingham), then after midnight BCAL DC-10 G-BEBM and BCAL Commuter SH330 G-BIRN both diverted from Gatwick.
More to follow.
Used to love those 727's of Lufthansa and even a sort of affection for the stubby 737-100/200 'pigs'. The sound of the engines always evocative.
Couldn't find any old ones.
Couldn't find any old ones.
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Luton
Posts: 548
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
D-ABEW 13/10/80.
Believe this was diverted from Heathrow although nothing else was that day. There was a BA Trident 2 (G-AVFI) during the afternoon, which was a planned movement, taking the England football team to Bucharest.
Last edited by cj241101; 14th Dec 2017 at 16:58.
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Luton
Posts: 548
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
diversions 11/12/84
Big diversion day on 11/12/84 when I was again working nights 10/12/84 and 11/12/84 - managed to get up during the day to get a few photos.
I-DIBC
I-BUSH
G-DASI
G-BHMW
G-BKWU
PH-KFI
OH-LMP
TC-JBJ
There's a long list of aircraft I didn't get pictures of, including:-
Swissair DC-9-30 HB-IDO
Aer Lingus 737-200 EI-ASB
BA 737-200 G-BGDU
RAF 125 XW791
Night shift brought more:-
Aer Lingus 737-200 EI-BEE
BA 737-200's G-BGDT G-BGJM
BA Trident 2 G-AZXM
RAF 125 ZE396
BMA DC-9-30 G-BMAM
BMA DC-9-15 G-BMAB
2 Dan Air 1-11 500's and a Dan Air HS748 G-BIUV
I-DIBC
I-BUSH
G-DASI
G-BHMW
G-BKWU
PH-KFI
OH-LMP
TC-JBJ
There's a long list of aircraft I didn't get pictures of, including:-
Swissair DC-9-30 HB-IDO
Aer Lingus 737-200 EI-ASB
BA 737-200 G-BGDU
RAF 125 XW791
Night shift brought more:-
Aer Lingus 737-200 EI-BEE
BA 737-200's G-BGDT G-BGJM
BA Trident 2 G-AZXM
RAF 125 ZE396
BMA DC-9-30 G-BMAM
BMA DC-9-15 G-BMAB
2 Dan Air 1-11 500's and a Dan Air HS748 G-BIUV
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Milton Keynes
Posts: 1,070
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Diversions are much less common these days unfortunately. Partly I expect because of Catt III ILs but also because airlines cancel flights more readily than I remember them doing in days of yore.
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Milton Keynes
Posts: 1,070
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Springheeledjack the video bough back memories of happy lazy summer days when a Britannia 737 would push back from stand one and wind up the engines - typically the only thing moving late morning and going to Wildenrath or Gutersloh - and of the dirty marks around the fuselage from smoky engines!
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Luton
Posts: 548
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Plus of course LTN doesn't have the space these days so airlines are less likely to flight plan with LTN as first alternate.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: In the sticks
Posts: 9,858
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
OK I know this has been seen before but it is the only Christmas themed Luton photo I have seen.
Wishing all the contributors and lurkers to this thread a Merry Xmas and thank you for making this thread one of the most successful threads on the Aviation History and Nostalgia page. I am not sure why this is but I guess this thread twists and turns in all directions and ultimately coves many subjects that have a link to Luton.
Wishing all the contributors and lurkers to this thread a Merry Xmas and thank you for making this thread one of the most successful threads on the Aviation History and Nostalgia page. I am not sure why this is but I guess this thread twists and turns in all directions and ultimately coves many subjects that have a link to Luton.
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Stockport MAN/EGCC
Age: 70
Posts: 991
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Last visits
Learned contributors,
The first visits of many types are widely recorded and reported, does anyone on here have any dates for last visits/departures for types of aircraft.
E.G. Brittania, Dc3, 4, 6, 7, 8. Boeing 707, Ambassador, Viking, Viscount etc
Your time and trouble is much appreciated.
Thanks,
Be lucky
David
The first visits of many types are widely recorded and reported, does anyone on here have any dates for last visits/departures for types of aircraft.
E.G. Brittania, Dc3, 4, 6, 7, 8. Boeing 707, Ambassador, Viking, Viscount etc
Your time and trouble is much appreciated.
Thanks,
Be lucky
David
The trouble is, the first visit is an obvious fact, when it happens. But when the last happens, it will go unnoticed because no one can know it's the last, at least until that type finally ceases to fly. Sorry if I'm stating the obvious!
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Stockport MAN/EGCC
Age: 70
Posts: 991
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
I am aware of why last visits are often under reported as it equally applies to last flights for types in most cases. I was hoping given the superlative record keeping by some of the contributors that a some may have been noted as such at the time or retrospectively deducted by in house sleuths and be recorded for posterity.
Thanks for your time,
Be lucky
David
Last edited by The AvgasDinosaur; 28th Dec 2017 at 21:44. Reason: Typo