LUTON History and Nostalgia

[DaveReidUK]

Canadair also used the Eland on the 10 Convairs that they built/converted for the RCAF, but re-engined them a few years later with Allisons because of problems with the Eland.

[DaveReidUK]

Originally Posted by LTNman

The photos properties show 8th September 2002.

Well I was half-right.

It's actually EC-HJU (147), which was previously the aforementioned OO-DHF with EAT and retained the "F" on the nose when it went to Swiftair in Spain (still flying for DHL) in May 2000. Swiftair operated it until the end of 2005, so the photo fits. Apologies for any confusion!

https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/5941077

[SpringHeeledJack]

I seem to remember seeing a 737 at LTN back in the day with rough field kit installed, I think for use on unmade strips in Africa. Would any of you LTN experts have a photo, sometime in the 70's ??

[LTNman]

I was reading last week or was it a YouTube video that stated that 6 airlines in Northern Canada still fly the 200 series as there in no replacement that can cope with rough Canadian northern landing strips.

(Edit) found it, go to YouTube and search “why do Boeing 737-200 still fly in Canada?”

excellent video about gravel kits and vortex dissipators.

[HP115]

Ref post #3746 Niger should be N

[SpringHeeledJack]

Thank you LTNman for the pointer towards the YouTube video, very interesting. The one I saw at LTN was, I think, in for Mx with Brittania. It 'might' have been from Niger, but to be honest I can't recall. Perhaps with a photo the old memory might be jogged ;-)

[The AvgasDinosaur]

Learned contributors,
Thank you very much for the fascinating photos, which so epitomise the spirit of Luton.
Would anyone care to share the Vikings, Ambassadors, DC-4,6,& 7s, Hermes and Constellations. All of which sadly predate my camera ownership days.
Thanks once again.
Be lucky
David

[browndhc2]

Diversions circa 1967.

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Diversion Day and the good old Autair Crew Bus working overtime!

[cj241101]

Probably 6/2/67 (or 7/2/67), in which case the BKS Ambassador would have been G-ALZR, the Comet G-APMC plus 19 other diverted flights, most of which night stopped. Love to know how and where they were all parked, given the based operators would have aircraft on the ground as well.

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

cj you are right. If you blow the image up you can see 'ZR' on the nosewheel u/c door....... looks as though they might be parked on the taxiway. I can remember diversions in the Autair staff car park!

[cj241101]

Originally Posted by The AvgasDinosaur

Would anyone care to share the Vikings, Ambassadors, DC-4,6,& 7s, Hermes and Constellations. All of which sadly predate my camera ownership days.

Me too - no camera until Christmas 1968. These from my father, both dated 20/8/67 and taken from the old spectators area left of the terminal, looking across the grass where hangar 89 now stands.


D-ABAR 20/8/67. Sudflug operated Sunday evenings from Dusseldorf (2 flights some weeks) and Monday mornings from Munich 16/7/67-2/10/67.


G-AHPB 20/8/67. Just arrived from Berlin.

[cj241101]

Originally Posted by OUAQUKGF Ops

looks as though they might be parked on the taxiway. I can remember diversions in the Autair staff car park!

Presumably the western taxiway curving around where the fire station now is.

If the Autair staff car park was between hangars 61 and 62 yes, I can recall a Vanguard parked nose in somewhere around there, probably 4/1/69.

[OUAQUKGF Ops]

Originally Posted by cj241101

Presumably the western taxiway curving around where the fire station now is.

If the Autair staff car park was between hangars 61 and 62 yes, I can recall a Vanguard parked nose in somewhere around there, probably 4/1/69.

Yes that's the area I have recollections of a Vanguard too......

[LTNman]

Reference the fantastic Comet and BKS Ambassador photo. It does indeed look like they are blocking the only taxiway off the apron. So much better than the 737's and Airbuses we get today. It really was the golden age of aircraft.

Never seen a photo of a Hermes at Luton although they flew out of Bovingdon.

[browndhc2]

Not a Hermes I'am afraid Euravias L 049 G-ARVP.Is that a Fairchild Argus behind it?A sporty looking tug attached to the GPU as well.

[treadigraph]

Argus looks like a Beaver to me?

Love those 049 Connies!

[browndhc2]

On closer inspection, I must agree which leads me to doubt the location is Luton.

[DaveReidUK]

Originally Posted by browndhc2

On closer inspection, I must agree which leads me to doubt the location is Luton.

Why would the suggestion that it's a Beaver (with which I agree) preclude it from being at Luton ?

[browndhc2]

Because I am not sure that there were many civilian Beavers, which it appears to be in the UK or NW Europe at the same time Euravia were flying Constellations.