LUTON History and Nostalgia
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That's right. The runway started off being 5,432 feet in length and was extended twice. Initially it had just one taxiway as per the photo with the present turn off marking what was the end of the runway.
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The farmhouse started off life as Eaton Green Farm together with the farm buildings seen to the left of the farmhouse. In 1937 it become the home of the aerodromes first manager who was called Mr H.T Rushton. I assume it became the airport admin building at some point.
The building was still there in 1969 but gone in this 1972 photo as the Britannia ops building can be seen behind the tail of the Monarch. So were these the last 2 Constellations ever to visit Luton?
The building was still there in 1969 but gone in this 1972 photo as the Britannia ops building can be seen behind the tail of the Monarch. So were these the last 2 Constellations ever to visit Luton?
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Memory not so bad - that taxiway was where all the snow slid down hill trapping the Euravia L149s on the apron and leaving Autair Vikings & DC3 with nowhere to go if they had landed.
aceatco, retired
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When the 'new' terminal was built, mid 60s, the farmhouse became the Luton Flying Club bar and run by Fred and Moira Pinchin. It was conveniently just a few paces from the tower where we could conveniently sink a pint or six following an afternoon shift. Had to be back at 08:00 the following morning.
I don't believe the hard runway followed an existing grass runway and I believe it even extended the airfield boundary. ISTR there were two 06/24 rwys, the second in front of the tower, 18/36 and one something like 15/33 although in the early days the whole area was 'a landing ground'.
I don't believe the hard runway followed an existing grass runway and I believe it even extended the airfield boundary. ISTR there were two 06/24 rwys, the second in front of the tower, 18/36 and one something like 15/33 although in the early days the whole area was 'a landing ground'.
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So what is the date of the photo- LTN man?
I remember a Catair Constellation (F-BGNI?) at Luton 28/2/71 but that was parked on the "ponda rosa" (I know some don't like that name (IIRC)). The then Four Nations Cup. Don't remember them on the stand 11/12 area.
That weekend was particularly memorable as we were graced by a visiting Channel Comet and G-AYSI was delivered ( in World Airways colour to Britannia again IIRC).
BTW when was the stand 16/17 area laid down - I can't remember - 1969?
I remember a Catair Constellation (F-BGNI?) at Luton 28/2/71 but that was parked on the "ponda rosa" (I know some don't like that name (IIRC)). The then Four Nations Cup. Don't remember them on the stand 11/12 area.
That weekend was particularly memorable as we were graced by a visiting Channel Comet and G-AYSI was delivered ( in World Airways colour to Britannia again IIRC).
BTW when was the stand 16/17 area laid down - I can't remember - 1969?
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I have the photo dated as 1972
I have just read my 75 year anniversary book about the airport where it states that 2 additional pieces of land had to be bought before the concrete runway could be built so I would say that it did not sit over the top of a grass runway.
So, was the 'new' concrete runway placed on top of an existing grass runway?
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LTNman- Permission to use my original photo or a credit would be appreciated.?
They were the last connies I recall seeing there-they were in for rugby charters alongside a Trans Union DC-6 and some Europe air service Heralds I think?
They were the last connies I recall seeing there-they were in for rugby charters alongside a Trans Union DC-6 and some Europe air service Heralds I think?
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I have seen many photos of the old farmhouse where it is lurking in the distant background or in an aerial shot but I never seen a proper photo of the exterior of the building so I wonder if one exists.
The photo below is of the flying club but not sure if this is the farmhouse or the prefab that replaced it. Looking at the ceiling it looks like the prefab but the people in the photo seem to be from an earlier time.
The photo below is of the flying club but not sure if this is the farmhouse or the prefab that replaced it. Looking at the ceiling it looks like the prefab but the people in the photo seem to be from an earlier time.
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LTNman- Permission to use my original photo or a credit would be appreciated.?
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No I wouldnt want it removed but when ownership isnt known-a comment to that effect should be made. (ie Origin of photo unknown/thanks to unknown photographer etc?).
For info I dont recall the exact date but think it was probably 1970 or 71.
I was working for Courtline and in those days we handled the majority of diversions and extra flights etc. (No Servisair/Menzies etc then).
There were three of them in-one on the "pond" and the other two outside the Monarch hangar. I have some poor photos of the Trans Union DC-6 and one of the European Heralds. They were the last Connies I saw at Luton anyway.
For info I dont recall the exact date but think it was probably 1970 or 71.
I was working for Courtline and in those days we handled the majority of diversions and extra flights etc. (No Servisair/Menzies etc then).
There were three of them in-one on the "pond" and the other two outside the Monarch hangar. I have some poor photos of the Trans Union DC-6 and one of the European Heralds. They were the last Connies I saw at Luton anyway.
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This picture has appeared on PPrune before but not on this thread. It was one of those pack them in days football charters. Photo taken from a rather empty spectators area.
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The picture was taken in the late afternoon of Wednesday 20 May 1992 the day of the European Cup Final at Wembley between Barcelona and Sampdoria of Italy. Most of the Sampdoria supporters flew into Luton while Barcelona supporters mainly used Stansted. The cargo area was used as a large coach holding park.
From that perspective, you'd hardly think that any aircraft could get by on the taxiway without clipping it's wings on the parked aircraft 
Seeing those Sterling aircraft reminds me of days of yore at Stansted when the weekly 'invasion' of Scandi-airlines took place on a sunday night.
SHJ
Seeing those Sterling aircraft reminds me of days of yore at Stansted when the weekly 'invasion' of Scandi-airlines took place on a sunday night.SHJ
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I think you're confusing the south stands access road with the taxiway which is not visible in the photo - it's off to the right behind the TEA aircraft.
Last edited by Simtech; 18th Jan 2015 at 14:09.
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Fokkerwokker
Memories coming back of Fred's bar and the cubby hole opening as you say promptly at 2231.
Was full of Court Line, Monarch and some Britannia guys and gals. Full of smoke of course in those days.
I remember them moving across the road too. Both places were good pick up places for young single dashing good looking pilots like me then
I loved some of the comments written on the wall in the Gents
Memories coming back of Fred's bar and the cubby hole opening as you say promptly at 2231.
Was full of Court Line, Monarch and some Britannia guys and gals. Full of smoke of course in those days.
I remember them moving across the road too. Both places were good pick up places for young single dashing good looking pilots like me then
I loved some of the comments written on the wall in the Gents
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Both places were good pick up places for young single dashing good looking pilots like me then
My Court Line hostie flat mate's black Lab was a babe magnet in Fred's bar. I used to get a terrible blocking, from said flat mate, for keeping the dog out all night after said dog got me into mischief.
