LUTON History and Nostalgia
G-OPOL is a re-engined Series 3B, and the two rearmost are both Viper-engined: a 600 (G-BKCD) on the right and an unidentified 400 (or earlier) on the left.
My fading eyes I guess?
Had a job of getting a re-engined 400 srs. from US register to Irish in the '80s.
The IAA were not happy with the STC as BAe would not recognize the mod. Also the installed TV was a problem. Took about 6 months to get the paperwork accepted.
Had a job of getting a re-engined 400 srs. from US register to Irish in the '80s.
The IAA were not happy with the STC as BAe would not recognize the mod. Also the installed TV was a problem. Took about 6 months to get the paperwork accepted.
Strange....I thought the AIResearch converted Hawkers in the USA were fully approved by BAe. The company was a joint partner in the program and converted all US early Hawkers up to the 400 series.....
https://www.flightglobal.com/FlightP...20-%201451.PDF
https://www.flightglobal.com/FlightP...20-%201451.PDF
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: UK
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It just proves how bad my memory is getting. 
HX-OFC 257064 I flew on when it was HZ-NAD in March 1983 very shortly after which it was sold to Olayan and Registered HZ-OFC.
G-BKCD 256056 was first registered as such in July 1988.
I left McAlpine not long after this so the picture I guess was taken between these dates 1983 to 1986
I'm willing to be proved wrong!
For the sad people, and I'm one, David Reid is quite correct the two furthest away are real Viper powered aircraft. If you look closely you can see the tail cones are a natural metal finish plus the left unknown one has the blow off valve cover hanging down whilst G-BKCD you can just make out the hole for the BOV, the left one also only has 5 windows so probably a 3B/400 - I really need to get out more!
I'm home this weekend and I think I may have another picture from a different angle
What does worry me is how many of these aircraft which I worked on are now "parted out"
M.E.
HX-OFC 257064 I flew on when it was HZ-NAD in March 1983 very shortly after which it was sold to Olayan and Registered HZ-OFC.
G-BKCD 256056 was first registered as such in July 1988.
I left McAlpine not long after this so the picture I guess was taken between these dates 1983 to 1986
I'm willing to be proved wrong!
For the sad people, and I'm one, David Reid is quite correct the two furthest away are real Viper powered aircraft. If you look closely you can see the tail cones are a natural metal finish plus the left unknown one has the blow off valve cover hanging down whilst G-BKCD you can just make out the hole for the BOV, the left one also only has 5 windows so probably a 3B/400 - I really need to get out more!
I'm home this weekend and I think I may have another picture from a different angle
What does worry me is how many of these aircraft which I worked on are now "parted out"
M.E.
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Luton
Posts: 548
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
McAlpine 125's
Aircraft nearest on the left looks like G-BHLF, a 700B delivered to McAlpine on 11/4/80, operated on behalf of Marconi. It was re-registered G-OCAA on 22/4/92, sold in the Cayman Islands as VP-CLX 16/8/02 then the Bahamas as C6-IUN 5/11/10. Still currently registered.
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Luton
Posts: 548
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Scandinavians
The Scandinavian airlines used to switch between Luton and Stansted for the season depending where the best deal was. They all followed the recommendation of a particular travel agent whose name escapes me who used to visit London each winter to do a deal. When they finally reverted back to Stansted we were told that if we wanted the business we would have to pay them and not the other way around!
) rings a bell as one of the main charterers, who probably had the last say as to LTN or STN. Flying Finns I think were the charterers of the Kar Air flights - I can remember attempting the boarding announcement over the PA ("Flying Finns flight" which was a recipe for a tongue twister disaster
). Sterling stuck with us for 5 years (1976-1981), Maersk were 1977-1979, Scanair were 1978-1980, Kar Air then Finnair operated several summers from 1978 until 2001.
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: UK
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Good Eyes
I've checked on my original photograph with magnifying glass and light and can confirm the mystery Hawker on the far left is indeed G-BOCB.
I have no memory of working on this aircraft but must have done at some time.
M.E.
I've checked on my original photograph with magnifying glass and light and can confirm the mystery Hawker on the far left is indeed G-BOCB.
I have no memory of working on this aircraft but must have done at some time.
M.E.
I believe for the Scandinavian charters the Sunday afternoon group, which alternated between Luton and Stansted, were holiday charters to hotels in London, popular for one week shopping etc trips at a time of no LCCs and scheduled operators at Heathrow only pricing for business travellers. The midweek flights were for the student travel organisations (cheaper charter rates) and more random in their operations.
Tjaereborg were the proprietors of Sterling Airways, and they did a very wide range of operations - they did Caravelle charters from Copenhagen to San Francisco (3 fuel stops along the way). Kar-Air used Finnair aircraft as, like a number of the mainstream European airlines' charter subsidiaries, they had no fleet of their own. Flying Finn in much more recent times had a go at being an LCC themselves, with MD-80s, and even operated as such from Helsinki into Stansted for a short while around 2003, but didn't last.
Tjaereborg rings a bell as one of the main charterers
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: UK
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A few more to come for those like me that don't get out much
A little bit later in time with only One Hawker
Need to crop some picture next weekend when I get more time!!!
A little bit later in time with only One Hawker
Need to crop some picture next weekend when I get more time!!!
Last edited by Mike Echo; 3rd Apr 2016 at 18:55.
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: UK
Age: 72
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Argosy at Luton
Some while ago there was mention of Argosy aircraft at Luton. Here's a scratchy shot of G-ASXP on the apron. The aircraft was delivered to BEA in June 1965 and destroyed at Stansted in December 1967 so giving some clue as to the date at Luton. I've no idea who took the photo but it was in the collection of Eddie Papps (formerly of Britannia)
Excellent website here for Argosy fans
AWA ARGOSY
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: In the sticks
Posts: 9,849
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Great photo, what an interesting shape! I think it had the same engines as the Viscount as it had the same scream. The BMA weekend Viscounts were the only aircraft I had to put my fingers in my ears when they passed the spectators viewing area.
aceatco, retired
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: one airshow or another
Posts: 1,431
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
I saw Argosys at Luton on weather diversion several times. Coincidentally I was at Stansted in December 1967 on my met. observers course and witnessed the crash. It was on a training flight and just have this image of it cartwheeling. Amazing that the three on board got out unscathed.
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: 3 miles short of 08
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The date for the BEA Argosy at Luton could have been 26th or 27th October 1965 as it diverted to Luton en-route to Heathrow from Dusseldorf due to fog and parked overnight - along with two Aer Lingus Viscounts, two BKS Ambassadors, a BKS HS748 and an Electra and Viscount of KLM.
Last edited by Luton Anorak; 7th Apr 2016 at 12:14. Reason: corrected dates
I once met the F/O of Argosy G-ASXP which crashed at Stansted on 04/12/67. He was also the F/O of Argosy G-ASXL which flew into a mountain trying to land at Milan on 04/07/65. What a lucky chap!