LUTON History and Nostalgia
aceatco, retired
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The first Jet Provost, a T.1 c/n PAC/84/001 XD674. Not sure when the pic was taken but it first flew 25.1.54. The early JPs used piston Provosts u/c legs.
This aircraft made a wheels up landing on the grass at Luton 18.7.54 but it flew again the same day! It had a varied history and the airframe is now engineless at Cosford.
Someone on another forum has identified the chap in uniform as the Chief Airport Fire Officer, Vic Cable. In the days when test pilots wore ties!
Credit: BAE Systems Heritage - Hunting Percival Archive.
This aircraft made a wheels up landing on the grass at Luton 18.7.54 but it flew again the same day! It had a varied history and the airframe is now engineless at Cosford.
Someone on another forum has identified the chap in uniform as the Chief Airport Fire Officer, Vic Cable. In the days when test pilots wore ties!
Credit: BAE Systems Heritage - Hunting Percival Archive.
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I thought Stand 18 was always part of the South stands but I am happy to be corrected by our retired atdcos. Of course a number of executive aircraft were parked on the light aircraft stand which ran parallel to McAlpine's hangar.
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You know that this is Hunting Percival's chief test pilot, R. G. 'Dick' Wheldon following the first flight of prototype Jet Provost T Mk.1, XD674, at Luton on 26 June 1954?
aceatco, retired
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Thanks, Vampiredave, I did wonder. I have from elsewhere it was June but the Air Britain books states January. Certainly doesn't look like January!
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I thought Stand 18 was always part of the South stands but I am happy to be corrected
Ref. the J.P.1's Provost undercarriage legs. It was a noticeable feature that when taxying over the grass, the legs had a habit of "walking " alternatively. I do remember seeing about 6 early JP 1's up in line astern formation over Luton for a photo sortie c. 1956.
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Two pics of XD674, the first Jet Provost T.1, following its wheels up landing on the grass at Luton 18.7.54. It apparently flew again the same day!
Source: BAE Systems Heritage - Hunting Percival Archive
Source: BAE Systems Heritage - Hunting Percival Archive
aceatco, retired
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Yes, a term I have steadfastly refused to use. It got shortened to 'the pond'.
It comes from a TV series 'Bonanza' by NBC that ran from 1959 to 1973 of the Cartwright family living on a fictional Ponderosa Ranch.
It comes from a TV series 'Bonanza' by NBC that ran from 1959 to 1973 of the Cartwright family living on a fictional Ponderosa Ranch.
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But Vintage ATCO do you know how the term originated? I have no idea but it slipped into common usage.
Just looked at that KLM picture again. When was that large area of what looks like grass in the apron removed- is it an optical illusion?
Some ex KLM DC7Cs returned of course in Sudflug guise in 1967 - I still struggle in vain to get a schedule of those flights. Saw one depart from Chiltern Green when I had told my Dad I was going just round the corner from Welwyn- the deceit continued when I made the crash gate in 1968 for about another year. When I told him as a 14 year old he said "better than messing about with girls I suppose"!
Just looked at that KLM picture again. When was that large area of what looks like grass in the apron removed- is it an optical illusion?
Some ex KLM DC7Cs returned of course in Sudflug guise in 1967 - I still struggle in vain to get a schedule of those flights. Saw one depart from Chiltern Green when I had told my Dad I was going just round the corner from Welwyn- the deceit continued when I made the crash gate in 1968 for about another year. When I told him as a 14 year old he said "better than messing about with girls I suppose"!
Last edited by 22/04; 6th Jul 2016 at 11:50.
aceatco, retired
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My understanding is a Britannia engineer christened the area shortly after it opened based on the Ponderosa Ranch from the TV series Bonanza.
If you are asking about the etymology of the word, then no.
My brain hurts.
If you are asking about the etymology of the word, then no.
My brain hurts.
Last edited by vintage ATCO; 6th Jul 2016 at 06:43. Reason: grammar
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Just looked at that KLM picture again. When was that large area of what looks like grass in the apron removed- is it an optical illusion?
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'BO was sold to Britannia Airways on 16th March 1970. The registration was cancelled as permanently withdrawn from use on 25th January 1971 and she was broken up at Luton in May of that year, so that narrows it down a bit...
Last edited by Simtech; 7th Jul 2016 at 13:15.