LUTON History and Nostalgia
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Traffic lights on the route of the airports old terminal approach road but what year was this photo taken?
...and again in 2003 when Taxiway Echo was being built.
After completion of Taxiway Echo. In the background the lift shafts of the new pier can be seen being built.
The traffic light was finally removed in around 2013 when the new FBO opened. The yellow lines of the old approach road can still be seen crossing the path.
...and again in 2003 when Taxiway Echo was being built.
After completion of Taxiway Echo. In the background the lift shafts of the new pier can be seen being built.
The traffic light was finally removed in around 2013 when the new FBO opened. The yellow lines of the old approach road can still be seen crossing the path.
Last edited by LTNman; 6th Feb 2017 at 05:17.
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I am guessing at 1985. My first sighting of G-BLEI was on 25/5/85. The "C" reg plates on the Ford Granada were issued from 1st August 1985.
Last edited by cj241101; 13th Nov 2016 at 09:53.
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Anyone remember this aircraft? It was based for several years in the 60's and 70's, operated by the National Coal Board (I believe the CEO lived near Breachwood Green, and was a vocal opponent of the airport). If anyone has a colour photo it would be a big help - this is my (crude) attempt at repainting a Flight Simulator aircraft but I'm not sure how accurate this is. I remember the registration on the tail as being black but the only photos I can find online are black and white and they look as if the reg is actually the same tone as the fuselage cheat line. It was repainted in 1968 with a larger (black) registration on the rear of the fuselage. I haven't managed to change the colour of the prop spinners yet - believe they should be white. Any comments etc. welcome. Also any info as the where it flew to would be helpful (ongoing FS project).
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https://www.flickr.com/photos/52467480@N08/6432705923
It later became G-DDCD after the above photo was taken but it kept the same colours
It later became G-DDCD after the above photo was taken but it kept the same colours
Last edited by LTNman; 13th Nov 2016 at 21:16.
Gnome de PPRuNe
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I vaguely recall G-ARUM at Biggin Hill in about 1977 (when I started visiting regularly), may have been with Fairflight for attention.
When it became G-DDCD, I think it may have been based at Biggin, I can recall a blue cheatlined Dove in the Surrey Aviation end of the Fairflight hangar.
When it became G-DDCD, I think it may have been based at Biggin, I can recall a blue cheatlined Dove in the Surrey Aviation end of the Fairflight hangar.
I know G-ARUM was looked after by Autair. My dad flew in it after a major check when the pilot asked the engineers if they wanted to come along for the ride. Probably thought if they had something wrong, they're going down with me!
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I would have said the blue line on G-ARUM was a bit darker than that but it was a long time ago. The pilot was Basil Allum, really nice bloke.
Ah! Just seen the pic posted by LTNman, yes, all white.
Ah! Just seen the pic posted by LTNman, yes, all white.
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This is part of a long-term plan to recreate Luton traffic in FS2004 from the 60's and the 70's.
(view from the old tower)
Apologies for the modern Luton. I'm working on that as well. Yes I know the Autair Heralds disappeared just ahead of the first Court Line 1-11's - just using a bit of artistic licence.
Last edited by cj241101; 14th Nov 2016 at 19:39.
If I remember rightly the name of one of the pilots of G-ARUM in the mid-sixties when The National Coal Board had it was Ken Souter. I like the image of Autair's G-ALZV I had many a ride on her.
Incidentally mention of Skyways - was the last port of call for Autair's Ambassador G-ALZZ which was leased to Skyways Coach Air circa 1968. Autair's HS748s G-ATMI was also at one time or another leased to Skyways.
Incidentally mention of Skyways - was the last port of call for Autair's Ambassador G-ALZZ which was leased to Skyways Coach Air circa 1968. Autair's HS748s G-ATMI was also at one time or another leased to Skyways.
Last edited by OUAQUKGF Ops; 21st Nov 2016 at 17:23. Reason: Correction
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OUAQUKGF ops do you know any more about that lease- it seemed that the aircraft operated for both Skyways and Autair simultaneously-I think I remember (maybe wrong) it operated things like Luton Blackpool and Blackpool-Jersey flights in summer '68 while also operating for Skyways- did it fly from the grass at Lympne or Lydd for Skyways.
I always felt the Ambassador was a bit underpowered- some very long ground runs if hot and a crosswind at LTN- can't help it didn't help in the Munich accident. Any AS57 drivers out there to comment/prove me wrong.
I always felt the Ambassador was a bit underpowered- some very long ground runs if hot and a crosswind at LTN- can't help it didn't help in the Munich accident. Any AS57 drivers out there to comment/prove me wrong.
Well, it is all rather a long time ago! But it is quite probable that G-ALZZ operated some of Autair's Scheduled Services while still bearing the Skyways logo. At that time most of Autair's Scheduled Services were operated by HP Heralds. Almost certainly never operated G-ALZZ for Skyways out of Lympe being a grass airfield and rather too short for an AS57. Probably operated out of Gatwick. Incidentally the prototype operated off the grass at the manufacturer's airfield at Christchurch - Hampshire.
I've never heard mention of the Ambassador being under-powered. The Bristol Centaurus Engine being one of the most powerful of its kind. However at MTOW I would guess that it would need nothing less than a 6000ft runway. That said BKS operated Ambassadors out of Leeds Bradford (subsequently I am led to believe that this is incorrect and that their Ambassadors operated out of Newcastle and not Leeds) in the days when the runway there was considerably shorter than 6000ft. I believe BKS carried out weight saving modifications to their Ambassadors.But yes it would be interesting to obtain the opinion of somebody who has flown the beauty.
Autair routinely performed training and bi-annual checks on their pilots whilst operating the Saturday night newspaper run from Luton to Dublin. This would involve a single-engined approach, overshoot and landing at Dublin with two or three tons of newspapers on board.
However having just read Nick Corrie's Monograph on the Ambassador (Elizabethan Swansong) it would appear that apparently the aircraft could struggle to gain height if attempting a single-engined overshoot when very heavily loaded. At Dusseldorf on 8th April 1955 BEA's G-AMAB's port propeller slipped into reverse pitch shortly after takeoff. The engine was shut down and the aircraft returned in poor visibility for an emergency landing. Because the aircraft had not been properly aligned with the runway an overshoot was initiated but the fully loaded aircraft failed to climb and came down in a field a few miles away from the airfield. There was no fire and everyone survived. The cause of the initial malfunction was never discovered and as a result reverse pitch on the Ambassador was decommissioned. https://aviation-safety.net/database...?id=19550408-0
I seem to remember that George Errington gave a spirited single-engined display at Farnborough in the early years of the AS57's development.
I've never heard mention of the Ambassador being under-powered. The Bristol Centaurus Engine being one of the most powerful of its kind. However at MTOW I would guess that it would need nothing less than a 6000ft runway. That said BKS operated Ambassadors out of Leeds Bradford (subsequently I am led to believe that this is incorrect and that their Ambassadors operated out of Newcastle and not Leeds) in the days when the runway there was considerably shorter than 6000ft. I believe BKS carried out weight saving modifications to their Ambassadors.But yes it would be interesting to obtain the opinion of somebody who has flown the beauty.
Autair routinely performed training and bi-annual checks on their pilots whilst operating the Saturday night newspaper run from Luton to Dublin. This would involve a single-engined approach, overshoot and landing at Dublin with two or three tons of newspapers on board.
However having just read Nick Corrie's Monograph on the Ambassador (Elizabethan Swansong) it would appear that apparently the aircraft could struggle to gain height if attempting a single-engined overshoot when very heavily loaded. At Dusseldorf on 8th April 1955 BEA's G-AMAB's port propeller slipped into reverse pitch shortly after takeoff. The engine was shut down and the aircraft returned in poor visibility for an emergency landing. Because the aircraft had not been properly aligned with the runway an overshoot was initiated but the fully loaded aircraft failed to climb and came down in a field a few miles away from the airfield. There was no fire and everyone survived. The cause of the initial malfunction was never discovered and as a result reverse pitch on the Ambassador was decommissioned. https://aviation-safety.net/database...?id=19550408-0
I seem to remember that George Errington gave a spirited single-engined display at Farnborough in the early years of the AS57's development.
Last edited by OUAQUKGF Ops; 19th Dec 2016 at 08:23. Reason: Corrections and additional information.
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Skyways used to operate a scheduled service from Luton. I can't remember where it went to but I have the timetable in my loft somewhere.
(Edit) Someone is selling the timetable on ebay. It was 1971 and the destination was Ostend
(Edit) Someone is selling the timetable on ebay. It was 1971 and the destination was Ostend
Last edited by LTNman; 6th Feb 2017 at 04:54.
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Skyways Ambassador
Lympne/Ashford airport acquired a concrete runway which opened on 11th April 1968 but it was only 4500ft long and wouldn't have supported Ambassador operations.
Another FS2004 version, with thanks to D-GHHH Simulationware.
Another FS2004 version, with thanks to D-GHHH Simulationware.
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Lympne/Ashford airport got a concrete runway because of I think 2 crashes in a day including a 748 that ended up on its roof.
I think it was a year later that it was all over for Lympne and its new concrete runway.
I think it was a year later that it was all over for Lympne and its new concrete runway.
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Luton-Ostend twice on Saturdays and Sundays as Skyways Coach Air, summer 1970, then again in 1971 as Skyways International. In 1971 I remember 3 flights Sat, one on Sunday but that was 45 years ago.... Seem to remember they did Beauvais as well in 1971 - think they were charters though, not scheduled. LTNman if you find the timetable I would be interested in knowing the times/flt numbers etc.
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The power of the internet. A 20 second search and here it is.
http://www.timetableimages.com/ttima...3/sky713-3.jpg
Fares
http://www.timetableimages.com/ttima...3/sky713-4.jpg
http://www.timetableimages.com/ttima...3/sky713-3.jpg
Fares
http://www.timetableimages.com/ttima...3/sky713-4.jpg
Last edited by LTNman; 16th Nov 2016 at 18:24.