LUTON History and Nostalgia
Very difficult to find an image of Claire. I don't think she is the lady by the Marathon and yet she is quite tall. Here is an image of Claire from 1964 she is on the extreme right of the group of 99s and seems to be quite tall too, certainly in comparison to Elizabeth Overbury (who I knew) and the rest of the group however it might be that she is closest to the camera. Note too, subsequently disgraced Member of Parliament.
https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarch...0-%203028.html
https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarch...0-%203028.html
Last edited by OUAQUKGF Ops; 28th Apr 2018 at 17:51.
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Ops - , I remember Chris and Claire at Derby but I don't think they worked for the airline. They ran there own little show and we did maintenance.There was a big GA side at Derby as the original company included the Wolverhampton Flying Club and of course Elstree. David Ogilvy ran Elstree but was a frequent visitor to Derby. When Derby took the Mossies from Silloth for Spartan Canada David did all the flying which of course included beat ups !
Thanks GTT - Further digging reveals that by 1960 it would appear that Derby Airways had an office (Luton 22153) and representatives including Mrs Sheila Riches and Miss Lavinia Wellicome (echoes of John Betjeman). All in all I think Claire Roberts is a bit of a Red Herring - time to move on to fresh fields.
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Lavinia Wellicombe married Derek Davison who was, (at various times), pilot, Chief Pilot, Operations Director, Managing Director, Chairman and Chief Executive of Britannia Airways). She also worked for Britannia as a senior (possibly Chief?) ground stewardess.
Last edited by Simtech; 30th Apr 2018 at 16:30.
OM Stdss Circa 68.jpg
Great pictures LTNman.
On the same theme here is an OM publicity shot Circa 1968.
Great pictures LTNman.
On the same theme here is an OM publicity shot Circa 1968.
Is it just me and my acient browser (IE 11 with W7) or is PPRuNe after the facelift now very slow? I have to wait ages to see the Monarch Girls. It is probably the heavy amount of advertisement, for my browser often says that time is running out because of a long script run (whatever that means). Is there anything to be done about this slow loading time?
MHJ was the only Dak to wear the full Air Luton livery. I remember being told that the Seahorse logo was designed by the Managing Directors directors daughter.
I never realized the company produced a brochure.
Air Luton had operated a Pa31 G-AYFZ since January 1985. Three Dakotas were obtained to operate Post Office contracts. Services commenced on the Night of the 19Th February 1985 with G-AMRA flying NCL-LPL-NCL and G-AMSV operating LTN-EMA-GLA. Unfortunately, due to poor serviceability, the contracts were suspended a Year later being fully terminated by April 1986 when MPO was impounded at NCL.
Fairoaks based Top Flight took up the aircraft and contracts but did not last long either. The Dakotas all returned to Air Atlantique.
I never realized the company produced a brochure.
Air Luton had operated a Pa31 G-AYFZ since January 1985. Three Dakotas were obtained to operate Post Office contracts. Services commenced on the Night of the 19Th February 1985 with G-AMRA flying NCL-LPL-NCL and G-AMSV operating LTN-EMA-GLA. Unfortunately, due to poor serviceability, the contracts were suspended a Year later being fully terminated by April 1986 when MPO was impounded at NCL.
Fairoaks based Top Flight took up the aircraft and contracts but did not last long either. The Dakotas all returned to Air Atlantique.
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Is it just me and my acient browser (IE 11 with W7) or is PPRuNe after the facelift now very slow? I have to wait ages to see the Monarch Girls. It is probably the heavy amount of advertisement, for my browser often says that time is running out because of a long script run (whatever that means). Is there anything to be done about this slow loading time?
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My grandfather inaugurated Datapost and while he was based at Warren St, he frequented LTN a lot. I think he dealt mostly with Chanex, BAF & BCal, but remember hearing about Air Ecosse, Brown Air Services, Peregrine, Hubbardair as well as a Cessna 404 operator.
What Royal Mail / Datapost services flew ex LTN in the mid 80's?
What Royal Mail / Datapost services flew ex LTN in the mid 80's?
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What Royal Mail / Datapost services flew ex LTN in the mid 80's?
awash with aircraft during the night hours, National Airways, Spacegrand, Topflight.........
Rgds
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A selection of aircraft operating mail and small parcels flights from the 1980's:-
8/1/84
26/5/85
1/4/84
24/4/84
12/10/83
26/6/84
22/2/83
21/1/85, became EI-BRI by 18/10/85
4/1/83
19/1/85, Holland Aero Lines, became PH-HAG by 6/3/85
31/10/80
29/1/83
31/1/83
16/2/83
30/6/84
8/1/84
26/5/85
1/4/84
24/4/84
12/10/83
26/6/84
22/2/83
21/1/85, became EI-BRI by 18/10/85
4/1/83
19/1/85, Holland Aero Lines, became PH-HAG by 6/3/85
31/10/80
29/1/83
31/1/83
16/2/83
30/6/84
Last edited by cj241101; 17th May 2018 at 19:19.
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and a few more:-
16/4/85
11/5/82
1/1/85
17/5/80. Navajo behind is G-BRGV
Air Ecosse were probably the biggest Datapost operator, starting with a single Bandeirante flight in the summer of 1979, going up to at least 4 a night in the mid-80's. My only picture isn't great but here it is, on a rare daytime visit:-
G-POST 22/7/80
Datapost moved their operation to Coventry, anyone remember when? (late 80's I think).
16/4/85
11/5/82
1/1/85
17/5/80. Navajo behind is G-BRGV
Air Ecosse were probably the biggest Datapost operator, starting with a single Bandeirante flight in the summer of 1979, going up to at least 4 a night in the mid-80's. My only picture isn't great but here it is, on a rare daytime visit:-
G-POST 22/7/80
Datapost moved their operation to Coventry, anyone remember when? (late 80's I think).