LUTON History and Nostalgia
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Using the link above Paul Tomlin has some superb photos of Luton if you go to his index. I did email him once and asked to show some of his photos here with full accreditation. He refused point blank and was actually quite rude in his reply even threatening legal action if I remember correctly. His is actually the only person who has said no.
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OOPS!
As an air cadet I flew my Flying Scholarship at Luton in 1961, in Tiger Moths G-AOGS and AOZH. As cadets, after careful instruction we swung props on the Tigers and any visitors (would we be allowed to so today?!). The visiting Miles Messenger below was swung by the pilot with no-one aboard and no chocks. With full power it charged off at speed across the grass, gyrating in large circles for several minutes, defying the valiant efforts of the fire crew, while we rushed to push our Tiger round the corner. Eventually, after avoiding a row of brand new Jet Provosts and the control tower, it hit a marker-board and then caught its wingtip on a hedge outside the flying club and embedded its nose on the club bar with the propeller shattering all around. The bar was fortunately unoccupied and no-one was hurt.
See photo here, I can't post links yet.
www.pprune.org/g/picture/13197522
See photo here, I can't post links yet.
www.pprune.org/g/picture/13197522
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Apparently not: see the photo in the link
https://www.pprune.org/g/picture/13197522
However, if it is G-AISL (the last letter is partly hidden) then Av Safety Network says it crashed on landing at Stapleford on 14.12.1961.
Furthermore I recall a post on Pprune some time ago saying that the runaway Messenger was indeed JKL.
Which is correct?
Laurence
https://www.pprune.org/g/picture/13197522
However, if it is G-AISL (the last letter is partly hidden) then Av Safety Network says it crashed on landing at Stapleford on 14.12.1961.
Furthermore I recall a post on Pprune some time ago saying that the runaway Messenger was indeed JKL.
Which is correct?
Laurence
Last edited by l.garey; 17th Mar 2019 at 14:56.
Sorry for the confusion but I initially I couldn't get the image up of G-AISL visiting the Flying Club.
Incidentally G-AJKL was registered to some concern in Luton in 1967 and was photographed derelict at Luton in 1971.
G-AISL Registration details here for period in question:
https://cwsprduksumbraco.blob.core.w...r/G-AISL-3.pdf
Incidentally G-AJKL was registered to some concern in Luton in 1967 and was photographed derelict at Luton in 1971.
G-AISL Registration details here for period in question:
https://cwsprduksumbraco.blob.core.w...r/G-AISL-3.pdf
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Lots of familiar names in that log book. Mike Ellis/Pete Hogg/Mike Williams/Dennis White/Fred Sheldrick/Freddie Fox/ Pete Dibley and others all of whom carried on with them under the Court Line name.
aceatco, retired
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G-AISL was the Messenger that impacted the Flying Club Bar. I arrived after he event and remember going round to the side of the helicopter blister hangar to see it after it had been moved there.
G-AISL did indeed crash at Stapleford at the end of 1961 and although it continued to be registered it is thought that it was never rebuilt. Two prangs in one year!
(Since writing this I've been in touch with Peter Amos who has very kindly given me the full history for this aeroplane. It was rebuilt by Thurstons at Stapleford between 1962-63 using the rear fuselage of G-AKKM and the wings of Gemini G-AISM. Subsequently it suffered a heavy landing at Panshanger in August 1967 which caused substantial damage and resulted in it being broken up.)
(Since writing this I've been in touch with Peter Amos who has very kindly given me the full history for this aeroplane. It was rebuilt by Thurstons at Stapleford between 1962-63 using the rear fuselage of G-AKKM and the wings of Gemini G-AISM. Subsequently it suffered a heavy landing at Panshanger in August 1967 which caused substantial damage and resulted in it being broken up.)
Last edited by OUAQUKGF Ops; 19th Mar 2019 at 14:56. Reason: Additional Information.
John Handley, another name in the log-book. John and my father propped up the bar in The Castle Pub at Berkhamsted. At the time I was working in a very poorly paid job in a second-hand bookshop in Aylesbury. Hearing that I was very keen on aeroplanes John fixed me up with an interview with Maurice Rowan at Autair and I commenced employment as a trainee ops assistant at £10 per week in January 1966. Many of the pilots were War Veterans but in those days they rarely bothered to mention their exploits.
Image Courtesy 550 Squadron Association.
This station narrative concerns a Lancaster of 550 Squadron flown by John on a Manna Operation 7th May 1945. It is thought that the B17 concerned was the last B17 to be shot down by enemy action in the European Theatre of War.
Further details can be found on page 62 of this pdf: http://100thbg.com/images/chowhound_3rd.pdf
Last edited by OUAQUKGF Ops; 18th Mar 2019 at 11:41. Reason: Addition
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Boeing 720 Starship N7201U
I have been sent a message so was wondering if anyone can help. Has anyone got any photos / film footage or history of the Boeing 720 Starship N7201U at Luton as it spent its final days at Luton Airport before it was scrapped for parts in 1982. Apparently Led Zeppelin used it for their 70's touring days. Also the aircraft was the first built Boeing 720.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Starship
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Starship
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Miles Messenger
Just to back up Vintage SATCO. I was there and took the photo; it was G-AISL. I'm surprised someone did a quick repair job to get it flying later in 1961 when it reportedly had another incident.
Did my ` solo -checkout` in Chipmunk G-APAC on 18/3/`61,by Elizabeth O at LFC.Must have stayed overnight in the `student`s `accommodation,then did nav.test in the Chippie next day with Don Mayne(LT-Chelm`d-St Tawney-Lt).Then `hitch-hiked back to Halton with just enough money to get a pie and a pint of Guinness in the pub.....
As PJG says ,a fun time pulling a/c to the pumps,refuelling,swinging props, no `gilet-jaunes`....
I thought v.ATCO was still in short pants then,making tea for Lew in the Tower..!!!
As PJG says ,a fun time pulling a/c to the pumps,refuelling,swinging props, no `gilet-jaunes`....
I thought v.ATCO was still in short pants then,making tea for Lew in the Tower..!!!
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I recall G-AISL being owned by Ron Harvey in the late 60s (67-8?). He based it at Panshanger. He later went on to own G-ASDI Apache and I flew with him several times in it from and to Luton. He owned a Luton flooring company called ARI Propaflor.
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Extracted from airlinerlist.com:-
17907 23.11.59 N7201U United AL 01.10.60 720-022
Contemp Entertainment15.01.73 Elton John 74/78
McCulloch Int lsd 11.75
Bank of America reposs 10.11.77
AeroAmerica 21.06.78
Private Jet S.lsd 09.78
AeroAmerica ret 03.79 SCR7.82, str Luton since 3.79.To be sold, but was too corroded
I do have a photo but this one is miles better:-
Boeing 720-022 - Untitled | Aviation Photo #0135335 | Airliners.net
17907 23.11.59 N7201U United AL 01.10.60 720-022
Contemp Entertainment15.01.73 Elton John 74/78
McCulloch Int lsd 11.75
Bank of America reposs 10.11.77
AeroAmerica 21.06.78
Private Jet S.lsd 09.78
AeroAmerica ret 03.79 SCR7.82, str Luton since 3.79.To be sold, but was too corroded
I do have a photo but this one is miles better:-
Boeing 720-022 - Untitled | Aviation Photo #0135335 | Airliners.net
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Extracted from airlinerlist.com:-
17907 23.11.59 N7201U United AL 01.10.60 720-022
Contemp Entertainment15.01.73 Elton John 74/78
McCulloch Int lsd 11.75
Bank of America reposs 10.11.77
AeroAmerica 21.06.78
Private Jet S.lsd 09.78
AeroAmerica ret 03.79 SCR7.82, str Luton since 3.79.To be sold, but was too corroded
I do have a photo but this one is miles better:-
Boeing 720-022 - Untitled | Aviation Photo #0135335 | Airliners.net
17907 23.11.59 N7201U United AL 01.10.60 720-022
Contemp Entertainment15.01.73 Elton John 74/78
McCulloch Int lsd 11.75
Bank of America reposs 10.11.77
AeroAmerica 21.06.78
Private Jet S.lsd 09.78
AeroAmerica ret 03.79 SCR7.82, str Luton since 3.79.To be sold, but was too corroded
I do have a photo but this one is miles better:-
Boeing 720-022 - Untitled | Aviation Photo #0135335 | Airliners.net
aceatco, retired
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Blimey! I remember Ron Harvey and flew a couple of times in his Apache. It was some awful orange and white scheme and rumour has it he got a couple of his blokes in with a few tins of Valspar to paint it!
I required extensive training in the tower to make tea
Apparently I use to put too much milk in it. I blame my mother. The short trousers came later in life. 
I required extensive training in the tower to make tea
Apparently I use to put too much milk in it. I blame my mother. The short trousers came later in life.
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https://abpic.co.uk/pictures/view/1124085