LUTON History and Nostalgia
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The XPS F-27 was PH-FKT, the Trislander was G-BDOS. At one point there was also PN68 from Brussels. We also had Air Continental flashing around in B90s, and MacAlpine flying PA42s, this may have been papers going to Scotland for printing. The first half on a night duty was always busy, the second half dragged a bit.
Partly right Spiney, the XP flight I believe started with a Trislander before upgrading to a Friendship, which departed about 2200 before returning in the early hours and then day stopping.
In those days we were busier at night than during the day, sometimes up to 60+ movements between 2200 and about 0130, comprising of small packages, Royal Mail and newspapers. Operated by all sort of companies and types, from Aztecs to Short 360s up to DC3. A lot of the Aztec and twin Cessna types were all single crew and more than happy to take crazy ATCOs around Europe in the middle of the night!
In those days we were busier at night than during the day, sometimes up to 60+ movements between 2200 and about 0130, comprising of small packages, Royal Mail and newspapers. Operated by all sort of companies and types, from Aztecs to Short 360s up to DC3. A lot of the Aztec and twin Cessna types were all single crew and more than happy to take crazy ATCOs around Europe in the middle of the night!
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The Merchantman went sick one night. Bristol Freighter subbed for it and rumbled slowly into the sky. Shortly after, the phone went. Eldery-sounding gentleman:
"I live in Luton and wish to make a complaint about that noisy aircraft that just flew low over my house. What on earth was it?"
"It was a Bristol Freighter"
"Ah, really? How nice, didn't know there were any left. I withdraw my complaint".
"I live in Luton and wish to make a complaint about that noisy aircraft that just flew low over my house. What on earth was it?"
"It was a Bristol Freighter"
"Ah, really? How nice, didn't know there were any left. I withdraw my complaint".
The Merchantman went sick one night. Bristol Freighter subbed for it and rumbled slowly into the sky. Shortly after, the phone went. Eldery-sounding gentleman:
"I live in Luton and wish to make a complaint about that noisy aircraft that just flew low over my house. What on earth was it?"
"It was a Bristol Freighter"
"Ah, really? How nice, didn't know there were any left. I withdraw my complaint".
"I live in Luton and wish to make a complaint about that noisy aircraft that just flew low over my house. What on earth was it?"
"It was a Bristol Freighter"
"Ah, really? How nice, didn't know there were any left. I withdraw my complaint".
'Luton Tower Monarch 720" (Here comes the complaint and official report).
'Monarch 720 pass your message'. (With trepidation).
'That was fantastic and it's my old squadron! '
Sighs of relief all round.
*Someone who saw it may wish to tell the story of the RNHF Sea Fury and a certain ex-Satco.
There was also the low level Vulcan up 36 grass. How we never got any noise complaints about that one I will never know! The Orion 737 did sound a bit confused when I told him to continue approach as there was a Vulcan to cross left to right in front!
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*Someone who saw it may wish to tell the story of the RNHF Sea Fury and a certain ex-Satco.
Gnome de PPRuNe
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Spencer crashed the Sea Fury short of the runway at Waddington after an engine failure en-route Humberside/Elstree in 1981. He was lucky to survive and later sold his Spitfire and Hunter. Later on he acquired a Mustang that was a regular on the UK circuit in the hands of Rod Dean and others for a few years.
Sadly he died in a historic motor racing accident a dozen years ago or so.
Sadly he died in a historic motor racing accident a dozen years ago or so.
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That's interesting. Atlantic air transport. Was that before/during/after Instone? One of our ATCAs went to work for them at Stansted. (AS). Top chap who, I've no doubt would have made an excellent ATCO but for a form of colour blindness.
I really didn't recall G-ANAF but do recall the other DC3. That was the one that had the engine failure. I'm intrigued by the 'office burning' as it does vaguely ring a bell.
Edit: Actually I see there was also G-AMPG as well! I only thought they had one DC3. (Probably due to post traumatic stress).
I really didn't recall G-ANAF but do recall the other DC3. That was the one that had the engine failure. I'm intrigued by the 'office burning' as it does vaguely ring a bell.
Edit: Actually I see there was also G-AMPG as well! I only thought they had one DC3. (Probably due to post traumatic stress).
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G-AMLK 15/9/83
The DC-3 in the 1st photo is actually G-AMPO. It does look like "PG but that's just my dodgy photography....
Last edited by cj241101; 17th Oct 2016 at 20:00.
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Great pictures I remember around 86 seeing the Bristol 170 lifting of behind a sfair herc great sight when this passed the spectators area on a sunny Saturday late afternoon
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Interesting story, well I think it is. A well-known aviation society (Luton branch) ran a competition with the prize being a flight up to Scotland on an Air Luton DC-3 carrying newspapers, although you had to get back down south under your own steam so to speak. When the time came and the winner arrived at Luton ready for his flight he was met by a rather elderly gentleman (the captain) standing there in his carpet slippers (I kid you not) with a rather younger first officer awaiting instructions. Apparently the flight was very enjoyable and he returned safely the following day by train!
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Is that Skyways the same Skyways that operated out of Lympne with 748's? Seem to remember Dan-Air had their fingers in that pie towards the end but I could be wrong.
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Yes in a convoluted sort of way. Skyways Coach Air were the Lympne based operator whose 3 DC-3 freighters were flown by their subsidiary Air Freight from 1970 until Skyways Coach Air reformed as Skyways International in Feb 1971. Skyways International then were bought by Dan Air in April 1972. Air Freight were not part of the Skyways International deal and continued operating independently, becoming Skyways Cargo in May 1975.