LUTON History and Nostalgia
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Here's a direct link to the discussion: http://www.pprune.org/aviation-histo...ml#post9430614
Here's a direct link to the discussion: http://www.pprune.org/aviation-histo...ml#post9430614
aceatco, retired
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As I have posted before . . .
"There was a western television series called Bonanza which ran from 1959-1973 (in the US I guess, prob a year or two later here) where the Cartwright family lived on a ranch called Ponderosa. The land attached to this (mythical) ranch was enormous and when someone saw stand 16/17 after it had been first laid associated it with that. Bloody stupid name that I always refused to use."
"There was a western television series called Bonanza which ran from 1959-1973 (in the US I guess, prob a year or two later here) where the Cartwright family lived on a ranch called Ponderosa. The land attached to this (mythical) ranch was enormous and when someone saw stand 16/17 after it had been first laid associated it with that. Bloody stupid name that I always refused to use."
LTNman,
You inspired a nostalgia trip. I learned to drive on a Vauxhall Victor (359 RPF - sad, I know!). However, it didn't look quite like the one in your picture.
A bit of research determined that my Dad had a Series II Victor, which was introduced in 1959. The Series I was introduced in 1957, but the Estate in your picture didn't come along until 1958, so I think that narrows down the date.
It never occurred to me that cars would be backed into the Freighter. Did Silver City load the same way at Lydd and Le Touquet?
PS How did we survive back in those days? No seat belts, no air bags, no crumple zones, steering columns like a spear aimed at your chest and, as Road and Track put it, dashboards "with safety by Gillette"!
You inspired a nostalgia trip. I learned to drive on a Vauxhall Victor (359 RPF - sad, I know!). However, it didn't look quite like the one in your picture.
A bit of research determined that my Dad had a Series II Victor, which was introduced in 1959. The Series I was introduced in 1957, but the Estate in your picture didn't come along until 1958, so I think that narrows down the date.
It never occurred to me that cars would be backed into the Freighter. Did Silver City load the same way at Lydd and Le Touquet?
PS How did we survive back in those days? No seat belts, no air bags, no crumple zones, steering columns like a spear aimed at your chest and, as Road and Track put it, dashboards "with safety by Gillette"!
aceatco, retired
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The Bristol Frightener crawls into the sky off Luton's NW runway (31?), 1950s.
It is said it got airborne one day with the Airport Commandant's (Eric Rushton) scottie dog on board and had to return . . . . . Maybe ;-)
It is said it got airborne one day with the Airport Commandant's (Eric Rushton) scottie dog on board and had to return . . . . . Maybe ;-)
As this shows, their ramp was rather smaller:
I have seen photos of backing in as well.
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Unlikely that Victor was for export unless the Freighter was heading for Sweden, the only other RHD country in Europe at the time.
Who drove the cars into the aircraft, owner or staff?
Who drove the cars into the aircraft, owner or staff?
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One of the early 007 films has Bonds' DB5 being loaded at SEN, though the a/c was I believe a Carvair? What suprises me is that the operation was presumable profitable. The Carvair boasted a ladder up to the flight deck and if my memory serves me well there was no safety rail preventing you from falling onto the car deck. Lastly as a PC one dark and misty night at STN I arrested 2 males syphoning fuel from a Carvair. Apologies for going off piste. A ground handler drove the car on.
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there was a Vauxhall contract with BKS to deliver cars to Ireland/ vegetables for the London market came on the return.
I suspect the picture seen is a Vauxhall advertising example.
I suspect the picture seen is a Vauxhall advertising example.
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Car Ferry !
Great Site !!
I can tell you that the Bristol Freighters at Lydd were loaded by the airline crew!.
You arrived at Lydd and parked in the car park. Then you waited in a lounge that viewed the apron and watched them load your car. Then they loaded passengers in the upper deck and the procedure was repeated in Le Touquet !
Came to Luton in 61 with Autair’s only aircraft a DC3 G-AJIC
Lived in the flying club and rate included full Engish cooked by Ma Battle complete with headscarf and Cigarette !!
Autair had the contract to maintain and operate the King of Libya’s royal flight in Benghazi with 2 Lear Jets.
I ran the maintenance side there and the Bristol Freighter trip was when I bought a new Ford Cortina Estate and drove from Luton to Behghazi !!
I can tell you that the Bristol Freighters at Lydd were loaded by the airline crew!.
You arrived at Lydd and parked in the car park. Then you waited in a lounge that viewed the apron and watched them load your car. Then they loaded passengers in the upper deck and the procedure was repeated in Le Touquet !
Came to Luton in 61 with Autair’s only aircraft a DC3 G-AJIC
Lived in the flying club and rate included full Engish cooked by Ma Battle complete with headscarf and Cigarette !!
Autair had the contract to maintain and operate the King of Libya’s royal flight in Benghazi with 2 Lear Jets.
I ran the maintenance side there and the Bristol Freighter trip was when I bought a new Ford Cortina Estate and drove from Luton to Behghazi !!
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Originally Posted by noflynomore
Who drove the cars into the aircraft, owner or staff?
Yes, staff as the clearances could be a bit tight and it was a job for the trained professional. They did like the sporty exhaust note of my Lea-Francis even for the few score yards to the ramp!