BEA Vanguard interior configurations
I don't think you could actually transpose the seats left and right when reversing them on a 3+2 configuration, for a start the overhead PSUs also suit 3 on one side and 2 on the other.
My hunch would be that one chap starts at the front, one at the back, and there would be an end-of-shift beer on who was the quicker
If done properly I would also expect that they would check/sign off each other's work.
My hunch would be that one chap starts at the front, one at the back, and there would be an end-of-shift beer on who was the quicker
If done properly I would also expect that they would check/sign off each other's work.
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I recall travelling in Comets 4B with rear facing seats as well. These would be Dan Air and Air Tours from memory, and seat had a table between these and seats facing the other way as I remember (early 1970,s)
Regards
Mr Mac
Regards
Mr Mac
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As a BEA Apprentice in 1968 working in the Charter office I got a jolly on a Vanguard ( G-APEJ )
to Malta carrying a film crew with Antony Newley and Joan Collins.The first class cabin
was utilised for the delicate camera and lighting equipment except for a row of seats
for the stars.Best part of the trip was the ferry back to LHR sitting in the P4 seat.
Spectacular views of the Alps and a very rainy/windy landing.Fleet Manager Vanguards
in charge.Lots of ribbons on the uniform.Most impressive to a 19 year old.In those days
Malta was used for BEA crew training.
to Malta carrying a film crew with Antony Newley and Joan Collins.The first class cabin
was utilised for the delicate camera and lighting equipment except for a row of seats
for the stars.Best part of the trip was the ferry back to LHR sitting in the P4 seat.
Spectacular views of the Alps and a very rainy/windy landing.Fleet Manager Vanguards
in charge.Lots of ribbons on the uniform.Most impressive to a 19 year old.In those days
Malta was used for BEA crew training.
Last edited by Neil Amrose; 9th May 2017 at 19:32.
So how was it done?
Rearward Facing Seats
Britannia's in RAF service had rearward facing seats with 38-inch seat pitch in normal seating configuration, pitch was reduced to 36-inchs if more Pax were to be crammed in.
Photos from my album below.
Britannia's in RAF service had rearward facing seats with 38-inch seat pitch in normal seating configuration, pitch was reduced to 36-inchs if more Pax were to be crammed in.
Photos from my album below.
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I can remember travelling in bua 1-11s in the late 60s with rearward seats. On a smooth flight you forgot you were travelling "backwards" until the landing! Quite strange but felt safe.
I remember rearward facing seats on tridents and of course much more recently on BA Club 747 and Triples. People seemed quite happy with them and as I like a window seat I usually opted for them on BA long haul. Definately a mostly British ideas and mostly on aircraft with less than spectacular deck angles on take off. Being in the rearward facing block of four 'facing seats might have been a more peculiar feeling lets say on an MD80 a type I flew on a very large number of times in Scandi land and on a short ARN-CPH or HEL hop went up like a rocket.
Not all British though since while writing this it reminded me that on American Eagle ATR42/72 around the Caribbean in the 1980s the first row were rear facing
Not all British though since while writing this it reminded me that on American Eagle ATR42/72 around the Caribbean in the 1980s the first row were rear facing
BAC1-11 seats.
2 on the left and 3 on the right.
I've just found some pics by googling BAC1-11 interiors.
There is one seat plan for Mohawk that is a bit of a mixture.
Some fwd, some rearward, and also a mix of 2+3 and 2+2
2 on the left and 3 on the right.
I've just found some pics by googling BAC1-11 interiors.
There is one seat plan for Mohawk that is a bit of a mixture.
Some fwd, some rearward, and also a mix of 2+3 and 2+2
A whole range of types and carriers have configured a small number of rearward facing seats over time. Southwest in the USA used to rig out all their 737s with two or three such layouts in the cabin, they were known as "lounge" seating areas. Although just free seating, like the rest of Southwest, they apparently filled up last, unless there was a large business group or family travelling.
Boeing 737-2H4/Adv - Southwest Airlines | Aviation Photo #0171114 | Airliners.net
The picture shows the rearward seats were different in shape to the regular forward ones, with a higher but sharply tapered seat back. This is just the same as the Britannia seats pictured higher up the thread. I've seen these Brit seats before and have always wondered why they had such a strange shape, and whether people had narrower heads a generation ago ...
The Southwest layout was apparently changed to a standard all-forward arrangement when the 16g seat restraint requirement came in. I wonder what aspect required this.
Boeing 737-2H4/Adv - Southwest Airlines | Aviation Photo #0171114 | Airliners.net
The picture shows the rearward seats were different in shape to the regular forward ones, with a higher but sharply tapered seat back. This is just the same as the Britannia seats pictured higher up the thread. I've seen these Brit seats before and have always wondered why they had such a strange shape, and whether people had narrower heads a generation ago ...
The Southwest layout was apparently changed to a standard all-forward arrangement when the 16g seat restraint requirement came in. I wonder what aspect required this.
But my question was specifically about how BUA reconfigured their seats for trooping flights so that they faced rearwards.
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Back to the original query, I remember when flying from LHR to Belfast, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Manchester in the mid 60s, if we saw that the aircraft was a 951, a quickening of the pace out to the rear door could result in a right turn on entry to get a first class seat for an internal flight, in the days before seat allocation.
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Rear facing seats on BEA aircraft
The main reason for the seats that faced the rear on the BEA (British European Airways) aircraft was that you had a table between the opposing seats. this was for baby carry cots.
There were no bassinets in those days you put the child in their carry cot carried them on to the aircraft & popped them on the table.
If there were no babies travelling these people had a very handy table for their use.
There were no bassinets in those days you put the child in their carry cot carried them on to the aircraft & popped them on the table.
If there were no babies travelling these people had a very handy table for their use.
Back to the original query, I remember when flying from LHR to Belfast, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Manchester in the mid 60s, if we saw that the aircraft was a 951, a quickening of the pace out to the rear door could result in a right turn on entry to get a first class seat for an internal flight, in the days before seat allocation.
For detailed descriptions of what it was like to actually fly the Vanguard (and the Merchantman freighter conversion) try the novel 'The Damocles Plot' by Julien Evans.
Last edited by Discorde; 16th Jun 2017 at 11:05. Reason: minor change
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The 951 first class configuration did not last long if my fading memory recollects, once they were fitted with higher rated engines they were reconfigured to all tourist class probably in a matter of 3 or4 years Tristar 500 might remember better than I [he's younger than me].the Punker louve/ reading light assemblies were 3 in length each with their own nozzles and seat switches built in, even in the so called First class cabin the inner and outer reading lamp assemblies were adjusted to cover this
http://www.timetableimages.com/ttima...6/be686-29.jpg
