Stansted Airport History and Nostalgia
Gnome de PPRuNe
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but G-AZIN is in a basic BAF colour scheme
A CL-44 (or a Britannia?) does make an appearance as an RAF aircraft in Lindsay Anderson's film "O Lucky Man", the scene could well have been filmed at Stansted. Might watch it again later on...
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Two TMAC CL44’s were transferred to BAF passenger operations in the early 70’s G-ATZI and G-AZIN. A third,all cargo, CL44 also wore the blue colour scheme, although I don’t think it was ever operated by BAF. That aircraft was G-AWWB operated with Transmeridian Hong Kong titles as VR-HHC.
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In October 1972, BAF's ownership passed from Air Holding's to the Keegan family.
In 1973, BAF became a wholly owned subsidiary of Transmeridian Air Cargo (TMAC), the Stansted based all cargo airline controlled by the Keegan family.
In 1977 the Keegan family sold 90% of Transmeridian Air Cargo (TMAC) to the Trafalgar House Group. On the 15 August 1979 Transmeridian Air Cargo (TMAC) merged with IAS Cargo to form British Cargo Airlines.
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In my dusty and somewhat intermittent memory of the fire dump I think I recall a Mexican Comet, a former Belgian Air Force C-54 and two British Civil DC-4/C-54 of uncertain ownership G-BANO, G-BANP.
Any confirmation or further details appreciated.
David
Any confirmation or further details appreciated.
David
Gnome de PPRuNe
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G-BANO/P were also on the dump - registered to BAF, they were ex Iberia/Spantax - wonder if they were bought for spares for BAF's Carvair fleet?
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Did either or both the would be ‘Son of British Eagle DC-4/C-54s end up on Stansted Fire School playground ? One may have been G-BCDT I can’t recall the other one, sorry.
There were some fairly exotic pieces of kit moved by Heavylift and probably by TMAC before them. I saw a Qatar Sea King in the hangar used by Instone being prepped for loading into a Belfast for delivery after flying in from Westlands.
It was interesting to note that the Instone Bristol G-BISU had colour coded prop and engine controls. Red and Green obviously. Can anyone confirm if the white one G-AMLK was similarly equipped?
Did TMAC and Heavylift Captain Peter Sissons ever bring his warbirds into Stansted?
Am I correct in thinking that Stansted was the chosen point for loading and dispatch of Oxfam etc aid flights?
Sorry it’s all questions, thanks for a wonderful thread and some amazing photos.
David
Gnome de PPRuNe
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I believe Keith Sissons flew Doug Arnold's ex Indian AF B-24J into Stansted - inside his Heavylift Belfast! The B-24 is airworthy with The Collings Foundation. (Peter Sissons read the news! 
)
C-54 G-BCDT went Laos...
DC-4 G-BBVN scrapped at Southend in '77...
)C-54 G-BCDT went Laos...
Destroyed in Phnom Penh Cambodia 10.04.75. - during one of the attacks that led to the fall of Cambodia under the control of the communist forces of Khmer Rouge on April 17 1975 .
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Originally delivered to BOAC in 1960 as G-APDR, leased to Mexicana as XA-NAZ in 1966, re-registered XA-NAP. Sold to Channel Airways in 1971 for spares, broken up at the fire dump at London Stansted Airport in 1973.
I'll attach a photo of XA-NAP at the fire dump later.
Last edited by Sotonsean; 15th Apr 2020 at 21:18.
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In 1977 there was the remains of an Air Links Argonaut present on the dump, perhaps that was one of them, the C54 had a red cheat line, if I remember correctly.
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BAF had purchased two former Spantax DC-4's as spares for their Carvair fleet and we're registered G-BANO and G-BANO. Both were scrapped at the fire dump in 1975/76.
Former Belgian C-54 re-registered as G-AZSI at the fire dump at London Stansted Airport in 1975. Bought by BAF as spares for their Carvair fleet.
Former Spantax DC-4 sold to BAF and re-registered as G-BANO, seen on the fire dump at London Stansted Airport in 1975. G-BANP is out of view but was also present.
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I was lucky enough to go on the day trip to Ostend. a number of ground staff acted as Cabin crew at least 1 had cabin crew experience. Can't imagine it being allowed today. A few months later one of the crew told me they had trouble with the brakes on landing at Ostend and used every inch of the runway. Felt very lucky to be on it's las t flight
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The C-54 was formerly with the Belgian Air Force, bought by BAF for spares and re-registered as G-AZSI. I've just uploaded a photo of the aircraft at the fire dump.
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I thought that when I looked at the pic, but I actually read your comment as "a basic RAF colour scheme"!
A CL-44 (or a Britannia?) does make an appearance as an RAF aircraft in Lindsay Anderson's film "O Lucky Man", the scene could well have been filmed at Stansted. Might watch it again later on...
A CL-44 (or a Britannia?) does make an appearance as an RAF aircraft in Lindsay Anderson's film "O Lucky Man", the scene could well have been filmed at Stansted. Might watch it again later on...
The aircraft in question was a Transmeridian Air Cargo (TMAC) Canadair CL-44-D4-2, G-ATZH painted in a fake RAF colour scheme and for the purpose of filming it was temporarily registered as XV196.
Here is a photo of the aircraft in question along with a Canadair CL-44-D4-6 belonging to the Argentinian cargo operator Tar Transporte Aero Rioplatense seen at London Stansted Airport on the 17 July 1972.
Last edited by Sotonsean; 15th Apr 2020 at 21:40.
Thread Starter
Many thanks.
Did either or both the would be ‘Son of British Eagle DC-4/C-54s end up on Stansted Fire School playground ? One may have been G-BCDT I can’t recall the other one, sorry.
There were some fairly exotic pieces of kit moved by Heavylift and probably by TMAC before them. I saw a Qatar Sea King in the hangar used by Instone being prepped for loading into a Belfast for delivery after flying in from Westlands.
It was interesting to note that the Instone Bristol G-BISU had colour coded prop and engine controls. Red and Green obviously. Can anyone confirm if the white one G-AMLK was similarly equipped?
Did TMAC and Heavylift Captain Peter Sissons ever bring his warbirds into Stansted?
Am I correct in thinking that Stansted was the chosen point for loading and dispatch of Oxfam etc aid flights?
Sorry it’s all questions, thanks for a wonderful thread and some amazing photos.
David
Did either or both the would be ‘Son of British Eagle DC-4/C-54s end up on Stansted Fire School playground ? One may have been G-BCDT I can’t recall the other one, sorry.
There were some fairly exotic pieces of kit moved by Heavylift and probably by TMAC before them. I saw a Qatar Sea King in the hangar used by Instone being prepped for loading into a Belfast for delivery after flying in from Westlands.
It was interesting to note that the Instone Bristol G-BISU had colour coded prop and engine controls. Red and Green obviously. Can anyone confirm if the white one G-AMLK was similarly equipped?
Did TMAC and Heavylift Captain Peter Sissons ever bring his warbirds into Stansted?
Am I correct in thinking that Stansted was the chosen point for loading and dispatch of Oxfam etc aid flights?
Sorry it’s all questions, thanks for a wonderful thread and some amazing photos.
David
Last edited by Sotonsean; 15th Apr 2020 at 21:10.
Thread Starter
Channel Airways Vickers Viscount G-ATVR was donated to the fire dump at London Stansted Airport in 1971 and was eventually scrapped in 1980.
Not the best of photos but the aircraft is seen at the fire dump in 1975.
Not the best of photos but the aircraft is seen at the fire dump in 1975.
Thread Starter
A few photos taken at London Stansted Airport in July 1975 including several former recently retired Royal Air Force Bristol Britannia's, plus Transmeridian Air Cargo (TMAC) CL-44 Guppy N447T in it's original colour scheme.
Flying Fortress "Sally B" G-BEDF is also visible in the first photo.
Flying Fortress "Sally B" G-BEDF is also visible in the first photo.
Last edited by Sotonsean; 15th Apr 2020 at 22:26.