Manchester Airport - Then & Now
 

Hi there folks, i'm hoping to get a new thread going on this history of the airport and how things were/looked inside the original terminal (T1) between it's opening in 1962 to the present day. Any info would be great.
To start with, does anyone remember the inclined travalator system that used to run from the arrivals level up to the check-in hall and possibly to the various multi storey car park levels? I think they may have been ripped out in the mid to late 80's and replaced with lifts.

No, but I do remember a Saturday afternoon visit of our Scout troop to the Tower VCR circa 1968. Sat at the PAR screen and watched the only arrival coming in in the hour or so we were there - A BEA Vanguard from Paris.
Hard to believe now.

Yes you are correct, the multi storey car park was built with huge escalators that ran up from level 5 to 7 and 9 , I think there was also one descending. Was a great people mover but it took up too much space. It was a major attraction to the local scum bags who took great delight in launching baggage trolleys down them !
If you are really interested in times past, then the airport has a superb archive which can be accessed for research.
My first memory of visiting the airport, was cycling 4 miles from Cheadle and getting blown over by a self parking BOAC 707 on stand 2 (the fence was right next to it.
I also remember sitting down to dinner and looking towards Stockport which had a plume of black smoke rising from it, the British Midland Argonaut had just crashed.

Thanks for the replies people! I think this will be an interesting thread. One flight an hour eh? happy days.. no standing around waiting to go through security back than i would imagine

Domestic Security pre-1989
 

Does anyone know how and where passengers were security screened before the domestic terminal opened in 1989, when it was just 'Pier A?

Went on one Easter weekend [Sunday?] in 1951..and saw one movement all day [a BEA Viking]. I was also there [working in the Tower] when Manchester hosted the European Cup Final :ok:
watp,iktch

Depends how far back you go re pier A and screening, I remember walking down the pier in the mid seventies right to the gates, without any security check points, all that was needed to go to the aircraft was a boarding card. It was often used in winter by spotters, in summer they would be on the top of all piers, again no screening required. Ahh The good old days.

I can remember as a yoof going to the airport for a post-booze coffee circa 1971 and wandering not only down the piers, but through the un-manned gates and out onto the apron under the parked aircraft!


Also, after the new terminal opened in the early 60s, there was just a small surface car park behind it - no multi-stories back then.

I can just about remember the old terminal, but usually we cycled up the wilmslow road to near where the barriers used to be that they closed for a 06 landing. I can clearly remember the piston-engined airliners taxying past on the other side of the fence after landing on 24.

Later, when I flew a based aircraft from the South Side, the only security was a guy in a hut at the Styal road south-side entrance - then you were on the airfield with acces to the hangars, aircraft, and runway. Doesn't seem that long ago, either.

SSD

Get hold of a copy of "Manchester Airport" by R.A. Scholefield, published by Sutton's Photographic History of Aviation. ISBN 0-7509-1954-X.
It was first published in 1998.

First time I worked at MAN was the summer of 1979 just out of school, as a temp baggage handler, parking was anywhere you fancied, I used to park my dads capri under the new pier C, when anything interesting came in it was quite normal to bring family in for a look round, god how it has changed.

Jobs were still heavily unionised and the baggage handlers had strict quotas of aircraft that they were assigned to for the shift, any extra had to be negotiated for extra payment ! As a spotty teenager I was earning a packet.

I returned 6 years later having spent 6 years in the RAF, in order to kill some time prior to starting another career, unions still had some power but the workload had more than doubled. It was quite amusing because I was now a smart clean cut product of the services and looked on with suspicion by the workers, many thought i was a Police or Customs plant, trying to catch the thieving element.

In the early 60's I used to cycle to Ringway and stand on the footpath that ran from the Airport Hotel and crossed within a few yards of the 24 threshold. Unfortunately the footpath was closed when the runway was extended. I have some old B&W photos of the terminal and control tower under construction.
In those days security hadn't been invented and it was possible to wander around the airport at will. It was only when the roof gardens and piers were opened that they restricted access to the aprons, not for security reasons, but to ensure that you paid the sixpence to go through the turnstiles.

Airclues

>Jobs were still heavily unionised and the baggage handlers had strict quotas of aircraft that they were assigned to for the shift, any extra had to be negotiated for extra payment ! As a spotty teenager I was earning a packet.

Ditto at Castle Don., but the issue of our potential employment as "temporary casuals" (and their loss of overtime) kicked off some massive row between the baggage handlers and airport management (circa 1980). In the end, we were taken on, but not allowed to work loading the aircraft, just sorting the bags onto trolleys as they came off the belt.

What nonsense! They were over-unionised prima-donnas, and quite unpleasant to work with.

To correct the thread drift:- when I joined SAS at Manchester circa 1985, there was still the huge glass chandelier/sculpture in the landside departures area. "How did they get the glass that colour?" I wondered, looking up at the unique yellowey-brown hue. When they reinstalled it following buidling work and relocation (about the same time that those moving walkways disappeared), I found my answer:- they had it cleaned of around twenty years of nicotine and muck, and back to clear glass.

r

Mention of the turnstiles on the piers made me rummage through my archive for the very tatty copy of a verse from a 60s spotter.
My brother was at Mosley Hall Grammer school in Cheadle and apart from being one of the original members of the Northern Aeroplane Preservation Society he was an active spotter (I never sucumbed to strain of the disease that is aviation). Mosely Hall even had a spotters club - I still have my brother's membership badge somewhere.
Anyway I thought you may like the little verse.

THE SPOTTER’S LAMENT

(To the tune ‘My Bonny lies over the ocean’)

My brother he flies an Electra
My uncle runs BOAC
My father’s the Airport Director
So I get on the terraces free

Chorus

Give back; give back Oh give back my shilling to me!

The author is recorded as B.E. and the verse was dated 7/10/64

My first flight was from Ringway to the Isle of Man in a BEA Viscount and although the new terminal was built we departed from the metal hangar alongside which in later days was used for cargo. The apron between was used by the Auster G-AGXN for pleasure trips - its nice to see that she is still in good shape at Popham.

Lots of fond memories spolit by not recognising the place these days - boy the place has grown.

What happened to the chandeliers? They were the only thing that was in anyway pleasant about what has, sadly, become a really awful airport.

The apron between was used by the Auster G-AGXN for pleasure trips - its nice to see that she is still in good shape at Popham.

My first ever flight was from Ringway. I think it must have been about 1958 or near then, in an Auster (I can remember the airbourne bit, but nothing of the ground experience - exactly where on the airfield we flew from, etc.). Would it have been XN, or were other Austers active in pleasure flying from there at that time?

wz662

I founded, and ran, the MHGS Spotters Club. It only lasted for a year so I must have given your brother his badge.

Airclues

I agree with Zebedee, the chandeiliers gave the place a wonderful sense of class, it now has a cheap, shopping centre feel to it. Where did the magic go?

Don't forget the concrete fins that accompanied the chandeliers each bearing the name of one of the operating airlines of the time.

Take a look here;

http://www.cube.org.uk/thecity/archi...tail.asp?id=71

I have a theory that, at some point, airport authorities start believing their own hype and taking themselves too seriously.

Don't ask me to explain in too much detail - it seems to be down to triumphalist publicity, ridiculous landing fees and general charges, and an over-abundance of swanky shops instead of simple and, much-desired user-friendliness.

Manchester appeared to enter this phase some time in the mid 'eighties.

r

Does anyone remember PB Enterprises (Aero)? He used to set up shop in the covered spectator area that overlooked the apron between the piers. I've just rummaged through my dangerously overladen attic and found some photo's of Ringway which I remember purchasing from him; all circa mid '70's.

If I was clever enough I'd pop 'em on here.:confused:

Speaking of days on the terrace.........

I have before me two copies of "Manchester International Airport Schedule of Services", one for May 1979 and the other for June 1979. They cost 10p each.

They have a notice on the front cover which reads:

BIRDS ARE A HAZARD TO AIRCRAFT.
FEEDING OF BIRDS FROM THE PUBLIC TERRACES IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN.

BY ORDER

AIRPORT DIRECTOR

how many access points to the spectator terraces were there? form old photos that i've seen, there was a kind of spiral typre staircase which went up and over tower rd (the old apron acces) onto the roof just under where the admin block is at the back of the tower. Also, i think there was a starcase at the back of the old pier A. Was there somewhere from within the concourse that you could get to the terrace from. Also, what and where was the 'TV room?

You're right Wez, there was an access point from the concourse on to the terrace. The door was just aft of the "Brabazon Suite", which was situated on the right hand side as you stood under the chandeliers looking toward the apron. The door was between the suite and the newsagents and gave access on to the terrace in the enclosed section, (where PB Enterprises hovered), a few steps up from the little shop.

Interesting on studying the 1979 timetables, that most of the airlines operating then, have passed into history.

B.Cal, Dan Air, Laker, Sabena, Swissair, Clyden, Aviaco, British Airtours, British Island Airways, Ontario Worldair, Avio Genex, Canadian Pacific (CP Air), TAE, Wardair, Trans Europa, TIA, Spantax.

Some items of interest are that Dan Air operated 727s on ITs to and from Gibraltar, given the discusions about aircraft possibly operating into Gib in the future and available runway length, on that thread.
A BIA Heralds used to arrive from BLK, Monday to Friday, then operate out to Rotterdam and back, twice a day.
Dan Air 748s doing Newcastle, Bournmouth, Cardiff and Birmingham schedules.

The internal entrance to the terraces is still there, its a pair of double doors behind the sunglasses shop, it leads up to the covered observation area which is now enclosed and is home to the "The Airport Tour Centre" a business owned and operated by "The Aviation Society". This society can trace its ancestry back to the remnant membership of PB Enterprises, which was disbanded. TAS as its known locally also owns and runs the 2 aviation stores at the airport and has a membership of about 1500. Its is always on the lookout for new members, if you are interested see
www.tasmanchester.com
The society and its business interests are directly responsible for introducing thousands of people of all ages to the world of aviation.
Back to the thread: The other entrance was a set of turnstiles near to the current Mytravel entrance at Tower road. A path lead to stairs at the end of pier A. There was another set of stairs near the entrance that lead up to a paved walkway which passed under the northern face of the Tower to the other side of the terminal and pier B (and later pier C) pier A and pier B were directly connected by a wide paved area which had the earlier mentioned viewing area on the apron side. Most of this terminal roof viewing area is still intact but no longer open to the public, except for the small section outside the Airport tour centre.

fascinating info this people, thanks V much. I'm sorry if someone's already mentioned this but, what was P.B enterprises again?

My former boss, who moved to Manchester as Station Manager before SAS started flying CPH, recounted a tale of a "forgotten bag" (or maybe sandwiches) being thrown down to a boarding DUB passenger from a relative on one of the "pier balconies".

Times have changed.

Apparently, the first landing SAS Caravelle deployed a parachute. What an arrival...

r

Regarding the Tour Centre. Is is possible just to pop in to visit TAS in the old covered observation enclosure, up the afore-mentioned staircase? or do you need to make a special arrangement?

The Airport Tour centre is really a presentation / classroom and also the admin offices for TAS. to visit I think you would have to be on an organised tour. Theres not a great deal to see just loads of photos and a few bits of memorabilia. The great view it once had has been blocked by the terminal extension. The actual tours, tour the terminal and the tour centre is used for showing films etc.

PB Enterprises(aero) was formed by Peter Hardy and friends, it used to meet in the rear room of the "Airport Hotel" pub (at the end of runway 24right.

They used to run regular aviation coach trips all over the UK, I am not sure why it disbanded.

It was good to see a picture of the old concourse at T1, I worked for the then Midland Bank our main office was on the concourse about where Cotton Traders shop now is. Great times from 1973 till it closed in Oct 1985. Who remembers Archie's (special branch) discos?

Statsman

Manchester Memories...

The revolving light on top of the hanger near the aviation viewing park which reflected off the low clouds at night

The dark blue fuselages and gold lettering of BOAC VC10s - very posh - and the more workmanlike BEA with their Vanguards

Court Line with their dayglo coloured aircraft - each one a different colour

Soviet Tu-134s sounding like a jet fighter on take off..

Taking my airband radio - you just tuned up and down the band until you found someone transmitting - to be checked by the airport technicians.

The long piers which were great for viewing..

the parafin smell of the fuel...

The revolving light mentioned in the previous post still exists, I think it is one of the exhibits in the tour centre.
Airport still smells of paraffin !

Distant--and happy memories. The field at the side of the Airport Hotel was almost my second home at times. When the "new" Terminal opened however, we all seemed to move en masse to the viewing areas. As for gaining access, well you invariably had to pay the 1 shilling at the main turnstile by the tower entrance, however gaining access to the piers was another matter. Whether by accident or design I do not know, but the gap in the centre of the turnstile bars was wider than the rest of bars---so, the more svelte like of us could squeeze through thus depriving MAPLC of more revenue. :ok:

Viewing at the end of 06 was tantamount to suicide at the time due to the volume of traffic on the Wilmslow road---however it was the only way to see the Mooney based in the Airworks ? hangar of course. The other option was down the lane by the side of Fairey's hangar--and the sight of the odd Jindavick or two outside.

I remember the BUA troopers, the Bev parked at the end of Pier A when the Terminal was officially opened ( I think the plan was for a para drop but the weather was c%%p ) and all the other regular visitors mentioned here.

In between leaving school and joining the RAF, I got a temp job with Forte's in the terminal---collecting and sorting / delivering beer bottles from the various bars---no draught in those days !!!----however, this did offer me ahem, a sort of added value to the job as I soon discovered that wearing a brown dustcoat and carrying a clipboard made me look "very official"---quite how official a spotty faced 16 yr old was supposed to be is a moot point of course--but this image allowed me to happily wander around the ramp area and gain access to anything I could--which was almost heaven at the time. Sadly, my employers concept of my employment and mine did not quite match each others wishes----so I was transferred to the old staff canteen in the RAF barrack blocks---which worked in my favour as it allowed me to have Saturday's free to go to Burtonwood and enjoy the delights of the Cadet Mk 3. :hmm:

I have a few, if I can dig them out, pics taken from the lane at Fairey's and one of a World Airways 727-100--now that was an exotic visitor at the time and--and if anybody can scan them in or wishes to see them, am more than happy to post them.

Any pics you folks can post would be fantastic. especially inside views of the terminal.

Chandelier Photo
 

Have a look at this link. It's from the from the Italian fine glass makers Vannini who made the chandeliers. This one is very similar to the ones that used to be in the concourse. Can't believe they got rid of them, they were awesome.

http://toddmerrillantiques.1stdibs.c....php?id=128182

Where exactly are the chandeliers now? Are they milk bottles?

Never mind the chandelliers....


Wot abart the ribbed rubber floor tiles? Made a great sound if you could get a baggage trolley up to 20 mpk!


Also, the wavy canopy over the arrival departures lane. I've been told it's still there buried in the baggage hall.


G-AGXN pah! G-AOBV rules:rolleyes:

Sir George Caley

the good old days, when domestic baggage reclaim was where My Travel now check in, and Dan Air was the highest airport employer (apart from the airport itself), and i still miss those SU Tupolovs, best looking aircraft ever, just would never fly on one!!

>Wot abart the ribbed rubber floor tiles?

'kinneck! I'd forgtten about them. Add in the stream of multilingual departure calls, plus B-11 banshee air starts, and I'm back in 85... :-)

r

Midland331, I was one of the lucky souls who saw the SAS Caravelle deploy its parachute - amazing sight. I dunno whether it was its first flight into MAN, but the weather on the day was slushy snow, so I always assumed that was why it deployed.

And Sir George, thanks for recalling the rubber tiles, I'd completely forgotten them - ah, happy days - especially on 'div days' when LHR was fogbound and we'd get all the 'rare' beasts in...