Airport had open days on 20/10/68 and on 1-2/11/69. Yes the metal barriers were in place during the open days, separating the parts of the apron not open from those that were. On normal days, security patrols would be around to discourage small boys with cameras from vaulting over the barriers to get close up photos - not necessarily successfully, though....


airport open day 20/10/68:-
https://i.imgur.com/crZiLBy.jpg

The last open day was held on the cargo apron around 1995. I can remember snow on the ground, a small funfair, A DC3 doing pleasure flights and a RAF Hercules on stand. There were tours of the airfield on coaches with a commentary.

Took flights on Britannia Airways Britannias (G-ANBO and G-ANBL) on both open days- seem to remember it was £1 for about 30minutes. A friend and I said we would try the 737 next year but there was no next year!

For those who may wonder what type of aircraft is beside the Britannia it is a Piaggio 166B owned by McAlpine Aviation as was.

We're all spotters here . . . . . ;)

I was heavily involved in the two open days on the cargo apron, 1994 and 95.

Re the Mk 1 Cortina. Actually its the GT version. You can see the badge on rear wing.

I too owned one, maroon, reg: PWC331D. Wanted a Lotus but Harold Wilson devaluing the pound in my pocket forced the GT version as a substitute.

Happy days

Mine was maroon too.

Wonder if someone can help confirm a distant memory I have. Back in 1977 just after I got my moped, I recall riding the 11 miles from home to the airport. Just after I got there, a light aircraft, I think it was a Fuji 200 suffered a collapsed nosewheel. Did this incident really occur or is old age getting a grip on me!

I recall that a Gardan Horizon landed either wheels up or with no nose wheel. I think it was in the 1970s, but maybe 1972. I don't have it written down, so can't be sure. I recall the runway was closed for some time.

Laurence

No idea when this photo was taken but this Beech 90 of National Airways had a prang at LTN

https://i.imgur.com/xQYVbxM.jpg?1

Think that's my photo -(or one taken from exactly the same spot!) but away on holiday now so can't date it acurately?

You’re correct about the type but I’m sure it was later. 1974 or even beyond that. I remember one of the ATCOs on duty saying that the pilot remarked on the RTF that he’d thought one day he’d land it with the wheels up, and now he had. I believe it might have been Elstree based?

In earlier years, Courtline had operated a Gardan Horizon which was painted in their livery. Whether it was that aircraft after it had been sold on I really can’t say but a little research shows the Courtline aircraft as G-ASJY.

I'd be interested in when that photo of 'Nasty Alpha' was taken. I was at National during '87 -'88 with Luton featuring occasionally. If only those aeroplanes could talk!!!

There was me Stan wondering if you were responsible 😉

No thorobred fixed wing pilot would make a mess like that! :ok:

I tried looking at the air accidents investigation reports but could only find this one https://www.gov.uk/aaib-reports/beec...-november-1987 for this aircraft. Right aircraft, wrong accident, as this one was when a cabin door departed the aircraft at 9000ft.

I am sure you will get an answer here in a day or two as even the remotest fact seems to be well documented by the airport history buffs that visit this site.

Wonder if it landed on the tarmac runway or the grass runway as I don't see any gouges in the ground behind it?

Seem to remember they ended up at Southend?

https://i.imgur.com/juyX1tg.jpg?1

I seem to recall National Airways had a pretty dire safety record.
Crash into a garage near Southend and a crash at EMA.

Thanks Ltn man.

I put a bit about that other 'incident' in my book 'Who'd Marry a Pilot?', here is an excerpt:

"My ex colleague at National, Con Law, tells a more detailed story: Lindsay was rostered to fly the MO 430/ 431, SEN-DUB-SEN that night, in Beech 90, GBLNA. Apparently he departed as normal, checked-in with London ATCC and was cleared to climb to FL160. After a few minutes, London called him and told him that his Operations had called and that he had to return to SEN as the Cargo Documents were not on board the aircraft. Now, in those days, if one didn’t have the correct Shipping Documents / Air-Way Bills / Manifests / Customs Declarations / other Andrex made products, the cargo was worthless, as it could not be imported into Ireland. So, back to SEN went Lindsay. He apparently called Ops inbound and told them that he would keep the port engine running with the propeller feathered so that the Ops guy (possibly Duncan Sampson, who is now an Ops/ Crewing Duty Officer with DHL UK at EMA) could just open the rear door and chuck the paperwork in the back of the aircraft. This is what happened and after he had closed the door, the Ops guy went around to the front-left of the aircraft to get a ‘thumbs-up’ confirmation that the door was secure from Lindsay. So, off again went Lindsay. He gets airborne, checks-in with the same London Controller, gets the same clearance and all is looking good. Passing FL90, there’s a big bang and it get’s rather cold, draughty and noisy. After Lindsay scrapes himself off the ceiling of Nasty Alpha (no mean feat for Lindsay; it’s a long-way down from the ceiling to the seat for a wee guy like him!), he shines his torch down the back and sees that the door isn’t there any more. So, he calls London and says something like…. "Er, London, National 430, I’ve got a technical problem and I need to return to Southend…. again". “Roger, National 430, make a Left or Right turn to the ‘SND’ and descend to 3500 ft. When you can, let me know the nature of your problem”. Lindsay reads back his clearance and ends with “… it seems that the main cabin door has departed the aircraft”. Rather shocked, well, really shocked, the controller asks “Roger, National 430, are you in control of the aircraft”. To which Lindsay replies, uttering that immortal line “… well, no more than usual”! He lands safely, of course and the door is found the next day in Epping Forrest. Now, the rest is third +-hand and maybe make-believe, but… Apparently Lindsay was back in the crewroom, nervously rolling another ciggie, when in walks the Ops guy and says, “There you-go, Lindsay, it’s all loaded onto ‘KAK, off you go again”! So, for the third time, off goes Lindsay. He calls London, it’s the same controller…. again, only this time the controller says “National 430, Climb FL100, clearance limit is BPK” Lindsay gives a prompt approaching FL100and the Controller responds “National 430, climb FL120, clearance limit is WOBUN”. Approaching FL120, Lindsay drops another hint and the Controller responds “National 430, climb FL140, clearance limit is DTY”. Lindsay then takes the bait and asks “So, what is it with these clearance limits”. The controller replies “Oh, all of us down here are placing bets on how far you’ll get this time”!!! I reckon Lindsay’s “No more than usual” response is still the best ever aviation one-liner."

Quick look at my movement logs found the following : 18th April 1985 - G-BLNA undercarriage collapsed on landing on the grass runway - aircraft departed to Elstree (by road) 23rd April for repair.

Didn't they also have one land in the water just short of Copenhagen. I don't know if it was true, but the story was the pilot was sitting on the tail of the a/c when rescued.

I did a few rides with National, flying round Europe at night, they were always interesting flights! Copenhagen and back in The Beech 200 with a U/S autopilot was one I remember with Dennis Neville in command.