There was an engine test cell down there. Might have something to do with it?
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Remembering Monarch who was 50 years old, for me they have always been there at Luton. Bigger than Courtline this is a bad day for Luton. We will talk in the years to come with affection about Monarch like we do about Courtline.
https://i.imgur.com/D4fDTJx.jpg Photo by Howard Sanderson |
Monarch was the airline that kick started my career in aviation back in 1981. Best company I have ever worked for (except my own of course).....
When I see how the German government keeps Air Berlin afloat, and how the Irish Aviation Authority appear to do or say nothing over the Ryanair shambles that is filling the headlines, and see Monarch, an institution as far as I am concerned, be allowed to fold over night, it makes me wonder is being British a good thing ? All airlines need money, that is obvious but they also need help sometimes and some airlines deserve it more than others. Ryanair deserve to go next after years of abusing staff and passengers in one way or another. At least Monarch can hold it's head up high and say they never treated staff/pax poorly. Sad day for UK aviation. |
I think Monarch was the last survivor "as was" of the significant independent British airlines operating when I first started getting interested around 1974. Air Anglia, Britannia, British Caledonian, BMA, Invicta, Dan-Air, BIA, BAF, Laker... Courtline had already gone... Apart form BA, the only others I can think of still operearting are Aurigny and Loganair and I think Loganair are BA aren't they?
Very sad. |
I think Loganair are BA aren't they? |
Originally Posted by dc9-32
(Post 9910712)
Monarch was the airline that kick started my career in aviation back in 1981. Best company I have ever worked for
Sad day for UK aviation. Sad for the passengers of course - very distressing having lost their holidays but most likely will get their money back. I have greater sympathy for the staff, a few of whom have shown incredible loyalty down the years and whom I have worked with at some stage. Hopefully another airline will seize the opportunity, set up a Luton operation and take on at least some of those who have lost their jobs. |
Like so many others, Monarch have been a big part of things for me. On my first visit to the spotters back gate on April 5th 1968, Britannia G-AOVI departed for Madrid. I have flown on their aircraft from Britannia (G-AOVG) to Airbus 321 (G-OZBE). I expected them to stagger on; they had been through bad times before.
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I think Monarch was the last survivor "as was" of the significant independent British airlines operating when I first started getting interested around 1974. |
Very sad news.
They were one of the last British independants from the 60's era. Technically I think Britannia are still going. I am fairly sure that you could have worked for them in the 70's and still be employed today at Thomson. |
and still be employed today at Thomson |
Over the years Monarch had a selection of tail colour schemes, this is I think number 3. All the airport buildings in the background are also long gone.
https://i.imgur.com/rsMzQtn.jpg Photo by Howard Sanderson |
LTNman,
Thanks for that nice picture. I had never realized how big the Britannia is, compared to a Comet. |
Never noticed it before but now you mention it, it has got me thinking.
The tail on the Britannia covers a huge area compared to the Comet. Why would there be such a size difference? |
The engines of the Brit are further outboard than those of the Comet.
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LTNman thanks for posting that photo of the Monarch 1-11 framed by B720 tails, any idea which winter it was taken in?
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Originally Posted by Offchocks
(Post 9915674)
LTNman thanks for posting that photo of the Monarch 1-11 framed by B720 tails, any idea which winter it was taken in?
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Ha ha, if you think you had it tough then think about the poor firemen who were sent to the raised huts to constantly count runway lights when Luton was in fog.
Not a job for wimps I would have thought. Did they have heaters and windows in those sheds on stilts? LTNman thanks for posting that photo of the Monarch 1-11 framed by B720 tails, any idea which winter it was taken in? |
I think it is probably winter 81 or 82.
We had a lot of snow at Gatwick about then. |
Originally Posted by LTNman
(Post 9916101)
Ha ha, if you think you had it tough then think about the poor firemen who were sent to the raised huts to constantly count runway lights when Luton was in fog.
Not a job for wimps I would have thought. Did they have heaters and windows in those sheds on stilts? The photo owner has been given a link to this thread so should read your comment. If he knows he can message me via facebook and I will report back. Pretty sure they had windows but no heat or electrical power. I certainly do sympathise and often did when I was sitting in the warm taking those readings on the RVR notepad. The nights when Luton was in fog in those days seemed very fequent, but perhaps that’s a standard trick of memory like glorious summers when you’re a kid. Just popping back to the Monarch 1-11 photo above. It seemed a fairly regular occurance for the 1-11 to suffer a minor starting issue. The subject turbine would be wound up with an increasing whine which would suddenly become a rising and falling note sometimes requiring a re-start. Occasionally this would require an engineer from Airline Engineering to attend with a tall step ladder. He would then open a portion of engine cowling and appeared to hit an accessory on the engine which would cause the warbling sound to stop. Cowl shut, Engineer departs, aircraft calls for taxy. I never heard an explanation of what exactly was going on. Perhaps someone here may know? |
Had to do it a few times as a 1-11 pilot. Once down route in Tripoli and we were very keen to leave. I seem to remember it was a valve in the pneumatic starting system playing up. There was also one in the sub wing to the engine cowl, and we had a rod thing in the cockpit to give it a twist. As you were locking up the cowl it was a bit noisy!!
All part of the fun in those days. |
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