I have a strange request regarding Britannia G-BDLZ of Air Faisal - this aircraft (ex XM490) was delivered to Stansted 30th October 1975 for civil conversion by Aviation Traders - it was rolled out of their hangar 4th December 1975 named "Al Mubarak" and with the airline titles incorrectly painted as "Air Faisel" (with an "e" instead of an "a") - it remained this way until at least June 1976 - as per photo below - I am trying to find a date for when this was corrected - if any of you have photos of this aircraft (and you know the date they were taken) could you please have a look as you may be able to narrow down the date a bit - Thank You (I am currently writing a concise history of Luton Airport and putting details against all the aircraft that were based at Luton from 1937 until present day)

Can't help with a photo - I only took one and it was in 1979. G-BEMZ which Faisal also operated suffered the same problem, photos on ebay:-
https://www.ebay.ie/itm/AIR-FAISAL-A...item2ccab6514b

Also loads (and loads!) of Britannia and CL-44 photos, many taken at Luton, here:-
Flickriver: Random photos from Bristol Britannia pool

There is an Air Faisal thread on pprune:-
https://www.pprune.org/aviation-hist...ir-faisal.html
The date for the "Flight International" report should have read 1978 not 1976.

Hmm - wasn't aware it happened on the other aircraft as well! - so that's two dates I'm looking for now - thanks for the other info.

Did see both Britannias at manston 78/79 both operating at manston was it here that they got caught with naughty stuff on board there aircraft also trade was that good they where looking at a fleet of 707s

As promised a couple of weeks ago here's some diversion photos starting with 30/11/82:-

https://i.imgur.com/OlTM96I.jpg
HB-IND

https://i.imgur.com/klfVbgX.jpg
D-ABKE

https://i.imgur.com/nmSDx3W.jpg
CS-TBY
The KLM DC-9 was PH-DNO; the Cyprus 707 5B-DAK. Also present on stand 1 was Icelandair 727-100 TF-FLG.

then this from 17/2/84:-
https://i.imgur.com/pTfVR4n.jpg
G-BJZE
having checked this was actually operating Britannia flights but I'll leave it here anyway.

and these from 28/12/84:-
https://i.imgur.com/lnX15oS.jpg
Luxair 737 was LX-LGH, the BA G-BGDC, the Aer Lingus EI-BEB and the Air Malta 9H-ABB. Manx Viscount G-BLOA on stand 9 was also a Heathrow diversion.

https://i.imgur.com/KoIeEaq.jpg
G-AVMN


https://i.imgur.com/w5WltjD.jpg
OO-SDO


https://i.imgur.com/RS46rJO.jpg
PH-AGF
These were all in the morning along with Air UK F27 G-BAUR and Air UK SH360 G-DASI, presumably diverted from Stansted.


I was working nights and didn't manage any photos of the evening diversions, which included another Luxair 737 LX-LGI, Alitalia MD-82 I-DAWD, Sabena 737 OO-SDN, BA 1-11 500 G-BGKF (diverted from Birmingham), then after midnight BCAL DC-10 G-BEBM and BCAL Commuter SH330 G-BIRN both diverted from Gatwick.

More to follow.

I have never seen a photo of the Virgin 747 that landed from New York and then flew back empty as it was a delayed flight rather than a weather diversion. I think the only reason it came to Luton was that it was able to depart after midnight without being affected by a curfew.

I just happened to be listening to my single band air band radio when the controller mentioned to another aircraft that a 747 was on its way. I thought I was hearing things and could not get up to the airport quick enough so I was able to watch it land.

I then went into the old terminal and watched as the bemused Americans came out of this small building where they were the only passengers.

The Virgin on 10/4/96 was the 3rd 747 to land at Luton. First 747 was the Caribbean Airways example on 10/7/87, and the 2nd the BA one on 28/9/92. This aircraft had initiated a diversion from Heathrow to Prestwick, which then (very unusually) dropped below CAT 1 limits leaving Luton the only remaining option with enough runway to accept a 747.


https://i.imgur.com/jZYoRnj.jpg
G-AWNF 28/9/92 Toronto-Heathrow BA092

Brilliant photos, thanks so much for sharing

Used to love those 727's of Lufthansa and even a sort of affection for the stubby 737-100/200 'pigs'. The sound of the engines always evocative.


Couldn't find any old ones.

Like this one...
https://i.imgur.com/HXgQi8I.jpg
D-ABEW 13/10/80.
Believe this was diverted from Heathrow although nothing else was that day. There was a BA Trident 2 (G-AVFI) during the afternoon, which was a planned movement, taking the England football team to Bucharest.

diversions 11/12/84
 

Big diversion day on 11/12/84 when I was again working nights 10/12/84 and 11/12/84 - managed to get up during the day to get a few photos.


https://i.imgur.com/2ihRWAt.jpg
I-DIBC


https://i.imgur.com/1c3y0BN.jpg
I-BUSH


https://i.imgur.com/zfi2iM8.jpg
G-DASI


https://i.imgur.com/hnhbUfZ.jpg
G-BHMW


https://i.imgur.com/w2XkNL1.jpg
G-BKWU


https://i.imgur.com/cUHQKoU.jpg
PH-KFI


https://i.imgur.com/J0IymmD.jpg
OH-LMP


https://i.imgur.com/yj6abHD.jpg
TC-JBJ

There's a long list of aircraft I didn't get pictures of, including:-
Swissair DC-9-30 HB-IDO
Aer Lingus 737-200 EI-ASB
BA 737-200 G-BGDU
RAF 125 XW791


Night shift brought more:-
Aer Lingus 737-200 EI-BEE
BA 737-200's G-BGDT G-BGJM
BA Trident 2 G-AZXM
RAF 125 ZE396
BMA DC-9-30 G-BMAM
BMA DC-9-15 G-BMAB
2 Dan Air 1-11 500's and a Dan Air HS748 G-BIUV

Diversions are much less common these days unfortunately. Partly I expect because of Catt III ILs but also because airlines cancel flights more readily than I remember them doing in days of yore.

Springheeledjack the video bough back memories of happy lazy summer days when a Britannia 737 would push back from stand one and wind up the engines - typically the only thing moving late morning and going to Wildenrath or Gutersloh - and of the dirty marks around the fuselage from smoky engines!

Plus of course LTN doesn't have the space these days so airlines are less likely to flight plan with LTN as first alternate.

OK I know this has been seen before but it is the only Christmas themed Luton photo I have seen.

Wishing all the contributors and lurkers to this thread a Merry Xmas and thank you for making this thread one of the most successful threads on the Aviation History and Nostalgia page. I am not sure why this is but I guess this thread twists and turns in all directions and ultimately coves many subjects that have a link to Luton.

https://i.imgur.com/AjQMmuI.jpg

Me thinks it might be Derek Davison. Merry Christmas to everyone or as we say here Feliz Navidad.

Last visits
 

Learned contributors,
The first visits of many types are widely recorded and reported, does anyone on here have any dates for last visits/departures for types of aircraft.
E.G. Brittania, Dc3, 4, 6, 7, 8. Boeing 707, Ambassador, Viking, Viscount etc
Your time and trouble is much appreciated.
Thanks,
Be lucky
David

The trouble is, the first visit is an obvious fact, when it happens. But when the last happens, it will go unnoticed because no one can know it's the last, at least until that type finally ceases to fly. Sorry if I'm stating the obvious!

This might have been the last Britannia. I seem to remember this came over for maintenance with Monarch

https://i.imgur.com/O2PnF9O.jpg

Thanks ZeBedie,
I am aware of why last visits are often under reported as it equally applies to last flights for types in most cases. I was hoping given the superlative record keeping by some of the contributors that a some may have been noted as such at the time or retrospectively deducted by in house sleuths and be recorded for posterity.
Thanks for your time,
Be lucky
David