Thanks for all the pictures.

I started my jet career from Ltn in 1989 taking off in the jump seat to do my training for Britannia in the 737-200 at Shannon. I got my first command with Easyjet in 1997 and flew into Ltn from Kerry with Ryanair on what turned out to be my last flight before I had a major stroke in 2011.

The only flight I did which might have got the spotters somewhat excited was bringing Arsenal back from Munich in a Excel 767-300 in 2004, we arrived quite late straight after the match.

I should have stuck with Britannia, they were a good company in those days, but even then I remember the old boys saying "This isn't the company it was when I joined" HaHa. 'Twas ever thus ?

I have this photo dated as May 30th 2005 but I think I took this in 1999 and was taken just after the tower was built.

The photo shows no Harrods FBO and no extension to the staff car park and a security gate that is located 75m away from the present one.

Most interesting is the terminal that was built for domestic use yet never saw a single passenger. In this photo it carries a sign that it is an Executive Terminal but again I don't think it ever saw a single passengers nor was it linked to a FBO.

Later on Easyjet moved in, painted it orange and eventually took over the spectators building that is just out of shot to the right of the glass fronted entrance.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...ps1eca177b.jpg

LTNman

Quite an an interesting mix of types on the ramp in that picture.

Waiting at A1 one morning we watched a DHL727 smash into the runway and bounce only to hover about 10feet off eating up runway before bouncing once more before finally 'landing' and ....... He must have made it because he was backtracking when we turned around to take off ! Probably line training at the end of a long night ?

I felt sympathy for him having once landed a KingAir in fog at Copenhagen having decided I was too tired to go around if it was below minima, rather land near the runway,controlled, being better than inverted at high speed. Luckily I saw the lights before minima ,I'm sure all the guys who flew single crew night freight have similar stories?

I seem to remember that the IL-76 was on some sort of oil spillage contract and spent maybe a year at Luton.

Some sort of event at Luton. Note sure when it was taken but Napier is written over the far hangar. Also their Lincoln seems to be in the photo.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...psbbbe9b26.jpg

Nice Balkan Tu-154 on the South apron - probably on a footie charter? The IL-76 was always on call regarding oil spills. Air Foyle I think looked after the crew and flight planning etc.

There was often a Hercules also parked up at the same time for I believe the same reason.

Also that south apron is going to be made wider under the redevelopment plans.

BKS Freighter posed - loading cars for Belfast. You would not have two cars that close on normal loading.

Is that the National Coal Boards Dove in the foreground, GARUM, which was certainly based at Luton in the late 60s. Unfortunately can't quite make out the registration.

I would love to know what the event was. A stage has been set together with public address speakers. My guess is that the photo was taken maybe around 1962.

Looks like an Aero Commander on left,Comanche..?,Jet Provost, then Piston Provost,plus either H126 Jumping jet ,or a couple of early (long legs) J-Ps behind the `Frightener`...?

I agree that it is an Aero Commander, but don't you think it looks like an Islander in that pic ?

I don't think Islanders were around in 1962.

Might it be the opening of concrete runway?

Might well be as the crowd isn't that big so maybe it was invited guests only.

Concrete Runway at Luton
 

This page may be of interest:


Luton Airport took off when concrete replaced grass runway - Luton Today

oftenflylo was spot on and I was just 2 years out with the age of the photo.:ok:

Got to say though that I would never have thought about the runway.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...ps97d168a3.jpg

Well, I was working in ATC the winter of 1962-63 when the Luton runway was snow free but it had all slid down the sloping taxiway and aircraft were unable to reach the apron. Gave a few movements to other airports (we were grateful).

So, was the 'new' concrete runway placed on top of an existing grass runway?

I was aware of the shorter 06/24 and. 18/36 grass runways
(Note the designators may have been different early 1960's)

No idea but in the late 60's the airport looked like this.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...ps9c53d16d.jpg

I think initially the concrete was shorter & 'maybe' only one taxiway to the apron - another oldie might be wiser