not all troopers were "Smith Air"
 

remember when you could just walk up to aircraft down by the flying club
 

Namesake
 

http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/...psyzxoo19b.jpg

that will do for now, sure I've got plenty more somewhere

date-wise all of those are 85-88 approx

Great nostalgic photos :D The 707, 737, VC10 etc must have been wonderfully loud so close up. Amazing how how close the wingtip of the 747 was to the fence…



SHJ

Really great photos so thanks for sharing them here. Just to note for future reference is that the moderators like photos no wider than 800 or is it 850 wide?

The background in photo 683 shows the construction of I think London Aviation. It was never finished and most of the steel work was eventually removed but the hangar survives to this day. I can't remember if they were going to become an FBO

No worries - I'll try and tweak them later.

I remember meeting the boss of London Aviation just as it was all finished and yes they were intending to set up as an alternate FBO to Magec down there.

The building was meant to have a very wide frontage but without much depth as can be seen in the photo. I never ever saw an aircraft in that hangar and the last time I was in there it was full of aircraft seats.

The site is now Harrods FBO but I am not sure whether the hangar was removed or just converted into offices as the footprint is still the same.

The Birds-eye-view in Bing maps still shows the old building.

Although its a long time ago I seem to recall there were financial irregularities surrounding the London Executive FBO (hence the reason it didn't last long!)

Post 681 pic of 1-11 G-BLDH, what are those red bulges just aft of the door? :confused:

I remember those 1-11s, what became of them?

I think they are covers over the stick shake/push vanes. "Remove before flight"

Thanks vATCO, just been looking at some other pics of 1-11 starboard sides, with the covers removed I can see what you mean!

Cheers!

Treadders

Dave Gearings photos
 

I have Dave's photos, slides and memorabilia, which I am currently scanning, logging and using in a History of Luton Airport project which has been ongoing for many years now. This project, which still has a long way to go, will (hopefully) be either put on the web or made into a reference book. It covers all aspects of the airport since it's planning and opening back in the 1930's to present day, ie aircraft movements, based aircraft, resident airlines, associated factories, buildings and people plus much more. Anybody interested in further information please contact (PM) me off list.
Chris
Luton Anorak

I would guess around 1974 with this mixed bag of jet and prop aircraft.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...ps1gshvdv8.jpg
Mark Lysons

Is that a Vanguard tail (red with blue/white roundel) I see poking out of the line ? If so to whom did it belong ? I don't remember too many operators outside of BEA and the Indonesian (Meripati ?) and perhaps that French operator. Sad to see those two colourful L1011's sitting doing nothing after Court's demise.


SHJ

Looks like Invicta

Luton Anorak you have a PM.....

You are correct sir! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invict...ard_G-AZRE.jpg



SHJ

French airline La Compagnie is starting a Luton - New York service today but the name Compagnie has been seen at Luton before.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...psplacebfp.jpg
Vintage ATCO

I see they had lie-flat bed trucks in those days too. :O

Waterford - Luton has restated today after a failed attempt by Stobart Air to switch the route to Southend, This route goes back to the late 80's with various operators.

Ryanair 1988-1992
Suckling 1994-2000
Euro Celtic 2001-2003
Aer Arann 2003-2011
Aer Lingus Regional 2012


http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...pslc3jkwcd.jpg