10, outside Monarch's hangar, to 15 outside Britannia's. 15L was added later.

The first Jet Provost, a T.1 c/n PAC/84/001 XD674. Not sure when the pic was taken but it first flew 25.1.54. The early JPs used piston Provosts u/c legs.

This aircraft made a wheels up landing on the grass at Luton 18.7.54 but it flew again the same day! It had a varied history and the airframe is now engineless at Cosford.

Someone on another forum has identified the chap in uniform as the Chief Airport Fire Officer, Vic Cable. In the days when test pilots wore ties!

Credit: BAE Systems Heritage - Hunting Percival Archive.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1...%20JP%20T1.jpg

I thought Stand 18 was always part of the South stands but I am happy to be corrected by our retired atdcos. Of course a number of executive aircraft were parked on the light aircraft stand which ran parallel to McAlpine's hangar.

Napier also made engines for the Wessex 1 and 3,so it may have had one inside the hangar possibly.

You know that this is Hunting Percival's chief test pilot, R. G. 'Dick' Wheldon following the first flight of prototype Jet Provost T Mk.1, XD674, at Luton on 26 June 1954?

Thanks, Vampiredave, I did wonder. I have from elsewhere it was June but the Air Britain books states January. Certainly doesn't look like January!

Coverage of the JP's maiden flight in the 2nd July 1954 issue of Flight:

https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarch...0-%201939.html

The south stands start from 20. Stand 18 has only just been marked up again together with stand 19 on the Pond in readiness for when the stands pass back to the airport from Signature.

Ref. the J.P.1's Provost undercarriage legs. It was a noticeable feature that when taxying over the grass, the legs had a habit of "walking " alternatively. I do remember seeing about 6 early JP 1's up in line astern formation over Luton for a photo sortie c. 1956.

Two pics of XD674, the first Jet Provost T.1, following its wheels up landing on the grass at Luton 18.7.54. It apparently flew again the same day!

Source: BAE Systems Heritage - Hunting Percival Archive

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1.../XD674%202.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1.../XD674%201.jpg

Isn't alternative walking what Monty Python were famous for?

I always thought stands 16 and 17 were known as the "ponda rosa" in the 70s- wide open spaces?

Yes, a term I have steadfastly refused to use. It got shortened to 'the pond'.

It comes from a TV series 'Bonanza' by NBC that ran from 1959 to 1973 of the Cartwright family living on a fictional Ponderosa Ranch.

But Vintage ATCO do you know how the term originated? I have no idea but it slipped into common usage.

Just looked at that KLM picture again. When was that large area of what looks like grass in the apron removed- is it an optical illusion?

Some ex KLM DC7Cs returned of course in Sudflug guise in 1967 - I still struggle in vain to get a schedule of those flights. Saw one depart from Chiltern Green when I had told my Dad I was going just round the corner from Welwyn- the deceit continued when I made the crash gate in 1968 for about another year. When I told him as a 14 year old he said "better than messing about with girls I suppose"!

My understanding is a Britannia engineer christened the area shortly after it opened based on the Ponderosa Ranch from the TV series Bonanza.

If you are asking about the etymology of the word, then no.

My brain hurts.

This photo was posted by Buster the Bear sometime ago. If someone can date this photo then here is the answer. A close examination of the photo will show the new curved concrete that replaced the curved grass in front of the hangar, which is marked off with workman's oil lamps. Also what looks like the contraption that men would sit on while smoothing the concrete can be seen in front of the barrel.

http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/...pszapzn7zp.jpg

'BO was sold to Britannia Airways on 16th March 1970. The registration was cancelled as permanently withdrawn from use on 25th January 1971 and she was broken up at Luton in May of that year, so that narrows it down a bit...

I think you'll find the 1970 date refers to when Britannia purchased G-ANBO.

It was operated under a lease from Jan 1965......

Narrows it a bit wider then!

That livery was used by Britannia from the introduction of the Britannia 102 until winter 67/68 when all were repainted into the later scheme.