Yep, the cowlings open, and an engineer's toolbox on the steps. Not sure of the stbd engine. If feathered, the de-ice mat should be facing forward.

No 2 looks in GFP, the No 1 could be feathered in order to remove the spinner, maybe a de icing brush block snag, it isn't clear if oil bypass gear is fitted, (this returns engine oil used to function prop pitch back to the oil tank). It might simply be that prop functions used up the oil and it needs draining into a bucket and returning to the tank. Or perhaps the engine auto feathered in flight.
I like the photo taken in Guernsey with the JEA early colour scheme and the CEX Herald in the background, my guess taken around 1990-91 perhaps. I think G-BNCY came a cropper later on, if I remember CEX bought the hulk for spares around 1998. G-BNIZ later went on to be owned and operated by CEX before being sold on to a Turkish operator.

Ex Air Uk, KLM uk, Buzz pilot here. I seem to recall that one of the Ops guys was writing a book of the history of Air UK, its predecessors and successors. Does anyone know if this ever appeared?

Strange thought. In 24 years with the company, starting with Air Anglia, the one devolved nation I never flew to was Wales. Yes, I know Air Wales was part of the merger, and I presume the Bandits flew there in the early days. However, having flown five types with the company (F-27, Short 3-60, BAe-146, F-100 and B-737), never to Wales.

Herod , might have been just before your time ... '76 to '78ish AA advertising slogan was '' AA , Bigger Than You Think '' .
As an occaisional interline staff traveller LHR-NWI , I'd seen the 'foto of AA beauties wearing the following in Skyport .. '' AA , Bigger Than You Think '' tee shirts . I managed to get to the publicity department , run by a lovely Blonde , bought 2 [ still have 1 ] ..
The 2nd I was priviliged to personally fit to a very lovely BA lady friend .
Maybe too many outsiders were buying the Tee shirts , 'cos slogan changed to '' AA , Quicker Than You Think '' soon after .

rgds condor.

I regularly use the mug: "AirUK; you're closer to home". In fact, there was coffee in it this afternoon.

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Nora Batty and Friends Norwich September 30th 1982. Photo Credit Archant.


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Norwich Tower February 25th 1985. Photo credit Archant.

Them was good days. I missed the timetable there, joining in Nov of '78. Finally reluctantly left what was remaining Apr '03.

It must have been a pretty good airline. We still have an annual reunion. This year at the DH Museum.

Nora Batty was at LBA to christen a runway sweeper back in about '82.

Is that definitely LBA?
I can't orientate the position & angle of that photo on the main apron of LBA at the time (pre-extension) - with the F27 parked facing left, the tower visible to the right - and what's that gantry structure on the very right?

Certainly LBA, although the date may be out. I was there from late '80 to late '90, so possibly mid eighties. Not sure which photo you are referring to? In fact, it may have been a snow-blower, since I recall one of the first days it was used. The ramp from the storage onto the apron was an UPslope!

Nora was a natural choice since "Last of the Summer Wine" was set in Yorkshire. "Eeeh Nora, tha's got smashin' wrinkled legs"

The second of the three photos posted by OUAQUKGF Ops , reply #67, featuring Nora Batty herself amongst other characters.

Air UK strap lines, triggered a memory.

Deep in my loft I still have my original spotters "bins" sporting an Air UK sticker issued when the Space Shuttle visited my "local" airport STN....I grew up in the village and spent far too many idle hours at the airport as a spotty teen.

"Air UK welcomes Stansted's other major carrier", with a backdrop of an Air UK SD330 buzzing the 747/Shuttle

Both of the black and white photographs are at Norwich. I'd recognise the LBA control tower anywhere and that isn't it!

The last photo in #67 is Norwich. Air UK Admin and Spud Murphy’s office at the apron end of the black portacabin type structure. Air UK Ops below. Hellesdon (a Norwich suburb) in the distance, beyond the 04 Threshold.