Indeed, often not known that BKS was originally a Southend-based operator, their concentration on the Northeast came later, the engineering staying at Southend long after the ops focus moved. And the "K" in the name was for 'Mike' Keegan, longstanding and well-known Southend stalwart running multiple airlines from there over the generations.

44 seats was a common continental road coach configuration of the 1950s-60s. 11 rows of 4-across.

I always thought that Skyways had much input into the 748 design. They had established their coach-air operation from Lympne to Beauvais, with coaches to London and Paris. They initially used DC-3s, 21-24 seats, so two DC-3s were run for one coach. They were the first operator of the 748, and likely the first to order it. A "coach-sized aircraft".

Back to Channel Airways, they also adapted a DC-4, squashing in a record (I think) 88 seats, running on their Southend to Ostend shuttle many times a day. Ostend was the centre of coach operators for British coach holidays in Europe. Why 88 seats ? Two coach loads.

Of course coming bang up to date Jet2 have done similar with their "Jet2 Holidays" livery nicked from Allegiant of the USA.

Are there other examples of airlines effectively taking on another ones livery for their own? I think I'll start a new thread later.

Strange echo in here. :O

Apols no Viscounts ..
Chev , thanks for the '' approved winds '' in Shetland . We needed them sometimes , even in ATP times !
Sorry for 19th Feb '76 , not on GIB , I was being 'retreaded after redeployment .. A double to DUB and AMS on T2 G-AVFF and T1 G-ARPD .
Apols to DR for harmonic echo , they all had front 1/2 of rear cabin [ down to emrg. exit ] with rear facing seats .
Gordo with his lack of landings ... Mainline Trids operated with 3 pilots , thus if Skipper gave every other ldg away , you as F/O only got 1 in 4 as both F/Os alternated sectors on P2 [ RH seat ] and P3 [ panel , Flt Eng seat ].
Capt Fred Terry , excellent Captain , pilot , aviator .
My 1st trip on the line after training , P3 to Athens , P2 back ... Capt. Fred gave me the t/o and ldg ! And another next day on a 4 sector Zagreb , Belgrade .
Mind you , quickly sussed out that from hot and heavy destinations , skipper often gave flying away ... They had Their Big , Hairy , Old , Mitts on the throttles and could decide how much , how long , an over temp and/or over RPM of the engines would be tolerated . Not some junior sprog straight out of training .
Fred's method of communicating with 'eyetalian ATC was just to shout louder , but equally he had delicate hands flying his beloved Tiger , UK's second oldest .. G-ACDJ .

Rgds condor .

Sorry old chap, missed yours further up - was a bit of a boring bank holiday day lol

What was the origin of the single Trident 1E that BEA based in Glasgow in the early '70s?

That was G-AVYE, formerly of Channel Airways, and used on GLA-BHX-CDG principally.

Thanks ATNotts: I had several mates "posted" to that oddball flight.