Favourite Aircraft
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 5,552
Likes: 25
From: ME
Hotel Tango, Virgin also operated from Dublin, initially with Viscounts but then they used the Club Air B727........ it was a short lived operation to be later followed by Virgin Express.
Back in the nice innocent days when you could just walk into a cockpit and ask for a flight home, I got to fly in this........ the horses onboard were worth an awful lot more than the aircraft
Back in the nice innocent days when you could just walk into a cockpit and ask for a flight home, I got to fly in this........ the horses onboard were worth an awful lot more than the aircraft
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 388
Likes: 2
From: Lanzarote/Butuan/Southern Yorkshire
Was that one of the ex RAF Brit 253's?
Not sure why I remember (probably the wrong) number, but , oh well.
Also thanks mod for G-AMSV! Shame, that I believe she is to or has left these shores now.
Old man of 44 signing out!!!!
Not sure why I remember (probably the wrong) number, but , oh well.
Also thanks mod for G-AMSV! Shame, that I believe she is to or has left these shores now.
Old man of 44 signing out!!!!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Sydney
What a great thread.
Mine has to be the DC10-30.
First ever overseas trip was on an Air New Zealand '10. Next year flew with NZ to LAX.
Flew a nunber of 10s on World Airways, Western, UTA, Continental,Phillipine and.
Love talking to the crew on NZ who flew the 10s and their stories. Quite a few recall flying on the DC8 which were not popular.
Mine has to be the DC10-30.
First ever overseas trip was on an Air New Zealand '10. Next year flew with NZ to LAX.
Flew a nunber of 10s on World Airways, Western, UTA, Continental,Phillipine and.
Love talking to the crew on NZ who flew the 10s and their stories. Quite a few recall flying on the DC8 which were not popular.
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
From: Limboland
Nothing beats up top on the B744!
G-AZNA, guilty of giving me the flying bug! Seeing a Viscount is like 1st love allover again!
But these orange beauties beat everything!
G-AZNA, guilty of giving me the flying bug! Seeing a Viscount is like 1st love allover again!
But these orange beauties beat everything!
Last edited by Smoketrails; 17th August 2011 at 20:35.
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: UK
I often fly as a passenger in Russia and the CIS and flying on Russian aircraft is always an experience. I particularly like the Ilyushin Il-86, the noise on take off generated by the 4 engines is quite incredible given the apparent lack of thrust! It is an amazing aircraft with a very good safety record, unfortunately a rare sight these days due to high operating costs.
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 490
Likes: 0
From: Spain
Airspeed Ambassador
I worked on these at BEA where we never called them anything other than Elizabethans. Dan Air eventually bought them from BEA and used them as freight - they flew art paper out to Spain and flew completed books back!
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Australia / United Kingdom
Because it was the first plane that I flew on as a boy. My godmother flew for Ansett as one of Reg's "Old Boilers". She made sure that I was invited to the cockpit. How much fun could an eight year old have?
And this because it was the first plane I flew on as a young man and it made my world bigger for taking me overseas for the first time. Flying into Kai Tak was awe-inspiring for an 18 year old out in the world for the first time
And this because it was the first plane I flew on as a young man and it made my world bigger for taking me overseas for the first time. Flying into Kai Tak was awe-inspiring for an 18 year old out in the world for the first time
Last edited by SLFAussie; 18th August 2011 at 19:22.
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 613
Likes: 0
From: Isle of Man
This is really difficult. Did Concorde in 1999 with Mrs HaC (who hates flying) to NY, back by 744. She liked it so much we did it again this time both out and back three months later (the tight left turn just after take off from JFK was a probably my most magic flying experience).
Have done the 744 many times in F and it too is a wonderful experience especially looking forwards out the three windows from seat 1A.
But for me it has to be the BAe146. Specifically Manx Airlines BAe146-200 G-MIMA. After going back and forth in turboprops from Ronaldsway to London (and the Viscount was magnificent) and battling my modest hand baggage against G-OJET (BAe146-100)'s overhead lockers we finally got a real jet on the route. And if you were a member of Manx Airlines Sovereign Club you could pre book seats. So we used to select 15D and 15F which were a pair at the back where the fuselage started to curve in and you had sooo much space around you. And you knew all the hosties (sorry girls) by name and they knew your's, and your favourite tipple. And you recognised the names of the Captain and First Officer and both you and your better half were very relaxed knowing you were in safe hands.
And because it was the only Manx Airlines aircraft flying to and from LHR you would often see it land while you were waiting in the "Belfast" gate and know it was your plane and you'd soon be going home.
Alas no more....
Have done the 744 many times in F and it too is a wonderful experience especially looking forwards out the three windows from seat 1A.
But for me it has to be the BAe146. Specifically Manx Airlines BAe146-200 G-MIMA. After going back and forth in turboprops from Ronaldsway to London (and the Viscount was magnificent) and battling my modest hand baggage against G-OJET (BAe146-100)'s overhead lockers we finally got a real jet on the route. And if you were a member of Manx Airlines Sovereign Club you could pre book seats. So we used to select 15D and 15F which were a pair at the back where the fuselage started to curve in and you had sooo much space around you. And you knew all the hosties (sorry girls) by name and they knew your's, and your favourite tipple. And you recognised the names of the Captain and First Officer and both you and your better half were very relaxed knowing you were in safe hands.
And because it was the only Manx Airlines aircraft flying to and from LHR you would often see it land while you were waiting in the "Belfast" gate and know it was your plane and you'd soon be going home.
Alas no more....
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 634
Likes: 15
From: Europe
As with many others, my favourite is also the first aircraft I recall flying on. Truth be told, my first flight was on a DC-7C, but being only 3 months old at the time I have no recollection.
OY-APU was the first aircraft I remember flying on, jetting the family and I on a vacation to Rhodos.
My father worked at the airline, which was a small outfit operating only 4 of the magnificent 720s. Small enough for everybody to know everybody, and we never wanted for anything service wise when flying. Food was free, but booze and beer was charged. Except, of course, to employees of the airline who'd be given enough booze to float a small ship. I'd usually be sat fidgeting in my seat until meal service was over, when (finally!) the lead hostie would give the all clear to visit the cockpit. I still remember Captain Sune Gustavsson, quite a character who could not only pole the thing like a champ, but always took time to entertain little me. At the age of 5 or so, not big enough to see out the window during approach and landing in Palma, I was sat on the lap of the Flight Engineer for a better view.
On another occasion Sune had promised to take Dad and I for a week-end trip to London. Flight ended up being full, and then some, and due to the short nature of the flight extra hosties was carried. That meant all jumpseats, including those in the cockpit, were taken. Not to worry, I was placed on the cockpit floor propped up against the door and with a (gorgeous, as I recall it) hostie wrapping an arm around me. Dad was sat in the forward lav for take-off and landing. Funny thing is, I don't remember a single thing from our visit to London, but the flight over is still crystal clear in my memory.
Flying stopped being fun right around the time Conair of Scandinavia went tits up.
OY-APU was the first aircraft I remember flying on, jetting the family and I on a vacation to Rhodos.
My father worked at the airline, which was a small outfit operating only 4 of the magnificent 720s. Small enough for everybody to know everybody, and we never wanted for anything service wise when flying. Food was free, but booze and beer was charged. Except, of course, to employees of the airline who'd be given enough booze to float a small ship. I'd usually be sat fidgeting in my seat until meal service was over, when (finally!) the lead hostie would give the all clear to visit the cockpit. I still remember Captain Sune Gustavsson, quite a character who could not only pole the thing like a champ, but always took time to entertain little me. At the age of 5 or so, not big enough to see out the window during approach and landing in Palma, I was sat on the lap of the Flight Engineer for a better view.
On another occasion Sune had promised to take Dad and I for a week-end trip to London. Flight ended up being full, and then some, and due to the short nature of the flight extra hosties was carried. That meant all jumpseats, including those in the cockpit, were taken. Not to worry, I was placed on the cockpit floor propped up against the door and with a (gorgeous, as I recall it) hostie wrapping an arm around me. Dad was sat in the forward lav for take-off and landing. Funny thing is, I don't remember a single thing from our visit to London, but the flight over is still crystal clear in my memory.
Flying stopped being fun right around the time Conair of Scandinavia went tits up.
Last edited by SMT Member; 20th August 2011 at 10:01.
Paxing All Over The World
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 10,842
Likes: 328
From: Hertfordshire, UK.
Haven't a clue, I would join in the appreciation of MIMA (and also OJET). My mother and her second husband lived in Castletown for 26 years and I too started with the Viscount from LHR and include the ATP from LTN and, once, a 360 from LPL into Ronaldsway.
SMT Member - in the loo for takeoff??? It would have been uncomfortable in any kind of a prang but, those were the days!!
SMT Member - in the loo for takeoff??? It would have been uncomfortable in any kind of a prang but, those were the days!!
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 889
Likes: 3
From: UK
With reference to the Virgin Viscount - There used to be a Viscount in BOAC colours that operated a shuttle between Belfast and Prestwick to link with BOAC 707 services across the pond in 1970's.
Can anyone post a pic on here?
Can anyone post a pic on here?
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 3,423
Likes: 1
From: world
Paxing All Over The World
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 10,842
Likes: 328
From: Hertfordshire, UK.
The Viscount's Dart engines (I think?) had a very distinctive noise that was not unpleasant. I recall being in one on a trip Salisbury (now Harare) to Victoria Falls in October 1970 with sightseeing over the falls before landing.
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: UK
The aircraft (or family of aircraft) that has featured more in my life that any other is the De Havilland Dash-7 and Dash-8. I have commuted regularly on these for many years; starting with Brymon Airways in the 1980's:
Photos: De Havilland Canada DHC-7-110 Dash 7 Aircraft Pictures | !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Through their take over by BA in the 90's:
Photos: De Havilland Canada DHC-8-311 Dash 8 Aircraft Pictures | !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And more recently in their latest colours:
Photos: De Havilland Canada DHC-8-311 Dash 8 Aircraft Pictures | !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Unfortunately, Air Southwest stopped flying to Gatwick earlier this year, which brought to an end nearly 30 years of the 4 times daily London/Plymouth/Newquay round robin that has been such a feature of my life.
Now, I continue to use the only service available, which is good, but the friendliness of the early years has long gone.
Photos: De Havilland Canada DHC-8-402Q Dash 8 Aircraft Pictures | !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Photos: De Havilland Canada DHC-7-110 Dash 7 Aircraft Pictures | !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Through their take over by BA in the 90's:
Photos: De Havilland Canada DHC-8-311 Dash 8 Aircraft Pictures | !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And more recently in their latest colours:
Photos: De Havilland Canada DHC-8-311 Dash 8 Aircraft Pictures | !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Unfortunately, Air Southwest stopped flying to Gatwick earlier this year, which brought to an end nearly 30 years of the 4 times daily London/Plymouth/Newquay round robin that has been such a feature of my life.
Now, I continue to use the only service available, which is good, but the friendliness of the early years has long gone.
Photos: De Havilland Canada DHC-8-402Q Dash 8 Aircraft Pictures | !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Europe
I can't be the only one reading this thread going green with envy. Truly those of us born in the mid 70's onwards have missed out.
That said, I did wangle some flights with a friend flying with Air Atlantique and have fond memories of bashing around Britain in an Electra listening to Skyrock in the middle of the night.
That said, I did wangle some flights with a friend flying with Air Atlantique and have fond memories of bashing around Britain in an Electra listening to Skyrock in the middle of the night.
Joined: Apr 2002
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 1,264
Likes: 57
From: Surrey, UK ;
My first ever flight out of Gatwick was in an SAM DC-6 ..... pretty "interesting" crossing the alps at 18 K in a thunderstorm on the way to a family holiday in Italy.
Also remember my first 2 flights in and out of Heathrow were in a BEA Vanguard and an Air France Caravelle to Perpignan, then on by coach to the Costa Brava.
Also remember being on the flight deck of a Dan-Dare comet on the way to Las Palmas when we were overtaken by (AFAIK) the first 73 on the UK register, Britannia's G-AVRL.
Today its trips on BAs rather soulless 777s ..
Also remember my first 2 flights in and out of Heathrow were in a BEA Vanguard and an Air France Caravelle to Perpignan, then on by coach to the Costa Brava.
Also remember being on the flight deck of a Dan-Dare comet on the way to Las Palmas when we were overtaken by (AFAIK) the first 73 on the UK register, Britannia's G-AVRL.
Today its trips on BAs rather soulless 777s ..
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Denham
Oooohh, its got to be, first a/c I flew on, United 763 in 99' 
Then, because they are what they are, plus I have close connection with them
A one-eleven
Alpha Bravo, because i've sat in her flightdeck and turned her lights on in TBA, and the 757 because shes just brilliant and my favourite a/c
Then, because they are what they are, plus I have close connection with them
A one-eleven
Alpha Bravo, because i've sat in her flightdeck and turned her lights on in TBA, and the 757 because shes just brilliant and my favourite a/c