Queen's Building spotters Terrace to Reopen?
I can remember going on the QB during the early 70s, usually at the weekends, and sometimes on weekdays when not at school. In those days the runways were 28R/10L and 28L/10R, but whoever was in the commentary box insisted on calling them 'runway 1' and 'runway 5' ... and I never understood why!
When I saved-up my pocket-money I got an airband radio (a Sharp FX-184Au - remember them?!) and used to listen to that. I can remember somebody asking me about the arrival of a particular flight, and they specifically mentioned how she was talking about 'runway 1/5' and the aircraft mentioned 28L/28R.
Another memory was an old guy doing an oil-painting of the view across the ages ... at one end were very old aircraft and colour-schemes from the 50s, across the middle were aircraft and schemes from the 60s and at the other end were the 70s. I wonder what became of the painting?
When I saved-up my pocket-money I got an airband radio (a Sharp FX-184Au - remember them?!) and used to listen to that. I can remember somebody asking me about the arrival of a particular flight, and they specifically mentioned how she was talking about 'runway 1/5' and the aircraft mentioned 28L/28R.
Another memory was an old guy doing an oil-painting of the view across the ages ... at one end were very old aircraft and colour-schemes from the 50s, across the middle were aircraft and schemes from the 60s and at the other end were the 70s. I wonder what became of the painting?
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In various publications on sale on the QB (some of which I still have), the runways were numbered as you mentioned. I guess Joe Public was more likely to understand that rather than "28L", "05R" or "33L".
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Come to Manchester,s viewing park on a sunny day ( yes we do get them ) and it is packed, you have a reasonably priced car park, food and drinks available, a good shop and one or two preserved airliners too boot
I can remember many happy days on the QB, now what they should have done is convert the old tower into an observation area, that would be nice
Ian
I can remember many happy days on the QB, now what they should have done is convert the old tower into an observation area, that would be nice
Ian
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In various publications on sale on the QB (some of which I still have), the runways were numbered as you mentioned. I guess Joe Public was more likely to understand that rather than "28L", "05R" or "33L".
instead of sitting up in the QB all day - Try doing that today!!!
I have many happy memories of Queen's Building viewing area, from 1964 until 1970.
Perhaps the "worst day for spotters" was on the occasion when The Beatles flew back from their first tour of USA. The PanAm B707 (I think) was offloaded in front of QB, to the delight of "millions" of screaming girls who completely swamped the viewing area!
For some obscure reason, there was a small recording booth on the southern part where, for the princely sum of 5 shillings, one could sing into a microphone, press a button, and eventually a floppy 45rpm disc would emerge.
I have, somewhere, a DREADFUL recording of me trying to sing "House of the rising sun", with a departing Vanguard as accompaniment.
From 1967 I worked as an ATCA in AIS (Flight Briefing Section), which was located, in those days, on the ground floor of the QB.
I watched the arrival of the first PanAm B747, having stayed-on after a night duty. However, I watched it from what I vaguely recall as being the top of T3 carpark (...or was it T3 itself?...beginning to have doubts about this now!...).
I think we went there because there was a chance that QB viewing area would not be open to the public (too early in the morning) when the aircraft landed.
Whilst in nostalgic mode, I will mention briefly the halcion days when coach operators could hire an Official Guide (picked-up from the Queen's Building) and enjoy a guided tour of Airside. My first recollection of these tours was in a Bedford OB, driving past rows of Stratocruisers and Constellations.
I organised a similar trip in the mid-60s for my school's aviation group; sadly no Connies or Strats by then...
No chance of QB being resurrected for spotters...security and economics have put paid to that, I fear.
Folkyphil.
Perhaps the "worst day for spotters" was on the occasion when The Beatles flew back from their first tour of USA. The PanAm B707 (I think) was offloaded in front of QB, to the delight of "millions" of screaming girls who completely swamped the viewing area!
For some obscure reason, there was a small recording booth on the southern part where, for the princely sum of 5 shillings, one could sing into a microphone, press a button, and eventually a floppy 45rpm disc would emerge.
I have, somewhere, a DREADFUL recording of me trying to sing "House of the rising sun", with a departing Vanguard as accompaniment.
From 1967 I worked as an ATCA in AIS (Flight Briefing Section), which was located, in those days, on the ground floor of the QB.
I watched the arrival of the first PanAm B747, having stayed-on after a night duty. However, I watched it from what I vaguely recall as being the top of T3 carpark (...or was it T3 itself?...beginning to have doubts about this now!...).
I think we went there because there was a chance that QB viewing area would not be open to the public (too early in the morning) when the aircraft landed.
Whilst in nostalgic mode, I will mention briefly the halcion days when coach operators could hire an Official Guide (picked-up from the Queen's Building) and enjoy a guided tour of Airside. My first recollection of these tours was in a Bedford OB, driving past rows of Stratocruisers and Constellations.
I organised a similar trip in the mid-60s for my school's aviation group; sadly no Connies or Strats by then...
No chance of QB being resurrected for spotters...security and economics have put paid to that, I fear.
Folkyphil.
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<<My first recollection of these tours was in a Bedford OB, driving past rows of Stratocruisers and Constellations.>>
Take a look at this snap of mine - you can even see the dirt on the coach window!!
G-ANUA and other Strats! London Airport 20 Aug 1958 (3rd one along is West African Airways) :: GANUA.jpg :: Fotopic.Net
I don't ever recall T3 roof being open, but my family joined me after a morning shift on T3 car park to watch the Space Shuttle atop it's 747 go by on it's way to Stansted. I made sure I spoke to it, then ran like hell to T3 to meet Ruth and the kids!
Take a look at this snap of mine - you can even see the dirt on the coach window!!
G-ANUA and other Strats! London Airport 20 Aug 1958 (3rd one along is West African Airways) :: GANUA.jpg :: Fotopic.Net
I don't ever recall T3 roof being open, but my family joined me after a morning shift on T3 car park to watch the Space Shuttle atop it's 747 go by on it's way to Stansted. I made sure I spoke to it, then ran like hell to T3 to meet Ruth and the kids!
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HD says "I honestly do not see that airport operators have any duty to provide viewing facilities for us."
I disagree. Quite often I wave to a coach loads of kids being driven around the airport in Geneva, they are all pressed against the windows with excitment being driven around the airport. Great PR by the airport, it brings their airport into a positive role for them. Some thing local children around BAA airports don't experience.
Airports need an area for spotters, photographers, children and who ever!
Perhaps those children will aspire to work at the airport one day?
I disagree. Quite often I wave to a coach loads of kids being driven around the airport in Geneva, they are all pressed against the windows with excitment being driven around the airport. Great PR by the airport, it brings their airport into a positive role for them. Some thing local children around BAA airports don't experience.
Airports need an area for spotters, photographers, children and who ever!
Perhaps those children will aspire to work at the airport one day?
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<<Airports need an area for spotters, photographers, children and who ever!
>>
The airports don't need any such thing - it's the spotters who want the airports to provide space for them!
I know there are many airports with such facilities but the subject of this thread is Heathrow and there is painfully insufficient space in the central area for people other than staff and passengers. Returning the roof gardens to full spotting facilities would cost a small fortune and in the current financial climate I for one would be very distressed to see such a waste of money.
>>
The airports don't need any such thing - it's the spotters who want the airports to provide space for them!
I know there are many airports with such facilities but the subject of this thread is Heathrow and there is painfully insufficient space in the central area for people other than staff and passengers. Returning the roof gardens to full spotting facilities would cost a small fortune and in the current financial climate I for one would be very distressed to see such a waste of money.
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HD
that is one hell of a nice pic of a BOAC Strat lineup (I can count 7). I flew on BOAC Stratorcrusiers same year March/58 from NY to LHR then later in May to Caribbean, Kingston to connect with an Avianca L-1049. All at 4.3 years old.
Wonder if they were white or blue tails or one of each?
Have I got a good reason for being fond of these planes?
that is one hell of a nice pic of a BOAC Strat lineup (I can count 7). I flew on BOAC Stratorcrusiers same year March/58 from NY to LHR then later in May to Caribbean, Kingston to connect with an Avianca L-1049. All at 4.3 years old.
Wonder if they were white or blue tails or one of each?
Have I got a good reason for being fond of these planes?
Last edited by b377; 4th Mar 2009 at 14:15.
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b377 The ones which look "black" were blue but the third one along was white as it was used by West African Airways. The pic was taken with a Kodak Brownie!
I loved Strats and after the civil ones vanished I still enjoyed the various military ones which could be seen around the UK, like this one for example:
22626 Boeing C97 New York ANG Prestwick Airport 5 July 1965 :: 22626.jpg :: Fotopic.Net
A very interesting one I saw heading for London Airport in June 1959 was N404Q of Transocean Airlines.
I loved Strats and after the civil ones vanished I still enjoyed the various military ones which could be seen around the UK, like this one for example:
22626 Boeing C97 New York ANG Prestwick Airport 5 July 1965 :: 22626.jpg :: Fotopic.Net
A very interesting one I saw heading for London Airport in June 1959 was N404Q of Transocean Airlines.
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Terminal 3 Roof
The Oceanic Terminal (now T3) opened in 1961 replacing the "temporary" facilities used by long haul aircraft at Heathrow North Terminal (previously London Airport North).
At the time Queens Building was the European terminal and included a small domestic arrivals/departure area and many of the airport's offices. Above all of this was the Spectators' area which included the terraces, cafeteria and restaurant, an enthusiasts' shop and an exhibit area. Summer weekends and many summer weekdays offered a running commentary on the movements.
Entry was, if I remember 6d (2.5p) for under 16s, 1/- (5p) for adults.
The area gave excellent views over the Queens Building ramp, the approaches from the east to the parallel runways and of runway 23, not to mention views of the BEA, BOAC and Eagle hangars.
Before the Oceanic Terminal was opened the North Terminal movements could also be monitored but once the new terminal opened, a number of aircraft arrived before the Queens Building spectator area opened each day and departed after closure.
Those "in the know" would, when Queens Building closed, make their way to the Oceanic Terminal and onto the small spectator gallery on the roof which was free entry.
I was first told of this on a visit in 1962 (I lived in the Manchester area) and when I was regularly working in London in 1965/1966 I would drive out to the Oceanic Terminal on summer evenings and make my way onto the roof.
Whilst the spot was useless for observing anything on the Queens Building ramp or aircraft landing short in a westerly direction, westerly take offs could be observed plus, of course, the exotica on the ramp below.
The terminal was first modified in 1966/67 and the gallery remained for a short while but was closed sometime in 1967 as the roofspace was taken over with extra heating and ventilation equipment.
At the time Queens Building was the European terminal and included a small domestic arrivals/departure area and many of the airport's offices. Above all of this was the Spectators' area which included the terraces, cafeteria and restaurant, an enthusiasts' shop and an exhibit area. Summer weekends and many summer weekdays offered a running commentary on the movements.
Entry was, if I remember 6d (2.5p) for under 16s, 1/- (5p) for adults.
The area gave excellent views over the Queens Building ramp, the approaches from the east to the parallel runways and of runway 23, not to mention views of the BEA, BOAC and Eagle hangars.
Before the Oceanic Terminal was opened the North Terminal movements could also be monitored but once the new terminal opened, a number of aircraft arrived before the Queens Building spectator area opened each day and departed after closure.
Those "in the know" would, when Queens Building closed, make their way to the Oceanic Terminal and onto the small spectator gallery on the roof which was free entry.
I was first told of this on a visit in 1962 (I lived in the Manchester area) and when I was regularly working in London in 1965/1966 I would drive out to the Oceanic Terminal on summer evenings and make my way onto the roof.
Whilst the spot was useless for observing anything on the Queens Building ramp or aircraft landing short in a westerly direction, westerly take offs could be observed plus, of course, the exotica on the ramp below.
The terminal was first modified in 1966/67 and the gallery remained for a short while but was closed sometime in 1967 as the roofspace was taken over with extra heating and ventilation equipment.
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The airports don't need any such thing - it's the spotters who want the airports to provide space for them!
there is painfully insufficient space in the central area for people other than staff and passengers.
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Granted, but who said it has to be in the central area?
will it ever happen......no I don't think so
but hey miracles do happen
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Free viewing
I disagree, these facilities should reopen free for all including coffee.
These days of profiteering on everything, given half a chance, must be put to an end - the SOB fat cats at BAA know what this is all about!
Come on guys should them what you can do - get your pancartes out.
These days of profiteering on everything, given half a chance, must be put to an end - the SOB fat cats at BAA know what this is all about!
Come on guys should them what you can do - get your pancartes out.
It is surely not unreasonable to expect viewing facilities for an activity which only takes place at airports i.e. landing and taking of aircraft.......
There seems to be no difficulty in finding space for "duty free shops" which in truth are vast shopping malls purveying very little that cannot be bought on the average high street or retail park but you cannot go and watch aviation activity any where else but at an airport....
Planemike
There seems to be no difficulty in finding space for "duty free shops" which in truth are vast shopping malls purveying very little that cannot be bought on the average high street or retail park but you cannot go and watch aviation activity any where else but at an airport....
Planemike
Last edited by Planemike; 5th Mar 2009 at 15:51.
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HD
re strat & hangar picture in post #27 where are those hangars located wrt
the terminal buildings and indeed how far were they from North terminal which was still operating when the photo was taken?
Hangars still exist?
re strat & hangar picture in post #27 where are those hangars located wrt
the terminal buildings and indeed how far were they from North terminal which was still operating when the photo was taken?
Hangars still exist?
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Brendan
I use to have a very similar picture taken on a junior school trip in June 57 - taken also with a box brownie as well!! I was an eleven year old at the time
b377
The building is Tech block A - almost unrecognisable today having had many extensions on the front - yes they did operate from North side in those days certainly up to the early sixties
I use to have a very similar picture taken on a junior school trip in June 57 - taken also with a box brownie as well!! I was an eleven year old at the time
b377
The building is Tech block A - almost unrecognisable today having had many extensions on the front - yes they did operate from North side in those days certainly up to the early sixties
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The Strats were over at the BOAC hangars on the east side of the field, just south of 28R threshold.
arem... I would have been 12 at the time you took your pics so we're pretty close in age. Heathrow was a huge part of my life for 50++ years but I'm still learning things about the place..
arem... I would have been 12 at the time you took your pics so we're pretty close in age. Heathrow was a huge part of my life for 50++ years but I'm still learning things about the place..
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This seems to ring a faint bell - and I may be completely wrong - but is (was) it an area where a Captain Wait took a "shortcut", perhaps where technically he shouldn't have been? Just a guess ...
Such ponderings prompt me to recall an incident from my early days on the "10" when we frequented the Hotel cul-de-sac, just S of the BOAC Load Control Offices, close to where Alcock & Brown were at the time and in good view from QB roof, of course. After landing, we either mis-heard, or were cleared incorrectly to, H5 instead of H9 (perhaps it was the other way round?). Anyway, by the time we had just passed the only empty gate in the Hotels, it became apparent that "our" gate was occupied and there was no way out. We then had no escape and endured a rather embarrassing delay as we had then to shut down and await a tug to manoeuvre us back to our correct gate!
So, my guess is that "Waits Alley" is/was a route or shortcut taken by an erstwhile Captain Wait ... but exactly where it would be at LHR I wouldn't know ...
JD