Queen's Building spotters Terrace to Reopen?
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Queen's Building spotters Terrace to Reopen?
I wish.
Has the Heathrow T3 spotters area reopenned?
Was it the top of Queen's Building that once had a big spectators area?
Vividly remember spending a day there with my dad in summer 1964. Loads of space and seats from which to watch the rich variety of LHR visitors coming and going
Has the Heathrow T3 spotters area reopenned?
Was it the top of Queen's Building that once had a big spectators area?
Vividly remember spending a day there with my dad in summer 1964. Loads of space and seats from which to watch the rich variety of LHR visitors coming and going
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I don't recall anywhere on T3?? It used to be the roofs of the QB and Terminal 2 which were open but they closed many years ago. When I was last able to view them - probably on the day the last Concorde flight took off - they were covered in all sorts of heating/ ventilating pipes so I think it's extremely unlikely that they would ever re-open for spectators. Those days are long gone...
Incidentally, I made contact with Flo Kingdon, one of the commentators, a few years back. She is in her 80s but was as bright as a button. Sadly, the other popular commentator, Stan Little, passed on many moons back..
Incidentally, I made contact with Flo Kingdon, one of the commentators, a few years back. She is in her 80s but was as bright as a button. Sadly, the other popular commentator, Stan Little, passed on many moons back..
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What used to be QB is now T3 isn't it? Once also called Oceanic building prior to 1962.
More recently before the 9/11 thing, there was a horrid spotters structure/cage on roof of T2 I think, or was it T1, that had a model & souvenir shop near the access stairs from the ground floor.
More recently before the 9/11 thing, there was a horrid spotters structure/cage on roof of T2 I think, or was it T1, that had a model & souvenir shop near the access stairs from the ground floor.
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In good old days the viewing terrace used to be along the length of T2. There was a raised section reached by two narrow sets of steps. Below it used to be the commentary box. The terrace was accessed between T1 and T2 from the bus station by a raised walkway over the road. There also used to be a restaurant downstairs.
At a later date the terrace shrunk in length with access up a set of steps alongside T2.
The terrace I mentioned on T3 could well have only been open for the occasion of the arrival of the first 747. Airport PR was better in those days when spectators were welcomed.
At a later date the terrace shrunk in length with access up a set of steps alongside T2.
The terrace I mentioned on T3 could well have only been open for the occasion of the arrival of the first 747. Airport PR was better in those days when spectators were welcomed.
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B377.. T3 is on the west side of the terminal area.
The three buildings on the east side are Terminal 1, Queen's Building (as shown in your picture) and Terminal 2.
The three buildings on the east side are Terminal 1, Queen's Building (as shown in your picture) and Terminal 2.
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What a picture! Sadly never around in those days. Even airshows today have gone down hill! I thought things were meant to get better with time! I dread to think what sort of world my kids will live in one day!
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Ah yes the golden age.
When gay men knew their place was firmly in the closet.
When raping your wife wasn't a crime under English law.
When women spent their time in the kitchen and the home.
When the Police arrested AND prosecuted suspects.
When only the well to do had a passport and could afford to fly.
When the sicker parts of the Catholic clergy could fiddle with as many kids as it felt like with impunity.
When babies born out of wedlock were bastards, their mothers were cast out.
When cameras meant thinking in multiples of 36 or 24...
The world we leave our kids is way better than the one we were born into as perspective is the rarest commodity in the UK. Incidentally just back from a succesful day of shooting aircraft at Heathrow with a modern digital Nikon camera and an airband scanner. I am typing this on a laptop......
Tomorrow I am off to Aldergrove with easyJet. Let's be honest, we should keep fighting for what's right but don't kid yourself that the black and white world of the 1960s and 1950s was a better one.
*ends rant *
Nostalgia. Not what it used to be.
When gay men knew their place was firmly in the closet.
When raping your wife wasn't a crime under English law.
When women spent their time in the kitchen and the home.
When the Police arrested AND prosecuted suspects.
When only the well to do had a passport and could afford to fly.
When the sicker parts of the Catholic clergy could fiddle with as many kids as it felt like with impunity.
When babies born out of wedlock were bastards, their mothers were cast out.
When cameras meant thinking in multiples of 36 or 24...
The world we leave our kids is way better than the one we were born into as perspective is the rarest commodity in the UK. Incidentally just back from a succesful day of shooting aircraft at Heathrow with a modern digital Nikon camera and an airband scanner. I am typing this on a laptop......
Tomorrow I am off to Aldergrove with easyJet. Let's be honest, we should keep fighting for what's right but don't kid yourself that the black and white world of the 1960s and 1950s was a better one.
*ends rant *
Nostalgia. Not what it used to be.
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There still quite a few countries that provide good to excellent spectator facilities at major and regional airports. And they do so without compromising safety. I do find it odd that what could argueably be considered the number 1planespotting country in the world no longer offers facilities at any of it's major London airports. The income from visitors would more than pay for any and all security requirements and costs. The main problem stems from a lack of interest in aviation by those running airports.
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Viewing
Have vague memories of a viewing area on top of T3. Watching first visit of PanAm 747 from it in early 70's or thereabouts.
It would have been from on top of T2 or the QB. It landed on 28L. The viewing areas are never going to be re-opened. Did see on the new plans that there may be some sort of viewing area in the new terminal(s) when they are built but I suspect it may only be for passengers.
On a nostalgic note, how long could you make a drink last in the cafe area before being chucked out!!!
It would have been from on top of T2 or the QB. It landed on 28L. The viewing areas are never going to be re-opened. Did see on the new plans that there may be some sort of viewing area in the new terminal(s) when they are built but I suspect it may only be for passengers.
On a nostalgic note, how long could you make a drink last in the cafe area before being chucked out!!!
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<<The income from visitors would more than pay for any and all security requirements and costs.>>
No way, I fear. I mentioned elsewhere that I often saw the viewing terraces on QB and T2 at Heathrow almost devoid of visitors. Back in the 50s and 60s the place was teeming, but aviation nowadays is a fact of life and does not hold people in awe. How many people stand on bridges over the M1 watching cars? Space at airports is at a premium because our airports are so small.
No way, I fear. I mentioned elsewhere that I often saw the viewing terraces on QB and T2 at Heathrow almost devoid of visitors. Back in the 50s and 60s the place was teeming, but aviation nowadays is a fact of life and does not hold people in awe. How many people stand on bridges over the M1 watching cars? Space at airports is at a premium because our airports are so small.
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Free viewing in 50s & 60s ?
Did you have to pay to get to the viewing terraces in circa 1964?
I can see three levels in the above pic (QB?) what was the diffeence apar from height? Today it would definitley cost more the higher you went.
Anoraks are scruffy undesirables to airport authorities they just get in the way of real business. They want tax paying passengers.
I can see three levels in the above pic (QB?) what was the diffeence apar from height? Today it would definitley cost more the higher you went.
Anoraks are scruffy undesirables to airport authorities they just get in the way of real business. They want tax paying passengers.
I think, HD, that's because they didn't have to pay the rip-off parking charges of today. In fact, in that era not many families had cars so most used public transport. Today the majority of people enjoy the convenience of using their own car. Visiting an airport that has no convenient and reasonably priced parking facilities will deter the average potential spectator. Proof of the pudding is that where airports do offer good facilities - be it the UK or elsewhere, the crowds are still there.
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First visit B747 at LHR - N735PA
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The date was 12 Jan 70. Did not see it land but saw it in the afternoon parked directly in front of where I was stood, am pretty sure I was not on top of car park, assume it parked on Terminal 3, therefore was I on a terrace not normally available for public access.
Anybody else remember ?
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The date was 12 Jan 70. Did not see it land but saw it in the afternoon parked directly in front of where I was stood, am pretty sure I was not on top of car park, assume it parked on Terminal 3, therefore was I on a terrace not normally available for public access.
Anybody else remember ?
Watching first visit of PanAm 747 from it in early 70's or thereabouts.
Does anyone remember when the 'bridge' part of the viewing terrace collapsed under the weight of hundreds of teenies who were freaking out at the sight of The Osmonds arriving from the US ? I seem to recall that there were many injured amongst the thousands who made the trip to the airport. They built the terrace back up again, though I can't remember how long that took.
I can't imagine the airport ever building any real facilities for spotters, it's one of those hobbies/interests that is sadly dying out. The yoofs have too many other diversions to want to hang around draughty airports and unless you're flying or working the airport doesn't want you there (and that's fair enough). I was last there before taking a flight perhaps 6 years ago and it was empty save for a few die hards, so lack of customers and security concerns put paid to it. I still remember the sausage rolls they served there in the 70's
regards
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<<Did you have to pay to get to the viewing terraces in circa 1964? >>
Yes, and before and after too.
Car parking at Heathrow is another problem. All available parking space in the central area should be for passengers.
I'm a life-long aircraft spotter - 60 years plus now - but I also recognise the futility of trying to argue for spotting areas at some major airports. I honestly do not see that airport operators have any duty to provide viewing facilities for us.
Yes, and before and after too.
Car parking at Heathrow is another problem. All available parking space in the central area should be for passengers.
I'm a life-long aircraft spotter - 60 years plus now - but I also recognise the futility of trying to argue for spotting areas at some major airports. I honestly do not see that airport operators have any duty to provide viewing facilities for us.
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We only have to compare Heathrow with say Narita or Dusseldorf or even Schipol. It's a civilised way to say farewell to friends and relatives, wait on your flight in the sun ( it DOES happen ) and generally escape the purgatory that is the Terminal. These customers are *NOT* spotters and deserve a civilised facility along these lines. It's not a right we demand, it's just a sensible thing to do....
It's a culture thing and we're a little poorer for it. As to the hobby dying out, I used to agree with that however I think it's really very popular but something a lot of people come to later in life. I love the whole outdoors thing, and people get to a certain age where sitting at computer game is just tragic, particularly if one works at a desk in ones job!
It's a culture thing and we're a little poorer for it. As to the hobby dying out, I used to agree with that however I think it's really very popular but something a lot of people come to later in life. I love the whole outdoors thing, and people get to a certain age where sitting at computer game is just tragic, particularly if one works at a desk in ones job!
it's one of those hobbies/interests that is sadly dying out.
I honestly do not see that airport operators have any duty to provide viewing facilities for us.