Liverpool Based operators, 1940s & 1950s

Brian, A few minor amendments -
For Wright Aviation - they also had several Miles Magisters, used for Air Cadet Flying Scholarship training. The Proctor G-AIAA was never owned by Wright Aviation; it was owned
by T. Wayman-Hales, although it was used for occasional charters and Army Co-Operation
flying by Wright Aviation, being maintained by them. The H.C. Watson (Chief Engineer) was
later with Federated Fruit (where he was Chief Pilot & Chief Engineer).

For Dragon, the correct name of G-AHPT was 'Peter Tare', from the phonetic alphabet in use at that time, (predating 'Papa Tango').

PHB

For and behalf of Viscount



A young Mr. Lyons of Mather Avenue awaiting a flight on Wright Airways Dragon Rapide. circa 1952/53.

Genesis

Early in 1946 the owner of a private business in Liverpool purchased a second hand Taylorcraft for use as his personal aircraft. However, within a very short time discovered that a large number of business colleagues were hiring the aircraft for use on business trips. By the summer of 1946, this operation was running at a handsome profit to the Taylorcraft's owner, so as a result he decided to form his own charter company. Thus, on 20th June 1946, Skytravel was registered as an air transport company based at Liverpool Airport, with a capital of £10,000. The company's subscribers were Dorothy Hubbard and T. Holding, operations began immediately using the Taylorcraft.

Rapid Expansion

Skytravel immediately ordered a fleet of aircraft varying in size from four seat Percival Proctors to a thirty-two seat Bristol Wayfarer. Captain George Stanley Pine became Managing Director of the Company's northern division, and a maintenance base was established at Blackpool to undertake not only Skytravel's maintenance, but that of other operators. On August 15th, 1945, a new Proctor V joined Skytravel's Taylorcraft, and a fortnight later another Proctor was delivered to the company. These aircraft undertook pleasure flying at both Blackpool and Liverpool Airports, and a numerous passenger charter flights were made to the Isle of Man. By the end of 1946, two Airspeed Consuls and two DH.86s had also become members of Skytravel's fleet, and by November the airline was also advertising a Miles Aerovan and a Dakota for hire. The Aerovan was delivered to the company in January1947 and with eight passenger seats, this aircraft was available for hire at four shillings (20p today) per mile. The Dakota, although advertised by Skytravel as being fitted out as a twenty-two seater never entered service with the airline.

Late in 1946, the company prepared its plans for the 1947 charter programme. An office was opened at Gatwick Airport to accept bookings for the Bristol Wayfarer flights from Gatwick to South Africa. Services were flown to both Johannesburg and Nairobi with the aircraft equipped with thirty-two seats and a flight crew of six. The journey was made in easy stages by day only and on-board the passengers could take advanatage of a cocktail bar. The first of these flights was made by Skytravel in March 1947, and in addition this Bristol Wayfarer was available for ad-hoc passenger charter work. Throughout the winter of 1946 the Consuls were kept busy on charter flights radiating from Liverpool. The airline charged a rate of 2 shillings and sixpence per mile to charter these five seat aeroplanes, and destinations served during the winter included Cairo, India and Palestine. Numerous other charter flights were also made to Continental airports, and Skytravel's aircraft were also regular visitors to the Isle of Man.

For the 1947 summer season, Skytravel operated regular charter flights from the north of England to Ronaldsway, IoM. These services were flown from both Blackpool and Liverpool, with a fare of £5 being charged for a return from Liverpool, or £4/10/00 (today £4.50) return from Blackpool. These flights were operated mainly by the Consuls, DH.86s and the two Proctors. Three Auster Autocrats were acquired in the spring of 1947 for use on pleasure flying and light charter work out of Blackpool Airport, while a fourth Auster was acquired from the Royal Air Force for conversion to civil standards.

By 1947, the majority of Skytravel's maintenance was being carried out at Blackpool Airport, and the summer season saw many of Skytravel's services being flown from this airport. Numerous services were flown to the Isle of Man carrying holidaymakers from Easter onwards, and a second Miles Aerovan joined the company's fleet in July.

Operations run down

By late August the company had begun to run down its operations, and by the end of the month all flying had come to a halt. In September, the company was placed in voluntary liquidation and placed into the hands of Parkin Booth and Irving Buck, joint liquidators. The Skytravel fleet was then flown to Blackpool, and on Tuesday, 9th December the majority of the fleet came under the auctioneer's hammer. The most active aircraft flown by Skytravel were the two Consuls, which had flown an average of almost 400 hours apiece, while the Aerovan G-AIIG had logged only 60 flying hours during its 7 months with the company. The Wayfarer had accumulated a little over 200 flying hours, despite its long distance flights, while the Proctor V had flown 331 hours and the Proctor G-AHES only 73 hours. The other two Proctor !s were also in the sale, as was Skytravel's original Taylorcraft, in addition to the former Royal Air Force Auster still undergoing conversion.

Skytravel Fleet List

G-AIIG M.57 Aerovan 3       1.47 ISOC 9.47
G-AJWD M.57 Aerovan 4       7.47 ISOC
G-AIKS AS.65 Consul        11.46 ISOC
G-AIKZ AS.65 Consul        12.46 ISOC
G-AIRC J/1 Autocrat         3.47 ISOC
G-AJDZ J/1 Autocrat         5.47 ISOC
G-AJIP J/1 Autocrat         5.47 ISOC
G-AGYA P.28B Proctor 1       .47 ISOC
G-AGYB P.28B Proctor 1       .47 ISOC
G-AHES P.28B Proctor 1      8.46 ISOC
G-AHWW P.44 Proctor V       8.46 ISOC
G-AHJO B.170 Freighter IIA  1.47 ISOC
G-ACZP DH.86               10.46 ISOC
G-ADYH DH.86B              10.46 ISOC
G-AGTV J/1 Autocrat         ISOF ISOC    

ISOF = In service on formation 6.46. ISOC = In service on collapse 9.47

Typing this company story out, clearly (in today's terms) a company without a clearly thought through business plan, covering everything from pleasure flights to long-haul, multiple bases, and with over-rapid expansion, without establishing a clear core market first. A whole catalogue of financial errors in todays terms explains a life-span of little over a year.

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Airmotive (Liverpool) Ltd was formed at Liverpool Airport in January 1950 by Captain james Henry Hoggart-Hill, and charter operations began during the same month from Liverpool with one Dragon Rapide aircraft. Captain Hoggart-Hill became Chairman and Managing Director of this company. He had an interesting past, having originally learned to fly in 1929 and during the War had served as Chief Production test pilot of the Westland Aircraft Company. After the War he had flown for Air Contractors and during 1949 he was Airport Manager and Chief Pilot of Butlin Aviation, but at the end of the 1949 pleasure flying season he left Butlins to start his own company.

With one Dragon Rapide, Air Motive was mainly concerned with pleasure flying and the operation of Army Co-operation flights from Liverpool Airport. A sales office was also opened in London, and from its two bases the company acted as Aviation Consultants and as suppliers of aircraft and aero engines, accessories and equipment.

The Dragon Rapide was sold in June 1952 and all air charter operations were suspended, followed shortly afterwards by the winding up of Airmotive (Liverpool) Ltd. However, the Airmotive Company continued to operate from its London offices for many years afterwards, acting as aviation consultants, and also dealing in the sale of aircraft and in their ferrying and flight testing.

Airmotive's Fleet List:

G-AFOI DH.89A Dragon Rapide  1.50 Sold 6.52 

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This is not the only one aircraft operator to be established at Liverpool, in more recent times Air International (1989-1992) and Air Express (2001-2002). Hopefully, I'll cover these eventually, but have to do some basic research first!

Just like to thank Viscount for his excellent work in documenting LPL operators from the past,I cant wait for the Starways entry.

The Concept

Federated Air Transport was formed as the air transport division of the Federated Fruit Company by Mr R.J.Gates - a Liverpool based fruit and vegetable wholesaler. In the early 1950s, Mr Gates had entered into an agreement with Wright Aviation whereby Wright would operate aircraft on behalf of Federated Air Transport. However, this deal fell through when Wright went into liquidation late in 1953. Mr. Gates proceeded with his plans and bought two Transair of Croydon Avro Ansons and the Starways Dragon Rapide, taking on former Wright Aviation staff and renting space in Hangar No.4. With these aircraft, operations started early in 1954 flying mushrooms and other perishable vegetables from Ireland to Liverpool for distribution to wholesalers in the north of England.

Early in 1955, five former Royal Navy Dominies (Dragon Rapides) were purchased, although only one was ever converted for civilian use by the company. In mid 1956 several former Royal Navy Ansons were also purchased, and while one was delivered in by air, none entered service, being used as a source of spares. Also in mid 1956 Federated moved into Hangar 50, providing greater space for the growing fleet.

Not all the work undertaken was carrying fresh produce. In September 1957 for example, Dragon Rapide G-ANZP was flown down to Colerne by Mr Gates for the Battle of Britain Air Display to conduct pleasure flights there. It carried MGAE members day return from Liverpool in the process. On 22nd January 1958, Anson G-ALXC was damaged in a wheels-up landing at Liverpool, and with Anson G-AIPA just sold, this left just the Rapides to carry out the company's flying programme, so a further Anson was purchased from B.K.S. later in the same year. However, during 1959, this 'new' Anson spent most of the year out on lease to Hunting Aerosurveys departing 2nd March 1959, returning to Speke on 18th January 1960.

In addition to carrying vegetables, fruit and mushrooms on behalf of Mr.R.J.Gates' vegetable company, Federated also undertook ad-hoc charter work, including the carriage of newspapers and other types of cargo. Amongst the ad-hoc charters undertaken by Federated during 1959 was a flight by the Rapide G-ANZP to Tollerton on 8th June piloted by Captain Paterson, and a flight to Abingdon, again by Rapide, on 29th August piloted by Captain Watson.

Busiest Year

1960 was one of Federated's busiest years, with the Anson G-ALXC and the Rapide G-ANZP carrying out most of the flying. The Anson operated an almost daily service, excluding weekends, between Dublin and Liverpool carrying mushrooms and a variety of vegetables. In addition, at 7am (or earlier) on several mornings every week, one of the Ansons would position from Liverpool to Manchester, where a load of newspaper and other freight was collected and then flown to the Isle of Man. From the Isle of Man, the aircraft would either return empty direct to Liverpool, or it would continue onto Dublin and collect a load of vegetable produce before flying back to Liverpool in the early afternoon. To operate these flights, Feberated employed a staff of three pilots - Captains Flood, MacKenzie and Watson. Mr. Gates himself occasionally took to the air in one of Federated's aircraft, for example on the morning of 29th September 1960 he spent an hour local flying at Liverpool in the Rapide.

The service from Liverpool to Dublin to collect the produce would normally leave Liverpool shortly after 2pm, and then return to Liverpool by 7pm in the evening. However, if more than one flight was required from Dublin on a particular day, then the aircraft would leave Liverpool a good deal earlier. By September, Captain MacKenzie had left the Company, and Captain Flood and Captain Watson now normally took it in turns to pilot the aircraft. By the autumn of 1960, only one service a day was generally flown from Dublin to Liverpool, but on some days more services were flown. For instance, on 24th October 1960, the Rapide left Liverpool at 07.15, collected the morning's newspapers at Manchester, flew to the Isle of Man where it off-loaded its cargo, then returning home to Liverpool, touching down at 10.25 in the hands of Captain Watson. Shortly before midday, the same Rapide was airbourne again this time on course for Dublin piloted by Captain Flood. The Rapide returned to Liverpool with its cargo of mushrooms, landing at 15.46, and within the hour was airbourne again for Dublin with Captain Flood in command. The crossing from Dublin to Liverpool was a fairly long one for the now aging and slow Rapide, and after leaving Dublin shortly before 19.30, the Rapide finally touched down at Liverpool shortly after 21.00, it's days work complete - the only Federated aircraft to have flown that day.

Ironically enough, although 24th October had been a very busy day, 25th October was to be the day when it operated its last commercial flight for Federated. At 07.18 the Rapide left Liverpool for Manchester , and after taking on the morning's newspapers, it arrived at the Isle of Man at 09.30, with a departure at 10.20 for Liverpool. Fifty minutes later, at 11.08, Captain Watson placed the Rapide on to the ground at Liverpool for the last time. Although the aircraft remained at Liverpool with Mr.R.J.Gates, it did not fly again commercially for Federated Air Transport.

By the end of October, therefore, Federated Air Transport only had one Anson, G-ALXC, still flying regularly. During November and December, this aircraft flew on most weekdays, with flights rarely made at weekends. The newspapers were still flown from Manchester to the Isle of Man, but this service was now coming to an end although it ceased regular operation on 25th November 1960, one more service was flown by G-ALXC on 2nd December. Subsequently, the Anson was solely used on the Dublin to Liverpool run, although the occasional ad-hoc charter flight was still flown. On 16th December, the Anson flew from Dublin to Manchester, followed by a Manchester to Belfast charter on Monday 19th December - this was Federated's last visit to Manchester. During 1960, other charter flights had also been made - mainly in the Rapide, these flights included a trip from Liverpool to Staverton by G-ANZP on 12th October 1960 piloted by Captain Watson.

Final Days

Federated Air Transport's commercial days were now drawing to a close as a result of a new requirement that all commercial operators required an Air Operator's Certificate (AOC), to become effective on 1st April 1961. Before that an initial visit by a Ministry Inspector, who was horrified to discover that Cliff Watson and Cedric Flood were the entire staff, handling engineering, piloting and the paperwork. The Inspector informed Reg Gates that there was no chance of being awarded an AOC unless he emoloyed seperate pilots, engineers and office staff to handle the paperwork. Reg Gates considered moving up to a full commerical operation under the new rules, with something like a Dakota, but lost interest when he worked out the costs! One option was to operate as a private operation flying just the mushrooms for Federated Fruit, so not requiring an AOC. However without the income from other work such as newspapers and freight, this was not favoured by the pilots as they had just obtained their Commercial Licences. So the decision was taken to shut down operations.

Federated's operations continued right upto the deadline date. Cedric Flood's log-book shows he flew G-ALXC on 25th, 27th and 28th March 1961 and G-AMBE on 30th and 31st March - almost certainly the last mushroom flight and the last of the Company.

The two Ansons were sold to BKS Ltd, and required ferrying to Southend. On 7th April 1961 Cliff Watson set off in G-AMBE, with Cedric Flood in G-ALXC in formation. Near Lichfield the radio on Cliff Watson's aircraft failed, so they turned back to Speke together. On 12th April, they again set off in formation and made it together to Southend, and handed over the aircraft to BKS.
After nearly taking up a job offer with BKS, Cedric Flood got a job with Cambrian Airways at Rhoose/Cardiff and later ending up flying with British Airways.

The Rapide remained with the Gates family for personal use and was later replaced by another, then Aero Commanders and a finally a larger twin Cessna, but no further operations were undertaken by Federated Air Transport.

The import of fresh food, especially mushrooms, through Liverpool continued for many years, but mainly on aircraft of Aer Lingus, as hold freight, on freight aircraft or combi freight/passenger Viscounts and eventually Boeing 737QCs.

FLEET LIST:

G-AIBB  DH.89A Dragon Rapide    12.53  Sold  7.58
G-ANZP  DH.89A Dragon Rapide     3.55  Last Op. 10.60, subsequently used as a private transport
G-AIPA  Avro 652A Anson 1        3.54  Sold  2.58
G-ALXC  Avro 652A Anson 1        3.54  In service on closure 31.3.61, sold 4.61.  Lsd out 5.54 - 9.56     
G-AMBE  Avro 652A Anson 1       10.58  In service on closure 31.3.61, sold 4.61.  Lsd out 3.59 - 1.60

Subsequent Aircraft, Privately Operated by the family:

G-ANZP  DH.89A Dragon Rapide    10.60  wfu  7.62, sold 11.64   R.J.Gates t/a Federated Fruit Co
G-AKJS  DH.89A Dragon Rapide     7.62  Sold 11.64  R.J.Gates t/a Federated Fruit Co
G-ARGW  Aero Commander 500B     10.64  Sold 12.74  R.J.Gates t/a Federated Fruit Co
G-BCPZ  Rockwell Commander 500S  1.75  Sold  8.76  Greenline Refrigerated Transport Ltd
G-BENE  Cessna 402B              4.77  Sold 10.85  Greenline Refrigerated Transport Ltd

Detailed Airframe Histories (fuller list, based on that published in 1981):

DH.89A DRAGON RAPIDES/DOMINIES

G-AIBB c/no.6813, formerly NR725. Purchased from Starways 12.53. Sold to Luton Airways 7.58 (although not registered to them until 12.59). Sold in Senegal 8.61, becoming F-OBVJ, subequent fate ?

G-AKJS c/no.W.1002, formerly E-0228, built 1947. Delivered from Perth to Liverpool 3.7.62, ex Airwork at Scone. Private aircraft of R.J.Gates, replacing G-ANZP. Ferried to Panshangar 3.11.64 after sale. Cancelled 6.65 as sold in France for the recovery of spares. Purchased by Harold Best-Devereux and used in the construction by Rousseau Aviation at Dinard of three Fokker D.VII flying replicas for the film 'Blue Max' and 'Darling Lili'.

G-ANZP c/no.6682, formerly HG697. Acquired 3.55 ex RAS Stretton. Converted for civilian use by Federated Air Tansport at Speke. Last operated for Federated 25.10.60, but retained by R.J.Gates after Federated Air Transport ceased operations. Withdrawn from use at Speke 7.62 when replaced by G-AKJS. Delivered out by air, on a temporary Permit to Fly, 3.11.64 to Panshangar - the same day as its replacement also departed to the same destination! Cancelled 6.65 as sold in France for the recovery of spares. Purchased by Harold Best-Devereux and used in the construction by Rousseau Aviation at Dinard of three Fokker D.VII flying replicas used in the filming of 'Blue Max' and 'Darling Lili'.

G-AOAO c/no.6844, formerly NR756. Acquired 3.55 ex RNAS Stretton by road. Never flown or used by Federated. Sold, along with another example to Hants & Sussex Aviation 1.56. Became F-BHGR and noted stored at Etampes in 1972.

X7437 c/no.6578. Acquired 4.55 ex RNAS Stretton by road. Some civil conversion work done by Federated, but little progress made. Some comic painted G-AZZZ on the fuselage by 6.55! Sold to Continental Aircraft Services at Croydon 3.56, overhauled by them and it was registered G-APJW 1.58. Sold in France 8.62 as F-BHOB. Withdrawn from use by 1970.

X7498 c/no.6615. Acquired 4.55 ex RNAS Stretton by road. Fuselage later resold to Vendair at Croydon, who used it in the repair to another damaged aircraft.

untraced Acquired 3.55 ex RNAS Stretton by road. Sold 1.56 as a spares source to Hants & Sussex Avn, along with complete G-AOAO.

AVRO 652 ANSON 1:

G-AIPA formerly EF866. Acquired 3.54 ex Transair of Croydon. Delivered to Derby Airways 15.2.58 at Burnaston. Withdrawn from use 4.60.

G-ALXC formerly MH182. Acquired 3.54 ex Transair of Croydon. To Republic Air Charters 5.54 and registered to them 24.6.54 as EI-AGQ. Used for European freight charters from Shannon until 7.56, when abandoned at Ostend after suffering engine trouble. Federated re-possessed it and brought it back to Speke. Restored as G-ALXC 9.56. Made a wheels up landing at Speke 22.1.58, but repaired and re-entered service with Federated. Flown to Rochford/Southend 12.4.61 on sale to BKS. On the fire heap there in 1968.

G-AMBE formerly EG228. Arrived Liverpool 2.10.58 ex BKS at Newcastle. Leased out to Hunting Aerosurveys and delivered to Teversham 2.3.59; returned to Federated 18.1.60 from Yeadon on completion of lease. Operated final Dublin-Liverpool mushroom flight 31.3.61. Flown to Southend 12.4.61 on sale to BKS, wfu 12.61 and scrapped there late 1962.

N9828 Arrived 25.2.56 from RNAS Anthorn. Flown by RAF ferry pilot to Hawarden and collected from there by a Federated pilot. Purchased for civil conversion, but this was forestalled when the ARB banned further Anson 1 conversions. Eventually disposed of to the Airport Fire Service and used for fire practice.

MG741, MH228 & NK167 Acquired from RNAS Anthorn 6.56 and delivered by road, for possible conversion. Civil conversion not proceeded with, used as a spares source and all eventually scrapped.

OTHER TWINS:

G-ARGW Aero Design Commander 500B, c/no.981-22. Delivered from Panshangar 16.10.64, replacing G-AKJS. Company aircraft of R.J.Gates t/a Federated Fruit Co. Ltd. Left Liverpool 23.12.74 for Staverton, replaced by stop-gap Commander 560F G-ASYA used 23.12.74 until 21.1.75. Last based in the UK at Leavesden before sale in the USA 2.79, becoming N721LA.

G-BCPZ Rockwell Shrike Commander 500S, c/no.3200, formerly N57274. New aircraft, purchased from agents Glos Air of Staverton and delivered to Liverpool from Staverton 21.1.75, replacing stop-gap G-ASYA. Registered to Greenline Refrigerated Transport Ltd, another Gates' family company and used by Mr.P.Gates, Mr.R.J.gates' son. Utilisation was low, it left Liverpool 28.8.76 for a new Gloucester based owner. Eventually sold in the USA as N47AC 2.83.

G-BENE Cessna 402B, c/no.1037, formerly N98668. New aircraft, purchased from agents, Westair of Blackpool and delivered to Liverpool, via IoM on 7.4.77 some 8 months after the departure of G-BCPZ. Registered to Greenline Refrigerated Transport Ltd. Left Liverpool for Blackpool 8.10.85. Later exported to Belgium 11.88.

So it now over to others to raid their photo collections to illustrate this thread.