Post by viscount on Mar 30, 2013 16:18:01 GMT 1
GREGORY AIR TAXIS (LIVERPOOL) LTD
Although the majority of the companies to have had their headquarters, or an operations centre at Liverpool Airport have been covered in this section of nwan forum, looking for other information in back magazines, I came across a 1966 article about Gregory Air Taxis setting up a Liverpool office, company, and a based aircraft. Although I recall Gregory’s aircraft at Speke quite frequently during the ‘60s, I had previously not considered the company for inclusion as based here. The article in the May 1966 MSAE ‘Flypast’ was penned by ‘C.J.G.’ at a time when Ron Turner was editor. I’ve edited the account and fleet listing, mainly by adding information from ‘British Independent Airlines since 1946’, Tony Merton Jones, pub by MAS/LAASI in 1977.
GREGORY AIR TAXIS
At Speke 1964-1966
At Speke 1964-1966
This company is one of a number forming the Gregory organisation. Gregory Air Taxis was formed in 1962 when Ken Gregory, the former racing car manager and his wife bought their first Comanche G-ARIE and commenced air taxis flights from Denham. In March 1963 the company became a limited company with its first full time pilot and a second aircraft, an Aztec G-ASHH. At approximately the same time, the Swiss firm of Pilatus formed a British subsidiary, Air Porter Ltd, with a Pilatus PC-6 Porter HB-FAG, for appraisal by British buyers which was flown on demonstration flights and charters by Gregorys from Denham.
During 1963, Gregory’s took-over Marshall Dunn Aero Services at Denham, to become Gregory Air Engineering. Also Gregory Air Charters was formed. On November 18th, 1963, G-ARIE suffered considerable damage when the undercarriage collapsed on landing at Hatfield, and Aztec G-ASFG was leased-in to cover this. Comanche G-ARIE was not really used much after this and was later sold.
Early 1964 saw considerable advances by Gregorys. They acquired two Twin Comanches and a second Aztec. This co-incided with the formation of Gregory Air Taxis (Liverpool) Ltd, and the setting up of bases at Liverpool 1st April and at Usworth with a Twin Comanche on 1st May. First aircraft to be based at Speke was Aztec G-ASHH which arrived from Denham on 27th May, although all their Piper fleet were regular visitors. The Pilatus Porter, HB-FAG, which had been used by Gregory’s on a number of occasions was sold abroad April 1964. The later end of 1964 saw the addition of another two Twin Comanches to the fleet. Status as a Piper Agency was acquired and two new bases at Gatwick and Plymouth were set up in Spring 1965. During 1965 and into 1966 a number of Piper Cherokee aircraft were purchased and a flying school established at Denham. In April 1965 the Sunderland based Twin Comanche was transferred to Newcastle and a C-47 acquired to operate charter flights out of the North East to Beauvais, Luxembourg and Ostend as well as ad hoc charter work. At the very end of 1965 a HS.125 executive jet was purchased, but due to the lack of a hard runway at Denham was based at Luton and marketed under the name Air Gregory, and operated in association with Air Hanson.
During 1966 Gregory negotiated with several holiday firms for inclusive tour charter flight contracts for the 1967 summer season. Had the contracts ever been finalised, Air Gregory would have stepped up from the Dakota to operate Comets from Manchester and Liverpool and Viscounts from Bristol and Cardiff. On 1.1.65 it is recorded that Gregory’s Twin Comanche G-ASYK was based at Speke, while on 1.1.66 it was Aztec G-ASRI; it is however from our records very difficult to trace when their Liverpool base closed down, but is thought to have been during the second half of 1966, with Gregory Air Taxis (Liverpool) Ltd ceasing to trade in February 1967, with G-ASHH re-registered back to the Denham company.
In December 1968 the Bristol Street Motor Group bought out the Air Gregory group of companies. During 1969 they sold the HS.125s due to non-profitability, which led to the resignation of Ken Gregory from the Board of Directors. Subsequently the Air Taxis side of the business was run down, the business concentrating on maintenance and flying training on both fixed wing aircraft and helicopters at Denham. As the subsequent story does not concern Liverpool I’ll not go no further.
FLEET LIST 1963-end of 1969 In order of acquisition (dates are at Denham).
G-ARIE PA-24 Comache 250 11.62 10.64 sold, had suffered an undercarriage collapse 18.11.63, repaired
G-ASHH PA-23 Aztec 250A 03.63 12.67 sold
HB-FAG Pilatus PC-6 Porter 09.63 20.04.64 op for Air Porter Ltd, departed on sale as 5N-ADQ.
G-ASFG PA-23 Aztec 250B late.63 mid.64 leased-in
G-ASMR PA-30 Twin Comanche 01.64 08.71 sold
G-ASON PA-30 Twin Comanche 12.04.64 09.71 sold
G-ASRI PA-23 Aztec 250B 04.64 05.71 sold
G-ASYK PA-30 Twin Comanche 11.11.64 05.70 sold
G-ASYO PA-30 Twin Comanche 07.12.64 09.70 sold
G-ASIO Aero Commander 500A 03.65 04.68 sold
G-AKJH Douglas C-47A Dakota 04.65 10.68 sold, had been leased out for periods
G-ASNU HS.125 series 1 03.01.66 04.69 sold
G-AVOI HS.125 series 3B 05.68 09.69 sold
G-AWUF HS.125 series 1B 11.68 01.69 sold
Also, but not part of the air taxis or charter fleet:
Tiger Moth G-AMTK (del.27.02.65), later sold.
Cherokees G-ATBN (del 23.04.65); G-ATBO (del 12.05.65); G-ATJD (del 20.09.65). G-ASHX (del. 23.03.66); G-ATJE and more after that for the flying school and Piper Sales Agency.
Tri Pacer G-ARAG (del 21.12.65)
Beagle Terrier G-ASCF (del 11.65)
DH.104 Dove 1, three acquired 10.68 G-ALBM, G-ANMJ & G-AOVY, all sold during 1969.
Aircraft acquired after 1969 and all their helicopters are not considered relevant to the Liverpool section of the Gregory Air Taxis/Air Gregory story.
Dakota G-AKJH in' Gregory Air Services' titles at Liverpool, parked out on one of the fingers. From the state of the ground, likely shortly after the finger aprons were constructed in early 1966.
Twin Comanche G-AXAV of Air Gregory at Liverpool, 31st March 1973, a Grand National Day charter. This aircraft was operated 11.71 to 11.74, considerably after the period Gregory Air Taxis had an aircraft based at Liverpool.
