Grand National Day early 60s

[danairamb]

Not sure what year, I am guessing most likely 62 or 63, 64 at the latest, my dad drove past the Banks Road side of the airport as a treat for me. I remember seeing an airliner with Arabic writing parked close by. I think it was green liveried, but can't be sure. Obviously some VIP in for the race.
Does anyone have any recollection of this?

David in Ottawa, Canada

[Samba]

It could have been one of the Eagle DC 4s SPM or SPN bought from SAUDIA to service the Starways
I T contracts,

[viscount]

My thoughts too on reading the OP, and a search through Phil Butler's Visiting Aircraft log books confirms 'Sambas' theory.

British Eagle purchased three Douglas C-54 Skymasters early in 1964 to operate I/T services acquired on the take-over from Starways. First two aircraft were delivered from Saudia Arabian Airlines to Heathrow in February 1964. Still in Saudia green and Arabic titles G-ASPM was ferried Heathrow to Speke 4th March, then near three weeks later onto Prestwick 24th. It was followed by G-ASPN LHR-LPL the following day, more rapidly going on to PIK a week later, on the 12th March.

The Aintree Grand National was run on 21st March 1964 (won by Team Spirit), so G-ASPM would have been on the ground at Liverpool and I recall it parked around on the Banks Road 'Western' apron. When the two aircraft next appeared at Liverpool they were in full British Eagle colours, G-ASPN on 25th May, although I don't easily find a return of G-ASPM. The third aircraft, G-ASRS, never came further on than Heathrow and was sold August 1964 before entering service, becoming OO-FAI.

I have searched a number of photo threads on the nwan forum for a photo - I'm sure there has been one posted, but maybe one of a handful later deleted by the postee, using 'search' does not locate it, so maybe the photo was not captioned with the registration.

As for visiting 'punters' from overseas, rare, and not in 1964 (or '63 or '62), however on 21st March 1964 the major highlight was the first ever visit to Speke by an Avro 748, G-ARAY an Avro demonstrator, which I recall to have been parked in front of No.2 hangar at the balcony entrance end. It would also appear that there was a Viking G-AHOW that had night stopped from the day before, along with Bristol Freighter G-AMSA, otherwise just a handful of Doves, Twin Comanches and an Aztec, while sole helicopter was a Brantly B.2 G-ASEH. I can list all registrations if needed.

[danairamb]

Thanks gentlemen. I am sure this is a very accurate deduction. Would explain everything, even my correct recollection of the plane being green. It would have been reasonable, and typical, of my father to assume that it was carrying punters and/or racehorse owners to the National from some Middle Eastern locale. Though I doubt by then that a DC-4 would have been used for such wealthy passengers.

I did not collect regs. back then as I was still pretty young, but I well recall the British Eagle DC-4s that could be seen that summer, and had assumed (again incorrectly) that they were ex Starways DC-4s. It is only in recent years that I learned they came from Saudi Arabian. I saw them operate together one Saturday afternoon.

[Deleted]

Your all spot on with this one guys. G-ASPM parked on the western apron in Saudi (green) colours;

www.airliners.net/photo/British-Eagle-International/Douglas-C-54B-Skymaster/2329915/L/&sid=20d4dd0c3a61c09d4853e8b4e365a457

[danairamb]

Thanks for this great picture. This is an image that I held in my head for 50 years, now brought back to life. Thanks again everyone.