Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2019 20:14:33 GMT 1
One of the favourite trips for MSAE members in the 1960s was to cross the Pennines over to the East Midlands. The first stop was usually Wymeswold, near Loughborough, where Field Aviation Services had a Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) base. There was always something exotic in the hangars and they always allowed us to wander round the hangars and the apron, perhaps because our visits were usually on a weekend when they weren't quite so busy. There might be a SATA DC-3 or an Air Guinnee DC-4, a B170 or two, or a Venezuelan Viscount in the hangars, none of which would appear in 'Civil Aircraft Markings'!
On this occasion we were treated to an Icelandair Viscount (still a rarity in those days), doing an engine run:
Although it wore the Canadian registration, this Miles/HPR Marathon never moved from this spot. It was previously G-AMHV and was broken up at Wymeswold in 1963. The Marathons were principally used by Derby Airways from Burnaston on their Luton - Derby – Manchester – Dublin services, performing 14 return flights per week. This photo was taken during a 1962 visit.
The well-cannibalised remains of Airspeed Ambassador G-AMAF tucked behind a hangar at Wymeswold. This aircraft has a somewhat obscure history after leaving BEA in 1961. It was registered to a company called Overseas Aviation in Jersey, although I doubt it made it that far. The BEA markings are still visible and there is a mention of Global Air in Switzerland in its history, but no other information. To say that the Ambassador as a type had a chequered history would be kind to it. Of the 23 which were built, no less than seven were written off. Apart from the well-remembered Munich accident, whilst in service with BKS, G-AMAD ploughed into the BEA terminal at Heathrow in 1968, writing off one Trident (G-ARPT) and damaging another (G-ARPI) which was eventually repaired. The crash killed six of the eight people on board, plus the racehorses it was carrying from Deauville.
Then it was on to Burnaston, home of Derby Airways and probably one of the few major airfields in the UK which was operating scheduled passenger flights from a grass airfield. However, the flying aircraft were (in those days) rather less interesting than those which would never fly again:
G-AMEW (previously XA 265 with what was then called the Ministry of Supply), is seen here some time after being withdrawn from service. The final Derby Airways Marathon service took place on 26th September 1960, routing from Derby to Dublin and back, then on to Luton and back to Burnaston. They were replaced by DC-3s. Behind it is Proctor G-AHFR which belonged to Rolls-Royce for 15 years before being pwfu in 1961.
In glorious technicolour (well it was when it was taken!), VR-AAT. Originally delivered to BOAC as G-ALHV, it was sold on to Aden Airways in 1960. Its history with Aden Airways must have been quite short, this photo having been taken two years later. It was no doubt brought back for use as spares by Derby Airways. The colonial registration predates the transfer of Aden to part of Yemen in 1967. (I was going to do a little teaser to see if anyone knew to which country the VR-A prefix belonged, but it is too easy too look these things up these days!).
Burnaston is now the site of the Toyota factory. Castle Donington was opened in 1965 and was subsequently re-named East Midlands Airport to more clearly reflect the area which it serves.
On this occasion we were treated to an Icelandair Viscount (still a rarity in those days), doing an engine run:
Although it wore the Canadian registration, this Miles/HPR Marathon never moved from this spot. It was previously G-AMHV and was broken up at Wymeswold in 1963. The Marathons were principally used by Derby Airways from Burnaston on their Luton - Derby – Manchester – Dublin services, performing 14 return flights per week. This photo was taken during a 1962 visit.
The well-cannibalised remains of Airspeed Ambassador G-AMAF tucked behind a hangar at Wymeswold. This aircraft has a somewhat obscure history after leaving BEA in 1961. It was registered to a company called Overseas Aviation in Jersey, although I doubt it made it that far. The BEA markings are still visible and there is a mention of Global Air in Switzerland in its history, but no other information. To say that the Ambassador as a type had a chequered history would be kind to it. Of the 23 which were built, no less than seven were written off. Apart from the well-remembered Munich accident, whilst in service with BKS, G-AMAD ploughed into the BEA terminal at Heathrow in 1968, writing off one Trident (G-ARPT) and damaging another (G-ARPI) which was eventually repaired. The crash killed six of the eight people on board, plus the racehorses it was carrying from Deauville.
Then it was on to Burnaston, home of Derby Airways and probably one of the few major airfields in the UK which was operating scheduled passenger flights from a grass airfield. However, the flying aircraft were (in those days) rather less interesting than those which would never fly again:
G-AMEW (previously XA 265 with what was then called the Ministry of Supply), is seen here some time after being withdrawn from service. The final Derby Airways Marathon service took place on 26th September 1960, routing from Derby to Dublin and back, then on to Luton and back to Burnaston. They were replaced by DC-3s. Behind it is Proctor G-AHFR which belonged to Rolls-Royce for 15 years before being pwfu in 1961.
In glorious technicolour (well it was when it was taken!), VR-AAT. Originally delivered to BOAC as G-ALHV, it was sold on to Aden Airways in 1960. Its history with Aden Airways must have been quite short, this photo having been taken two years later. It was no doubt brought back for use as spares by Derby Airways. The colonial registration predates the transfer of Aden to part of Yemen in 1967. (I was going to do a little teaser to see if anyone knew to which country the VR-A prefix belonged, but it is too easy too look these things up these days!).
Burnaston is now the site of the Toyota factory. Castle Donington was opened in 1965 and was subsequently re-named East Midlands Airport to more clearly reflect the area which it serves.