'Heavy Lift' Military Transports at Liverpool Airport

[viscount]

Military Heavylift types at Liverpool Airport

A thread to cover military 'heavy lift' aircraft types. The Globemaster III, A.400M Atlas and although a considerable time ago, the 1980 C-5A Galaxy visit will be covered on this this thread. The Soviet Antonov An-124 Ruslan already has its own thread as does the 'middle-weight' Il-76, while the main 'missing' heavy lift type is the C-141A Starlifter, as one never called at Liverpool!

The Airbus A.400M at Liverpool Airport

When I compiled the majority of 'Type Reviews' around 2008-2012, the Airbus A.400 was a blank space in most spotter's log books unless they had been to SBAC Farnborough or the Paris Air Salon. While updating a number of the 'Type Reviews' on NWAN Nostalgia it is also worthwhile catching up on some new types with a record of their initial visits to John Lennon Airport.

Visits by A.400M that have landed at Liverpool:

There were numerous sightings each year, especially during 2015 and 2016 of the new A.400M "Grizzley" in Liverpool Airport's airspace as while training new crews and testing the types ability to perform the designed roles it appeared on low approach and co-around. However it would be some time before the first actual full-stop landing by the type at Liverpool.

2018

The first visit on the ground by an A.400M at John Lennon was not until June 2018 - and then was not observed by the majority of enthusiasts as the arrival was at dusk and unannounced in advance. On Tuesday 20th June 2018 ZM408, likely operated by 24 Sqdn on RAF transport flight 'Ascot 4941' arrived from Akrotiri at 2045 and after quickly depositing a few passengers departed for RAF Brize Norton at 2058.

2021

On Sunday 3rd October 2021 ZM404 was noted to have made a touch and go (or "roller") on 27 at 1305 before going on to make standard approach and go-arounds on 27 at 1315 and 1328, the aircraft using an 'operational' 4 digit call-sign as 'Ascot 4081'.

2022

On Wednesday 10th August ZM418 was noted to have made a touch and go (or "roller") at 1718, before going on to make standard approach and go-arounds at 1726 and 1738.

The second true visit by an Airbus A.400M to John Lennon Airport was on Saturday 12th November 2022 when ZM413 landed from Brize Norton at 1052. The aircraft was then used to carry two groups of Air Training Corps cadets on 50 minute air experience flights: 1223-1312 and 1425-1515, although how much they could see out of a freighter with very limited windows must have been very little. The aircraft departed back to Brize Norton at 1616, all flights operating as 'Ascot 470'. So with three landings in one day this aircraft doubled the number of arrivals by the type!

No landings by the type in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020 or as yet in 2023 (by end of February), but numerous approach and go-arounds as listed below:


ON APPROACH AND GO-AROUND (G/A) ONLY:

It seems a little easy to have a whole thread dedicated to (as at February 2023) just the five landings. So to make work for myself, I've also traced back all the times A.400M have made use of Liverpool for low approach and go-around training.

2015

Day Date      Regn   Rwy Time(s)                  Call-Signs   Departed to:

Wed 21.01.15  ZM400  09  0954                     Ascot 402    to RAF Brize Norton
Tue 17.02.15  ZM400  27  1516                     Ascot 404    to RAF Brize Norton
Fri 08.05.15  ZM402  09  1337 & 1348              Ascot 406    to RAF Brize Norton
Thu 02.07.15  ZM402  27  1216                     Ascot 407    to Prestwick
Mon 13.07.15  ZM402  27  2323                     Gauntlet 89  to RAF Brize Norton
Thu 29.10.15  ZM400  09  2055 & 2105              Gauntlet 52  Prestwick to RAF Brize Norton
Mon 16.11.15  ZM402  27  1638 & 1651              Ascot 407    to Prestwick
Fri 18.12.15  ZM405  27  1253                     Ascot 402    to RAF Brize Norton

2016

Wed 06.01.16  ZM406  27  1056                     Gauntlet 52  to RAF Brize Norton
Tue 23.02.16  ZM405  27  1252                     Ascot 405    to RAF Brize Norton
Tue 19.04.16  ZM406  27  1640 & 1653              Ascot 405    to Prestwick    
Wed 18.05.16  ZM406  27  1522                     Ascot 410    to Edinburgh                    70 Sqdn tail cols
Tue 31.05.16  ZM406  27  1635                     Ascot 473    to RAF Brize Norton
Tue 09.08.16  ZM410  27  1113, 1133, 1144 & 1134  Gauntlet 89  to RAF Brize Norton
Fri 19.08.16  ZM403  09  1135                     Ascot 403    to Durham Tees Valley
Wed 24.08.16  ZM403  27  1506                     Ascot 405    to Durham Tees Valley
Mon 17.10.16  ZM406  27  2054                     Ascot 408    to RAF Brize Norton

2017

Thu 05.01.17  ZM411  09  1237                     Comet 62     to RAF Brize Norton
Fri 20.01.17  ZM411  nn  0744                     Comet 89     to RAF Brize Norton
Wed 05.04.17  ZM412  27  1555 & 1606              Comet 62     to RAF Brize Norton
Tue 31.10.17  ZM409  27  1411 & 1419              Comet 434    to RAF Brize Norton             '70' logo tail

2018

Wed 06.06.18  ZM417  09  2059 & more              Ascot 476    to RAF Brize Norton
Tue 20.06.18  ZM408~  (landed, as noted in paragraph above)
Fri 10.08.18  ZM410  27  1054                     Ascot 477    to RAF Brize Norton

2019

Tue 08.01.19  ZM410  27  1443, 1454, 1504 & 1515  Ascot 487    to Northolt                     Although not all seen, no unit marks/insignia now worn.
Tue 05.02.19  ZM419  27  2158, in all 5 x G/As    Ascot 477    to RAF Brize Norton
Wed 25.09.19  ZM416  27  1550                     Ascot 482    to RAF Brize Norton
Sat 30.11.19  ZM407  27  1209, 1220               Ascot 479    to RAF Brize Norton
Sat 07.12.79  ZM402  27  1202, 1212               Ascot 482    to RAF Brize Norton

2020

Thu 28.05.20  ZM415  09  1106, in all 4 x G/As    Ascot 475    to RAF Brize Norton
Sat 30.05.20  ZM413  09  1413, 1422               Ascot 485    to RAF Brize Norton
Thu 04.06.20  ZM416  27  1420, 1448               Ascot 491    to RAF RAF Brize Norton
Wed 17.06.20  ZM413  09  1448                     Ascot 471    to RAF Brize Norton
Tue 23.06.20  ZM400  09  0945, in all 4 x G/As    Ascot 475    to Newcastle
Wed 15.07.20  ZM414  nn  1235, in all 3 x G/As    Ascot 461    from Newquay, to RAF Brize Norton
Thu 30.07.20  ZM413  09  1521, 1535               Ascot 472    from Jersey, to RAF Brize Norton
Sat 01.08.20  ZM403  27  1240                     Ascot 474    to RAF Brize Norton
Thu 13.08.20  ZM411  09  1749, 1753               Ascot 453    to RAF Brize Norton
Wed 09.12.20  ZM406  27  1220                     Comet 455    to RAF Brize Norton

2021

Tue 20.04.21  ZM419  27  1442                     Ascot 467    to RAF Brize Norton
Fri 30.04.21  ZM417  27  1348, 1359               Ascot 473    to RAF Brize Norton   
Sun 09.05.21  ZM416  09  1153                     Ascot 465    to RAF Brize Norton
Sat 29.05.21  ZM412      final one 1240, 3 x G/As Ascot 476    to G/As at Blackpool & Warton
Wed 16.06.21  ZM411  27  0835-0857, total x 4 G/A Ascot 462    to RAF Brize Norton
Mon 05.07.21  ZM413  09  1916                     Ascot 473    to RAF Brize Norton
Wed 07.07.21  ZM412  27  2247                     Ascot 462    to RAF Brize Norton
Thu 15.07.21  ZM411  27  1017, 1040               Ascot 467    onwards to Prestwick
Fri 30.07.21  ZM408      0900                     Ascot 430    onwards to Prestwick
Wed 11.08.21  ZM418  27  1350                     Comet 452    to RAF Brize Norton
Wed 25.08.21  ZM418  09  1126, in all 3 x G/As    Comet 453    to RAF Brize Norton
Sun 03.10.21  ZM404~  27  1305 a t&g, 1316, 1328   Ascot 4081   to RAF Brize Norton            "Roller" landing off the first approach
Mon 04.10.21  ZM404  27  1750, 1800               Comet 451    to RAF Brize Norton
Wed 20.10.21  ZM406  27  0908, 0917, 0927         Ascot 482    to RAF RAF Brize Norton 
Tue 26.10.21  ZM419  27  0910, in all 7 x G/As    Ascot 469    to Prestwick     At JLA 0910-0958
Mon 08.11.21  ZM418  27  1814, 1824               Ascot 462    to Durham/Tees Valley
Tue 09.11.21  ZM412  27  2109, 2117               Comet 451    to RAF Brize Norton
Thu 25.11.21  ZM407  27  2159, 2212, 2223         Ascot 74     to RAF Brize Norton
Mon 06.12.21  ZM411  27  1932.                    Ascot 434    to RAF Brize Norton 
Tue 21.12.21  ZM403  09  0954, 1008               Ascot 443    to RAF Brize Norton

2022
     
Fri 18.03.22  ZM417  09  1139, 1148               Ascot 478    to RAF Brize Norton
Tue 10.05.22  ZM405  27  1324.                    Ascot 535    to RAF Brize Norton
Tue 31.05.22  ZM414      1428.                    Ascot 417    to RAF Brize Norton
Fri 24.06.22  ZM405      1922.                    Ascot 473    to RAF Brize Norton
Wed 06.07.22  ZM414  27  1151, 1200, 1214, 1232   Ascot 481    to Newcastle
Tue 26.07.22  ZM403  27  1955, 2005               Ascot 475    to Glasgow
Thu 28.07.22  ZM412  09  1055, 1108               Ascot 478    to RAF Brize Norton
Thu 04.08.22  ZM413  27  1602, 1615               Ascot 436    to RAF Brize Norton
Fri 05.08.22  ZM413  27  1558, and another        Ascot 496    to RAF Brize Norton
Wed 10.08.22  ZM418~     1718 t&g, G/A 1726, 1738 Ascot 444    to Prestwick                    Roller landing off the first approach
wed 07.09.22  ZM405  09  1052, 1102, 1113,1125    Ascot 481    to Exeter
Tue 04.10.22  ZM417  27  1100, 1118               Ascot 487    en RAF Brize Norton to Edinburgh
Wed 05.10.22  ZM404  27  2024                     Ascot 437    to RAF Brize Norton
Wed 12.10.22  ZM402  27  1034                     Ascot 487    to RAF Brize Norton
Mon 17.10.22  ZM406  27  1340                     Ascot 466    to RAF Brize Norton
Wed 02.11.22  ZM413  27  2115                     Ascot 455    to RAF Brize Norton
Sat 12.11.22  ZM413~ 27  1052-1616 & 2 x locals   Ascot 470    from & to RAF Brize Norton      see notes at top of page
Fri 25.11.22  ZM402  27  1034, 1044, 1058         Ascot 469    to RAF Brize Norton
Tue 20.12.22  ZM409  27  105, 1018, 1035, 1045    Ascot 448    to RAF Brize Norton

2023

Tue 10.01.23  ZM412  09  0942, 0955               Ascot 441    to Prestwick
Mon 16.01.23  ZM414  27  1020, 1024, 1034, 1039, 1046   Ascot 460    to Newcastle
Tue 24.01.23  ZM407  27  1456, 1506, 1519         Ascot 481    to Durham/Tees Valley
Fri 27.01.23  ZM407  09  1143, 1150               Ascot 466    to RAF Brize Norton
Tue 07.02.23  ZM419  09  1515, 1525  & another    Ascot 493    to RAF Brize Norton
Tue 28.02.23  ZM405  09  1343, 1354               Grizzly 488  en route Newcastle-RAF Brize Norton


So  ZM400,  ..   ZM402, ZM403, ZM404~, ZM405, ZM406, ZM407, ZM408~, ZM409, 
    ZM410, ZM411, ZM412, ZM413~, ZM414, ZM415, ZM416, ZM417, ZM418~, ZM419, 
      ..     .. .   Have all so far been seen on go-around or landing at Liverpool

 A regn~ shows the aircraft having landed. These being: ZM404, ZM408, ZM413, ZM418. 
As at the end of February '23 only three aircraft have not been seen at JLA.  One an early a/c ZM401 and the final pair, ZM420 and ZM421.

The RAF order is for 22 aircraft, ZM400 to ZM421 once all delivered.
nn = never noted.

As at end of February 2023

ZM413 - Airbus A400M Atlas C1 - Royal Air Force by Philip Gaulton, on Flickr

ZM413 - Airbus A400M Atlas C1 - Royal Air Force by Philip Gaulton, on Flickr

ZM413 - Airbus A400M Atlas C1 - Royal Air Force by Philip Gaulton, on Flickr
 
A couple from me.


ZM413 Airbus A400M by Beemer328i, on Flickr


ZM413 Airbus A400 by Beemer328i, on Flickr

An A.400M ZM413 on the ground at John Lennon Airport on Saturday 12th November 2022 while operating two Air Experience Flights for Air Training Corps cadets.

[viscount]

The Boeing C-17A Globemaster III at Liverpool Airport

In 2019 not sure now why this type was never considered when researching and posting the majority of 'type reviews' in the period 2008-2011. However, while updating other threads spotted this omission and was surprised to have to go quite so far back to find the first visit by the type by a C-17A.

2003

RAF Boeing C-17A Globemaster III, ZZ172 landed at Liverpool John Lennon, marking the first visit by type, on Wednesday 2nd April. As 'Ascot 5753' it arrived from RAF Akrotiri at 11:50 and departed for RAF Brize Norton at 13:26, so at Liverpool for near an hour and a half

2004

The second appearance of a Globemaster III featured the same aircraft ZZ172 landed in the early hours of Saturday 17th April. As 'Ascot 6506', the aircraft was inbound from Basra, Iraq at 0158 and departed for RAF Brize Norton at 0218 - so only a 20 minute turn-around.

2005

No RAF Globemaster's landed during 2005, however on Thursday 28th April ZZ173 performed a single low approach and go-around on 09 at 1136 as 'Ascot 890' while en route RAF Leuchars to RAF Brize Norton.

No visits either on the ground, or on low approach and go-around identified in the records 2006-2009.

2010

On Wednesday 7th July, ZZ176 made a single low approach and go-around at 1909 as 'Ascot 883',departing for RAF Brize Norton. Later in the year, on Wednesday 13th October ZZ171 arrived from Akrotiri at 1531, departing some 45 minutes later (at 1615) for home at RAF Brize Norton, both sectors using call-sign 'Ascot 6639'.

No visit recorded in 2011.

2012

Globemaster ZZ175 paid a brief half-hour visit during the morning of Thursday 27th September (0716-0744) as 'Ascot 6645', dropping off a couple of passengers en route from Dubai/Minhad AFB to RAF Brize Norton.

No visit recorded in 2013

2014

On Tuesday 29th September ZZ178 performed three Go-Arounds on 09 in the period 1435-1525 calling 'Ascot 836'.

2015

The following year again witnessed just a single visit, on Tuesday 18th November ZZ172 called en route from Brize Norton to Valley and performed 4 touch and goes 'rollers' at 1211, 1227, 1232, 1243.

No visits recorded in either 2016 or 2017.

2018

Again all appearances were on training missions, but with many more visits than any previous year. On Friday 8th June ZZ174 as 'Ascot 822' made a single Go-Around on 09 at 1515, departing for Brize Norton. On Tuesday 3rd July ZZ178 was clearly witnessed making a touch and go 'roller' on 09 at 1314 as 'Ascot '818', departing for Brize Norton. On Tuesday 25th September ZZ176 sporting commemorative 99 Sqdn tail colours made a single Go-Around on 27 as 'Ascot 824' at 1430, departing for Brize Norton. Finally, the same aircraft ZZ176 in 99 Sqdn colours performed two approach and Go-Arounds on 27 at 1336 and 1343, again calling 'Ascot 824' on Tuesday 13th November.

2019

On Tuesday 9th April the aircraft most frequently seen at Liverpool over the 15+ years of visits, ZZ172 called again, this time for a series of 4 Go-Arounds on 09 at 1418, 1429, 1448 and 1454 as 'Ascot 830', before departing for Brize Norton. On Tuesday 25th June a Globemaster made a single go-around on 09 at 1631 before departing to Prestwick as 'Ascot 815'. No eye-ball confirmation as by the time it was passing over the 27 end, the aircraft was already in cloud, all indications are that it was ZZ176. A month later on Friday, 26th July and ZZ172 appeared as 'Ascot 830'. The first two approaches on 27 result in brief touch and go 'roller' landings at 1500 and 1525, the third and final approach resulted in a very low go-around, before setting course for RAF Shawbury. On Wednesday, 14th August it was the turn of ZZ173 to perform an approach and go-around on 27 at 2020, departing for Prestwick. ZZ173 was wearing a 99 Sqdn motif on the fin.

2020

Only on 3 occasions was the C-17A seen low over JLA in 2020, but on 2 of those the aircraft landed and back-tracked for departure. On Monday 27th April ZZ176 made an approach and go-around on 27 at 1753 calling 'Ascot 830'. Then two aircraft during October, both landing. First was ZZ174 on Friday 9th which arrived from Bristol at 1753 landed, taxied back down the parallel then departed to the Isle of Man at 1810, call-sign 'Ascot 803'. The 3 weeks later on Wednesday 28th October ZZ171 arrived from Glasgow at 1915 and landed, quickly taxied back down the parallel and departed to Brize Norton at 1920, operating with call-sign 'Ascot 803'.

2021

No visits by C-17A Globemaster III aircraft in the first 5 months of the year, then came a Canadian Armed Forces example for an approach and go-around on Tuesday 8th June in mid afternoon, call-sign CAF 3613 the aircraft was 177702 operating out of RAF Lossiemouth and routed via a stop at Edinburgh. This was followed only a week later, on Monday 14th June by ZZ176 for approach and go-arounds on 27 at 1145 and 1156, with a touch and go (roller) on 27 at 1210 before returning to RAF Brize Norton. (as at end of September 2021).

2022

Two visits by C-17 Globemaster aircraft during 2022, both on training flight, but only one landed down briefly for a touch and go (roller) landing. On Wednesday 4th May ZZ174 made an approach and go-around at 1855, then a touch and go, also on 27 at 1900 then home to RAF Brize Norton. ZZ174 had a leaping black puma motif on the fin. The other aircraft was ZZ172 on Thursday 9th June with two go-arounds on 27 at 1330 and 1345 as 'Ascot 818' and departed home for RAF Brize Norton.


Globemaster aircraft have been seen at Liverpool John Lennon:

Aircraft that have touched down and landed at JLA: ZZ171, ZZ172, ZZ174, ZZ175, ZZ176, ZZ178
Aircraft that have called for approach and go-around (but have never landed): ZZ173 and CAF 177702.
Aircraft yet to ever appear at Liverpool Airport: ZZ177.
The R.A.F. fleet has been built up from the initial 6 to 8 aircraft ZZ171-ZZ178, all operated by 99 Sqdn, based at RAF Brize Norton.

Initially current up to end of June 2019, updated September 2021 and now again in April 2023.

Photographers are welcome to look back in their files and post some illustrations of the mighty C-17A at Liverpool.

[Beemer]

Just three I can lay my hands on,


ZZ178 C-17 Globemaster III RAF 29-09-2015 by Beemer328i


ZZ176 C-17 Globemaster III RAF 25-09-2018 by Beemer328i


ZZ172 C-17 Globemaster III RAF 09-04-2019 by Beemer328i


177702 Boeing C-17 Globemaster III CC-177 RCAF 08-06-2021 by Beemer328i, on Flickr


177702 Boeing C-17 Globemaster III CC-177 RCAF 08-06-2021 by Beemer328i, on Flickr

[Beemer]

A selection of A400M that have visited LJLA.


ZM406 A400M Atlas C.1 Royal Air Force by Beemer328i


ZM405 A400M Atlas C.1 Royal Air Force by Beemer328i


ZM402 A400M Atlas C.1 Royal Air Force by Beemer328i


ZM400 A400M Atlas C.1 Royal Air Force by Beemer328i

[Airbus A346]

The mighty Lockheed C-5A Galaxy at Liverpool Airport

00455 Lockheed C-5A Galaxy on the West apron ...........

00455 by MARTIN CHELL, on Flickr

The Lockheed C-5A Galaxy at Liverpool

1980

Just the single visit to record here, but one with a great deal of publicity at the time.

The aircraft was 00455 (70-455) which arrived from Ramstein AFB at 1229 on Saturday 28th June 1980 after a low flight along the River Mersey. The aircraft was parked on the Western apron, which surprised some as the concrete there varies in strength, but empty and with so many wheels spreading the weight there was no problem. Bear in mind that Concorde the previous year was not permitted on any part of the north airfield due to the weight loading 'stiletto heel' effect of the main undercarriage. 00455 was operated by the 436th MAW at Dover AFB, the crew being from the 512nd MAW (Associate). On the Sunday the aircraft was open to the public, and an amazing 70,000 people took the opportunity to walk through the aircraft. The aircraft departed for Mildenhall on Monday 30th June at 1205, having first flown a low, slow 'salute' down the River Mersey.

The visit was at the request of the Chairman of the Airport Committee who persuaded the U.S.A.F. that they needed to test the availabilty of Liverpool Airport should heavy lift supply be required by the US Army at Burtonwood.


My many thanks to "Airbus A346" for providing a great illustration to prompt the adding of text to this post.

Before anyone asks, the Lockheed C-141 Starlifter never called at Liverpool, while the Antonov An.124 has its own thread elsewhere on this section.

[findogask]

Were my eyes deceiving me that bleary early morning in 1979/80, or did a Douglas Cargomaster ever land at LJL (Speke, as it was then)?

[viscount]

With absolute certainty, based on the fact that for the period 1979-1986 I extracted detailed information from the ATC tower 'Landings' record on a weekly basis, no Douglas C-124 Globemaster or the C-133 Cargomaster landed, or indeed made an approach to Speke Airport. Actually I'll go further and will state categorically with absolute certainty neither type ever landed at Liverpool - but in the final years of the USAF at Burtonwood were spotted on climb-out. I can remember in the mid 60s seeing an occasional Cargomaster trundling across south Liverpool in lower airways.

There were a few visits to Manchester by larger USAF piston engine era freighters, I think in the 1958-59 just after Burtonwood was closed.

As to alternatives, the 1979/80 period lies between the RAF Belfast fleet being retired and some brought back into use as civilian freighters. RAF Belfast visits are recorded between 1967 and 1973 - in the late 60s undertaking Cat.III development often for multiple long approaches during a visit. Right general outline, only rather shorter. There were a handful of Guppy (C-97 conversion) flights into Liverpool in 1979 and 1980, collecting Airbus wings. The sole USAF Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter to land at Liverpool was in May 1968.

[findogask]

Thanks, Viscount, I guess I must just have been VERY bleary that morning. Your records are very detailed and thoroughly complete. I do remember seeing the HeavyLift Belfasts coming and going to/at Speke (and the big Canadair Britannia derivatives), and went down there on a number of occasions to watch the Guppy movements. I also once got the opportunity to go inside an An-124 during Operation Christmas Child - I marvelled at being inside a flying cathedral! The An-22 flew over my house on its way into Manchester a couple of years ago - I'd resigned myself to going to my grave without ever having seen one. What a magnificent noise! I was like a 7-year-old kid again, standing in my drive going "Wow! Wow!!"

That Cargomaster still bugs me, though - I distinctly remember that long fuselage, the radar "thimble" and - our house wasn't double-glazed, then - the distinctive sound of those big turboprops - totally unlike the Belfast's Tynes or the Guppy's Allisons. But -there again - maybe it was all just a bleary dream..................

[viscount]

Images from the weekend when the C-5A Galaxy visited Liverpool Airport, 28th to 30th June 1980

Just why is an observer required to sit on top of a modern aeroplane? I can just imagine him issuing 'The Navy Lark' type instructions (you would have be around in '60s to appreciate this) with the helmsman on docking being ordered "left a bit, left a bit. Krang!").





Who the b&w photographer was who took this set of images was, is not recorded on the prints. Some fine studies and angles.

The crew from the 512nd MAW (Associate) being presented with Galaxy bars, but who the guy in the suit is, I've now no idea, but feel that I should!



What a lot of underside! Look how the four doors of the main undercarriage are closing in a complex sequence.













These, and a few further aircraft shots were given to be a colleague at work, therefore the slightly strange credit watermark. They not only record well the size of the aircraft, but of the crowds that Sunday afternoon as well.



Presumably out somewhere at the end of the finger aprons this wide shot show the Galaxy dominating the Western Apron.







For some reason, quite possibly away for the weekend with the MAS sales stall, I was not at Liverpool for most of the time that the USAF Galaxy was at Liverpool Airport. These five shots of mine I suspect being taken on the Monday morning before work. Only from a distance up by the bend at the start of the Banks Lane houses could I use a big lens to get the whole aircraft in. The litter on the ground paid testament to the huge crowds that walked through the aircraft on the Sunday. Evidence of the estimated 70,000 people earlier on this post.



Now then, open wide, hold it there ......



...... now close and rinse.



Finally, back to a great side-on image of the Galaxy aircraft, although not that dissimilar to the shot at the top of the Galaxy section of this thread.

While finding, cleaning, resizing, uploading and downloading, posting and captioning, it is only now several days later, that I have spotted that on both the first and final photos the C-5A is standing on far less oleos (undercarriage legs) than on any of the other shots! What a versatile aircraft!

FOLLOW UP

There is a photo on the web, link: www.airhistory.net/photo/272768/70-0455/00455 of this same aircraft still very much active at Ramstein, Germany in March 2009 now in tactical grey overall. It would appear this particular aircraft was never modified to C-5B or C-5M status and is now (2023) stored engineless in Arizona. My thanks to Ed Quinn for the follow-up.


EDITOR/ADMIN COMMENT

Although some of these shots have been used before on NWAN Forum, usually hidden amongst many other shots in some of the 'Collections' threads, I have been meaning for some time to gather together a thread just celebrating the sole visit of the C-5A Galaxy to Liverpool Airport and the fairly extraordinary reception the aircraft got from the Liverpool public.

Well another thread brought back both upto date with the past few years of A.400M and C-17A movements updated and with most of the C-5A images added. This thread featuring 3 of the 'heavyweights' of the military transport world is a relatively recent one on the 'Nostalgia' Section of NWAN Forum. Since only June 2019 this thread has clocked-up a very creditable 3,720 'hits'. I've got the An-124 thread in my sights, but a fair few more threads to sort out first, with Belugas, Guppies and Skymonster next in line to be revitalised.