Cambrian Airways

[viscount]

Can't see the point in starting a fresh Cambrian thread for some photos not connected with the incidents covered so far on this thread, so I'll carry on. While the maroon/red colours and even the later glarish orange-red schemes are frequently to be seen on pictures on the Viscounts, here are a few rarer shots from the mid 50s.

Anyone interested in Cambrian Airways is directed to the Cambrian site: www.cambrianairways.org.uk/ with much information on the airline's activities and many photo pages.

I make no apology for including this torn, but rare, print of Cambrian's Datoka G-AMSW at Speke wearing the airline name simply as the initials 'C.A.S.'. G-AMSW served with Cambrian Air Services between 1.55 to 4.59, later to crash near Perpignan 7.10.61.



Although essentially only the background in this shot of Avro T.21 VV300/46, DH.104 Dove 1 G-AJOT also bearing the abbreviated 'C.A.S.' cabin titles. G-AJOT served with Cambrian 2.53 to 11.56.



'Cambrian Airways' titles in full on DH.114 Heron 2 G-AOGO, although in the same scheme as the Dove above. G-AOGO flew with Cambrian 3.56 to 1.59.

[viscount]

A few more recent Cambrian pictures. Not particularly brilliant photos, but reminders of some of the schemes and titling worn by Cambrian aircraft.

Viscount 701 G-AMOA on 16th July 1968, probably just after operating CS4027 an air experience charter for Hillfoot Hey School - I don't think the term 'flying classroom' was applied at the time. After several false starts due to poor forecasts, with the end of term approaching, the one hour flight was mostly above cloud and headed off over South Wales in the vain hope of finding a clearance in the clouds. The 'BAS' logo relates to British Air Services.



In the same scheme, an undated shot of Viscount 701 G-AMOE parked infront of No.2 Hangar. Certainly as there are still light aircraft in No.2, before it became the 'International Terminal' in 1969. This simple maroon on white scheme was, in my view, the most attractive of the Cambrian colours.



Another undated shot, this time Viscount 701 G-AMOP. For me the pale blue tail with styalised Dragon never really worked as an attractive scheme.



Finally, for this set, a not-quite-sharp shot of BAC-111-400 G-AVOE on 7th March 1970 with the grass snow covered, although the apron seems to be well cleared. This appears to be in the darker blue tail scheme.

[danairamb]

Amongst my all time favourites of all you have posted thanks so much for this trip down memory lane Brian. I had all but forgotten the short lived Cambrian livery as shown in the Viscount that operated the Hillfoot Hey flight (we would never have got that at St. Margaret's where I went). I too was not a fan of the light blue tail, especially as the fuselage didnt even say Cambrian, but I much preferred the darker blue version. Just for the record the No. 2 Hanger was not converted to the international terminal in 1969, I am not sure exactly when this occurred but I know I flew to Amsterdam on my beloved Dan Air Ambassador from the main terminal and that was in March 1970. My next international flight out of Speke was in August 1972 when we used the then very new ex Terminal 2 international terminal to fly on a Bavaria 1-11 500 to Munich, returning on Dan Air Comet 4B G-APYD - a sub charter due to our Bavaria 1-11 going technical. On that subject and I apologize for going off thread topic Brian does any one have a record of which Bavaria 1-11 flew the Munich service on August 13th 1972?

[viscount]

I stand by my 1969 date for the conversion of No.2 to 'International terminal' status. If I recall correctly the 'International terminal' was mainly used for international arrivals only for much of the period it was open, 1969-1983. Many departures were through the normal check-in areas then out the east of the building to gates (if I have this memory right) 6, 7 and 8 which were portcabin style "temporary" structures between the terminal and No.2 hangar.

The Bavaria BAC-111-528 on 13.8.72 was D-ANUE - c/no.238, f/f 28.2.72 (so a new aircraft at the time of your flight), later to G-BJRU BCal 10.81, then YR-JBB JARO International 10.93 and used by a number of small airlines on lease until around 1999. There were only three different Bavarian '1-11s used on the LPL I/T flight series in 1972: D-ALFA, D-ANUE and D-AMUC. As a further aside, 13.8.72 was notable for the visit by Pan Am Boeing 707-321 N404PA on the return leg of a charter, routing from New York JFK and onward to London Heathrow.

[danairamb]

Hi Brian, thansks for the BV reg. I am thrilled to finally recall which one it was, and it was spanking new.
I stand by my very good memory that we did not use Terminal 2 for either departure or arrival of my round trip to AMS on board Dan Air. I remember we were called to immigration in the old customs area (later to become check in for Cambrian/BA after the transfer of international arrivals and departures to Terminal) 2 and returning landing in front of the old customs area and being quizzed by customs officers if we had cigarettes for our parents? This was March (outbound) and April (inbound) 1970 and I would bet my first born on it. Perhaps Terminal 2 was already used for some international flights but I am pretty sure it wasn't opened until summer of 1970 at the earliest, and I suspect somewhat later. I dont recall any portacabin style structures until much later on. I am sure there is some source we can check this with. Anyway no big deal, the BV reg has made my day.

[Deleted]

Mar 21, 2013 9:03:01 GMT 1 viscount said:

I stand by my 1969 date for the conversion of No.2 to 'International terminal' status.

Not sure about that Brian. It may well have had international status in 1969 but certainly wasn't being used for passenger departures. Don't know where the international status came from in that year but feel it could have something to do with the office facilities that ran down the west side of the hangar. As a source of reference, the structure was most certainly used for hangarage on the day that F-BGNG came in, although I'm not sure of the date but will be approx the summer of 1970/71. Also the Mosquito was still present minus it's engines. Therefore, as it was some time after this date that the entrance was sealed off and portacabins installed it could well be 1972 before full international status was achieved.

[viscount]

Takes a brave man to admit this, but I 'm wrong!

Found the original source of my information, which actually states: "from 1969 with the plans for a new terminal shelved, projects to improve facilities included ......", rather than ".... in 1969 ....".

A 2007 article by Phil Butler in FoLA's '09/27' on the history of No.2 hangar mentioned the creation of the 'International Terminal' within the hangar, but without dates.

However, proving 'Danairamb' absolutely right, this comes from MSAE 'Flypast' January 1971: "Liverpool Corporation intend converting No.2 Hangar (the former Cambrian Airways hangar) into an International Terminal, because the present customs hall and terminal facilities will not be adaquate for this summer's inclusive tour operations. This is meant as a stop-gap measure until the new terminal complex is eventually built adjacent to the new runways, but will no doubt be in use for several years. £80,000 is to be spent on making the hangar habitable, and it will be a completely self-contained unit, with check-in desks, snack-bar, bookstall and the usual paraphernalia, although a duty-free shop has been refused by the Customs and Excise, because the Airport does not earn sufficient foreign revenue. The present Customs Hall will probably then be turned into a baggage-claim area. Work is hoped to commence immediately and be completed by June 1971 at the latest". Later issues disclose that due to staffing issues the building was being used only by IT flights, and that during Autumn 1971 the facilities in the International Terminal were being 'winterised' for year-round use. The 'Portacabin' gates extending from the east end of the Terminal were progressively added-on during the mid/late '70s. Regular use of the 'International Terminal' for passengers ended during 1983. The closure of the adjacent terminal was not until evening of 27th April 1986 - although that same evening a Hercules load of inbound TA/Army were processed in the former 'International Terminal' facilities for convenience.

Many MAS members will recall the MAS clubroom in Room 14, the external access to which was shared with passengers pouring out of the Customs Hall.

With reference to Ste-t's reply posted while I was researching the above information, for the record TA634 left Speke for London and the Mosquito Museum on 29th September 1970. Super Constellations F-BGNG and F-BRNH were regular visitors during summer of 1970 only.

[ronturner]

Love all the photos. Thanks for posting.
Takes me back to the time I had many similar ones and how I learned a very valuable lesson "Never lend your only copies of photographs to anybody!"

Good to read the follow up too, such interesting stuff, and there was me thinking I knew all there was to know about those days.

Ron

[viscount]

Ron, fortunately it is because the likes of Ian Foster and Alan Pritchard did just the thing you are advocating against ie loaning their out their only copies of old photos, that I have recently been able to bring you all so many delightful images of aircraft at Speke, Hooton Park and Burtonwood in the 50s and early 60s! In general though I do agree, my regret is reference books I've loaned out during the years, one I keep looking for is the Cambrian history of the early 70s in a faded bright orange dust-jacket (amongst others), but they have long gone!

I am always on the look-out for the short-term loan of b&w or colour print/slides of aircraft at Speke and local aerodromes pre 1986 to copy. Particularly collections from enthusiasts who stopped adding to their collection, but have kept hold of their prints - as has been the case with Ian and Alan. I know there are many more interesting images out there that deserve to see the light of day again.

To bring this thread (nearer) to back on topic, from another nwan forum thread, a couple of shots taken inside No.2, towards the back, during the 60s:
www.derbosoft.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=history&action=display&thread=2946

[Samba]

Brian, if you need to borrow a copy of the Cambrian book, give me a knock.
Bob.



Administrator amended post by deleting the address provided. Thanks, Brian.

[johnoakes]

Hope its not the missing copy.LOL
I have recovered lost books by just this route and have been relent my old text books--chagrin and leg pulling followed as no one deliberately nicks a mates valued tomes.

This is an excellent thread and like Ron I thought I knew the lot about this era--brilliant photos.--and very informative of an age when planes looked different and more interesting than today.

[ronturner]

Brian,
Your point about the generosity of those who loan photos is well understood and I heartily thank those who have done so. My problem is that I have been bitten so many times by people whom I have really trusted, being in the end, untrustworthy. Maybe its my poor choice of friends. I have nothing left of my pre colour slide era.

I once loaned my Cessna to a very experienced pilot and somewhat famous person to boot, to do some flying when he was visiting UK. The machine came back OK, but I had a load of problems to deal with afterwards when he had infringed restricted airspace on several occasions, then filed a flight plan to Belfast, but never arrived and was found by the Royal Ulster Constabulary at a private airfield in Ulster. No fault was attached to me but I had shed loads of trouble with the CAA and Special Branch. I now have an additional item on my start up check list which says:-
(1) Do not lend this aeroplane to anyone.
(2) ......

Anyway, with technology today, I have no problem sharing photos where I can keep a backup, and whatever my own feelings I am truly grateful to all those who have those photographic memories and are prepared to share them.

[Samba]

No John,
I was on the last Cambrian training course for Cambrian Cabin crew and it takes pride of place in my library,there's a pic of the group standing on the steps of the trainer, ex Eagle Romeo Siera, re registered as G-WHIZ.
I'm standing at the back of the group.
All those years ago and i'm still pushing a trolley on Jumbos.

[johnoakes]

Lucky lucky man doing a job you love that ties in with your hobby.Bet you would do it for half the price---not.LOL
the books I got back were usually old dry psychology text books--NO ONE would intentionally nick or keep them believe me--now aviation books --mmmmm--could be tempting.LOL

[Samba]

Best job in the world, i've had a great time.