Post by viscount on Aug 22, 2012 17:42:01 GMT 1
A few years ago several drawers and an LP box of assorted b&w photos came back into my possession. The collection had been gathered by MAS 'Flypast' editors in the late 70s through to the mid 80s for possible use in the magazine then sale to members. Regretably few Liverpool shots remain, however there is an absolute wealth of other forgotten photos of interesting aircraft.
Not all the photos are of a great standard, a number of clearly home processed and others severely cropped with sissors for use in 'Flypast'. I have straightened, cropped, altered the contrast and removed major blemishes where needed before posting. Very few have the photographer's name on the back, making it impossible to credit these shots, but I will do whenever I can.
As a start, a collection of Britannia photos in various schemes. Do feel free to add information, memories of particular aircraft/airlines, dispute my captions or add a few of your own.
1. Cubana received 3 Britannia 318 aircraft in 1958/1959, initially registered CU-P668, 669 and 670. I cannot work out which this one is, presumably pre-delivery engine testing at Filton.
2. Another Britannia presumably seen pre-delivery at Filton. CF-CZD of Canadian Pacific, with fleet number '524'. This aircraft later became G-ATNZ with Caledonian. The photo is stamped 'Air Britain Photograph'.
3. A further pre-delivery photograph. This time a Canadair CL-44D-4 in manufacturer's promotional titling. CF-PBG first flew as CF-PBG-X 17.4.63 and was delivered to Loftleider end of 5.64 as TF-LLF. Could this shot be Paris Air Salon 1963?
4. G-ATGD a Britannia 314 of Transglobe sometime in the period 8/65 to 9/69 when sold to African Safari Airlines as 5X-UVT. An Air Britain Photograph.
5. Same Britannia, but re-registered by owners African Safari Airways as 5Y-ALP 4/70. ASA aircraft frequented Biggin Hill, where this shot was presumably taken. It was withdrawn from use at Biggin Hill 4/71 and broken-up around 12/71. An Air Britain Photograph.
6. Britannia 312 G-AOVS was purchased by Lloyd International from BOAC 7/65 and leased to British Eagle 8/65 to 11/65. Flown by Lloyds until 6/72 when the airline ceased operations. The terminal building with titles 'Stansted Airport London' gives a massive clue as to the location. A Foto Hunter photograph.
7. EI-BDC shows clear signs of being former RAF XL639. From clues on the steps and background presumably at either Dublin or Shannon, which could date it to the period it was used by Aer Turas 6/77 to 9/77.
8.EI-BCI of Eurafric is another former RAF Britannia, once XL640. Sold to Eurafric 4/77 it was used by Aer Turas for short periods. Eventually became G-BHAU of Redcoat 8/79 and was destroyed in a crash at Boston 16.2.80.
9. I have yet to trace which issue of 'Flypast' this photo was used in. XL658 looks to be stored at Kemble, note that 'Air Support Command' has been removed from the fuselage titling. It was stored 1/75 to 5/76 until becoming EI-BBY, eventually ending its flying career when crashed on approach to Shannon 30.9.77
10. RAF Transport Command Britannia XM489 appearing at North Weald on 18th May 1964. Picture credited to R.W.Cranham.
11. Sole colour shot in this pile of Britannia/CL-44 photos is EI-BBH (one time RAF XM491) in Aer Turas colours and tail, but Cyprus Airways titling during their lease of this aircraft 9/76 to 4/78. Eventually ended its days as 9Q-CMO and broken-up at Kinshasa.
12. Finally another interloper in this Britannia thread, Conroy CL-44-0 'Skymonster' conversion, N447T. This aircraft flew with Transmeridian Air Cargo for some years from 7/70 and today is parked-up at Bournemouth.
Not all the photos are of a great standard, a number of clearly home processed and others severely cropped with sissors for use in 'Flypast'. I have straightened, cropped, altered the contrast and removed major blemishes where needed before posting. Very few have the photographer's name on the back, making it impossible to credit these shots, but I will do whenever I can.
As a start, a collection of Britannia photos in various schemes. Do feel free to add information, memories of particular aircraft/airlines, dispute my captions or add a few of your own.
1. Cubana received 3 Britannia 318 aircraft in 1958/1959, initially registered CU-P668, 669 and 670. I cannot work out which this one is, presumably pre-delivery engine testing at Filton.
2. Another Britannia presumably seen pre-delivery at Filton. CF-CZD of Canadian Pacific, with fleet number '524'. This aircraft later became G-ATNZ with Caledonian. The photo is stamped 'Air Britain Photograph'.
3. A further pre-delivery photograph. This time a Canadair CL-44D-4 in manufacturer's promotional titling. CF-PBG first flew as CF-PBG-X 17.4.63 and was delivered to Loftleider end of 5.64 as TF-LLF. Could this shot be Paris Air Salon 1963?
4. G-ATGD a Britannia 314 of Transglobe sometime in the period 8/65 to 9/69 when sold to African Safari Airlines as 5X-UVT. An Air Britain Photograph.
5. Same Britannia, but re-registered by owners African Safari Airways as 5Y-ALP 4/70. ASA aircraft frequented Biggin Hill, where this shot was presumably taken. It was withdrawn from use at Biggin Hill 4/71 and broken-up around 12/71. An Air Britain Photograph.
6. Britannia 312 G-AOVS was purchased by Lloyd International from BOAC 7/65 and leased to British Eagle 8/65 to 11/65. Flown by Lloyds until 6/72 when the airline ceased operations. The terminal building with titles 'Stansted Airport London' gives a massive clue as to the location. A Foto Hunter photograph.
7. EI-BDC shows clear signs of being former RAF XL639. From clues on the steps and background presumably at either Dublin or Shannon, which could date it to the period it was used by Aer Turas 6/77 to 9/77.
8.EI-BCI of Eurafric is another former RAF Britannia, once XL640. Sold to Eurafric 4/77 it was used by Aer Turas for short periods. Eventually became G-BHAU of Redcoat 8/79 and was destroyed in a crash at Boston 16.2.80.
9. I have yet to trace which issue of 'Flypast' this photo was used in. XL658 looks to be stored at Kemble, note that 'Air Support Command' has been removed from the fuselage titling. It was stored 1/75 to 5/76 until becoming EI-BBY, eventually ending its flying career when crashed on approach to Shannon 30.9.77
10. RAF Transport Command Britannia XM489 appearing at North Weald on 18th May 1964. Picture credited to R.W.Cranham.
11. Sole colour shot in this pile of Britannia/CL-44 photos is EI-BBH (one time RAF XM491) in Aer Turas colours and tail, but Cyprus Airways titling during their lease of this aircraft 9/76 to 4/78. Eventually ended its days as 9Q-CMO and broken-up at Kinshasa.
12. Finally another interloper in this Britannia thread, Conroy CL-44-0 'Skymonster' conversion, N447T. This aircraft flew with Transmeridian Air Cargo for some years from 7/70 and today is parked-up at Bournemouth.
