Post by viscount on Aug 24, 2012 22:46:11 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.
The quality of photos vary, mostly b&ws, a number are clearly home processed and others severely cropped with sissors for use in 'Flypast'. I have digitally straightened, altered the contrast, cropped and removed major blemishes whenever necessary 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.
These are the Comet and Nimrod shots that were in the boxes. Rather an odd mix of delightful older period shots and Nimrod development aircraft.
As usual forum members are invited to add comment or further Comet/Nimrod photos.
1. XK655 is a Comet C.2 flown operated from Lyneham by 216 Sqdn. From the lack of airfield infrastructure in the photo (right down to no concrete), I assume that this photo is sometime after 8.74 when the aircraft was preserved as part of the Strathallan Collection. It was later scrapped.
2. A slightly shaky shot of G-APDK, a Comet 4 of BOAC seen at a rather wet London Air Port 8.4.59, not that long after delivery. In the distance appear to be a York, Viscount and Ambassador. Like so many Comets it eventually passed onto Dan Air 5.66 and was withdrawn at Lasham 5.73, passed onto the Air Scouts, then broken up 9.80.
3. Comet G-APDO with Air Ceylon titles on basic BOAC colour scheme. My reference book gives no clue as to a date for this lease. Could be at Manchester, but I'm not sure.
4 & 5. Two interesting tropical photos both attributed to N.Lewis on the reverse. MSA Malaysia-Singapore Airlines (before they split) operated Comet 4 G-APDP as 9V-BBH on lease from BOAC, 11.67 to 1.69. These shots clearly taken on the same day, before the collapse of British Eagle 11.68. Anyone know which the 'vegetation rich' airport is?
6. G-APMA was the first Comet 4B for BEA. This pleasing air-to-air is a BEA Photo Unit copyright photo, presumably shortly after delivery 12.59. The aircraft was only ever operated by BEA, being broken-up at Heathrow 7.72.
7. Another Comet 4B, SX-DAL was delivered new to Olympic 5.60 and operated by them until 9.69. This shot could be at Manchester, but I'm not sure. Then as G-APYD operated by BEA and later Dan Air and is now preserved by the Science Museum at Wroughton.
8. A further Comet 4B G-ARGM. Initially operated by BEA, then passed onto BEA Airtours 3.70 to 11.73. Purchased, but not operated by Dan Air who eventually scrapped it at Lasham 9.74. The original b&w has a stain on it, although it is no so obvious on this scan (top of the stain is under the airline name). Is this at Manchester just as construction of the freight apron was commencing? The paintwork on the nose of Viscount 'HH' (BEA's G-AOHH likely) has taken a beating!
9. Interesting, although suffering from shake/focus problems. Underwing the serial G-AROV is visible. Although ordered by MEA Middle East Airlines of Lebanon, and first flown 21.8.61 it was never delivered to them, eventually being delivered to Aerolineas Argentinas 27.4.62. Like so many other Comets, G-AROV ended up with Dan Air and was scrapped at Lasham 11.78. Photo stamped on the back 'Craftsman Print by Turners', which is not really a help to determine the photographer! Suspect this shot could have been a SBAC Farnborough '61 appearance.
10. Comet C.4 XR397 of 216 Sqdn. This also ended up with Dan Air, as G-BDIV 8.75 until withdrawn 11.79. No credit on the reverse, but this photo was certainly used in MAS 'Flypast' magazine at some stage and is a very well exposed and printed image.
The quality of photos vary, mostly b&ws, a number are clearly home processed and others severely cropped with sissors for use in 'Flypast'. I have digitally straightened, altered the contrast, cropped and removed major blemishes whenever necessary 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.
These are the Comet and Nimrod shots that were in the boxes. Rather an odd mix of delightful older period shots and Nimrod development aircraft.
As usual forum members are invited to add comment or further Comet/Nimrod photos.
1. XK655 is a Comet C.2 flown operated from Lyneham by 216 Sqdn. From the lack of airfield infrastructure in the photo (right down to no concrete), I assume that this photo is sometime after 8.74 when the aircraft was preserved as part of the Strathallan Collection. It was later scrapped.
2. A slightly shaky shot of G-APDK, a Comet 4 of BOAC seen at a rather wet London Air Port 8.4.59, not that long after delivery. In the distance appear to be a York, Viscount and Ambassador. Like so many Comets it eventually passed onto Dan Air 5.66 and was withdrawn at Lasham 5.73, passed onto the Air Scouts, then broken up 9.80.
3. Comet G-APDO with Air Ceylon titles on basic BOAC colour scheme. My reference book gives no clue as to a date for this lease. Could be at Manchester, but I'm not sure.
4 & 5. Two interesting tropical photos both attributed to N.Lewis on the reverse. MSA Malaysia-Singapore Airlines (before they split) operated Comet 4 G-APDP as 9V-BBH on lease from BOAC, 11.67 to 1.69. These shots clearly taken on the same day, before the collapse of British Eagle 11.68. Anyone know which the 'vegetation rich' airport is?
6. G-APMA was the first Comet 4B for BEA. This pleasing air-to-air is a BEA Photo Unit copyright photo, presumably shortly after delivery 12.59. The aircraft was only ever operated by BEA, being broken-up at Heathrow 7.72.
7. Another Comet 4B, SX-DAL was delivered new to Olympic 5.60 and operated by them until 9.69. This shot could be at Manchester, but I'm not sure. Then as G-APYD operated by BEA and later Dan Air and is now preserved by the Science Museum at Wroughton.
8. A further Comet 4B G-ARGM. Initially operated by BEA, then passed onto BEA Airtours 3.70 to 11.73. Purchased, but not operated by Dan Air who eventually scrapped it at Lasham 9.74. The original b&w has a stain on it, although it is no so obvious on this scan (top of the stain is under the airline name). Is this at Manchester just as construction of the freight apron was commencing? The paintwork on the nose of Viscount 'HH' (BEA's G-AOHH likely) has taken a beating!
9. Interesting, although suffering from shake/focus problems. Underwing the serial G-AROV is visible. Although ordered by MEA Middle East Airlines of Lebanon, and first flown 21.8.61 it was never delivered to them, eventually being delivered to Aerolineas Argentinas 27.4.62. Like so many other Comets, G-AROV ended up with Dan Air and was scrapped at Lasham 11.78. Photo stamped on the back 'Craftsman Print by Turners', which is not really a help to determine the photographer! Suspect this shot could have been a SBAC Farnborough '61 appearance.
10. Comet C.4 XR397 of 216 Sqdn. This also ended up with Dan Air, as G-BDIV 8.75 until withdrawn 11.79. No credit on the reverse, but this photo was certainly used in MAS 'Flypast' magazine at some stage and is a very well exposed and printed image.
