Questions about inside the old 1945-1986 art deco terminal.

[lukeymcd]

Hi,

I have a few questions about the old LPL terminal (pre 1986 art deco terminal) just wondering what it was like to fly from there did you have any sort of security check at the old terminal and if yes was it done at the point of boarding the aircraft or did you go though security to a departures area like you do now? So if you were not flying in those days or a ticketed passenger could you go right up to the departure gate? Also did they have baggage reclaim belts like the current terminal and if yes were was it located? I have seen that one of the hangers was used as an international arrivals terminal how did that work was that totally separate from the main terminal with it's own baggage handling facilities and also did the old terminal have any passenger information system like departure monitors and did it have an old style Solari split flap board system instead? I have seen a few pics of the old terminal would love to see a few more. I know they had a shop in the terminal and was it the bar and restaurant up the stairs on the first floor? So when checked in then you just waited in the main terminal and did not go though security until boarding?

[viscount]

Caption: A classic view of the Airport terminal featuring the 1962 alterations to the main entrance. However, with a Keenair Services and a Northeast Airlines flag identifiable photo is likely early 70s. The west wing is to the right, the east wing to the left, the aircraft apron on the far side of the building.



There's about a hundred questions in the opening post, rather than just 'a question'. I'll try and find further images to illustrate, but I don't have many. Well, subsequently, have found many more than I realised I had; they will follow on separate posts on this thread.

The 'art deco' terminal, although essentially completed in 1939, was not used by passengers until 1945 or thereabouts. During the war years the military occupied the space, although civil Irish Sea air services flew regularly for much of the time during the war years, the passengers used offices beside No.1 hangar and flown in 8-seater Dragon Rapide aircraft with blanked out windows.

The 'art deco' building was in use as an airport terminal 1945 until April 1986, a span of 41 years. For much of that time, both departure and arrivals were fairly informal and until arrival of jet airliners in 1966 were usually 30-44 passengers (Dakota/Friendship) and rarely exceeded 70-80 pax per flight (Skymaster/Viscount/L-749 Constellation). Until the age of hi-jackings commenced in the early '70s there was no need for formal 'security', although the Airport had its own small Police Force. Prior to an expansion in the number gates in the late '70s, the terminal had (I think) 6 numbered 'gates' - although gates 1 and (either 5 or 7) faced land-side! Check-in desks in the central area of downstairs in the terminal took passenger luggage and provided a boarding pass on production of a valid ticket. The passengers then waited around in the terminal, the boarding 'gate' doors would be opened from outside and boarding passes inspected. Anywhere inside the building passengers and public mixed, segregation was only after boarding passes shown at the 'Gate' door and walking out onto the apron. Public were discouraged from baggage reclaim and Customs area, both down a few steps in the central are of the building, effectively behind the reception/enquiries desk. In the early/mid 60s I don't recall aircraft seats being allocated, but families always had queue priority. When hand baggage security checking commenced it was for a long time a fairly informal visual check of bag contents. I have no idea now, when X-ray screening commenced - indeed it may well have been with the 1986 move to the south terminal in a building with segregated landside and airside spaces. I'm sure others will queue to correct me!

As I recall it, passenger arrival in the '60s was into the lower ground floor area around the apron side of the central tower. A baggage trolley would be pushed-in off the apron and bags unloaded manually onto a low metal bench for passengers to collect. Off a Dublin flight, you had to identify your luggage to the Customs official who would question the passenger, then chalk-mark the luggage for the passenger to take away. Remember at the time most flights were 36 to 65 passengers max. Quite when red and green channels started I've no idea - but (I think) they were built into the 'International Terminal' when converted, late 1978. The International Terminal for arrivals and departures was constructed by dividing up the forward section of No.2 hangar - departures had a 'false-ceiling', some sections of arrivals open to the high roof (and pigeons!). Opened June 1971. It was an important aspect of increasing passenger capacity to handle I/T and wide-body diversions and charter flights. With fewer I/T flights use waned and by March 1982 was effectively out of use. Added in 1978 prior to the very busy year of 1979 with many night flights from Manchester expected to use Liverpool due to summer-long runway night-work closures at Manchester, several portacabin departure gates were built out of Gate 6 at the east end of the east wing swinging around towards hangar 2, but never connected to it. These (I think) had basic passenger search-comb tables for security screening before entry to the passenger only holding lounges. However, at the other end of the building at Gate 2, often used for Heathrow departures, I recall in the period 1979-1986 that I used to sit down there, usually on my own, however would at time find myself with passing Heathrow bound passengers going through to a single portacabin lounge, so likely the early days of secure 'airside only' lounges. Never any search comb or 'secure/airside' areas within the main terminal structure. Even in the later days of the main terminal being used by passengers only in the Portacabin gates (7 to 10), leading from Gate 6, Spring 1979 onwards were 'secure' zones following manual passenger search-comb.

As an aside here, the insider-joke was that the Airport's premier departure 'Gate One' (well doorway) served only the staff car-park! In the days of Dragon Rapides in the 1930's the apron looped around the terminal ends, so aircraft could get close - post war with Dakotas this was not quite so convenient.

Much changed in the latter half of the 'Sixties and especially through the 'Seventies. Aircraft got bigger with Britannias then BAC-111s and Boeing 737s, then Boeing 707s and Douglas DC-8s, with the first wide body (a DC-10) November 1972 and the first Boeing 747 'Jumbo' arriving in 1978. The danger and perceived risk of hi-jackings increased greatly and rapidly during the '70s, due to both Middle East terrorism and the 'troubles' in Northern Ireland - although it was suspected that even the IRA hotheads would not be so foolish as to make travel between Northern Ireland and England difficult for everyone. Even so, during BMAs time (so the 1980's) a passenger flight aircraft was 'guarded' by one of the Airport Security Service to prevent unofficial access between arrival and the departure for Belfast whatever the weather!

The 'art deco' terminal was conceived during the later 1930, not just as an airport terminal, but as a traveller's hotel with bedrooms, restaurant and bar all on the first floor. The hotel never operated as such, the intended bedrooms being used for storage (and maybe the odd member of staff 'kipping-down' overnight). The far east wing being bedrooms, the central area bar, with restaurant to one side (west) and a functions room with dance floor the other side (east) of the bar (which backed onto the vertical control tower, so directly above the reception/enquiries desk on the floor below). The first-floor west end of the west wing housed airport management offices right through to 1986, accessed mainly by a discreate outside door, landside between Gate 1 and the end of the building. The ground floor west wing housed a number of offices including the Meteorological Service, ATC flight planning, 'Landings Office' (a mix of apron 'duty office' and accounts - collecting landing fees etc), along with some airline offices and for some time in the '70s a travel agency.

The reception desk was a curved structure in the centre of ground floor, with its back to the column of the control tower (which architecturally was a free-standing structure built earlier than the terminal, with the terminal designed and then built to fit around it). I first remember it in the early/mid '60s when the arrival/departures were composed on single letters with two pins on the back that slotted into horizonal lines on black 'felt' backing. This was replaced by a larger 'flapping letters' board purchased second hand from a London Airport. This was controlled from an office along the west wing and rarely produced a 100% accurate display. This in-turn was replaced by television screens at both ends of the terminal and above the reception desk, by then usually not-staffed, as they were now in a small office with the equipment along the corridor. In the 60s and into the 70s information/enquiries desk was 'ruled' by great characters. the names Irene and Jean spring straight to mind even 60 years later. In the same central area of the terminal there was a book shop operated by W.H.Smiths for many years. More a wide counter with the staff behind than a 'shop'. Sold newspapers, magazines, some paperbacks, post cards, chocolate bars, cigarettes, tobacco etc. There were changes to check-in arrangements each time airlines came and went, Starways, Dan Air, British Eagle, BEA/Cambrian, BMA, Genair etc. BEA/Cambrian and from 1978 BMA had their check-in desks in the slightly lower level, along with gate 4, entered from the left of the enquiries desk, baggage reclaim departed to the right. Dan Air had theirs more in the centre of the building, across from the main enquiries desk.

The first major refurbishment of the passenger areas of the terminal was during winter 1961/62, with refurbishment of downstairs east wing and central area and new central land-side entrance doors. Another big change in winter 1978/79 moved the main cafeteria upstairs into what previously had been the restaurant in the west wing (between the bar and full partition wall with the Airport offices), with just a drinks and snack counter downstairs east wing towards Gate 6, which increased the area available for seating.

I'm off now to search for photos to illustrate. Here though are just a few threads that may be of interest:

Key dates, airfield development, timeline, principal airlines, aerial photos etc. derbosoft.proboards.com/thread/16388/dates-directors-ceos-rwys-airlines

World War II Liverpool & Wartime Speke Airport activity derbosoft.proboards.com/thread/41587/world-liverpool-city-airport-images

Aviation Accidents and Incidents at or linked to Liverpool Airport (Includes a few interesting images of Gate 2) derbosoft.proboards.com/thread/13889/liverpool-aviation-accidents-incidents

Liverpool Airport Air Displays 1933, 1956-1984 (all held on the north airfield) derbosoft.proboards.com/thread/130

Earliest Jet Aircraft visits to Speke Airport derbosoft.proboards.com/thread/6532

The Speke Airport Police Unit derbosoft.proboards.com/thread/3767

A general index to many aspects of Liverpool Airport operations 1930 to date, including individual company histories of based airline and general aviation companies. derbosoft.proboards.com/thread/edit/3620


While since the early '60s I've personally seen both the world of aviation travel and the arrangement of facilities at Liverpool Airport change, very little was recorded at the time, either on paper or as images for referencing back to in the future. We would happily take dozens of photos of aircraft, but take a picture of the check-in desks, what a waste of good film!! Indeed, in the early '60s nostalgia was out not encouraged as looking back encountered memories of desperate unhappy times during World War 2 for those 25 or older. I can be far more openly nostalgic and relating memories about the past then my parents ever were.

I have absolutely no doubt that some of my dates may be inaccurate and I may have mixed up detail of sequences of events. I've rather set myself up to be shot down over details. However, anyone who recalls the old terminal is welcome to join in with their reminiscences.

As a final reflective thought, while the '60s and '70s flying as a passenger was undoubtably statistically way more dangerous than today, both passage through airports and the flight were a far more relaxed, friendly, pleasant and indeed exciting experiences than they are the 21st Century. The days of 'be in the terminal 20 minutes before departure' have long, long gone!

PS. Finding more interior and exterior illustrations than I was aware I had, some used before, some needing cleaning, resizing etc which will take a while. I'll add as fresh posts when all are found, sorted out and captioned - hopefully by the end of the week (but I also have a big thread with Ringway in the '50s images very close to posting to put the final touches too as well).

You could try asking the question also to the Facebook 'Liverpool Speke Airport Nostalgia Group' and see if they can come up with more than I have.

[maverick]

I would say your response was pretty much spot on Brian. Having studied the Airport and the terminal in particular, in depth over the years, there's nothing I'd argue with. Well done.

[viscount]

THE ART DECO TERMINAL AT LIVERPOOL AIRPORT,
WHILE IN PASSENGER USE 1945-1986.

A 1948 shot of BEA Douglas C-47 Dakota G-AHCT parked at the west of the terminal. The doorway behind the pair of small Dakota steps is Gate 2, with an external ramp running down onto the apron. Gate 1 is directly through the building, so it is possible that the BEA was about to be boarded through Gate One. On the other hand, the Dakota could be just parked there to be out of the way!



Not much changed over 20 years later. 25th August 1972 Northeast Viscount at Gate Two operating Leeds-Liverpool-Belfast-Liverpool-Leeds. A Liverpool City Engineers photo. The immediate observations are the addition of the fire-escape from the VCR atop the Control Tower and small window panels have been replaced with large single pane units.



Two photos that might help orientation.

A late 1950's photo from the joy-flights Fox Moth. Speke Road/Speke Boulevard runs under the lower-left corner, so the photo is looking at the terminal from landside. The left side of the control tower is the east wing, on the right is the west wing, the apron and runways are beyond the building. The hangar on the right is No.1 hangar, having the airfield name painted on the hangar roof was usual at time, but we have no record of the date it was painted, when removed! After all it could not be seen from the ground. The two sheds in the foreground - the one to left by the entrance road was used as a garage and car hire in the 60s, while the hangar was used by Lockheeds in the mid 50s, then by the CAA and in the 60s as a canteen by Cambrian Airways at least. With not that many owning cars in the 1950s, car parking space did not need to be very great.



Very likely taken on the same day, the reverse view, so from the airfield side looking effectively northwards, so Hangar 1 and the west wing on the left with on the right, the east wing and Hangar 2 (with the domed roof). Speke Road is clear, wiggling sort of diagonally across the photo. There are railway sidings the far side of the road and large freight sheds (today the retail park).

INSIDE THE TERMINAL MID '70s

This shot of the central information/enquiries desk can be dated with certainty to between April 1973 and October 1975 by the cover of the monthly Airport timetable/information leaflet spread on the countertop. Attention can be drawn to the arrivals/departure board above and behind which has individual letters with pins, pressed into ridged black felt. They were set up daily the night before and not infrequently 'amended' by idle fingers during the night. As a set of publicity shots, the colour quality is awful, however as these shots have survived, they illustrate but don't flatter '70s styling, paint choices, fashion or hair-cuts!



From the print colour quality, presumed 1973-1975. The end of east wing, downstairs, against the back wall is the airport cafeteria and cocktail bar.



This photo is likely on the same occasion as the shot above and is presumed to be the cocktail bar between the cafeteria and the end of the east wing.



Presumed 1973-1975. The upstairs bar, in a central position, with the control tower, tower behind it. No doubt some would question the '70s date, however the British Eagle logos (the airline ceased trading November 1968) behind were never removed, and a later photo will show they were still in position long after the building was closed in 1986!



Presumed 1973-1975. To the left of the central upstairs bar there was a functions room with dance floor.



Same source, same bright colours, so maybe also 1973-1975, although it could be any time through the mid & late '70s through to mid '80s. A view from the terminal roof looking down the NCP car-park, where the roadways and gravel hardstanding had been expanded 1971 (I think) and the pedestrian gate in the fence facing the International Terminal (Hangar 2) added to. Used this photo on a thread regarding Air Wingate recently (their office in in the wooden building lower right) but is just as relevant to use here too.



August 1977 City Engineers Photo. The central area of the terminal. The main entrance is behind the photographer. The former Dan Air check-in is over on the left. Then the corridor down the east wing to Gates 5, 6 and at that time a cafeteria and cocktail bar. Down a few steps to a lower level is the British Airways (and from 11/78) became British Midland check-in. Arriving passengers and luggage collection were around to the right at the lower level. Information desk over on the right has the tower base behind it. The Arrivals and Departures information boards look deeper and lower than on an earlier shot, but still appear to be clip-on pinned letters changed daily as required.



August 1977 City Engineers Photo. Taken from part way along the west wing, looking back at the Information Desk and the Book Shop beyond. The empty Dan Air customer area and the offices of M.D.Travel Ltd, travel agency on the right. The cafeteria and bar are behind the photographer.



August 1977 City Engineers Photo. From nearly the same position, several steps sideways to the right, so that M.D.Travel and Dan Air desks are between the black pillars on the right, the Information Desk still straight ahead. On the left is the former Servisair Check-in area, vacated when International passengers moved to depart from the International Terminal. Public telephone booths, then hidden is the way down to British Airways check-in.



August 1977 City Engineers Photo. Turning around 180º from the above, the east wing cafeteria and cocktail bar prior to the 1978/79 move upstairs.



August 1977 City Engineers Photo. View of the east wing cafeteria seating section before the move upstairs during winter 1978/79. The photo confirms gate 6 a being the end of east wing departure gate on to the apron. This area of the east wing continued to be a seating after the refurbishment, but the view out of the windows completely disappeared with the construction on the portacabin departure gates.



August 1977 City Engineers Photo. The west wing. Information desk is well behind the photographer. Flight clearance, briefing and Landing fees office on right. By 1979 it had moved across the corridor next to the Met. and weather briefings Office. At the corridor end Gate 2 would be on the left, Gate 1 to the right and out onto the staff car-park.





March 1978. Norman Edwards & Associates Photos. The occasion is the announcement of plans to redecorate and update the Terminal building during winter 1978/79. These plans included Portacabins to increase the lounge area of Gate 6 at the east end and moving the cafeteria and all bar activity upstairs in the space that was formerly the restaurant. Of interest as one of the points asked about in the opening post, the reception desk now has a split-flap arrivals and departure board. The carpet under the seating is also new since August 1977. Note also the lit cigarettes inside a public space, how social attitudes have changed.

INSIDE THE TERMINAL INTO '80s

July 1983 and the Airport's 50th Anniversary. Unveiling of a plaque above the Information desk to record this 'landmark' event. The split-flap arrivals and departures board has now gone. Note Gate 3 to the right of Information desk in the lower level - I recall this as an arrivals gate.



July 1983 and the Airport's 50th Anniversary. Carl Fox Photography. The unveiling of an Aer Lingus plaque on the Airport's 50th (1933-1983). Of interest here is the arrivals/departure tv monitor screen, top right - which had replaced the split-flap board. The people are (left to right) unknown; Aer Lingus staff in uniform; Lord Mayor of Liverpool; Chairman of the Airport Committee; Rod Rufus, Airport Director and unknown.



Spring 1984. Oddly I cannot find any shots from the apron of the suite of portacabins out from Gate 5 and/or Gate 6 that increased the number of departure holding lounges (likely Gates 7 to 10) and permitted basic search comb security - metal detector arch and tables for manual inspection of hand baggage - which in those days was just hand baggage as overhead lockers were small and hold luggage did not cost extra. With increased 'air-side' security it was impossible for the enthusiast to gain permission to wander around the apron even if accompanied by security - indeed even staff using a camera airside was discouraged as being a distraction.

This currently is the best I can find. The Boeing 767-204 G-BKVZ was new to Britannia and spent periods of February, March and April 1984 crew training at Liverpool in the days before simulators took much of the type conversion training role. I've included this as under the wing the line of green-grey portacabins can be made out stretching from along the ground floor level of the east wing and curving around towards the International arrivals terminal, but not connecting with it. Also of note, and added to the exterior sometime after 1980 was a shelter for baggage trucks between the central curve of the building and the east wing portacabins - painted green and cream.

[viscount]

INTERNATIONAL TERMINAL May 1971

6th May 1971 City Engineers Photo. The occasion being the official opening of the International Terminal.



6th May 1971 City Engineers Photo. The occasion being the official opening of the International Terminal.



6th May 1971 City Engineers Photo. The occasion being the official opening of the International Terminal. Of interest here is the W.H.Smith & Sons 'newsagents' counter, selling paperbacks, magazines, chocolate and from the looks, a very wide range of cigarettes. This is the background of a colour photo later.



6th May 1971 City Engineers Photo. The occasion being the official opening of the International Terminal. Of interest here is the map on the wall. Runway 10/28 is the 'new' runway (in February 1973 re-numbered 09/27) opened in May 1966 and being longer and better constructed could handle European bound jet airliners with ease. The area that is the current apron and terminal facilities is shaded. It would be some years before this became reality, although the move was made in stages with control tower and RFFS accommodation, then apron area before the terminal was built and came into use in late April 1986. That is some 15 years after this picture of VIPs, City dignitaries and local politicians being explained the need for the move.



City Engineers Photo 25.08.1972. Dan Air BAC-111-401 G-AXCP outside International Terminal on a Lourdes Pilgrimage charter. Shows the frontage of the International Terminal well. Departure gate on the left, International arrivals - for all arriving passengers requiring Customs and Immigration clearance over to the right (out of sight).



City Engineers Photo 25.08.1972. With a Britannia 737-200 on a Thomson's inclusive tour flight and Dan Air BAC-111-400 G-AXCP. The photographs has move out a little out towards the corner of the International Terminal, and shows well the east wing end of the terminal, with balcony entrance and green spike fencing from the east end of the old building to the inner corner of the International Building, formerly Hangar No.2. Not too sure when the green fencing was erected, maybe winter 68/69, before that the fence was lower and composed of broad horizontal boards with gaps between boards.





24th July 1974. Two similar images of the packed inside of departures in the International Terminal. The event was the departure in the early hours of the morning of a full Lourdes pilgrimage charter using a new Courtline Lockheed L.1011 Tristar aircraft. As can be seen, that number of passengers, there for several hours stretched the facilities available. On the colour image note the WH Smith & Sons shop - only open when there were departures. The check-in desks are in the background corner.



Luggage handling was just one of the questions asked in the opening post. I've looked and looked at this photo and reckon that the Lourdes bound luggage here has been passed back, perhaps on a short roller track, from the check-in area into a holding room. From here they are loaded onto luggage trucks, pushed outside, formed into chains and towed out to the aircraft. Arrivals much the same, but in reverse, but through a different doorway. All rather labour-intensive. I think baggage belts only arrived with the new terminal in 1986, but there may have roller benches along which bags could be manually pushed in arrivals - but I'm not sure. Wide body inclusive tour departures were rare, most wide-body flights being either inbound diversions, or day return trips for football cup finals, so without luggage. Indeed, I can recall the fuss on the apron as the belly door had to be opened on a British Airways Tristar to stow just a single flagpole before departing with a full load of day-return fans to a European Cup Final!

[viscount]

THE TERMINAL AND HANGAR BUILDINGS: DERELICT 1986 - circa 2000.

A number of photographs taken some time in the very late 1990s, after Art Deco building of 1939 had been boarded-up for a little over 10 years. Clearly time, water and trespassers had made it a woefully depressing sight.

However, salvation was around the corner with grants for restoration and re-purposing of all three imposing late 1930's buildings meaning that work was started, No.1 hangar first, then the terminal and finally No.2 hangar. While there were structural issues, particularly with the tower, the buildings had been strongly built of steel, concrete and brick, knocking down walls for repositioning walls or creating new doorways etc proving difficult, exhausting work.

DERELICT - LATE 1990's

Terminal front. Yellow sign on the wall "Dangerous Building KEEP OUT"



No.2 Hangar. The Portacabins now removed from the east end of the terminal. Undergrowth spreading and the once busy roadway covered in gravel from flooding.





Even derelict the basic structure looks impressive. Gate Two is on the left, then arrivals Gate and baggage arrivals next to on the ground level 'bulge' infront of the tower, with Gate Five and ultimately Gate Six in the east wing. All the Portacabins having been removed.



View of the balcony and east wing from a raised view-point. The large windows above the balcony were for the functions room, further away the smaller windows under the lower roof-line were the intended '30s hotel bed-rooms that became storage space. The box like structure on the balcony supported steps up to an already removed glass structure

WORK COMMENCES, LATE 1990s

The main passenger entrance as preparations for work commence. The bulge of the spiral staircases either side is clear, then at first floor level kitchens and catering spaces. On the east wing (left) bedrooms at first floor level, west wing (left) airport management.



The blue security fencing was erected after closure in 1986. Previously the 'hut' in the foreground, with one of the traffic control barriers still raised, was the security control point for the passage of vehicles from public to secure areas of the airport. The entrance on the extreme right, is Gate One.



Inside the central foyer area. Some stripping of fixings had been undertaken on the night of the move to the new terminal. More by vandals, time and water over a period of 10 years. Information desk on extreme lower right. BMA check-in in the lower level. Lounge and Gate 4 being the east wing.



The stripped information desk.



Office frontage, with small enquires window in the west wing. Possibly the office used as a control room for the tv arrivals and departure screens.



West wing, with back to Gate One and Two, looking towards the Information desk at far end. From memory in the '80s the office on the right was the Airport Met. Office and Flight Briefing, next one along the Duty Office, With apron duty officer, Airport accounts and landing fees.



In the main foyer/central area, looking at the base of one of the two classic art deco spiral staircases - today restored as a feature of the building as a hotel.



West wing, Gate 2, from inside. The ledge for the departures tv monitor up, top left.





Took a while to place this one. It is the upstairs central bar, now stripped of mirrors and shelving, the pre 1968 British Eagle logos still in place. They can be seen on an earlier colour photo (circa 1973/74) of the bar in use.



The 1971 partitions inside No.2 hangar have all been removed, leaving a clear view through to the back of the 1971 façade, with windows at the base.



As a footnote to this section of images, still visible in 1999 on brickwork on the side offices built into No.1 Hangar is this 1940s painted warning regarding the prop blast from heavy bombers: "CAUTION B-24 AIRCRAFT". This wonderful little reminder of history was destroyed as rotten brickwork (note the vertical crack) was replaced and not restored afterwards.

RESTORATION AND RE-PURPOSING THE AIRPORT'S 'THREE "ART DECO" GRACES'

Early days of work in progress on the conversion from hangar to Fitness Centre.



The first of the trio of 1930's structures to be refurbished and re-purposed was Hangar No.1 and opened in January 2000 as a David Lloyd Fitness Centre. Inside very little is familiar, but externally the building has been little altered, apart from the two sets of hangar doors.

Of historical note, the curved room in the foreground initially served as the control tower 1936 to 1938, then passenger handling throughout the war years. By the 1960's occupied as an office by the Airport Police and later Airport Security until 1986.



The Airport Terminal was the second structure to be re-purposed. While the original building is little changed, two new wings have been added to increase the number of bedrooms available. The curved frontage being in keeping with the original. Interestingly the windows have all been replaced with small glass panels as they were in 1939, replacing the plate glass windows of 1962. The original foyer is now the Reception Area, the bar is in the lower level, once apron-side of the Control Tower structure. The Control Tower structure is now sealed off, as with the fire-escape removed it cannot meet health and safety requirements. Some 11 million passengers passed through its doors 1945-1986.

Initially operated by Marriott Hotels when opened 15th May 2001, it later became a Crowne Plaza Hotel.



June 2013. This aerial shot from a helicopter and shows how the 1939 structure has been very much retained, along with the two new wings added. Also how the context of the area has changed, retail park replacing railway sidings; small industrial units in the repurposed Bryant & May matchworks factory. Large industrial and warehouse distribution units right across the former North airfield (most out of sight underneath the helicopter) forming the Estuary Commerce Park.



The refurbishment of No.2 Hangar structure was completed in October 2000. It was not until 2006 that The Littlewoods Organisation moved into 'Skyways House' as a corporate and operations centre for Littlewoods Shop Direct.



June 2013. Much of the concrete aircraft apron is still in place and today is a reminder of the original purpose of the fine building. These shots are a few years later, so now a Crowne Plaza Hotel with the Speke Airport Heritage Group's Prince, Jetstream 41, Avro 748 fuselage and BAPT's Bristol Britannia aircraft out on the apron.



June 2013. East wing, scroll back up to some of the earlier shots of the end of the east wing and see how little has changed over time.

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

This thread has taken considerable effort to locate images and compose detailed captions from my recollections from initially visiting as a 10 year old in 1961 to organising the final passenger flight departure out of the terminal (a charter flight for the MAS on a BMA Fokker Friendship) in April 1986. I've located far more images than I had anticipated I could! I trust that for many around at the time this thread will evoke memories, others perhaps an 'I don't remember it like that!" response.

There could be the odd errors of assumption, particularly when dating the changes. Certainly, my memory regarding gate numbers and locations (particularly Gates 3, 4, 5 and just where the Portacabin Gates were entered from) is woolly.

Anyone supply photos of the portacabin departure lounges extending from the east wing 1979-1986?

Personal memories of times and use of the terminal as a spotter or enthusiast welcome. Corrections and additional details equally welcome. A topic long omitted from NWAN Forum coverage, so many thanks for the questions on the OP.

[lukeymcd]

Thanks for your photos and descriptions very interesting as I only have vague memories of the pre 1986 terminal being born in 1980 so I mostly remember the post 1986 facility and when it first opened it was a lot smaller than what we have today! I remember there was only 2 departure gates one domestic and one international was that correct and only 2 baggage belts aswell? I do remember the terminal being extended westwards in the early 90s was that correct before the 2002 terminal was built - was it an extension to the arrivals area? Also asking you about the international terminal was all international flights handled solely in this terminal including check in and did it have its own facilities such as a shop/cafe etc or did international passengers use both terminals? Also did the flights handled include the Dublin flights?

[ronturner]

A very good question. Wonderfully answered. I enjoyed reading it all again. Thanks to the contributors.

I have very fond memories of all those places. At first glance I did not see any photo of the WH Smith stall where I bought my copies of Civil Aircraft Markings, originally on the RHS just as you entered the terminal, although I did spot one of the "Bookshop". I still have least one CAM, from 1966 priced at 3/- (Three shillings)

In 1965 the Stairways office was next to Smiths. That's where I bought my first air ticket. A return to Heathrow on DC-3, G-AMSN both ways. Ticket was issued on flimsy bit of paper not unlike those used on numbered carbon copy notebooks. My Heathrow trip was to visit family in Croydon visiting places like Biggin Hill, Blackbushe, Redhill. Dozens on Miles, DH, etc. Hardly a Cessna or Piper in sight.

[andyh]

Brian

This image might help illustrate the portakabin gate arrangements at the eastern end of the terminal. Taken August 1984 on an air show day (pleasure flight in a Jet Ranger!).

[viscount]

Thank you, Luke and thanks too to 'Andyh' for so quickly finding what I couldn't! Also my thanks to Paul Ellison and Adrian & Margaret Thomson for input regarding Gate numbering while I was researching captions.

To clear a few points. The Aer Lingus flights operated as international flights in terms of Customs and Excise through the 60's and at the time the International Terminal was opened in 1971. Quite when the need to show passports to an Immigration Officer started I've no idea, but I'm fairly certain in the 60's were not required for travel to/from Dublin. From 1971 until sometime early '80s all international passengers (including Dublin) used the International Terminal facilities, both arriving and departing. Domestic, so London, Isle of Man, Belfast etc the old terminal throughout.

The use of the International terminal decreased once the portacabin gates were installed extending from the east wing in early 1979. As the number of inclusive tour flights decreased in the early '80s, so 'double' staffing the check-in, baggage handling, catering (a mobile tea trolley), book shop facilities became an extra unnecessary expense, so certainly by the end of 1985 (likely much earlier) much of the building was essentially disused, as for a number of years international departures were mostly from the portacabin gates, which had the now required basic passenger search-comb facilities.

In the period from the mid '70s, up to the end of 1986 the MAS (Merseyside Aviation Society) leased a room off the side corridor, room 14, as a clubroom at weekends, slide show evenings and for air show coach trip departures, as mentioned earlier by 'Vanguard'. Other rooms were occupied by Special Branch/Immigration as an overnight crew-room and a room used as an office for a while by Strata Aviation. I cannot recall when arrivals ceased, it was certainly well after departures moved out, but equally I cannot recall where baggage reclaim, and Customs Red and Green channels were placed in the old terminal with space enough to handle wide-body arrivals.

As the 1986 'South' Terminal was very different from the 2002 enlargement and re-modelling, perhaps a few photos to finish this post would not be out of place. Yes, the 1986 building was modified internally during use before the 2002 rebuilding. The 1986 building is still there, inside the new one - although not easy to find now inside except for the two ground-level departure gates. The main clues being from above as the sloping roof is still there at a lower level within the newer curved roof.





Inside the 'new' terminal, sometime shortly after the end of October 1997 - which is when EasyJet commenced Liverpool services to Amsterdam and Nice (notice the orange adverts).





Views of the exterior from air-side, also likely late 1997 (corrected).



Airside again. March 1991, the occasion being the 'farewell' visit by an Aer Lingus BAC-111-200, 03.03.91, EI-ANG, EI4989 a FoLA charter flight that operated up over a mainly cloudy Lake District.



June 1993, by which time the apron had been extended, but not the terminal.

[mooneyncp]

further comments on the international terminal, there was a cafe which only opened for departures staff came over from main terminal, opened, made tidy, cleaned up and went back to the main building, possibly mid 70's, i think when i was at ncp 80's i think airport security had a rest room in the international hanger, seem to remember them walking accross the car park.
was 2 x portacabin type unit's on the bend of the road by the international terminal apron, i think one was a frieght company the other a travel agent ?, going back to the main terminal you also had 2 x car hire companys there avis and hertz, i think godfrey davis(eurocar) may of had a booth there only used when pre-booked car hire was required. going into the old terminal you had the n.c.p. carpark on the left with the managers offce as a porta cabin , carpark, short term carpark for chauffeur's collecting various company staff. on the right behind the trees a garage, between that and the car hire carparks following the curve of the railing was the taxi-rank which was split between both side of the road (the other side being by the terminal)
if my memories fail me please correct.
many thanks
steve ex carpark man

[Speedy]

Hello Viscount,
The picture above the Aer Lingus 1-11 on the apron is from approx 1995 not just after 1986 as stated as the international departure lounge extension is shown sticking out from the terminal. As you can see in the aerial picture further down of the 146 and 748s as dated 1993 with no departure lounge extension. Great thread keep it going.
Paul

[viscount]

The two apron, air-side shots of the New Terminal did have uncorrected dates applied, they date from sometime shortly after end of October 1997 (the same as the pair of interior shots which I had amended the provided date for when I noticed the easyJet ads on first posting). Thanks for spotting that. Well done! The BAC-111 is most certainly 3rd March 1991 as the date is in my flights log book.

Don't know if I can keep this thread going, as I've used every image I can locate in my folders! Would be delighted if others can contribute further photos pre-2002 though.

Steve, you are right about my omission of the Car Hire company concessions and the role NCP placed in public car parking, thank you for the details. Thanks to your prompt, I have added-in a photo of the NCP car park into this thread although it has recently been used before on another thread.

A source I've just thought of is various Airport PR magazines produced through the years to scan relevant illustrations from. I certainly don't have them all but do have some from 1961/62 and some from the '80s - I think. Will need to find them - and as I have a UK break (not calling at Liverpool this time) coming up shortly, it will be after I get home. I'm surprised it has taken so long for the topic of inside the old terminals to be raised.

[andyh]

Brian

When looking for something else I stumbled across one of your earlier threads from about 3 years ago which contains some excellent images of the exterior of the old and 'new' terminal buildings and which give a very good feel for the layout of both. Funnily enough you end the thread in October 2021 saying you were going to add further images 'in a day or two'...! Time flies!



derbosoft.proboards.com/thread/38881/images-liverpool-airport

[Speedy]

Hello Brian,
This picture below I have taken from a Promotional Laminated 3ft by 2ft poster which was offered to me before it was thrown in the skip (years ago). There was about five picture posters from inside the terminal, apron and outside the front of the terminal that the airport authority used to promote the airport on their roadshows etc. I believe this may be the only surviving example of the five. This picture will jog a lot of memories of all of us which moved across from the old terminal and sat on those uncomfortable yellow bucket seats looking out of the window waiting on the next interesting arrival. Just look at the signs hanging from the ceiling at the far side "No Smoking Beyond this point" really the must of only been about 3 foot after the sign to the wall.
Liverpool Airport Restaurant 1986 by Paul Speed, on Flickr