Beverley, Hastings, Varsity, Noratlas, York, Anson etc

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INTRODUCTION

It is a while now since I last entered a Liverpool visits type review on the forum. Sometime soon I will 'bite-the-bullet' and cover a "big-un", with Boeing 707, Britannia or Comet as the current front runners. However, first, a few that will hopefully excite the 'oldies' on the forum that have memories of the aircraft around in the 50s and 60s, designs that have now mostly completely disappeared from the skies. So a trip back memory lane, back to the days of piston-engined military transports and aircrew trainers. Initially I'm covering here the Beverley, Hastings, Valetta, Varsity, Shackleton, Noratlas and Flamant. Other piston-props airliners at Liverpool: Constellation, DC-6/C-118, DC-7, CV-240 to 680 and even Il-14 are covered elsewhere on nwan or this forum.

Unlike previous type reviews, these are not claiming to be a complete coverage detailing every visit. Listed are just those that I can currently trace, as examples of the variety of aircraft that could once be seen at Speke, even if only relatively rarely.
Visits 1951-1959 from Phil Butler, 1957-1959 are also from MGAE 'Aeronews' magazines, while from 1960-1978 from PHB's detailed complete visitor logs, then 1979-1986 MAS 'Flypast' and 'EGGP' magazines. My very many thanks also to Phil Butler for a big information input, especially on visits by all these types during the 1950s, and for quietly pointing out the odd error!

As I didn't have a decent camera until the early 1970s, hopefully others will raid their b&w print and early colour slide collections to share images of these types at Speke and evoke nostalgia and memories of a time there were far less aircraft, but a marvelous variety of shapes and sounds.

Further introduction comment, May 2023:

For a couple of years this thread has 'slept', with around 15 images, mostly of Shackletons, Valettas and Beverleys all partly obscured by Photobucket's watermark. I have returned to these 'type profile' pages and added a great number of images acquired since 2011. Through typing Phil Butler's 1950s and 1960s Speke movements records onto digital and (subsequently making a number of years available on NWAN Forum), I have found extra movements and more details, now added into the entries here. I've also added a couple of types, partly as a reason to share a couple of fantastic Speke images in the Don Stephens Collection. Since first posted, this thread has been looked at a staggering 10,150 times, a number likely to grow even further now that it has been 'bumped' up on the index page and has a great number more images to look at to stir nostalgia for the 50's and 60s, the piston engine era of military aviation.

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The Blackburn B.101 Beverley C.1

The Beverley was a wonderfully idiosyncratically British answer to the need to transport Army personnel and equipment, including armoured vehicles right into trouble 'hot spots' globally. Unlike the C-119 and Noratlas, the British answer was a big and unmistakeable aeroplane. The GAL.60 Universal first flew 20.6.50, with the B.101 Beverley C.1 entering service 1955, but served only briefly, being retired in 1967.

I well remember seeing my first Beverley at Liverpool in 1962 and being quite amazed that that something the height of a block of flats could actually fly! I thought I would find a dozen or so visits in the 60s logs, however the logs only reveal a handful of visits. Still I hope the following record evokes great memories of a charismatic aircraft. The type was retired from RAF service in August 1967, replaced by the Hercules. Many Beverleys were scrapped at Shawbury soon after retirement, and today just the one complete aircraft survives (at Paull, near Hull).

More on en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackburn_Beverley
and thanks for link info provided on PM from 'speedbird 1960' www.hu17.net/blackburn-beverley-transport-plane/ with details and photos of preserved XB259. Also, with echoes of recent Nimrod pictures www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIRlZmiLmZs&feature=related

In Summary:

Just 8 visits by 5 different aircraft recorded in the visiting aircraft logs and it is unlikely there are any visits missed. Aircraft involved:

XB269/F           1967
XB283/-, XB283/G  1956, 1962 (x3 visits)
XB285/J           1962
XB287/T           1967
XM105/P           1962

1956

It is certain that the first Beverley to land at Speke was XB283 when it appeared in the static aircraft park at the Liverpool Air Display on 21st May 1956. Operated by 47 Sqdn, RAF Transport Command, the first to form on the type only the previous year. The final visit being in July 1967, so a limited time span of just 12 years.

1962

The next mention of a visit that I can locate involved the same aircraft XB283/G with RAF Transport Command, which called for TA paratroops, along with two Hastings, on 28th April f&t Middleton St George, and again the following day, this time from Middleton St George to Abingdon, with call-sign 'MOBXG' (this was before tri-gram radio call-signs).

On 1st July two 47 Sqdn Beverleys called, XB283/G again as 'MOBXG', along with XB285/J as 'MOBXJ', both routing Colerne to Abingdon, again with TA paratroops on exercise.

Finally XM105/P from the Abingdon Wing, on 25th October. calling 'MOBXP', from & to Abingdon.

1967

Next, and final, mentions of Beverleys in the Liverpool visitor logs are XB269/F of 47 Sqdn on 7th July, calling 'CKK65' from Abingdon, leaving for Wattisham the following day. On 9th July TA exercise troops returned on XB287/T, also of 47 Sqdn, routing from and to Wattisham. Neither of these aircraft had long to serve, both being with 27 MU Shawbury by December 1967 and declared non-effective airframes.







First visit by the mighty Blackburn Beverley was by XB283 at the Speke Air Show on 21st May 1956.



While this is the final visit by the type to Liverpool, XB287/T about to depart 26 empty having dropped off TA troops home from a week-end exercise. The photo is from Speke Hall Avenue over a low wire-mesh fence. Today that position would be somewhere opposite Dobbies.

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HP.67 Hastings

The prototype Hastings first flew 7.5.46, entered RAF service October 1948 and was immediately in use on the Berlin Air Lift. A total of 147 were built for the R.A.F., with a further 4 exported to New Zealand. The RAF transport variant was retired during 1968, replaced by the Hercules, although the specialist training variant, Mk. T.5, continued on in service until June 1977. Several can be found in museums, including Duxford and Cosford.

I set out to cover the Hastings with memories of seeing them at Speke in early May throughout the 60's. Memories do play tricks as they only appeared with personnel to attend the annual 'Battle of the Atlantic' Commemorative service at the Cathedral 5 year over a span of 8. Like the Beverley a distinctive aeroplane. In a world of nose-wheel designs like the DC-4, Britannia and Viscount, the tail wheel, big finned, lofty nosed Hastings stood out.

Today just 4 compete Hastings survive, at Cosford, Duxford, Newark and Berlin. More on these on www.oldprops.ukhome.net and select Hastings from the type list.

As with the Beverley, I'm not claiming to cover every visit, however I should have the majority 1957 onwards, although this leaves a big gap covering the first 10 years of the type in service.

More about the type on en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handley_Page_Hastings

1950

Although Phil Butler has traced visits by Hastings back to 1950, it is not known if these were the first visits by type. TG603 and TG605 on 27th August 1950 routed from Topcliffe to Wittering. Bryan Healey and Don Stephens have supplied other Hastings visits in 1950: TG520 on 11th March (which makes it the earliest traced visit by the type), TG559 on 14th May and TG505 on 27th August (both of which conflict with PHB's registration information!).

1956

While there may well have been visits during 1951-1955 unrecorded by enthusiasts, next known is TG561 on 5th December 1956 f&t Abingdon for 'landing distance trials'. The following day 6th December TG502, the prototype C.2 and operated by the A&AEE at Boscombe Down arrived at Speke from Boscombe Down as the first of a contract for overhaul by Airwork Ltd. However, this contract was cancelled, the aircraft being collected on 13th December and taken to Radlett (where Handley Page had a factory). The crew that was brought to Liverpool on RNZAF 40 Sqdn example NZ5803, operating from and to Radlett.

1960

There were no visits by the type in 1957-1959, a Hastings MET.1 TG504/G of 202 Sqdn Coastal Command, with call-sign 'MDCXB' called on May 1st, from and to Aldergrove, along with a Valetta WJ502 f&t Turnhouse, both presumably with personnel to attend the Liverpool Cathedral 'Battle of the Atlantic' commemoration service.

1961

On 6th May a further Hastings MET.1 TG566/D of 202 Sqdn, Coastal Command, calling 'MDZRA', from St Mawgan to Aldergrove. The same aircraft, now as 'MBFGB' returned the following day on the reverse routing, Aldergrove to St Mawgan. Later in the year Hastings C.2 WD476 calling 'MOGZN' routed from Colerne to Biggin Hill on 29th August.

1962

Two Hastings C.2s called for TA paratroops for an exercise, along with Beverley XB283/G. WD477 calling JYF23 and WJ339 calling JYF28, both RAF Transport Command, routed from Colerne to Middleton St George on 28th April, returning the following day from Middleton St George to Colerne. Later in the year, on 28th August, Hastings MET.1 TG623/B call-sign 'MPCFB' of 202 Sqdn, called from and to Aldergrove.

1963

The Battle of the Atlantic commemorations brought in Hastings MET.1 TG621/. of 202 Sqdn on 4th May from St Mawgan to Aldergrove.

1964

Exactly a year later, on 2nd May Hastings MET.1 TG567 called from Ballykelly to Aldergrove, returning the following day Aldergrove to Ballykelly, both times with call-sign 'MPCFC', again connected with the annual Battle of the Atlantic Cathedral service. Later in the year two 24 Sqdn examples, a Hastings C.1A TG607 and a Hastings C.2 WJ331 routed from and to Colerne, likely with TA paratroops for a para-drop.

1965

TG517 a Hastings T.5 of the BCBS is noted visiting Liverpool 6.7.65 in my personal 'logs'. Oddly this visit does not appear in Phil Butler's complete visiting aircraft logs extracted from the landings record. Bit of a mystery developing here. Possibly a fly-over, read-off with binoculars from the balcony, but usually my logs state 'fly-over' though.

1967

The final full year of the transport Hastings in service brought an increase in the number of visits to Speke. The Battle of the Atlantic service brought in Hastings C.2 WJ343 of 36 Sqdn (or 24 Sqdn depending on source of info!) as 'Rafair 3680' from St Mawgan on 6th May, night stopping before returning to St Mawgan. Five weeks later a Hastings C.1A TG556 of 36 Sqdn as 'CDA 63' called on 16th June, routing from and to Colerne transporting TA paras. In July a further TA para exercise employed Hastings C.2s WJ331 as 'KXZ 55' Abingdon to Wattisham and WD494 as 'KXZ 21' from Bruntingthorpe to Wattisham. Together with a Beverley, the troops returned on 8th July on Hastings C.1A TG528 and Hastings C.2 WJ327, both from and to Wattisham. All four are believed to be 24 Sqdn aircraft.

1971

Final appearance of a Hastings at Liverpool, brought in Hastings T.5 TG568 as 'DBJ 57' on 11th June routing from Ronaldsway to Lindholme, a few years before the final aircraft were retired.



This photo of Hasting TG520 dates back to 11th March 1950. Hangar 2 at that time was not in use. The upper windows showing evidence of wartime 'black-out' paint. Scanned from a tiny 'contact' print, not sure if the blotchy fuselage is for real or deterioration of the print over time.







This Hastings MET.1 in Coastal Command grey parked outside No.2 hangar is TG504/G of of 202 Sqdn, Coastal Command on the occasion of the Cathedral Battle of the Atlantic Commemorative service on 1sst May 1960. The windows and frames have been cleaned, so clearly this shot is later than the initial one above!







A treble dose of images of WJ339 visiting on 8th April 1962.



This print is captioned as TG621 a Coastal Command Hastings MET.1 on 4th May 1963. Normally MET.1s can be distinguished by a sea grey scheme or a 'thimble' nose, however the long range tanks underwing may be a recognition feature for Coastal Command aircraft.







All three photographers struggled to get a decent image of WJ343 on 5th May 1967 visiting with VIPs for the annual Battle of the Atlantic commemorative service at Liverpool Cathedral. Either parked too close for a fixed focal length lens, or once parked overnight on the West Apron a little distant and at an awkward angle!



WJ331 of 24 Squadron at RAF Colerne called in both July 1964 and July 1967, both visits to transport TA troops for a para-drop exercise.

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The Vickers Valetta

The Vickers Valetta was a development of the Vickers Viking civil airliner. Indeed the first Valetta started off as the 158th Viking on the production line, and first flew 30.6.47. Entered service 1948 replacing some Douglas C-47s. A total of 262 Valetta were built for R.A.F. service.

I set out to find visits of the Varsity to Liverpool, but came across references to the Valetta. So why not cover the final days of the Valettas through Liverpool Airport too, only to find confusion with military Vikings and a civil Valetta! So here goes with visits found, although probably a far from complete record. On revision of the text in 2023 a further 10 or so visits were added to the original account having been 'found' while digitising the Liverpool Airport Visiting Aircraft Logs for the 1950s and 1960s.

I have to admit that I never saw a Valetta at Speke. There are now though only two complete survivors, at Cosford and Flixton. www.oldprops.ukhome.net The type has brief coverage on en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vickers_Valetta

1949

Thanks to information from Bryan Healey, knowledge of Valetta visits to Speke has been pushed back to 22nd April 1949, with a visit by VW201 taking out ground personnel of a RAFVR Squadron (or possibly 611 Sqdn RAuxAF) to camp in Germany. This pushes our knowledge back closer towards a first visit of type.

1950

Don Stephens has looked back in his log books and found he watched a visit by VL233 a Viking C.2 of the King's Flight on Tuesday 25th April 1950. While from another source comes information that Valetta VW836 visited on Tuesday 17th October 1950. On Saturday 18th November Valetta VW861 of the Royal Air Force Flying College visited, with VW856 of the same unit on Thursday 23rd November 1950.

1951

Phil Butler has traced visits by Valetta aircraft right back to 1951. VX487 is recorded as departing to Manby on 26th February 1951. However, as is sometimes the case, modern references show this serial to be incorrectly recorded as the final aircraft in that batch was VX485. Possibly a transcription error from VX481? Enthusiasts then had nothing like the reference works and military serial lists that we have access to today.

There are almost certainly visits by the Valetta in the period 1952-1955 unrecorded by enthusiasts in connection with F-86 Sabre delivery pilots.

1953

Valetta T.3 WJ461 of No.1 AHS called from RAF Lyneham on Friday 7th August 1953. On Monday 14th December we have record of VX484 departing to RAF Benson having collected Sabre delivery pilots.

1954

On Friday 9th April 1954 VL280 a Valetta C.2 of 167 Sqdn called. On Monday 17th May 1954 it was WD168 arriving from Shawbury to collect a delivery pilot and a few days later on Wednesday 19th May WD166 which is thought to have been with the RAF Benson Station Flight called in connection with Sabre delivery pilots. On Wednesday 8th June 1955 Valetta C.2 VX573 is noted visiting.

1956

Also in 1956 most visits by Valettas are thought to have been with ferry pilots for Sabres and Vampires. VL278 a Valetta C.1, from & to RAF Benson on Tuesday 10th January 1956 with VL280 on the following day 11th January from Leconfield to Benson, and again on 31st January from and to Benson. VL278 again on 14th February, from Dishorth to Benson, and VL272 on 14th June from Aldergrove to Benson, 22nd June from Woodvale to Benson and 25th June from Prestwick to Benson. Published histories show that VL278 was with Ferry Training Unit/Ferry Training Flight at Benson and VL280 was with Station Flight Benson during 1956.

1957

There were 3 visits to Liverpool by military serialled Vickers Vikings of the Queen's Flight during 1957. On 21st May VL233 called routing from and to Benson, possibly a rehearsal for VL246 bringing the Princess Royal into Liverpool on 25th May, operated from and to London Air Port (todays Heathrow). On 3rd June a further Queens Flight Viking routed from Benson to Boscombe Down, this time VL247, with call-sign 'MOVGB'. 'jbmack' has PM'ed me to say he was on the balcony that day, and that there is a short clip on Movietone News showing Sir Anthony Eden embarking on VX247, en route from Transatlantic arrival at the Port of Liverpool to his Cotswold home. This brief clip is available on s589.photobucket.com/albums/ss332/jbmack2/jim%202/

A Valetta in 1957 was WJ504 as 'MBLXC' which arrived from Bovingdon 17th September, staying at Liverpool overnight, before returning to Bovingdon. The reference books state that it was operated by 30 Sqdn at the time. Later, with Coastal Command, still based at Bovingdon, this aircraft visited again in 1959, 1960 and finally in 1961.

1958

The prototype Valetta C.2 VL262 on Wednesday 19th February routed from Bedford to Farnborough, visiting again on Wednesday 23th April, this time f&t Boscombe Down, operated by the A&AEE based there. Two never identified Valettas, with call-signs 'MHXLA' and 'MHXLB' on 20th June routed through from Jurby IoM to Benson.

1959

On Saturday 19th September Coastal Command Communications Squadron Valetta C.2 WJ504 as 'MCNLC' arrived from Aldergrove, night stopped before departing to Bovingdon. Bovingdon was the Squadron base.

1960

Former military Valetta, but now G-APKR with Decca Navigation Co Ltd, on Friday 22nd January operated from and to Gatwick on an equipment demonstration flight. Next came RAF Coastal Command Valetta VW162 as 'MGOAA' on Friday 22nd March, from Aldergrove and onward to Hawarden. Along with a Hastings, for Battle of the Atlantic on Sunday 1st May, Coastal Command Communication Squadron's Valetta C.2 WJ504, this time calling 'MJFUC' visited again, this time from and to RAF Turnhouse (Edinburgh). WJ504 called again later in the year, calling 'MBLXC' arriving from Bovingdon Saturday 17th September, night stopped and returned to Bovingdon the following day.

1961

Yet a further visit by Coastal Command's WJ504 as 'MPCLA' on Saturday May 6th, along with a Hastings MET.1 for Battle of the Atlantic commemorative service, both departing the following day. The Valetta routed from and returned to St Mawgan.

An unidentified example on Friday 17th November 1961 proved to be the final appearance at Liverpool by a Valetta, routing from RAF Church Fenton and departing to RAF Bassingbourne using a (then) new style RAF tri-gram 'MGI 46' as a flight call'sign.

The Valetta continued in RAF service for much of the 60's, however I can trace no further visits in the records it looks certain that the final visits were in 1961. The final visits by civilian Viking aircraft were around ten years later.



Coastal Commands communications Valetta WJ504, the b&w photo noted as being taken on 20th September 1959



The original of this Alan Pritchard Collection image was part 'burnt out' with overexposure blending fuselage and sky, the remarkable digital restoration wizardry performed by Eddie Quinn. This would appear to be parked in the same location as the shot above, so is almost certainly the September 1959 visit.





RAF Coastal Command's Valetta WJ504 is known to have visited five times: in 1957, in 1959, twice in 1960 and again in 1961. As the aircraft is parked in slightly different positions in three of the photos and the top ones known to be 1959, then these two must be on other visits.



This amazingly polished aircraft is actually a Vickers Viking C.2 VL247 of the Queen's Flight. Almost certainly the visit of 3rd June 1957 when Anthony Eden, PM, arrived in Liverpool from the USA by Ocean Liner and was transported onward to his Oxfordshire home.

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Vickers 668 Varsity T.1

The Varsity was a development of the Valetta, entering service during 1951, retiring from Training Command May 1976. Final flight of the type may well have been RAE's WL679 in 1992.

I consider the Varsity as somewhat of a Cinderella type. A not particularly attractive mix of WWII technology and nose wheel layout. The Varsity replaced the Wellington T.10, yet remained in service through to the mid 70s.

This type illustrates some of the frustrations of research. Not all the codes, and only rarely are units recorded at the time. Now, some of the details, as recorded at the time, do not agree with authoritive published histories.

My main memory of Varsities at Speke is watching a close formation of four aircraft sweeping down 35, using the runway as a marker to find Wavertree Park in order to overfly either a Liverpool Show or RAF Recruitment Show. I've yet to trace these, as they don't appear in the Airport Logs - once found, I'll add them to this account. Indeed finding and recording on the forum some of these 'off-airport' aviation events is a big project 'earmarked' for the future.

There are 5 Varsities preserved as complete aircraft in the Uk, at Brooklands, Cosford, Duxford, EMA and Newark, more on www.oldprops.ukhome.net with more about the type on en.wikipedia.wiki.org/Vickers_Varsity

1952

PHB has traced a visit by WF417 operated by A&AEE, from and to its Boscombe Down base on 3rd November 1952. A good candidate for a first visit by type, just over a year from type's entry to service. This aircraft was to appear at Liverpool again in 1969 and 1970 when with the BLEU.

1953

While there is no guarantee that all the early 50's visits have been recorded by enthusiasts, two are known for 1953. WJ921/P, operated by 1 ANS on 18th June operated from and to Hullavington, the unit's base. The following day, 19th June, WJ892 appeared, also routing from and to Hullavington. Reference books show this as likely /Q also with 1 ANS.

1956

Varsity T.1 WJ909 called twice during January. On 2nd January, routing Aston Down to Woodvale; on 10th January from Kemble to Blackpool. Towards the end of the year, on 25th October, WL685 routed from Holme on Spalding Moor through to Gaydon.

1957

Varsity WJ912 called on 6th March, routing from and to Hawarden.

1959

WL641/Z called on 24th February, routing from and to Weston-super-Mare. This was followed on 12th May by WL669/A of Topcliffe based No.1 ANS, from & to Topcliffe. WL690 on 30th June arrived from Benson, leaving for Tern Hill, later returning from Tern Hill, then back to Benson. Finally WF376 on 23rd December routing from Watton to Middleton St George - one could speculate that it was, as a favour, dropping someone off for Christmas leave!

1960

WJ940 was a fairly frequent visitor during the year. On 14th April, from Watton to Marham, 3rd June Middleton St George-Seighford, 15th July from Aldergrove to Watton, and 29th July as 'Ageless 89' from and to Watton. WL690 called twice on 13th May, routing from Benson to Shawbury, then later from Shawbury to Seighford, with call-sign 'Mature 87'. In Signals Command titles, with AVM's insignia on the nose. Finally WL668/O of CNCS (Central Navigation and Control School at Shawbury) on 25th July calling 'MKPNO' from Abbotsinch (Glasgow) to Shawbury.

1961

Just two aircraft during 1961, both on the same day! On 31st August WL622/R as 'Ironpot 28' and WL678/C as 'Ironpot 25', both from and to Tangmere. Noted at the time as 116 Sqdn, published accounts suggest 115 Sqdn as the operators, at the time. Both wore RAF Signals Command titles.

1962

An aircraft that visited a number of times during 1960, returned in 1962. WL940/Q called from and to Tangmere as 'CEE 05', probably with 115 Sqdn. Later in the year WL690 called on 10th December, from and to Lyneham, calling 'HEY 95'.

1963

Sole Varsity of the year was WF325/18 of CFS, which on 6th November routed Aldergrove to Little Rissington. As Mosquito TA634/53 was delivered into Liverpool from Aldergrove on that day, although I can find no confirmation in the contemporary magazines, I would assume the Varsity was ferrying the delivery crew around.

1965

WJ946 on 29th October routed from Watton to Burtonwood, and later from Burtonwood to Watton. Reference books suggest it could have been code M of 115 Sqdn. Another Varsity visited on 2nd November as 'KAD 06' from St Mawgan to Gaydon. The serial was not noted in the records, someone subsequently 'pencilled-in' WF397, however sources not available at the time show that this serial was never used.

1969 & 1970

Varsity T.1 WF417 operated by the Blind Landing Experimental Unit (BLEU), based at Bedford Thurleigh called at Liverpool to use the newly installed Cat.II ILS system on runway 28 (now 27). Calling 'MPNTV' example of visits are on 12th December 1969 when it night stopped at Liverpool, from and to Bedford and 7th January 1970. Both times from and to its Bedford base.

1973

Varsity WJ910/S of 6 FTS landed on 11th June, departing the following day and appeared in the Liverpool Air Show. Operated from and to its base at Finningley, and used call-sign 'APT 22'.

A number of unidentified Varsities performed an overshoot (today a low approach and go-around) during 1973 eg 31st May 'FFU 09', 17th July 'JDN 98', 2nd August 'KUS 10', 7th November 'NSJ 10' and 8th November 'NSJ 09'. The tri-gram letter at this time changed frequently, but the 09 and 10 probably indicate the same pilot returning.

1974

A Varsities performed overshoots (in todays parlance a go-around) on 16th May calling 'BES 05', 31st May calling 'DUF 90', 24th July 'JOH 24', 20th August 'EVE 39', 17th October 'AGZ 99'.

Two that did land, were on 5th September calling 'EJE 52' and on 10th September calling 'DSC 31', both from and to Oakington. Later the serial WJ902 was pencilled in for the 5th September visit, this aircraft at the time was code C of 5 FTS, who were Oakington based, so could well be correct. The aircraft on 10th September was never identified.

1976

The final visit of type occurred on 26th July 1976, when WF382 called, operating from and to Aldergrove using the call-sign 'Harp 2'. At the time it was noted as being a 23 MU 'hack' and formerly Q with 6 FTS. Oddly reference books show this aircraft as SoC (Struck Off Charge) 5.5.76 and dumped at Gatow, Berlin.

1984

Sadly, on Sunday 18th August 1984 en route to perform at the 'Liverpool Air and Transport Extravaganza', Varsity G-BDFT (formerly WJ897) of Leicester Aircraft Preservation Group fatally crashed while en route from Syerston via East Midlands Airport.

Not found too many Varsity images to illustrate. Anyone got photos of the BLEU aircraft?



WJ921/P Vickers Varsity at Speke on 18th June 1953. The deep shade of the presumably yellow T-band around the rear fuselage is likely due to the type of b&w being used.





Varsity T.1 WL910/S of 6 FTS displaying at the 1973 Air Display at Liverpool.


The final units and the fates of the aircraft covered:

Serial Code Unit   SoC        Fate
WF325  Y    5 FTS  02.10.70   Catterick Fire School
WF376 376   CFS    25.08.71   Bristol Airport Fire Training
WF382  Q    6 FTS  05.05.76   Gatow fire dump
WF397                         incorrectly noted serial
WF417       BLEU              on Aberporth dump by 1973
WJ892
WJ902  C    5 FTS  14.10.74   Wittering dump
WJ909
WJ910  S    6 FTS  28.02.75   Manston Fire School
WJ912  
WJ921  
WJ940  Q    115    04.07.69   Wyton dump (del. 18.9.65)
WJ946  M    115    07.08.70   Catterick Fire School
WL622  R    115    19.05.70   Strubby dump
WL641  6    SS     15.11.73   Scampton dump
WL668  X    6 FTS  09.04.76   Linton-on-Ouse dump
WL669  J    2 ANS  02.01.70   Catterick Fire School
WL678  C    115    21.05.70   Leeds Bradford Fire Training
WL685  S    115               Catterick Fire School
WL690 690   CFS   07.07.69    Leeming dump

[viscount]

Although I'm entering this list of Shackleton visits, I consider this record as very much 'work in progress' - I'm certain that over the next few weeks I'll be adding more information on 'modify' - especially overflights of the airport as I'm sure Shackletons appeared at some of the Wavertree displays in the 70's. In mid March I've added early 50s information provided by Phil Butler.

I'm sure there could be more visits than those recorded below and the list I've prepared, with PHB's help, does seem rather short. However, the few, mostly Air Show, visits found I'm sure will awake memories of the Griffin growl over Merseyside.

For more on the Shackleton type en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avro_Shackleton

Avro Shackleton visits to Liverpool

1952

Shackleton MR.1A WG509 visited on 12th June routing from and to Ballykelly. The same aircraft WG509 called again on 30th September 1952 from Deford to Ballykelly. A brand new aircraft, it was taken on charge 8.4.52 and served with 240 Sqdn briefly at St Eval then Ballykelly from 6.52 (renumbered 203 sqdn 1.11.58). Struck off charge 25.9.63 and sold for scrap.

1953

On 11th October 1953, Shackleton MR.2 WG558 routed from St.Eval through to West Malling. Another nearly new airframe, taken on charge 28.11.52 and served initially with 206 Sqdn at St.Eval, before moving to 224 Sqdn at Gibraltar.

mid 50s

A forum reader who was a schoolboy at the time, has a clear memory of watching two Shackletons taking off one after the other from Speke.

1958
On 18th April the second Shackleton MR.3 WR971, operated by A&AEE Boscombe Down is recorded as visiting. Later operated by Kinloss Wing and visited Speke again in 1963 qv.

1962
The 1962 'At Home' Air Show on 26th May brought Shackleton MR.2c WL801/B operated by 42 Sqdn into Liverpool to appear on the flight line and in the flying display. Calling 'MPCSS', it arrived from and departed to its St Mawgan base.

1963

At the second 'At Home' air show on 31st May, Shackleton MR.3 XF700/A of 120 Sqdn appeared from its Kinloss base. However after a sitting on the flight-line, it did not display due to an engine mal-function once started. As a result another 120 Sqdn Shackleton MR.3, WR971/E on 2nd June operated from and to Kinloss with spares. XF700/A departed later on 2nd June once the problem was fixed.

1980

During May a 'Metro 80' Exhibition was held at the Wavertree Show Ground. On Friday 23rd May, Shackleton AEW.2 WL754/54, with call-sign 'AOX 66' at approximately 1300 made a practice pass over the airfield, using runway 36/18 as a landmark and direction indicator. On Monday 26th May the same crew 'AOX 66' were back, but this time using Shackleton AEW.2 WL747/47 making a pass over the north airfield to display at Rainhill and Wavertree.

1981

For the 1981 Air Show Shackleton AEW.2 WL795/95 of 8 Sqdn appeared on 21st June, calling '3JE76' and routed from Lossiemouth, departing to display over Nottingham. The final Shackleton to land at Liverpool, but that is not quite the end of the account of Shackletons in our airspace.

1982

On Tuesday 10th August, 8 Sqdn Shackleton AEW.2 WL756/56 calling '1KO17' performed a go-around on 27 at 1228 while en route Lossiemouth to St Mawgan, via go-arounds at Barton, Liverpool, Sealand and Nottingham. Reason for this routing not noted by me at the time (if ever known!).

1984

An 8 Sqdn Shackleton AEW.2 WL790/90 performed at the 1984 'Air and Transport Extravaganza' at Liverpool Airport on Sunday 19th August. The aircraft did not land, as 'Shackleton 31' it arrived from Hurn and departed 'en route' to an unrecorded destination.



Shackleton MR.2 WL801/B of 42 Sqdn at the Liverpool Air Display, 26th May 1962.



Shackleton MR.3 XF700 of 120 Sqdn at the Liverpool Air Display, 1st June 1963.







Liverpool Air Display 1981 featured Shackleton AEW.2c WL795 of 8 Sqdn. This was the final Shackleton to land at Liverpool Airport.







The final 'on-airfield' air show at Liverpool Airport, 1984 featured 8 Sqdn Shackleton AEW.2c WL790, although the aircraft displayed only, without landing.

[viscount]

Dassault MD.312/316 Flamant

An unusual twin tailed, nose wheel layout streamlined twin, six to ten seater liaison and training aircraft supplied to the French and other Air Forces. Deliveries commenced 1949 and production lasted until 1953, with final retirement in 1981.

For more wikipedia.org/wiki/MD.312_Flamant

There were not that many visits by variants of this type to Liverpool, they do span 18 years, there is a chance that there could have been others visits, but the majority, if not all, are recorded here.

1953

First visit by the type was when MD.316T No.01 'F-ZWRR' called at Liverpool 18th September 1953, routing from Bretigny and to Warton. Although not stated at the time, I would speculate it was either calling for Customs or an early morning weather divert. Would this be around the time that the French were acquiring a small numbers of English Electric Canberras? F-ZWRR is a French 'B-Class' or manufacturer's registration, rather than military call-sign.

1955

MD.316 No.01 'F-ZWRR' returned to Liverpool on 21st October, routing from Samlesbury through to Bretigny. Five weeks later MD.312 No.153 'F-SDDD' (CEAM call-sign) was in use on the regular run, this time though arrived from Warton, before leaving for Bretigny. In the final week of the year No.01 'F-ZWRR' was back again, on 27th December from Samlesbury and outbound for Bretigny.

1970

I can remember seeing the Flamant fairly regularly at Warton in the early 70s, employed on communications duties at a time when the Anglo-French Sepecat Jaguar prototypes were in flight test stage. To the best of my knowledge, this aircraft appeared at Liverpool just the once, on 14th October 1970. The magazine entry at the time gives no clue as to why it used Liverpool, it is not down as being a Warton divert. MD.312 No.314 'F-YCJW' arrived from Le Bourget and stayed two days until departing back to Le Bourget on 16th October. Later reference books give this as an Aeronavale aircraft, confirmed by the call-sign F-YCJW, being in the Aeronavale sequence used by 10S Escadrille de Servitude at St.Raphael, the flight test of the CEPA trials establishment. Late 1970 would be just before the French Jaguar M variant for the Aeronavale was cancelled.

[viscount]

Many thanks to Speedbird 1960 (re Beverley) and jbmack (re Valetta) for responses on PM, which I've been delighted to build into the accounts. Also to Phil Butler for a stack of 50s information now also incorporated. Also, in mid March I've added further early information pushing known Valetta, Viking and Hastings visits earlier, supplied by Bryan Healey and Don Stephens at the instigation of George Jones. To all these individuals, very many thanks for your input, considerably adding to the initial information posted.

Over to you now for memories of these aircraft.

I'd be delighted if others can add to the photo coverage of these aircraft at Liverpool.

[viscount]

The Nord Noratlas at Liverpool

The Noratlas was a twin boomed, twin engined, military freighter. A total of 425 aircraft were built on twin production lines in France and West Germany. The Germans acquired their aircraft from 1958, with the majority withdrawn 1970-72, when replaced by Transalls. The French used theirs until the 1989. Small numbers served with a number of African Air Forces and a number of former German aircraft were passed onto the Greeks and Portugese. Confusingly, both the Nord production in France and VFW production in Germany ran from No.1, so there are two aircraft with any particular constructors number!

More on the Noratlas on wikipedia.org/en.wiki.Nord_Noratlas and for the considerable number of survivors www.oldprops.ukhome.net

Between my own and Phil Butler's researches, the greater majority, if not all, visits are covered here.

1957

The earliest traced visits span a period of three years, with French aircraft passing though Liverpool on liaison flights between France and Samlesbury (in connection with EE Canberra purchase and spares?). The usual Noratlas used was early production example No.03 F-ZABT operated by the CEV, and routed though Liverpool on 3rd January from Bretigny to Samlesbury and again 11th October from Samlesbury to Bretigny. Final Noratlas of the year was call-sign F-ZARX, probably recently produced No.155 on 20th December from Bretigny to Samlesbury and later the reverse routing.

1958

No.03 F-ZABT was at Liverpool again on 13th January from Bretigny to Samlesbury and again 2nd April from Bretigny to Samlesbury and later from Samlesbury to Bretigny. Towards the end of the year on 19th November F-ZARY, from Samlesbury to Bretigny, which has never been positively tied to an airframe, although PHB has No.69 pencilled, in the modern references show this as '62-SA' at the time, it could in reality be any airframe upto around No.170.

1959

On 6th March No.81 F-SDDV called on 6th March from Samlesbury to Bretigny, this being a CEAM (a liaison and evaluation unit) aircraft. Finally No.03/F-ZABT on 5th May twice in the day, from Bretigny to Samlesbury and then from Samlesbury to Bretigny. There is no mention in the magazines of the time as to why these aircraft visited Liverpool Airport. Could have been for Customs clearance, or given that most visits were in winter months, weather - a mix of poor visibility, snow, high winds or head-winds (necesitating extra fuel uplift) may well have been the reasons for re-programming the flights into Liverpool.

1962

First West German Air Force (WGAF) Noratlas into Liverpool was No.66 on 24th May from Schleswig and having night stopped continued onto Lyneham the following day. At that time WGAF aircraft used their C/no as a 'permanent' identity, and a 'code' in much larger letters either side of the Luftwaffe cross, the letters reflecting the Unit, the numbers, from 101 specific to an aircraft in the unit, this code changed as aircraft moved between Units. The code for No.66 was not recorded, but current research suggests GC+107 of LTG.63 at Celle. This was followed three weeks later by No.54 GC+103 from Kinloss to Schleswigland on 14th June.

1963

On 4th February No.098 GC+120 arrived from Celle, night stopped at Liverpool, then departed for Schleswigland. No.136 GC+125 on 18th April routed from Northolt and out to Celle. Finally GA+123, most probably from modern sources No.121 of LTG.61 based at Neubiberg, on 30th July routed in from Filton and out to Oldenburg. At the time it was rumoured that they were collecting munitions manufactured by a Lancashire factory. Never actually confirmed by anyone but plausible.


1968

A French Air Force Noratlas called again on 14th December 1968 in the form of No.128 F-RABU/63-BU, from Warton and out to Pontoise. The side-code shows the unit as 63rd Escadre de Transport and the 'last two' of the military call-sign.

1971

Final visits by German Air Force Noratlas occurred in 1971. By now the side code had transformed into a permanent serial number. 53+54 (now known to be No.185), which on 2nd June from Cologne to Carlisle, with call-sign 'DCN5268'. This was followed a few days later on 4th June by 52+85, (now known to be No.102) from Neubiberg and onto Carlisle, only to return later in the day, from Carlisle and onto Cologne. On 7th June the original aircraft 53+54 routed through from Carlisle to Erding. The assumption is that the original aircraft went 'tech' at Carlisle, the second aircraft brought over spares and ground crew to enable a repair that took several days. These flights were likely in support in German Army units on exercise based at the large Carlisle Army camps.

1979

In 1979 I was in charge of transcribing the tower logs into enthusiast visitor logs. French military aircraft, in particular, caused all sorts of headaches as information from different sources rarely fully agreed. Only now can I confirm and amend the information collected then. The registration style call-signs were no longer used over the radio, but were used on flight-plans.

On Tuesday 17th July No.87 F-RAKA/62-KA (at the time recorded as F-RBKA and ..-KA), calling FM0402 from Lyneham to Prestwick. On Wednesday 12th September No.179 F-RABP/64-BP routed through, calling FM0402, from Bournemouth to Edinburgh, with just two days later, on Friday 14th September No.206 F-RABA/64-BA, calling FM0401, from Edinburgh to Bournemouth/Hurn. Definitely a different aircraft to a few days earlier, as this one was the first French machine noted at Liverpool in camouflage, rather than bare metal colours. Final Noratlas of the year, on Wednesday 28th November was No.161 F-RAIM/64-IM (recorded at the time as 61-IM), calling FM0403, routed from Stornoway and out to Lyneham, spending 40 minutes on the ground at Liverpool. All these flights were training missions.

1982

Final traced Noratlas visit was a French one, No.150 F-RAIU/64-IU, calling FM0404, on Thursday 4th February, which landed from Evereaux at 1044 and departed for Shannon at 1340 parking on the east end of the north airfield apron, outside No.2 hangar/International Terminal.

A few fates for the aircraft that have been at Liverpool. French No.81 was wfu 5.84 and scrapped 9.84. French No.161 is preserved at the 'Musee des Parachutistes', near Pau, while No.179 was converted to 'Bar le Noratlas' at Besancon, but later scrapped. German No.98 (GC+120 in the 1963 photo several posts up) was written off 12.2.69. Confusingly, in Germany, French No.128 is preserved at Landisberg as GA+125 and French No.66 is preserved at Wunsdorf Museum.



GC+120 was the first of three West German Air Force Noratlas visitors in 1963 on 4th February and night stopped, clearly in wintery conditions.





GC+125 followed on 18th April



With GA+123 on 30th July 1963



The final visit by a Noratlas was on 4th February 1982 by French Air Force No.150/64-IU


When this thread was examined in April 2023 there was just one image of the French visitors that I could locate to share. Does anyone have further French Air Force aircraft to illustrate this coverage of Noratlas's (Noratli?) at Liverpool Airport?

[viscount]

Well, I hope that at least a minority of forum reader have enjoyed this thread.

Challenged to add American built piston-engined military transports to the post, this task is rather easier than I imagined! I know of no C-82/C-119 Packet/Flying Boxcar visits to Liverpool (well, certainly not since 1957) or by the C-123 Provider. The C-47/C-117 Dakota/Super Dakota, C-46, T-29/C-131 (Cv.240-440) and C-118 (DC-6) have appeared in greater numbers as civilians with only limited visits in military use. The Convairliners and the Dougls DC-6 have already been covered in depth as type reports here or on nwan. The only type I could think of that fits the large piston transport/trainer theme, is the sole visit by a USAF Boeing KC-97K on 25th May 1968 - there are great photos of this on a Photo thread posted by 'Airbus'.

George Jones is encouraging me to widen this research into Fifties military types to include military Devon/Sea Devons, Heron/Sea Heron and Pembroke/Sea Prince, plus military Dakotas and Bristol Freighters. Each type does represent considerable research, but would be interesting British built types to cover. I've also been details of a few military Avro York visits to Liverpool, so when I get time, and checked back with Phil Butler, will include the type on this thread in the next week or two.

[viscount]

The Avro York has always had a certain fascination, I recall seeing some of the last operations in the early 60s at Heathrow and Manchester by Skyways and Dan Air. Today, when at Duxford or Cosford always seek out the York for visual inspection and another photo! Part of the fascination is that there is a great deal of Lancaster directly hidden in the York - the wings, engines, undercarriage and tailplanes mated to a redesigned fuselage. Originally mainly military in application, operated by the RAF 1943 to 1956, when replaced by the Hastings. A total of 256 were built 1943-1948, with the type being completely retired from airline use in 1964. More on en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avro_York Also nice photos of the two surviving airframes on www.oldprops.ukhome.net/York.htm

Both Don Stephens and Bryan Healey have sent me details on e-mail of York visits, plus a massive contribution by Phil Butler have added substantially to the only York visit I previously knew about. A type well worthy of coverage, although there are likely further visits than those recorded here.

The Avro York at Speke

1949

An Eagle Aviation charter arrived at Liverpool from Valencia on 20th December with a circus on its way to perform at Belle Vue, Manchester. Aboard the York were 5 lions, 2 monkeys, 2 ponies along with 5 attendants. This charter is covered in Tony Merton-Jones' 'British Independent Airlines' book, however does not record which aircraft was involved - although at the time Eagle had only just obtained 3 aircraft from BOAC, so it was either G-AGNP, G-AGNT or G-AGNU (well maybe - I've found two rather different fleet histories of Eagle's Yorks!). Tanks to a post further down, now known to G-AGNZ.

1950

Eagle Aviation brought in G-AGNY from Linton-on-Ouse on 10th March. The R.A.F. brought in Yorks MW209/LE:F on 11th February, MW193 from Horsham St.Faith on 4th August and MW199 on 4th November from Oakington to Linton-on-Ouse and then return Linton-on-Ouse to Oakington later.

1951

Three further visits by Eagle aircraft are in the records for 1951. G-AGNZ, from & to Gothenburg on 19th February, also at Liverpool again the next day. On 6th April G-AGNZ was back at Liverpool, departing to Stockholm. On 17th May G-AGNY is recorded as arriving from Luton.

1952

Avro York G-AGOB, operated by Lancashire Aircraft Corporation is recorded on 23rd January routing in from Bovingdon and out to Gibraltar.

1953
A further Eagle visit by an unrecorded aircraft is detailed in 'British Independent Airlines'. At the time Eagle only had Yorks G-AGNP and G-AGNT in their fleet (according to the fleet list in BIAL). A charter operated on 25th January from Liverpool to Dakar carrying a consignment of ship's spares. The 2,350 mile journey being completed in 28 and half hours.

1958

A Skyways York G-AHEY operated a freight flight on 19th June, arriving from London Air Port (todays Heathrow) and departing for Stansted.

1960

Final visit by an Avro York to Liverpool was on 8th January when a Dan Air aircraft G-ANXN, operating a BEA schedule from Glasgow, diverted into Liverpool due to poor weather at Manchester. It later left for Heathrow. Phil Butler recalls seeing this aircraft at Liverpool, but the foggy low visibility even in the lights infront of No.1 hangar made a photographic record impossible!

[maverick]

Fabulous info on a wonderfully graceful aircraft (despite it being essential a Lanc conversion/redesign)

Just a little surprised there were no military visits - thought some of the 'high ranks' may have visited post-war.

[johnoakes]

This is an excellent section of the forum and reawakens many happy memories.
I was at the airport when the 2 Valettas arrived.
I recall it was a very exciting afternoon as we had 4 aircraft on the go at once--the 2 Valettas and 2 Dakotas--from memory one may have been Cambrian but not certain.For the Speke of those distant days it was a memorable and unique occasion.
Thanks to Viscount for his efforts and for keeping the section up to date.

[ian531]

The picture of the Beverley reminded me of a story I heard

I worked with a bloke who was born on the Isle of Man and got an apprenticeship and decided to go to Brough (He was a keen cyclist and Hull had a large cycling scene so that swayed his decision!)

They were still running tests on the Beverley at the time and he and a friend were watching one of the early prototype's when they were approached by the test pilot to go for a ride.

Of course they said yes and away they went. What the pilots didn't tell them was that they would be flying stall tests!

He said the inside was completely bare with nothing to at all inside. They only thing to hold on to was the joints between the metal sheets, but they couldn't get a decent grip.

He said they were either pinned to the floor or suddenly thrown to the roof. Obviously, they both felt very sick but once they calmed down they said it was an 'interesting' flight.

I bet the pilots had a great laugh at their expence ;D

Ian

[jy]

An Eagle Aviation charter arrived at Liverpool from Valencia on 20th December with a circus on its way to perform at Belle Vue, Manchester. Aboard the York were 5 lions, 2 monkeys, 2 ponies along with 5 attendants. This charter is covered in Tony Merton-Jones' 'British Independent Airlines' book, however does not record which aircraft was involved - although at the time Eagle had only just obtained 3 aircraft from BOAC, so it was either G-AGNP, G-AGNT or G-AGNU (well maybe - I've found two rather different fleet histories of Eagle's Yorks!).

Dave Harding pointed me here I have the Eagle log book with this visit and it was G-AGNZ
inbound from Valencia 1755 on 21st and outbound 1022 on 22nd to Aldermaston
best
jy