Cambrian 1-11 photo

[Deleted]

Does anyone have a photo of either G-AVGP of G-AWBL when it first came to LPL to operate with Cambrian. I seem to recall that, although operating for Cambrian, it had been on loan to BEA and did not have a dragon on the tail. It also had BEA stickers either above the doors or close by. Can't remember which one it was but of the two would go for VGP.

Thanks in advance

Steve

[viscount]

BAC.1-11 srs 400 acquisition by Cambrian:

G-AVOF bt 19.12.69, del to LPL from Luton 13.1.70 for training
G-AVOE bt 12.1.70, del to LPL from Wisley 19.1.70
G-AVGP bt 24.3.70, del to LPL from Wisley 4.4.70
G-AWBL bt 20.1.71, first appeared at LPL 17.2.71 on a scheduled service

In 1970, in addition to operating the BAC.1-11 on their own routes between Heathrow to Cork, Liverpool and IoM and Liverpool to Dublin, one of their aircraft was operated on behalf of BEA based in Berlin and used on BEAs German internal scheduled services in Cambrian scheme with BEA stickers and another on some of their services to Dublin, while BEA Airtours used one based at Gatwick during 1971. Cambrian came under the control of the newly formed BA 1.4.72 and part of BA Regional Division 1.9.72. Extracted from 'British independent Airlines since 1947' pub 1976 by MAS/LAASI. From the same source, the first Cambrian jet passenger flight was Liverpool to Heathrow on 15.1.70.

It would appear then that the BEA stickers were applied during service with Cambrian, rather than before the aircraft served with them. All 4 aircraft had previously been operated by the defunct Court Line, some leased (certainly G-AVGP) from BAC and returned to them prior to purchase by Cambrian.

LAASI 'Jet Airliner Production Lists - Vol.2' is the source of the purchase date. This source does not detail use by BEA on German routes etc. However does also show G-AWBL leased to Gulf Air 10.73 to 30.6.74 and briefly G-AVOF 30.10.74 to 11.74. The delivery to Liverpool dates are from PHB's visiting aircraft logs. BIAL does not mention the Gulf Air leases.

The 1988 Phil Lo Bao 'History of B.E.A' tome simply states BEA used Cambrian Airways BAC.1-11.400 aircraft 1970 to 1973 on German internal services and Manchester-Dublin and Birmingham-Dublin services. From the main text it appears that the use on at least the Dublin services ended March 1972 by which time all four aircraft had been used.

Ste, not sure if all the avove helps with you search for a photo of a BEA marked aircraft, but it should help pin down a date period in which to search the records!

[Deleted]

Thanks Viscount that is very interesting and contained facts that I was totally unaware of. This particular incident sticks in my mind as I was at the airport at the time and was told this 1-11 was coming in and that it was Cambrians newest. When it landed and taxied to a halt, clearly with BEA markings, I asked the same guy when the Cambrian one was coming in and he said "this is it - it's been on loan to BEA".

Unfortunately, I haven't been able to pin down any photos as yet but my search has revealed some extremely interesting things namely these two videos of a 1-11 landing together with engine startup - shot just 3 weeks ago.

Turn your volume to full, close your eyes, and imagine yourself on the balcony at LPL for this one;

www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=WY2fa8an8sw

Do the same for this if you have ever flown on one;

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivToOMUtx5c&feature=related

And for it's short landing capabilities - take a look at this;

www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLDgkAqKJiI&feature=related

[jake3]

ste -t check out this site you might find what your looking for here.
www.cambrianairways.org.uk/page_1344627.html

[Deleted]

Thanks jake3. I took a look but their all in full Cambrian livery. It's probably one of those that I'll stumble across by accident, but I'll keep on searching.