A Tribute to Woodford

[Deleted]

Came across two videos featuring aircraft manufactured or converted at Woodford. Whilst most of this is filmed elsewhere there is some footage of the site. Of particular interest is an airliner that never made it to production but the prototype flew. I've never seen it before so would be interested if anyone could shed a little more light on it. It appears about two minutes in on the first link. Watch out for (amongst others) the Mount Cook 748, the Buccaneer take offs, and the Manchester AVP's RJ.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_OMMlfxEMA&feature=fvsr

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zk8NSZKyrRg&src_vid=9_OMMlfxEMA&annotation_id=annotation_602173&feature=iv

[viscount]

Avro 748,

About two minutes into the first clip after the Lancaster and York, the general factory shots show the Avro Tudor fuselages in production. The Avro Tudor was a 4 Merlin, piston-engined airliner, produced immediately post WW2. In appearance had the same stance as the HP Hastings. The Tudor appeared in several models, even a jet engined one, but had a brief life in airline service, with quite a high accident rate.

The final unfinished fuselages were used to produce an experimental jet-engined airliner. Given the name Avro Ashton, six were built, although never intended for production. The Avro Ashton did act as a test-bed for a number of the early British jet engines. An Ashton did become a film star in "Cone of Silence". The forward fuselage of one does still survive, with the Newark Air Museum, although the nose does not reflect the unusual wing pod for the engines.

The clip then moves briefly onto the red Avro 707 and then Vulcan.

www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avro_Ashton
www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avro_Tudor

[avro748]

Thanks for posting the links.

Some memory jogging images in those videos. I liked the Buccaneer stuff, particularly the take off vid with optimistically early gear retraction! Also, it seemed quite fitting to show that ATP taxiing in with its port engine shutdown! If i am not mistaken the Avro Canada Jetliner featured in the first video didnt have much connection with Woodford, although i think the CTP at the time (Jimmy Orrell) flew it in Canada?

Maybe the forum should take a lead from these vids and set up a Woodford tribute on this site? It could consist of photos, anecdotes and some production info from the real 'Flypast' Home Grown section? ...just a thought.

Cheers

Shaun

[Deleted]

Thanks for letting me know. Reading through the Wikipedia links it was surprising to see that, a number of years prior to the formation of BAC, the aircraft manufacturers were developing systems together and using each others ideas.

Glad you liked them Avro748, I'll post more if I come across them. It's a wonder there weren't any accidents with those optimistic retractions .

[speedbird1960]

I was at the Woodford Airshow in 1971, when i got my first fix of Concorde at the sprightly young age of eleven.

I found this interesting article about its visit to Woodford.
menmedia.co.uk/stockportexpress/news/s/307/307678_the_end_of_a_golden_age.html

I can't find any videos of Concorde at Woodford.

[viscount]

A new website, being developed by the great great grandson of A.V.Roe using family archives and other sources:

www.verdon-roe.co.uk/#/introduction/

Wider than just Woodford in scope. Some very nice photos etc.

[Deleted]

Apr 9, 2012 22:19:00 GMT 1 speedbird1960 said:

I can't find any videos of Concorde at Woodford.

There is one on the net somewhere. I remember stumbling across it whilst looking for a replica of a balloon Viscount said was at Woodford (in 1966). It features many of the aircraft on display that day but Concorde was not in the title so won't appear on a search engine.

I've spent about two hours trying to find it but the closest I've come is this photo of her on the day.

www.airport-data.com/aircraft/photo/295979.html

[Deleted]

Came across this site showing photos, there's even one of the Ashton flying over Liverpool docks. Click on the H's to the right of the page.

www.edendale.co.uk/ANW/WFD.H1.html

[speedbird1960]

Thanks Ste, i found this footage from Woodford from 1966, no sign of Concorde but it does feature a Balloon that could be the one you mentioned.

.
Rare archive colour footage of the Royal Aeronautical Society's centenary Garden Party held on 9 July 1966 at the Hawker Siddeley Aerodrome, Woodford. The period film shows a fly-in of private aircraft, the crowds and static line as well as an air display including the Avro Vulcan, Westland Whirlwind, Supermarine Spitfire, de Haviland Mosquito, Piper PA-E23-250 Aztec, Avro 504K, RAF Falcons parachute team and the famous Red Arrows team, flying Folland Gnats in only their second-ever display season.

I think this video is worthy as a tribute.


Avro Vulcan XH558 Spectacular Take Off
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIJOE_DC-n8&feature=fvwrel

BAE Woodford Air Show RAF Hercules display ( Death deifying.)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yTs3M5a0PM&feature=related

Antonov An-124 at Woodford
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiciGIsX7ss

[Deleted]

Thanks for that Speedbird it is the balloon I was looking for. Some fantastic aircraft in there too. Love the Vulcan smoking the crowd out. It would be a further five years before Concorde makes an appearance - still can't find it though. I'll never forget her, she was most certainly the highlight of the 1971 show and my spotting days.