Nostalgia at BHX

[Elmdon80slad]

No good. The images are jpg. If I try in there original size the box that tells you the % of the upload goes up to 100 % but then the error message appears. If I try the reduced size it goes straight to the error message.

Sounds like a mod call out for help.

E.

 

[Ray Finkle]

No good. The images are jpg. If I try in there original size the box that tells you the % of the upload goes up to 100 % but then the error message appears. If I try the reduced size it goes straight to the error message.

It's happened to me once or twice. I opened the images in 'Paint' and resized using the pixel count which seemed to work.

 

[Kevin Farnell]

Occasions when I was at Elmdon and the new side were - When we had the first 747 (Qantas) also when we had the first concorde the Air France one, I was down at the viewing area on the grass near the Warwickshire Aero Club building, then all those great weather diversions 79,80,81,82,83 I was on the spiral or on the cov road near the crash gate across the road from the chippy, I was on the spiral that day when Lady Diana flew in off a RAF 748 and was greeted by the lord mayor outside hangar 1 (I had a photo I took but now gone)
Then Euro 96 I was there most days mostly up on the NCP car park Elmdon side, either on the top or next level down as I remember we had a bit or rain on those days, then when we had the G8 summits - I was mostly on the spiral again and down the golf course.
I also used to spend a fair bit of time in the Aviation Experience building in the new terminal, and chatting to Adrian in the shop about the books I sold him and the book project he had off me.

Good days.

E.

I was there on quite a few of those occasions. Sadly, I missed the Qantas 747 but I was there for the Air France Concorde. My Dad picked me up from my first day at Walsall college and following a dash down the M6, we stood in a field where the current terminals are now located. I believe the aircraft was F-BTSC, which years later was involved in the crash at Paris.
I was also there for the last ever Cup Winners Cup Final. This brought a huge variety of aircraft, including DC-10's, L1011's and 747's.
The G8 summit in 1998 was another highlight. A particular memory was 2 Japanese Government 747-400, departing one after the other direct to Tokyo. Not to mention USAF C5's, C141's along with a Russian Il-76, an Il-86(?) and an IL-62. Also, national VIP aircraft from Spain (B707), France (A310), Canada (A310) and many other nations.
I was also there for many diversions. If there was the slightest possibility of fog down south on a Saturday or Sunday morning, I would set my alarm clock for about 6 am and listen in on my airband radio. I could be out of the house in under 10 minutes.
One I remember well, was a midweek evening around about 8pm. I was listening to air traffic and heard that the RVR's were dropping at LHR. I said to my parents that I was 'going to the airport' (they were used to this!) and set off on the 30 minute drive from Bloxwich to BHX. Not long after arriving, a BA B767 diverted in from Paris bound for LHR. The following Saturday, in the viewing lounge, non of the regulars would believe me (this was before the days of FR24 and instant messaging).
I know that I have many photos of these events, I just need to get to the bottom of long abandoned wardrobes to find them.

Kevin

 

[Elmdon80slad]

I would love to see those pics Kevin talk about a walk down memory lane, I used to cycle over on my mountain bike in the early days or bus it, I am the chap who wrote a book on the airports diversions, it took me over 2 years to compile all the info from the logs I was given - talk about a labour of love, when I condensed everything into about 4-5 bonders I passed them on to AJ Myatt at the shop in the viewing center.
I bet at some point I stood next to you - even possibly spke to you like - "hi mate dont suppose you know the reg of the BA Lump on the short" during fog diverts of course.

E.

 

[Kevin Farnell]

Thanks for the comments and the 'likes'. Just glad that I could share some old photos (and memories) with friends.

I forgot to add this one though -

Sorry that the focus is a little off, but thought it worth sharing.

Kevin

 

[Kevin Farnell]

A few more nostalgic views from BHX. No specific event, but hope you enjoy -

The following photo has a very nasty crease, where it has been folded -

A quick go (and I mean quick - about a minute) with Photoshop's Spot Healing tool yielded this -

Not perfect as there is still a band visible, but I still think a big improvement.

And finally, does anyone remember this? or have any idea what it was operating -

Regards

Kevin

 

[rollo]

Could it be the transport for the U.S. press core for Ryder Cup at the Belfry I well remember the actual team came in on a chartered Concord the show offs.

 

[Creguk]

Brings back loads of memories. I loved the AA 767. Did BA used to fly a 767 out of the Eurohub or am I imagining things?

 

[Kevin Farnell]

Brings back loads of memories. I loved the AA 767. Did BA used to fly a 767 out of the Eurohub or am I imagining things?

I believe so.
The service started with a B757 operating non stop BHX-JFK. Later it change to a B767, which I believe routed via GLA.

Also, I've just dug out an old photo album with a shed load of BHX photos. I'll post them as I get time to scan them.

Kevin

 

[Ray Finkle]

Fantastic pictures, they really took me on a trip down memory lane

Also great to see MAEL having a booming winter

 

[thunderchild]

I believe so.
The service started with a B757 operating non stop BHX-JFK. Later it change to a B767, which I believe routed via GLA.

I always thought it was the other way round and it started BHX-GLA-JFK on the 767 then a year or so later both BHX and GLA each had a direct 757 to JFK. Towards the end the added YYZ was added from BHX (not sure about GLA) and it went BHX-YYZ-JFK before being pulled altogether. Not 100% sure but BA definitely operated a 767 for a while.

 

[rollo]

Definitely started with a 767 and pretty sure it was direct.

 

[Creguk]

I'd love to see the BA 767 if anyone has photos?

 

[Ray Finkle]

I'd love to see the BA 767 if anyone has photos?

This one was laid on for the G8.

 

[elmdon74]

Some BA 767`s from my records,

4TH JUNE 1993 LHR DIVERSION

30th MARCH 1993

31 MAY 1994

4TH JUNE 1993
Regards,Simon.

 

[rollo]

Great photos elmdon 74 just shows BA had a serious operation at BHX.

Running back through my memory when BA started the JFK service they Also started at MAN and I've a feeling LAX also From MAN maybe someone from the Manchester forum can confirm, anyway suppose we're straying off thread as usual.

 

[elmdon74]

17th Sept 1999.Just looked it up in my old LAAS magazines and it arrived on an Airtours flight,operated for them next 2 days and left 20/9/99.Possibly an Orlando flight ? Simon.

 

[rollo]

Well I wasn't that far out as the Ryder cup was held in September1999 it's just that it was in Brooklyn.

Rollo

 

[wolfheze]

Some BA 767`s from my records,

4TH JUNE 1993 LHR DIVERSION

30th MARCH 1993

31 MAY 1994

4TH JUNE 1993
Regards,Simon.

Looking at the mist at Birmingham I'm assuming the diversions were due to fog?
Did we used to get fog in June?

 

[elmdon74]

Looking at the mist at Birmingham I'm assuming the diversions were due to fog?
Did we used to get fog in June?

I believe BA staff were on strike at LHR/LGW for one day and few longhaul flights operated.Something to do with the takeover of Dan Air and their staff being integrated into BA.Didn`t affect BA regional so some overnight flight arrived at BHX and MAN.Regards,Simon.