Nostalgia at BHX

[Brum X]

Just to be a bit pedantic wasn't the ATC tower and control always in the original terminal building right up until the new one was opened?
The tower in the current terminal was used purely for apron/ground movements until expansion of the terminal rendered it obsolete.

You are right of course rollo but it looked like a ATC Tower so in my eyes will always be a ATC Tower

 

[Ray Finkle]

If my memory is correct they couldn't actually see the end of the runway from that tower so it was only used for ground movements?

 

[Vinny94]

Thanks everyone for the responses to my previous post, I really appreciate it. I will continue to add more classic pictures from BHX if I find any.

Anyway... not sure if anyone remembers, but Thomas Cook used to operate flights (might be charter flights) from Birmingham to Toronto YYZ using Boeing 757-200 aircraft. I flew with Thomas Cook all the way back in 2010 to visit family, and I found the 757 to be comfortable during the journey, despite the legroom being short. I booked using Canadian Affair.

It makes me wonder if they will have flights like this again in the future, hopefully using A330s from Birmingham. It's unlikely, but one can dream...

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The plane that took us to YYZ.

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Another 757 at YYZ.


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Our ride back home.

 

[Ray Finkle]

not sure if anyone remembers, but Thomas Cook used to operate flights (might be charter flights) from Birmingham to Toronto YYZ using Boeing 757-200 aircraft

Back when we had several weekly flights to Toronto.

We now have.......

 

[Brum X]

Id be happy with a TCX 757 right now Vinny

 

[Vinny94]

Any plane would do going across the pond, no matter how old and battered it is. Nothing beats the sound of those RB211s

 

[Vinny94]

Back when we had several weekly flights to Toronto.

We now have.......

It's sad, if only Primera air was an actual decent airline that didn't expand too quickly.
I hope WestJet considers flying from BHX someday, shouldn't affect their Gatwick operations too much I think.

 

[Kevin Farnell]

I finally found a box file containing many of my old negatives. Here is a selection from BHX, in no particular order. It's a mix of regular traffic and diversions.

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Kevin

 

[Kevin Farnell]

Completing the above post (seemed to be limited to 10 pictures)...



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There are more to come, with something possibly a bit special. Don't hold your breath though as my Nikon Coolscan IV is sooooo Sloooow.

Kevin

 

[Brum X]

Great photo's Kevin

 

[JENNYJET]

Kevin Sir? Who operated that DC-10 I cannot recognize the livery.

 

[mullion]

Cal Air? G-BJZD ex Laker and Caledonian from memory

 

[wolfheze]

Anyone ever see a caravelle using a drogue/drag chute after touchdown? There were pictures posted recently on the Elmdon Facebook page of a JAT caravelle deploying one at Birmingham, apparently it was released just before arriving at the stand. Early caravelles didn't have thrust reversers so would have given the brakes a hard time without the chute. Never saw this myself despite seeing a diverted Air France example at Birmingham.

 

[Kevin Farnell]

Kevin Sir? Who operated that DC-10 I cannot recognize the livery.

Cal Air? G-BJZD ex Laker and Caledonian from memory

Yes, the airline was originally Cal Air but changed their name to Novair. I think there may have been some dispute with BCAL over the orignal name.

Kevin

 

[mullion]

Carried Cal Air for about 3 years 85 to 88

 

[Kevin Farnell]

A few more of my BHX nostalgia photos.

On 19 May 1999, Villa Park hosted the UEFA Cup Winners Cup Final (my favourite of the European cup events, as there was always a possibilty of a lower ranked club being involved if they were to win the FA or League cup), between Mallorca and Lazio. This resulted in a huge influx of flights into BHX and was probably the busiest 'heavies' day in BHX's history.
Lazio went on to win 2-1 in what was sadly the last ever Cup Winners Cup competition.

Some of what visited -

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How many 'Heavies' are present here -

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Wish it was always like that!

Kevin

 

[rollo]

Brilliant photos and memories there Kevin although just another day at the office back then.

 

[Matt995]

great photos, surprised to see a BAC 1-11 in the British Midland livery, never knew they operated them, I guess it was a leased aircraft?

 

[Kevin Farnell]

surprised to see a BAC 1-11 in the British Midland livery, never knew they operated them, I guess it was a leased aircraft?

As you might guess from the registration 'G-WLAD' (Welsh Lad?), the aircraft had previously seen service with Airways-Cymru. I'm not sure if it was leased or not.
BMA also operated at least 2 One-Eleven 500's in the 1970's (G-AXLL and G-AXLM).
Picture and info on G-AXLL can be found here on Airteam Images -

BMA One-Eleven 500 G-AXLL

Kevin

 

[Jerry]

As you might guess from the registration 'G-WLAD' (Welsh Lad?), the aircraft had previously seen service with Airways-Cymru. I'm not sure if it was leased or not.
BMA also operated at least 2 One-Eleven 500's in the 1970's (G-AXLL and G-AXLM).
Picture and info on G-AXLL can be found here on Airteam Images -

BMA One-Eleven 500 G-AXLL

Kevin

Glwad means country in Welsh