Birmingham: Airport Nostalgia

[JENNYJET]

Diversions, especially from LHR were heaven! And a special nod to Kevin for a bull's eye. We have always had to wish for diversionary traffic at BHX and says everything about our local airport. Bread and Butter for daily rations and any treats reserved for high holidays and specially kind members let us know when and if a rare arrival graces the tarmac and I am always grateful for the photos.

 

[wolfheze]

Certainly was the case back when I used to go but unless your lucky enough to get a 747 diversion all your going to see is more of the same albeit in different liveries. Would love to know if I was in my early teens again whether I would still be interested enough to spend 8 hours a day or more at the airport? Maybe who knows? Would like to get someone else's take on it that used to go in the 70s that still visits regularly now.

 

[JENNYJET]

The good days were before current terminal was built, and I recall a cold winter evening in the round cafeteria at Elmdon, gazing out at a BA 747-100 with snow on top of the hump, thinking how it dwarfed the entire building and cursing the closure of the outside spiral stairs preventing a close up picture.

It was those evenings when I shunned my friends because they thought I was mad going to an airport in the snow and darkness but the chance to see the great jumbojet was a compelling temptation. Too young for beer but a shandy was a nice drink as the bar was nearly always open.

 

[elmdon74]

I have to agree with your comments,I havn`t been to BHX since 10th January this year to take any pictures due to lockdown and total lack of interesting visitors and variety.I started spotting in 1974 and due to the fact I worked in travel was at Brum nearly every week and visited many European and worldwide airports over 40 years.It takes a lot to get me out of the house now,the last time was the US DC8.Hoping for better times ahead! Regards,Simon.

 

[thunderchild]

The variety of aircraft truly has gone; nothing beat seeing the Air Transat Tri-Stars or the Balkan TU-154s coming into land!

 

[JENNYJET]

Given modern aircraft we have, it is quite something when it takes a DC8 to generate interest not because it is/was a noisy and smokey jet, themselves rare beasts but the rarity of such an aircraft in UK skies. Oh the memories, I am getting a touch weepy thinking of it.

 

[elmdon74]

This was the type that got me started,you could see the smoke trail miles away when landing,spent hours on the Coventry Road waiting with radio in hand to hear them on handover from London control.

 

[JENNYJET]

Wow, I remember a regular Spantax Coronado overfly the bedsit in Bordesley Green thinking it was not as noisy as a 1-11 but far smokier. Great picture Elmdon74, thank you.

 

[Vinny94]

This was the type that got me started,you could see the smoke trail miles away when landing,spent hours on the Coventry Road waiting with radio in hand to hear them on handover from London control.

Woah that sounds incredible, it looks really cool with the 4 engines too.

 

[HPsauce]

The Convair C990 Coronado of Spantax were quite a sight with that smoke trail. They were perhaps the most regular 'large' aircraft we saw at BHX during the summer months. I think they first appeared in 1967. Initially Spantax owned 3, but came by a few more in the following years (ex American Airlines i recall). The Coranado was quite a rare bird (C990) as not too many were built. It was certainly a poor relation to the 707 and DC-8's of the time. Spantax moved on eventually to DC-8's, DC-9's and DC-10 (for long distance routes) before a DC-10 crashed at Malaga. They ceased operations not long afterwards.

 

[JENNYJET]

So rare I can still remember them today as it was the first time the Fan Whine registered in my mind as specific turbofan powered aircraft, including those helicopters as used by Police and Air ambulance. Hear that fan noise coming I drop what I am doing to take a look.

 

[Kevin Farnell]

I started spotting in 1974

I started in 1974 too! I would have been 10 years old and although my Dad had taken me to the airport many times, I consider this as the start of my hobby. It was either a Saturday or school holidays as my cousin and I had made our way to BHX by train and bus from Bloxwich. In the evening, my Dad came to pick us up. He knew we would be in the round cafeteria of the Elmdon terminal. To get there, you had to pass a small shop and my Dad had bought copies of Civil Aircraft Markings 1974 for my cousin and I (my Dad had been a keen trainspotter in his youth and was therefore familiar with the Ian Allen publications). He handed it to me and I browsed through it, totally baffled. He then explained about writing down registrations and underlining them in the book. I couldn't wait to get started. I no longer record registrations, other than of aircraft I fly on but it was great fun for many years.

Wow, I remember a regular Spantax Coronado

I loved the Coronado. I thought it looked so cool, especially with the large 'Area Rule' fairings on top of the wings.

Spantax moved on eventually to DC-8's, DC-9's and DC-10

They also had B737-200's for a while, possibly as replacements for the DC-9-10's.

I recall watching the Aviogenex Tu-134's on approach. Before you could see the aircraft, there would be a dark smudge in the sky from the smoke.

I also remember being surprised to see an Interflug Tu-134 sat on the apron during one visit. This was prior to Eurohub/T2 being built and was on stand against the old concrete pier opposite the car park.

Another memory, this time at the Elmdon terminal. We were walking around outside the main entrance when a Policeman approached us and asked 'got any film in your cameras lads?' I was worried that we were in trouble but he went on to say that a large German Air Force helicopter would soon arrive. thanking him we found a good vantage point to watch a CH-53G land.

Happy memories.

Kevin

 

[JENNYJET]

Happy days, to be able to see the Luftwaffe at BHX as a welcome guest and not the enemy. Interflug however must have been something special as East Germany was a bogey when I was little!

 

[Kevin Farnell]

Interflug however must have been something special as East Germany was a bogey when I was little!

Possibly for a sporting event or an orchestra visiting?

Kevin

 

[JENNYJET]

Staatskapelle aus Dresden comes to mind as East Germany's finest orchestra of the time under communism, but cannot quite remember an exchange visit with our CBSO though very possible. I cannot remember any football team from the DDR coming to play AVFC or even BCFC, I am getting old!

 

[wolfheze]

Staatskapelle aus Dresden comes to mind as East Germany's finest orchestra of the time under communism, but cannot quite remember an exchange visit with our CBSO though very possible. I cannot remember any football team from the DDR coming to play AVFC or even BCFC, I am getting old!

Saw the CBSO last year. Nick Owen was the compere. Very good too.

 

[JENNYJET]

Nick Owen or the Orchestra? Please, not old nick! I have to own up here, I was once seconded to CBSO Schools section when I was taking my O level in Music. I was partaking a performance of The Requium by Verdi. Everyone will know this work after hearing the opening few bars.

 

[HPsauce]

If i remember correctly, it was the Berlin Philharmonic. Obviously well before the two Germanies were merged into one, and long before the Berlin wall fell!.

 

[wolfheze]

Nick Owen or the Orchestra? Please, not old nick! I have to own up here, I was once seconded to CBSO Schools section when I was taking my O level in Music. I was partaking a performance of The Requium by Verdi. Everyone will know this work after hearing the opening few bars.

Nick Owen just did his thing, nice and low key. Orchestra were very good even though they didn't play Griegs piano concerto, always wanted to see the conductor jump in the air!

 

[JENNYJET]

The Berlin Philharmonic are and remain legendary in the Classical music domain. Anything with them and Herbert von Karajan conducting was transformed to a level above anyone else. Recordings with that combination usually come at a premium. Deutsche Grammaphon is the associated label.