Birmingham: Airport Nostalgia

[Timberwolf]

Well if we're going down that route, does anyone have the regs of flight KT486 and 487 L1011 TriStar both ways LGW - ACE 5th October 1989 to 12th October 1989. I've never asked as I thought nobody would have those details for so long ago. I still don't think anybody would have, but there you go. Thanks in advance if anybody does 🙏😎

Sorry had a look but only kept what I saw.
Do have C-GMXL DC-8 Nationair in Sept 89 on an Air Europe flt.
Along with Air Canada 747 C-GAGC and BA 747 -136 G-AWNA, LHR diverts.

Then BA 747s G-BDXB and G-AWNL LHR divs.
Also BA Tristars G-BGBC,BHBN, G-BBAJ, G-BEAK and also Novair DC-10 G-BJZD, Iberia 727s EC-CBI/CFF and AA 763s N352AN/354AA/ N39356 VR-HIH/VR-HOP Cathay 747s, C-FTNH Tristar Air Canada on MAN strike diverts that Dec.

 

[JENNYJET]

I do not know how it is today, but when I was young and free, I did most of my spotting along the fence on the golf course, close enough to the action for my ribs to rattle when the 1-11s and B737-200s and the British Midland or Cyprus B707/720s were on the roll.

 

[Kevin Farnell]

I do not know how it is today, but when I was young and free, I did most of my spotting along the fence on the golf course, close enough to the action for my ribs to rattle when the 1-11s and B737-200s and the British Midland or Cyprus B707/720s were on the roll.

I went there occasionally. Wasn't there a small mound, which gave a good view over the fence? One time that I remember, was when there was a fireman's strike at MAN. I remember seeing a Kar-Air DC-8 and also the Lufthansa Ju-52 was flying through the zone. ATC asked if it would do a low pass along the runway so they could get a look. They happily complied.
As for the ground shaking aircraft, there were so many more - Dan-Air Comet's and B727's, JAT DC-9's, B727's and B707's, Aviogenex Tu-134's and Balkan Tu-154's along with BMA who also used DC-9's and B707's. Spantax and CPAir operated DC-8's. I could probably think of many more.

 

[Scottie Dog]

And please don't forget the Spantax Convair CV990-A.

 

[Kevin Farnell]

And please don't forget the Spantax Convair CV990-A.

Oh yeah, I loved those!

I also recall Air Spain DC-8's (I loved their red and yellow colour scheme), and was it transeuropa that used Caravelles? Although it was a lot quieter in those days, there seems to have been a much greater variation of aircraft types. Today seems to be 90%+ A320 family, B737's and Atr42/72's.

 

[HPsauce]

Oh yeah, I loved those!

I also recall Air Spain DC-8's (I loved their red and yellow colour scheme), and was it transeuropa that used Caravelles? Although it was a lot quieter in those days, there seems to have been a much greater variation of aircraft types. Today seems to be 90%+ A320 family, B737's and Atr42/72's.

I certainly remember all of the aforementioned aircraft, and yes, Transeuropa Caravelles, along with Hispania. The Coronados were always eagerly awaited. EC-BJC and BJD i believe were the original two operated by Spantax. They of course went on to add several more.
Does anyone remember the SAM DC-6?. An Italian charter airline. I think they also went on to operate Caravelle aircraft. Probably a charter division of Alitalia, and similar colour scheme i recall.
Yes, it was quieter on those days, but the variety of aircraft and airlines was tremendous, especially through the summer.

 

[Garybrum]

was it transeuropa that used Caravelles?

I seem to remember Air Algerie Caravelles in the 60's.

And please don't forget the Spantax Convair CV990-A.

I have a lovely photo of the landing on the inaugural flight which I purchased from the Evening Mail as a keen little'un. I wanted to show it on this thread a few weeks back but the current copyright holders said I would have to pay them to do this 🙁

 

[Scottie Dog]

I appreciate that this is a Birmingham thread and I hope I won't be accused of doing a highjack, but as it's general nostalgia and relates to aircraft that might have operated through BHX, how about;

Dan-Air Ambassadors? The whole tail unit seemed to shiver when the old pistons were given a run-up to full power!!

Derby Airways/British Midland Argonauts? These were basically a Canadair version of the DC-4 with different engines.

 

[JENNYJET]

I was never interested in propellor aircraft unless it was a Viscount with those musical engines. JETS all day for me and the 1970's certainly delivered.

 

[Kevin Farnell]

Dan-Air Ambassadors? The whole tail unit seemed to shiver when the old pistons were given a run-up to full power!!

Derby Airways/British Midland Argonauts? These were basically a Canadair version of the DC-4 with different engines.

Sorry, a little before my time (although I am aware of the aircraft types). Like JENNYJET, my interest stated in the early 1970's, so was the early jet aircraft along with turboprops. My first flight (aged 6) was on a BEA Airtours DH Comet 4B.

 

[Garybrum]

Derby Airways/British Midland Argonauts? These were basically a Canadair version of the DC-4 with different engines.

I don't recall them, but may have seen them when I was 6 or 7. I do remember Invicta DC-4/C-54s at BHX in the mid-to-late 60's

 

[Nethercote2019]

I certainly remember all of the aforementioned aircraft, and yes, Transeuropa Caravelles, along with Hispania. The Coronados were always eagerly awaited. EC-BJC and BJD i believe were the original two operated by Spantax. They of course went on to add several more.
Does anyone remember the SAM DC-6?. An Italian charter airline. I think they also went on to operate Caravelle aircraft. Probably a charter division of Alitalia, and similar colour scheme i recall.
Yes, it was quieter on those days, but the variety of aircraft and airlines was tremendous, especially through the summer.

Those were the days late 60’s to mid 70’s, I spent lots of my holidays & weekends at Elmdon I flew on Air Spain DC8 to Palma from Elmdon !
i remember the Saturday early evening excitement of Iberia caravelle & SAM caravelle & the Friday Coronado was very special with the 4 stripes in the sky after it departed
I also fondly remember the seaboard CL44 swing tails being loaded with tyres.
Many happy hours hanging about seeing very little at all & with hours between movements but Standing by Hanger 3 when the VC10 departed was something very special and very loud… great memories thanks for reminding me of them

 

[CL44]

Now that is a regret that I do have. I never managed to see a CL44 in action! I do have some photos of some CV CL44s here at Birmingham as well as a Custom model of the same Aircraft (currently on display in the office along with several other models). Before anyone asks me to show the photos I must decline as they are copyright and I no longer have contact with the photographer (but I also dont want to upset Aviador)!

 

[Derwent Dale]

My favourite was the Air Spain Britannia, I remember seeing the first one arrive at Elmdon in late March 1967. It was a sunday, I was walking with my dad down the Meadway, having visited my granddad, we had just crossed the railway bridge heading down the hill towards the Mackadown. When this giant aircraft, in its smart blue and yellow paint scheme purred it's way ahead of us left to right on short finals to Elmdon - it looked enormous and appeared so low. This eleven year old was truly delighted and I remember this as if it were only 56 years ago!

 

[davecleaver777]

I started spotting in 1993 from the viewing platform in the main terminal as a 12 year old and my favourite sight first thing in the morning was the BA 767 parked on Eurohub ready for NYC, dont remember the gate number (looked better when a BA 747 diverted in on the same gate) So a question to the forum, what is the one stand out aircraft you have seen at bhx over the years . Mine was the Finnair DC10 I believe operated for Airtours in the early 90s for 1 flight

 

[HPsauce]

Difficult question. The first Concorde, which was an Air France specimen. It parked at the stand next to the outside viewing area at the old Elmdon terminal. Also around the same time, a visit from a Qantas B747-200 on a promotional tour I recall. VH-EBH i think was the reg. This would be early '70's.

 

[Kevin Farnell]

Difficult question. The first Concorde, which was an Air France specimen. It parked at the stand next to the outside viewing area at the old Elmdon terminal. Also around the same time, a visit from a Qantas B747-200 on a promotional tour I recall. VH-EBH i think was the reg. This would be early '70's.

I was there for that first Concorde too. I believe it was Sep '80, as it was my first day at Walsall College and had to sneak off early. My Dad picked me up and we drove to BHX. We stood in a field where the terminals now stand.

Sadly, the aircraft was F-BTSC, which years later was the one lost in the Paris disaster.

I also found my photo of a Transeuropa Caravelle.

 

[HPsauce]

I hadn't realised the Concorde was the one in the fatal crash.
There was a huge crowd to see it.
Thanks for the pics.

 

[Creguk]

Wow, as a 40 year old BHX spotter, some of these images and stories bring good memories. For me, I used to love watching the heavies. I too loved the BA 767 to NYC from the Eurohub. I flew a Monarch DC10 to Florida, and remember a 4 hour delay due to a broken toilet! I particularly remember a Balkan Tu154 on my spotters list that I used to purchase from the spotting shop. Was it about 40p? Great memories... Such a shame now all I see are A320s!

 

[thunderchild]

So a question to the forum, what is the one stand out aircraft you have seen at bhx over the years

Has to be Air Force One