Wrecked aircraft at LBA

[b747fan]

Hi,
I am new to this forum, and in fact, new to forums generally. Forgive me if I'm doing anything wrong!

When I was a kid (30+ years ago!), I lived in Leeds and used to visit LBA regularly. At the back of the airport, on waste ground, was an old wrecked airliner that was used for fire practice. It was there for as long as I can remember. I have started spotting again and have visited LBA, but I see that it has now gone.

There is no mention of it in Alan Phillips' excellent book, '60 years of Leeds Bradford Airport.'

Has anyone any knowledge of its identity?

Thanks
b747fan

 

[norjet806]

Hi b747fan

The aircraft was Vickers Varsity WL678, it was on the LBA fire dump up to the mid 80's.

 

[b747fan]

That's very good of you to get me the info.

Many thanks Norjet806

b747fan

 

[White Heather]

I saw that Varsity (RAF Air Support Command) make its final flight into LBA one evening when I had gone up to the airport on my bike, although I can't remember the year. It would have been in the late 60's I think. What always stuck in my mind was that it landed on what is now the North/South taxiway, approaching from the Bramhope side and parked up on the pan at the top, by the golf course. The next time I went to the airport it was on the fire dump and had already been set on fire - the whole aircraft leaning over on to one wing, which is pretty much how it stayed until eventually it was burned so much there was nothing left of it.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

b747fan,

On behalf of all members of forums4airports welcome aboard.

You will find this a very relaxed and friendly site and everyone's opinion is respected.

I look forward to future posts from you.

 

[b747fan]

Thanks LocalYokel.

very impressed how quickly an answer came through to my enquiry. Also, very nice to be welcomed.

Thanks,

b747fan

 

[WYIA]

Have you all seen the Shorts360 on the fire practice ground. Getting abit haggerd now but i remember when that aircraft went off the runway at "Sheffield city airport". Look North got very excited about it.

 

[masere]

Welcome aboard b747fan :hatsoff: Nice to have a 747 at LBIA! I too remember the wrecked aircraft when I used to visit as a young kid in the 80's. Nice to finally find out what it was.

 

[Bigman]

Talking of wrecked aircraft, I see that N646VP is still in hangar 1. Anyone know what is to happen to it?

 

[Siddy]

Yes I remember that plane when I was taken to view the airport and watch as they landed and stop just before the wall at the end of rw32 always looked close.
What is the red/white building now standing where the fire plane was. I used to park up there in the early 90's but you can't now.

 

[ls27]

I think that the building you may refer to Siddy, is an emergency control tower, and has been used a couple of times when the main control tower has been struck by lightning.

 

[twevsmiff]

I note on another site, photos of the fire section's Shorts 360 EI-BPD leaving the fire ground on the back of a low loaded. It is pictured on Delta taxiiway. Anyone know the fate of the hulk??? Also are we getting a replacement "aircraft" for use by the fire section?

 

[White Heather]

I note on another site, photos of the fire section's Shorts 360 EI-BPD leaving the fire ground on the back of a low loaded. It is pictured on Delta taxiiway. Anyone know the fate of the hulk??? Also are we getting a replacement "aircraft" for use by the fire section?

I guess they will have to get something to set fire to unless they have one of those fire practice cylinder things.

Post automatically merged: Jan 7, 2023

Interesting to note that the Shorts 360 recently removed, EI-BPD, met it's end at Sheffield City Airport on 4th Feb 2001 when a bad landing from Dublin, resulted in it being written off. I remember it well!

 

[Bigman]

A PIA A310 would do the job I reckon.

 

[Len Fish]

A PIA A310 would do the job I reckon.

Already sold to IPS Airways!

 

[LBA4EVER]

Already sold to IPS Airways!

Apparently IPS are still planning for the winter schedule, depends which winter haha

 

[ChrisBBB]

A PIA A310 would do the job I reckon.

It was the pilots that were wrecked, not the planes!

 

[quik123]

I guess they will have to get something to set fire to unless they have one of those fire practice cylinder things.

Post automatically merged: Jan 7, 2023

Interesting to note that the Shorts 360 recently removed, EI-BPD, met it's end at Sheffield City Airport on 4th Feb 2001 when a bad landing from Dublin, resulted in it being written off. I remember it well!

It hasn't been used for fire practice for years. They do have one of the metal cylinder things which is on the fire ground. Recently it was used to practice piercing the hull structure with the new fire appliances.