Nostalgia at BHX

[Kevin Farnell]

I cut my photography teeth on a Zenit e or the Dixon's Prinzflex version, one had to think before depressing the exposure button, use of separate light meter. My first job got me into using Nikon and swear by that brand to this day. I always considered the Air France Concorde a beauty but missed the visit into BHX.

Thank you Kevin sir!

The Zenit-E/Prinzflex was the best SLR to learn with, as everything (and I mean everything) was manual. Even after you had set the aperture with the ring on the lens, you had to turn another ring to close the aperture to that setting (most other manual cameras had a mechanical link that did this on pressing the shutter release).
I can remember excitedly getting my new Zenit-E home (I still have it), unboxing it and then being baffled on reading through the instructions (I was about 15). There seemed so many settings - ASA (now ISO), shutter speed and aperture. The latter two dependant on the light meter and ASA setting. Once the penny dropped it was a great camera, if somewhat slow to operate and incredibly heavy.
My next camera was a Fuji STX-1 (again I still have it) for which I bought two Tamron lenses. It was awesome, with an excellent light metering system. It served me well on my holiday to Arizona, including a descent and ascent of the Grand Canyon.
Like Jenny, I moved on to Nikon. My first was an F50. This was not ideal for someone interested in fast action photography. Instead of thumb and finger wheels to set aperture and shutter speed, it had four buttons on top in front of the LCD display. You had to press the correct button to increase or decrease either aperture or shutter speed. Fine if you want to take scenery or portraits. Useless for action photography. I can't remember what happened to it. It's probably at the back of a cupboard somewhere.
I then moved on to a Nikon F80, which addressed all of the problems of the F50 along with adding a host of other features. It's actually on the table in front of me as i type.
My first DSLR was a Nikon D100. A good camera in it's day, but low on resolution at 6MP. I sold it to a colleague along with a Sigma zoom lens. I wish I'd kept the lens as it had screw on lens (similar to a filter) for macro photography.
My current camera is a Nikon D200. it's a little low on resolution at 10MP but gives quite acceptable results. For this, I have a Nikon 18-70mm zoom and my beloved Nikon 70-200mm F2.8 zoom along with Nikon 1.4X and 2.0X teleconverters. I'd like to get a new camera body, but fiances don't allow at the moment. If I do, the D200 wont be retired. For air shows, it will be fitted with the 18-70mm Zoom, whilst the new body would have the 70-200mm F2.8 lens attached.
But, whatever your choice of camera, get out there, take photos and share them here on F4A.

Regards

Kevin

 

[JENNYJET]

I graduated from Zenit to another Dixon's product , the Chinon, the one with all the bells and whistles. Moving to work, I had Nikon FM, FE and finally F3 until digital killed film.. I now use a D200 with Tamron telezoom lense. As with the Zenith, built well and heavy. I still retain the film cameras in the hope of resurgence.

I once drifted to a Canon T90, I hated that thing, could not get to grips with autofocus, still can't, so sold it on. Much prefer manual control. Another drift is this thread, not quite as designed so my apologies. This be the MALBEC effect.

 

[rollo]

I had a Brownie 127 and then upgraded to Kodak Instermatc so there.

 

[Kevin Farnell]

My first camear

I had a Brownie 127 and then upgraded to Kodak Instermatc so there.

My first camera was a Kodak Instamatic. I still have it, including the box and polystyrene packaging.

Kevin

 

[elmdon74]

BHX LOG August 1971,

1/8 EC-BQA,EC-BTE CV990 BX,also 8/8,G-ASGE VC10 LHR-NYC,EI-AVD TWIN COMANCHE,D-ANNO 1-11 f/t MUC also 4,6,8/8,
D-ALLI 1-11 f/t MUC also 14,21/8
3/8 I-DIKG DC9F AZ,G-ASGC VC10 LHR-NYC also 8/8
4/8 EC-BID SE210 f/t PMI,N9617V MOONEY M20 CHAPPARAL LGW-EGBO
5/8 G-ASGM VC10 LHR-NYC,SE-DBN DC9F SAS MAN-CPH also 14/8,I-DIBK DC9F AZ also 21/8
6/8 D-EOMI NAVION RANGEMASTER
7/8 EC-BFJ BRITANNIA AIR SPAIN f/t GRO,LN-RLW DC9F SAS,G-AOVF BRITANNIA f/t MUC,G-ASGF VC10,I-DABG SE210,YU-AHY TU134 JJ f/t PULA
8/8 YU-AHW DC9 f/t PULA,LN-SUX F-28 BU,EI-ATC C310G,EC-BJC CV990
9/8 HB-VBZ HS125,F-BLLY MARQUIS,OY-APC F-27,EI-ANF 1-11,EI-ANH 1-11 on 10/8
11/8 HB-GBX BARON,G-APDG COMET DA,D-AISY 1-11,D-IHPA BARON,EC-BDC SE210 IB
12/8 I-DIKF DC9F AZ,5N-AEM PA31,G-ASGP VC10
13/8 G-AYLP YANKEE,D-AILY 1-11
14/8 F-BMSY COMANCHE,EC-BXI CV990,G-ASGO VC10,EI-ANE 1-11
15/8 YU-AHX TU134 JJ,LN-SUN F-28 BU,G-ASGJ VC10,EC-BJD CV990
17/8 PH-VRY CHEROKEE,XN132 ALOUETTE,G-ASGF VC10,50+78 C160 WGAF
18/8 F-BPJF BARON,G-AMZN DOVE 6,D-EMPK CESSNA T210H,EC-BIF SE210 IB
19/8 N4908C DC8-63 CAPITOL BERMUDA-AMS,
21/8 N804U DC8-63 KINGSTON-PMI
23/8 EI-ARS DC-4 DUB-CAMBRIDGE
24/8 CP-40/OT-CBT C-119G HATFIELD-BRU
25/8 OY-BKI AZTEC f/t EDI
26/8 N88B LEARJET 23 LIS-KEF
29/8 F-BMSY COMANCHE
31/8 D-IKUW BARON f/t CGN

ILS Traffic,
12/8 4X-FAC NORATLAS to BRU
16/8 XP439 ARGOSY
25/8 XL660 BRITANNIA
26/8 G-AZBG PA31

Regards,Simon.

 

[elmdon74]

BHX LOG/INFO August 1981,

Passenger figures for August were 190,101 up 1% on 1980.The total for the year so far is 1,070,442 2% down on 1980.
Charters in August started on 5/8 with Spantax DC9 EC-CGZ arriving early hours on an ambulance flight from IBZ,positioning back to PMI.The Iberia school charter returned on 15/8 using 727 EC-CBJ f/t BCN.BAF used Viscount G-APEX on 16/8 feom SEN to Karslstad,returning 20/8 ARN-SEN.CTA used Caravelle HB-ICN on 27/8 from ZRH and back and HB-ICI came in from CGN on 28/8 to ZRH.Air Atlantique 'new' DC3 G-APML arrived from Wellesbourne 25/8 to take DeLorean car parts to BFS,arriving back on 31/8 to n/s.A fleet of Aztec and Navajo have also been busy flying parts for DeLorean.
An interesting sub-charter on 28/8 was the use of Inter City SD330 G-BITV on BMA`s BD772/3 LHR flight to evaluate the type on that route.On a similar vein Brymon`s first Dash 7 G-BRYC caled in on its delivery flight on 7/8 EMA-LGW,and again on route-proving/training 22/8 EMA-LTN.
On the I.T. flights Aviaco started usn DC-8-53/63 2/8 ASN,9/8 CQM,16/8 BSD,23/8 BMY,30/8 CQM,23/8 BSD,30/8 CQM.Others were the usual CP Air DC8,Cyprus 707,Aviogenex TU134,JAT 727,Air Malta 737/720,Balkan TU154 1/8 BTR,15/8 BTK,29/8 BTM,Tarom TU154,TAP 707,Transeurpoa SE210 1/8 CIZ,8/8 DCN,15/8 BIB,22/8 BIB,29/8 CYI,Wardair DC10,WDL F-27.

Diversions were as follows,

4/8 G-BGNW,G-AVRM,G-BADP,G-AWSY 737 BY LGW
G-BEKA,G-AWWX,G-BDAT,G-AXCK 1-11 DA LGW
G-BHNE,G-BFGN 727 DA LGW
N54AF 737 AE LGW
G-BGJF 737 KT LGW
G-BEYG HERALD BAF SEN
6/8 EI-BCR 737 EI LHR
G-BGDL 737 BA LHR
G-BHVH 737 KG LTN
G-FOUR HS125 GLO
7/8 G-BGYL,G-BADR 737 BY LTN
8/8 G-AWSY,G-AXNB,G-AVRL 737 BY LTN
15/8 EC-DIR DC9 BX CWL
24/8 G-BHVG 737 KG LTN
25/8 G-BHWE 737 BY MAN
23/8 EI-BEC 737 I LHR
27/8 G-BMSM 737 AE MAN
G-BHWE,G-BAZG,G-AXNB,G-BHWF 737 BY MAN
G-BAFZ 727 DA MAN
G-BGJM 737 KT MAN
HB-ICO SE210 CTA LPL
28/8 G-OSLA 737 BY NCL
29/9 OO-PIF PA32 CVT

GA/Military/Biz-jets

1/8 F-BSRL LEAR 24
2/8 F-GAJC CHEYANNE ,EI-BJS AA-5,EI-BHA KA200
3/8 F-GBDY KING AIR,EI-BKW DUCHESS
4/8 F-BUTV K/A
5/8 D-ECGN C150,D-EFFL ARROW
6/8 D-IDVS C421
9/8 SE-IGS KA,D-ECGN C150
10/8 D-IFES KA200,G-ATAI DOVE
11/8 EI-AWW C414,D-IFES KA200
12/8 G-CJHH CIT II
13/8 SE-GVU CHEROKEE,F-BUEL C150,N1002W PA31
14/8 SE-DDE CITATION N/S
17/8 G-BBYM JETSTREAM,EI-AYT RALLYE
19/8 F-GCTC MERLIN,F-GDAL CHEYANNE and 20/8
21/8 EI-BHA KA200,G-BESG BN2,D-EART MOONEY 20
22/8 EI-BHA KA200
23/9 SE-IFR C182
24/8 PH-CTA CITATION,OO-MRE CORVETTE,D-KIPE SF.2
25/8 G-BMCL CITATION,OO-TRL RC114
26/8 OO-TST RC114,OY-RYT C421
27/8 F-BUEL C150,D-GNUT SENECA
28/8 PH-JGM PA31
31/8 D-IMEI DUKE,I-NCCA C414

ILS Traffic,
12/8 XH133 CANBERRA PR9 F/T WYTON
14/8 G-BFLL HS748 DA MAN-LGW

Regards,Simon.

 

[elmdon74]

BHX LOG/INFO August 1991,

Scheduled Services,
Air France continued their weekday morning service all through the holiday period,but the lunchtime and evening flights were suspended from mid July onwards,the evening service restarted in late August and the evening in early September.Cprus Airways continued with A310`s.
Iberia continued to use DC9-30`s on all flights in August.KLM Cityhopper downgraded many flights from Fokker 50 to Saab 340,anf F50 instead of F28 on the evening flights.
Lufthansa provided some A320`s on the FRA service D-AIPH 23/8,D-AIQA 30/8,new 737-500 were ex Braathens D-ACBA 4/8,D-ACBB 11/8,D-ACBC 18,25/8,and new D-ABEC 10/8.BASE Business Airlines twice daily service to Eindhoven was suspended between 19/7-9/8 and restarted with J31 PH-KJB.SAS used DC9-40 for most of August but introduced MD81`s from 27/8,OY-KGY 26/8,SE-DIL 27/8,OY-KGY 28/8,OY-KHK 29,30/8.Aer Lingus uded 737-500 EI-CDD on 17/8 in place of a Fokker 50 to DUB.

I.T. Flights,
OASIS MD83 3/8 EZU,10/8 FEB ex 642,17/8 733 24/8 EPM,31/8 FFF ex 733
BALKAN TU154 4/8 BTG,11/8 BTC,18/8 BTP,25/8 BTF
3/8 BTA,10/8 BTD,17/8 BTK,24/8 BTX
NATIONAIR 757/UK LEISURE 734 7/8 GNXC/UKLD,14/8 GNXI/UKLD,21/8 GNXI/UKLC,28/8 GNXI/UKLF
SPANAIR MD80 6/8 EJQ,13/8 EHT,20/8 EPL,27/8 EHT
1/8 EHT,8/8 EIG,15/8 EHT,22/8 EJU,29/8 EIG
CANADA 3000 757 1/8 FXOK,8/8 FOOE,15/8 FXOF,22/8 FOOE,29/8 FXOF
AIR MALTA A320 9H-ABP 1,15/8
All flights to Yugoslavia remain suspended.
Nationair are short of aircraft after a DC8 crashed in Saudi Arabia whilst on lease operating Hadj flights,so excess BHX pax are flown on a 747 to MAN then down to BHX on the UK Leisure 734.

Diversions,
7/8 G-BMAH DC9-10 BMA EMA
9/8 G-BAZH 737 BY BRS
EC-EPL MD83 SPP CWL
14/8 EC-EJQ MD83 SPP MAN
G-BJCT 737 BY MAN
G-OOOM 757 AMM MAN
G-TTPT MD83 AIH MAN
Man runway closed by a mishap to landing ABC Vanguard.
15/8 G-TNTD 146F UPA LPL
LZ-MIL TU154 VIM LTN
G-BNCW 767 BY MAN
26/8 G-BJCU 737 BY BRS
27/8 G-BKPW 767 BY MAN
28/8 G-OBHD SD360 JEA MAN
30/8 G-UKLE 734 UKL STN

Charters,
Ryanair used 1-11 EI-CDO on 11/8 f/t DUB.RAF VC10 XV105 was carrying troops f/t BFS on 9/8.On 17/8 Merlin OO-JPA arrived from BRU,returning the next day and on 19/8 Air Holland 767 G-BRIF on lease from BY came in from AMS to takr the Kirov Opera Company to Milan.Pan Air Spain used 146F EC-ELT on the regular UPA122 from CGN to BFS on 15,17/8.
The Air UK Saturday flight to Jersey provided the following 3/8 UKRH,10/8 UKSC,17/8 CNMF,24/8 UKLN,31/8 CHSR.
TEA UK had to charter aircraft at the end of the month as 2 737-300`s were grounded in Cyprus after the ground handlers refused to refuel them resulting in a 48 hour delay.Aircraft used were on 30/8 Air Gambia 707 EL-AKC from Manston to operate AGP,JAT 727 YU-AKK with no titles to/frm Zante,Aviogenex 737 YU-AOG to/from Zante.Earlier in August TEA had to sub-charter aircraft due to tech problems with 2 planes.On 3/8 ex JAT 727 YU-AKK flew to/from ALC and on 7/8 Aviogenex 727 YU-AKD came in from MAN to operate to/from Skiathos and again on 21/8.

GA/Military/Biz-jets,

3/8 N46WC 125-700A
4/8 EI-BIC C172,N27TS CITATION 501,OO-JBA LEARJET 31
6/8 F-BTYL BONANZA,G-BLNJ BN2,7O-ADC HS125-3B,XV294 C130 RAF,G-PBAX BN2
8/8 XV221 C130 RAF
9/8 D-ILTA BE 200,OY-BEK BE 90
11/8 G-BLNJ BN2,N36NP 125-700A,N118AV PA28
12/8 N421WF C421
13/8 XV222 C130 RAF,G-KASS HS125-3B
15/8 SE-DEL FALCON 10
16/8 F-GFPF FALCON 10
19/8 N9095Y PA32
20/8 D-EKMV TB20,PH-MCX CITATION 550
21/8 F-GICV BE 200,G-EXLR 125-1000
22/8 F-GBFZ C177,G-KASS 125-3B
23/8 XZ211 LYNX AAC
24/8 G-BHSV 125-700B,HB-CHX C172,VR-CSS CITATION 550,ZG847 BN2 AAC
26/8 G-RAFF LJ 35
27/8 G-OMGA 125-600B
28/8 F-GFJL CITATION 550,OE-GAA CIT 560
29/8 D-IEEF PA42,F-GICV BE 200,N8333S PA28,N9095Y PA32,OO-LFY LJ35

Regards,Simon.

 

[Poshgirl]

Hi, just signed up today. Live north of airport; today its inbounds. Lower cloud base than earlier, so not getting over the top spots.

Many memories of BHX including Wardair parked at old terminal (new one still under construction). Watched from balcony inside through that massive glass window. Many senior citizens being helped up the steps; no doubt en route to see grandchildren! My first flight BEA Vanguard BHX-LHR. Three days later, BEA Trident 1, LHR-BHX. Took longer to drive home than flight! Still have the flight bulletin that used to be handed round.

Can be found on a bench in Sheldon Country Park (in fine weather!). Profile picture taken from Runway 15 threshold.

I write blogs for another spotters site, so this is another site for inspiration.

 

[rollo]

Hello Poshgirl I also flew BHX to LHR on a Vanguard also on Viscount when Heathrow was simply known as London Airport. My first flight was a pleasure trip on a DH Rapide and well remember the steps and cafe etc.

There are a lot of good memories on this thread worth a look at, also the Bristol ,Leeds and Manchester sections of the forum have some great recollections and photographs from the oldies on here.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Hi, just signed up today. Live north of airport; today its inbounds. Lower cloud base than earlier, so not getting over the top spots.

Many memories of BHX including Wardair parked at old terminal (new one still under construction). Watched from balcony inside through that massive glass window. Many senior citizens being helped up the steps; no doubt en route to see grandchildren! My first flight BEA Vanguard BHX-LHR. Three days later, BEA Trident 1, LHR-BHX. Took longer to drive home than flight! Still have the flight bulletin that used to be handed round.

Can be found on a bench in Sheldon Country Park (in fine weather!). Profile picture taken from Runway 15 threshold.

I write blogs for another spotters site, so this is another site for inspiration.

Welcome to F4A Poshgirl. Thank you for your posts. We look forward to reading many more from you.

 

[Kevin Farnell]

Hi, just signed up today. Live north of airport; today its inbounds. Lower cloud base than earlier, so not getting over the top spots.

Many memories of BHX including Wardair parked at old terminal (new one still under construction). Watched from balcony inside through that massive glass window. Many senior citizens being helped up the steps; no doubt en route to see grandchildren! My first flight BEA Vanguard BHX-LHR. Three days later, BEA Trident 1, LHR-BHX. Took longer to drive home than flight! Still have the flight bulletin that used to be handed round.

Can be found on a bench in Sheldon Country Park (in fine weather!). Profile picture taken from Runway 15 threshold.

I write blogs for another spotters site, so this is another site for inspiration.

Hi Poshgirl. First and foremost, a warm welcome to the forum.
Like yourself, I was born and brought up to the north of BHX (Bloxwich to be precise). Back in those days, the only aircraft that flew over were inbound from or outbound to Scotland or Ireland.
Very impressed that you flew on both a Vanguard and a Trident. I managed neither, but my first flight (as a six tear old) was on a BEA Airtours Comet 4B (sadly not from BHX, but from LGW). I did once fly BHX-LHR. To cut a long story short, my Dad gave a friend a lift to LHR, but dropped me off at BHX where I got a 'standby' fare to LHR. There, I met my Dad and we had a day spotting. I was supposed to fly on a BMA Viscount, but it went 'tech', so it was substituted with a DC-9-15. I did get to fly A BA Viscount (BHX-EDI), when I was in the Air Training Corps as part of an 'air experience' scheme.

I'm sure you will find many like-minded and knowledgable people here at F4A.

Kevin

 

[jfy1999]

Welcome to the forum poshgirl. I hope you will enjoy it!

This footage from 2007 was posted last week. Unfortunately due to my age I can only be nostalgic about the 2000s.

 

[Poshgirl]

Hi Poshgirl. First and foremost, a warm welcome to the forum.
Like yourself, I was born and brought up to the north of BHX (Bloxwich to be precise). Back in those days, the only aircraft that flew over were inbound from or outbound to Scotland or Ireland.
Very impressed that you flew on both a Vanguard and a Trident. I managed neither, but my first flight (as a six tear old) was on a BEA Airtours Comet 4B (sadly not from BHX, but from LGW). I did once fly BHX-LHR. To cut a long story short, my Dad gave a friend a lift to LHR, but dropped me off at BHX where I got a 'standby' fare to LHR. There, I met my Dad and we had a day spotting. I was supposed to fly on a BMA Viscount, but it went 'tech', so it was substituted with a DC-9-15. I did get to fly A BA Viscount (BHX-EDI), when I was in the Air Training Corps as part of an 'air experience' scheme.

I'm sure you will find many like-minded and knowledgable people here at F4A.

Kev

Thanks to everyone for the warm welcome.

I'm in Sutton Coldfield. When I lived at home, near the town's hospital, used to get BAC1-11 outbounds and VC10 to JFK (ah, those were the days!). Concorde inbound to BHX when Ryder Cup at The Belfry. Best of both worlds now just across town. Front of house inbounds to Runway 15. Back is outbounds either heading north or turning for Med, DXB etc.

Never did Comet; took one look at Dan-Air ones and thought thanks but no thanks. Harsh maybe... Have a long list of who I've flown with.

 

[rollo]

Ah well there's a challenge my list of who I have flown with I can recall no doubt others can knock spots off it.

BEA/BA, Brittania in its various guises, Monarch, Air 2000, First Choice, UK Lesure, TCX, CalAir, Jet2, Flybe, Ryanair, United, Northwest, Air Florida, Air Transit, Quantas, Singapore, and best of all Scenic Airlines to the Grand Canyon in a Twin Otter.

 

[HPsauce]

I remember the Dan-Air 'Bus-Stop' service operated by HS748 aircraft. It routed Bournemouth-Birmingham-Manchester-Newcastle if i recall correctly, in the early 70's. An ideal sized aircraft at the time ( 48 seats?).

 

[Scottie Dog]

I remember the Dan-Air 'Bus-Stop' service operated by HS748 aircraft. It routed Bournemouth-Birmingham-Manchester-Newcastle if i recall correctly, in the early 70's. An ideal sized aircraft at the time ( 48 seats?).

If I recall correctly the service at one time was also run using Nord 262 G-AYFR - was there another route that also went Cardiff - Manchester - Newcastle?

 

[Poshgirl]

Wasn't the 748 also the Andover of the Queen's Flight?

I remember the Dan-Air bus stop service too. Can recall Metropolitan in there too. Was that D-A's call sign or another airline operating?

My 16 year old niece responsible for comment about ATR. She reckoned it looked "cool" in Aer Lingus colours. Flybe's Dash 8s looked and sounded like something "home built". There's no accounting for taste even at that age!

For me, the Viscount had a distinctive sound. An ex-boss had worked on brakes and de-icing systems. He also spoke with great affection about Viscount and Tyne-engine Vanguard (surprisingly!). Did you know that there were already plans in place for a jet based on the Viscount before the UK Government "sold the family silver" to USA and the 737 was born. This country being short-sighted is nothing new.....

 

[HPsauce]

Scottie Dog, yes i do recall a Nord 262 on the route and agree Cardiff-Manchester-Newcastle was another route.
Poshgirl, yes Andover was the RAF designation for the HS748.

 

[rollo]

The Andover was a modified version of the 748, slightly shorter wing span, uprated engines with a raised rear fuselage with a rear loading door and uniquely had a main kneeling undercarriage to facilitate loading.

The RAF were the only customer ordering thirty-one and quickly flogged some to the New Zealand air force.

The Queens flight did indeed operate the aircraft which brings to mind the the possibility of the aircraft with its kneeling undercarriage aircraft doing a form of curtsey!!!

Further useless information is available if required.

By the way eldoms74 photographs are fantastic

 

[nancledre]

Flew BA 748 to Aberdeen one Sunday. Off the short runway, turn right for Manchester, time for a drink - 2 miniatures of whisky. Change of crew at Manchester. The off to Glasgow, time for a meal and a couple more round of drinks ( 2 * whisky miniatures each round). On to Aberdeen, time for two more rounds of drinks ( 2 * whisky miniatures each round). Taxi to the hotel and tipped the driver with a couple of miniatures! He was well pleased, Jimmy.