I remember doing the same. Once I'd got my driving licence, if there was any hint of fog down south, I'd be awake at about 6am and listening to VOLMET main and VOLMET north and south, along with several OPS frequencies. If aircraft were diverting or in the hold, I'd be out of bed and off like a scalded cat. Driving in fog never seemed to bother me, even on the M6.
Yes, Ive been at BHX on several occasions when BCAL DC-10's and B747's have diverted in.
Any aircraft looked magnificent in the BCAL colour scheme including the One-Eleven, B707 and the beautiful VC-10.
You're welcome to keep yourself a copy.
I remember both! The Navajo was in full BCAL colours. There was also another Navajo, G-CLAN which also wore the full colour scheme.
Exactly the same for us except we were coming on the bus from the opposite direction. First clue we would get was from the top deck looking out across the fields as the bus drove down Bickenhill lane towards international. Like you said 9 times out of 10 it would be disappointing but occasionally not so. Like you Beatties was a regular visit on a Saturday morning. I was a prolific kit builder back then and I hunted in vain for the Airfix 1/144 airliners that for some reason I couldn't get my hands on. Sometimes, normally on the return journey we'd get off at Elmdon for a few hours before heading home. The lights on the 33 threshold were quite a sight in the dark when you could look straight down the runway centre line. Nowadays you can't see anything at allI remember spending many, many hours in that cafe, sat at one of the tables by the window. Although in the cafe, we always took packed lunches however, I think we bought drinks from there. I also remember that the cafe had double glazing with the inner glazing being in slide-able aluminium frames set some way back from the outer glazing (about 6-7 inches). For some reason, we decided to open one of these and I was immediately hit by an overpowering vile stench of stale cigarette smoke. I was nearly sick on the spot.
It was a long journey from Bloxwich (bus/train/bus), yet got excited as the bus approached the airport along the Coventry road. As the terminal and apron came into view, we were usually met with a Viscount,a couple of One-Elevens, a Britannia B737-200 and maybe a Dan-Air B727. But there was always still hope of something unusual during the rest of the day.
If we were lucky, my Dad would come to pick us up in the evening and spend an hour or so there with us. If not, it was public transport back home but always with a stop at Beatties model shop above New Street station. My Nan would have given us some spending money and this usually went on a model kit.
Kevin
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Yes, G-AROE rings a bell
Kevin
The BCal wide bodies were after my time. Did see a couple of BCal One eleven diversions at the old terminal.Yes, Ive been at BHX on several occasions when BCAL DC-10's and B747's have diverted in.
On one occasion, a BCAL B747 had diverted in due to fog at LGW. The fog began to lift, so the B747 departed. No sooner had it departed BHX, than the fog became thicker again at LGW. The BCAL B747 was back on the ground at BHS within the hour.
I was also present on the evening that the ex-BCAL one Eleven fleet were delivered to BHX for BA.
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