Leeds Bradford: Aviation Nostalgia Thread

[Aviador]

Photo YEP

How the terminal looked back in the late 60's Everything looks so clean and tidy! Where the cars are parked to the right does anybody remember if that was a taxi rank or car hire parking area back then? All the cars are the same model! Plus, the buses and public cars parked right outside the terminal. Isn't only Arrow aloud there now?

 

[Seasider]

You could park outside the terminal and nip in to see the Arrivals/Departures board, there weren't many of them.

 

[Aviador]

Even when I started working at LBA, during the winter months on Saturday the last scheduled flight was at about 3'O 'Clock in the afternoon. I guess it just goes to show how much the airport has grown.

 

[White Heather]

The areas where the white cars are parked has been a taxi rank in the past, but also a hire car lot. If this was the late 60s it was before the taxis in Leeds were all black and white. A puzzle really as neither the taxis or hire cars were usually all the same model and all white! Looking closely I think they are taxis and you can just about make out the taxi signs on the roof of each car.

 

[MCOflyer]

Yes they are all white Ford Cortina taxis, I remember them well on my daily visits to LBA.

 

[White Heather]

Almost certainly Streamline Taxis of Leeds then who had most of the airport business as I remember.

 

[Aviador]

Photos by John Wheatley

I remember my dad (and all the other drivers) slowing down as they approached the tunnel to watch the Jumbos when they were passing over the flyover. There must have been one or two minor bumps over the year because of people watching the aircraft?

 

[juliet-fox-9]

I'm unfamiliar with LBA's history. Where did BA fly their 747's? Or did they only visit as diversions?

 

[Aviador]

There were a small number of BA 747 visits I believe. The first was on the opening of the runway extension (600m) when the Spirit of Yorkshire visited LBA. The vicinity surrounding the airport was extremely busy as the Yorkshire post was sponsoring the visit. Back then the Yorkshire Post were huge supporters of the airport. On the day the aircraft did a low fly-by down the full length of the runway before flying low level over much of Leeds and Bradford before landing. I recall one other visit by a BA 747 when LBA was used by BA to show off it's then updated livery. There may have been another visit but I'm not sure.

 

[ls27]

The one I remember was when BA were making a new advert for TV. It was supposed to fly over Scotland, but because of bad weather the Chief Pilot (a local lad) said that the Yorkshire Pennines were just as good a back drop as Scotland. (quite right too). So LBA was a short time base, (a day I recall)

 

[White Heather]

The photo above of the 747 in the new livery was the event you are talking about LS27 and I am fairly certain it was the last BA 747 into LBA. The local pilot was Captain Mike Webster, from Roundhay, who flew the original BA 747, Spirit of Yorkshire, into the airport on 4th November 1985 (G-AWND). He also flew in 747s in the livery of United Arab Emirates and Air Hong Kong. On the day he also flew the 747 over to Roundhay Park and carried out around 6 circuits of the park at low level. I was grateful for this as I was there playing golf. It did little for my round as I totally lost concentration. I have never been so surprised as I was when I saw the 747 cruising at low level down the Ring Road.

For anyone not aware, G-AWND was destroyed on the ground having been caught on the ground in the Middle East during military coup. A sad end to the first 747 to land at LBA.

 

[lbaspotter]

I also remember later in the late 80's or was it early 90's that a certain Captain Mike Webster brought his Air Hong Kong 747 into LBA one lunchtime. It didn't land but did a few missed approaches and go-a-rounds.

 

[Aviador]

I also remember later in the late 80's or was it early 90's that Captain Mike Webster as brought his Air Hong Kong 747 into LBA one lunchtime. It didn't land but did a few missed approach and go-a-rounds.

I wasn't aware it was Mike Webster flying Air Hong Kong. I'm not aware of anybody else other than myself that managed to get a photo of the Air Hong Kong that day.
View media item 65

 

[Seasider]

View attachment 3157 Just a couple for the "golden oldies" on this site. Nor Fly was September 1981. Tyrolean was March 1980. View attachment 3156

 

[Aviador]

Superb photos Seasider! I can just about remember the Tyrolean. Does that make me a "golden oldie" or just an oldie?

 

[oldendays]

I remember the NorFly Convairs paying a few visits in the summer of 1982. That particular summer was a good one for Leeds Bradford as it saw the first visits from Monarch with their young 737-200s. Orion, Air Europe and Dan-Air also became regulars with their own Boeings.

 

[Seasider]

Superb photos Seasider! I can just about remember the Tyrolean. Does that make me a "golden oldie" or just an oldie?

I was lucky as I was in the area and decided to call in. It was only on the ground for a couple of hours I believe.

 

[Seasider]

I should be out in the garden, but thought I would share these 2 with everyone. The DC10 has AOM/Cubana titles.View attachment 3164 View attachment 3165

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Great pics, many thanks.

I should be out in the garden, but thought I would share these 2 with everyone.

Ah, the beautiful Northern weather! It's been raining here in the West Country all morning, heavy at times, and is forecast to last all day.

 

[Bigman]

Sobering thought of the day. This summer will be 20 years since Euro 96!!