LUTON History and Nostalgia
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Sorry but I am new to posts on PPrune pages.
Luton Airport, I can offer some clear memories at the beginning of the 39-45 war when my father was working for Percivals there. I used to visit with him on Sundays usually, aged about 11-12 and my father early on in the war was running the 'production line' fitting Napier Sabres into the Hawker Typhoons. I well remember one Sunday and people were arriving to see a Land Mine swinging from inside the hangar roof. It did not cause much of a stir and I suppose the Bomb Disposal people turned up to clear it. I had several flights with the Chief Test Pilot in the P Proctor sitting on lots of cushions to see over the front. The net result must have made an impression as I ended up with a most exciting career for over 30 years as a pilot in the RAF all over the world ............ memories are fascinating, regretably no photos of Luton Airport.
Luton Airport, I can offer some clear memories at the beginning of the 39-45 war when my father was working for Percivals there. I used to visit with him on Sundays usually, aged about 11-12 and my father early on in the war was running the 'production line' fitting Napier Sabres into the Hawker Typhoons. I well remember one Sunday and people were arriving to see a Land Mine swinging from inside the hangar roof. It did not cause much of a stir and I suppose the Bomb Disposal people turned up to clear it. I had several flights with the Chief Test Pilot in the P Proctor sitting on lots of cushions to see over the front. The net result must have made an impression as I ended up with a most exciting career for over 30 years as a pilot in the RAF all over the world ............ memories are fascinating, regretably no photos of Luton Airport.
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Percivals
The airports old approach road with views of Percivals.
In the background of the middle picture is the Italian prisoner of war camp off Eaton Green Road
In the background of the middle picture is the Italian prisoner of war camp off Eaton Green Road
Last edited by LTNman; 16th Jul 2014 at 22:14.
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euravia connies
Great pictures LTNman, yes I would go for 1964 when in the August the company changed its name to Britannia Airways. I think I am right in thinking that none of the Connies actually wore Britannia titles. The bottom Connie looks as though it is still in basic Skyways colours.
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"Great pictures LTNman, yes I would go for 1964 when in the August the company changed its name to Britannia Airways. I think I am right in thinking that none of the Connies actually wore Britannia titles. The bottom Connie looks as though it is still in basic Skyways colours".
IIRC some Connies were actually painted into Skyways colours form Euravia ones - 'RXE comes to mind. I think this was something to do with a service to Malta.
IIRC some Connies were actually painted into Skyways colours form Euravia ones - 'RXE comes to mind. I think this was something to do with a service to Malta.
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A close look to the left of the top hangar shows the Napier Lancaster( Error should read Napier Lincon) test aircraft.
Last edited by LTNman; 22nd Mar 2014 at 07:07.
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"I think I am right in thinking that none of the Connies actually wore Britannia titles." That's right, because Euravia re-named themselves Britannia when they moved on from Connies to Britannias.
Those Magisters: I'd say immediately pre-war rather than 1940, as not camouflaged and biplane in background (Hawker Hart?).
Those Magisters: I'd say immediately pre-war rather than 1940, as not camouflaged and biplane in background (Hawker Hart?).
Photo at post#31 of the Magisters.....the fourth one from the front. Has anyone got better skills at blowing up photos than me? It looks as though it could be L8255. If it is, it's the Magister in which my late father did his first solo on June 12th 1941 at No 16 EFTS at Burnaston, Derby.
L8255 was destroyed by fire during maintenance in a hangar on 28 October 1942.
L8255 was destroyed by fire during maintenance in a hangar on 28 October 1942.
Last edited by Democritus; 21st Mar 2014 at 23:24.
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They are parked in order. The 4th aircraft is L8259, can't read the last two though. If you PM me I can email you the photo if you want it but then I guess you don't as it is the wrong aircraft.
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Think you are correct. I did a Google search on "Napier Naiad turboprop Lincoln" and there is a nice piece from Flightglobal about Luton and its Lincoln test aircraft.