London Airport - Heathrow 1940s to 1970s

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London Airport - Heathrow 1940s to 1970s DVD Cover .

Documentary (2019)

Starring:
Howard Asbridge (Narrator)

This third ‘London Airport’ DVD goes back even further; to the 1940s, with BOAC Yorks, a BSAA Lancaster Freighter, Constellations and even an Air France Languedoc.
Then there’s a BEA Ambassador and a BOAC Stratocruiser plus KLM and Sabena DC4s. And do you remember Island Airways’ Dragon Rapides giving pleasure flights over London?
Outside the Queens Building in 1959, the ramp’s pretty quiet; just a few early Viscounts and the occasional DC6B. But, after a drive to Heathrow in 1961, on almost empty approach roads, the airport itself is now crowded with turboprops and early jetliners.
But, there are a still a few piston propliners; Air France Super Constellations, Sabena and Swissair CV440s, a Cambrian DC3 and we fly to Liverpool on a Starways DC4.
Tridents, Comets, 707s, DC8s, VC10s, 1-11s, DC9s; all the early jetliners are here and they feature in some great airside action or in those famous views from the spectator terraces.
On the cargo ramp, there’s close up action with a Singapore Airlines 707C, BEA Merchantman and a Fred Olsen Electra. Singapore Airlines’ Concorde also features in this wonderful review of Heathrow in its heyday.

Also from this series:
Avion Video Series

Douglas DC-3C

London Airport at Heathrow in the early days after 1946.

Douglas DC-3C of SABENA and KLM-Royal Dutch Air Lines.

Registration OO-AUY, c/n 43089. Built in 1943 as C-47 Skytrain four USAAF, retrofit post war as DC-3C. An interesting Consolidated LB-30 Liberator II of B.O.A.C in the background right.

Reg.OO-AUY Douglas DC-3C of SABENA.

Reg.OO-AUY Douglas DC-3C of SABENA.

Reg.OO-AUY Douglas DC-3C of SABENA.

Reg.OO-AUY Douglas DC-3C of SABENA.

Avro 685 York C.I

Registration G-AGJA, c/n 1207. Delivered to B.O.A.C in Januray 1944, then operated for a while by British South American Airways on May 1949 until September 1949. Went back to B.O.A.C until Mai 1951. Sold to Lancashire Aircraft Ltd then sold to Skyways of London Ltd in February 1955. Withdrawn frome use on May 1959.
Lockheed Constellation behind it.

Reg.G-AGJA Avro 685 York C.I of B.O.A.C-British Overseas Airways Corporation.

Reg.G-AGJA Avro 685 York C.I of B.O.A.C-British Overseas Airways Corporation.

Reg.G-AGJA Avro 685 York C.I of B.O.A.C-British Overseas Airways Corporation.

Reg.G-AGJA Avro 685 York C.I of B.O.A.C-British Overseas Airways Corporation.

Reg.G-AGJA Avro 685 York C.I of B.O.A.C-British Overseas Airways Corporation.

Avro 685 York C.I

Registration G-AGNY, c/n 1226. Delivered to B.O.A.C in September 1945. Sold to Eagle Aviation Ltd on October 1949 to Skyways of London Ltd on April 1953. Destroyed in an accident in August 1954.

Reg.G-AGNY Avro 685 York C.I of B.O.A.C-British Overseas Airways Corporation.

Reg.G-AGNY Avro 685 York C.I of B.O.A.C-British Overseas Airways Corporation.

Reg.G-AGNY Avro 685 York C.I of B.O.A.C-British Overseas Airways Corporation.

Reg.G-AGNY Avro 685 York C.I of B.O.A.C-British Overseas Airways Corporation.

Reg.G-AGNY Avro 685 York C.I of B.O.A.C-British Overseas Airways Corporation.

Reg.G-AGNY Avro 685 York C.I of B.O.A.C-British Overseas Airways Corporation.

SNCASE SE.161 Languedoc

Registration F-BCUN, c/n 61.

Reg.F-BCUN SNCASE SE.161 Languedoc of Air France.

In the background, a Lockheed Constellation on the right and Douglas DC-3 on the left.

Reg.F-BCUN SNCASE SE.161 Languedoc of Air France.

On the right backround, a Douglas DC-4 from an unidentified airline.

Reg.F-BCUN SNCASE SE.161 Languedoc of Air France.

Unidentified airline Douglas DC-3 in the background left.

Reg.F-BCUN SNCASE SE.161 Languedoc of Air France.

Better view of the Consolidated LB-30 Liberator II of B.O.A.C in the background right.

Reg.F-BCUN SNCASE SE.161 Languedoc of Air France.

Avro 691 Lancastrian

Registration G-AGUJ, c/n PP689.

Reg.G-AGUJ Avro 691 Lancastrian of B.S.A.A-British South American Airways.

Reg.G-AGUJ Avro 691 Lancastrian of B.S.A.A-British South American Airways.

Reg.G-AGUJ Avro 691 Lancastrian of B.S.A.A-British South American Airways.

Reg.G-AGUJ Avro 691 Lancastrian of B.S.A.A-British South American Airways.

Reg.G-AGUJ Avro 691 Lancastrian of B.S.A.A-British South American Airways.

Reg.G-AGUJ Avro 691 Lancastrian of B.S.A.A-British South American Airways.

Douglas DC-4-1009

Registration PH-TLO. c/n not found yet.

Reg.PH-TLO Douglas DC-4-1009 of KLM-The Flying Dutchman.

Reg.PH-TLO Douglas DC-4-1009 of KLM-The Flying Dutchman.

Reg.PH-TLO Douglas DC-4-1009 of KLM-The Flying Dutchman.

Reg.PH-TLO Douglas DC-4-1009 of KLM-The Flying Dutchman.

Lockheed Constellation

Unidentified airline. Consolidated LB-30 Liberator II on the left background.

Lockheed Constellation.

Lockheed 749A Constellation

Lockheed 749A Constellation of B.O.A.C-British Overseas Airways Corporation.

Lockheed 749A Constellation of B.O.A.C-British Overseas Airways Corporation.

Boeing 377-10-32 Stratocruiser

Boeing 377-10-32 Stratocruiser of B.O.A.C-British Overseas Airways Corporation.

Douglas DC-4-1009

Douglas DC-4-1009 of SABENA.

Douglas DC-4-1009 of SABENA.

Vickers 707 Viscount

Rare view of first Aer Lingus livery of the Viscount

Vickers 707 Viscount of Aer Lingus.

Vickers 707 Viscount of Aer Lingus.

Airspeed AS.57 Ambassador 2

Airspeed AS.57 Ambassador 2 of BEA-British European Airways.

De Havilland DH89A Dragon Rapide

Registration G-AGJG, c/n 6517. Built in 1943 and delivered to Scottish Airways Ltd for commercial operation until January 1947. Sold to BEA on February 1947 who operated the aircraft until September 1948. Sold to Adie Aviation Ltd in October 1948, then to Mediterranean Air Services Ltd in January 1949. Went back to Adie Aviation Ltd on August 1950, then sold to a private owner on June 1953. The company Island Air Services bought it in May 1954 for commercial use from London Airport until March 1959. Since that period the aircarft saw some tenth of different private owners until nowadays, still working machine.

Reg.G-AGJG De Havilland DH89A Dragon Rapide of Island Air Services.

Reg.G-AGJG De Havilland DH89A Dragon Rapide of Island Air Services.

Reg.G-AGJG De Havilland DH89A Dragon Rapide of Island Air Services.

Reg.G-AGJG De Havilland DH89A Dragon Rapide of Island Air Services.

Reg.G-AGJG De Havilland DH89A Dragon Rapide of Island Air Services.

Reg.G-AGJG De Havilland DH89A Dragon Rapide of Island Air Services.

Lockheed L-1049G Super Constellation

Registration F-BHBB, c/n 4621.

Reg.F-BHBB Lockheed L-1049G Super Constellation Super G of Air France.

Reg.F-BHBB Lockheed L-1049G Super Constellation Super G of Air France.

Reg.F-BHBB Lockheed L-1049G Super Constellation Super G of Air France.

Reg.F-BHBB Lockheed L-1049G Super Constellation Super G of Air France.

Reg.F-BHBB Lockheed L-1049G Super Constellation Super G of Air France.

Vickers 708 Viscount

Registration G-ARIR, c/n 36. Delivered to Air France on June 1954. Sold to Starways Ltd in February 1961, then Air Inter in November 1963. Sold to Alidair in November 1975. From 1975 to 1979, leased and sub-leased several times to Dan-Air, British Midland Airways, Guernesey Airlines , Alidair Scotland. Became Inter City Airlines in March 1981 due to corporate name change of Alidair, but the company ceased operations in 1983. Contract with Shell Oil continued for a while in the year 1983, then the airplane was purchased by Hards Travel for Janus Airways operation. Sold in 1984 to MMM Aero Services (3MAS) in Zaïre. Destroyed in 1989.

G-ARIR Vickers 708 Viscount of Starways Ltd.

G-ARIR Vickers 708 Viscount of Starways Ltd.

G-ARIR Vickers 708 Viscount of Starways Ltd.

G-ARIR Vickers 708 Viscount of Starways Ltd.

G-ARIR Vickers 708 Viscount of Starways Ltd.

Douglas DC-6B

Registration LN-LMT, c/n 44170/439.
Already met on this site:IMPDb: Frequently Seen Aircraft.

Reg.LN-LMT Douglas DC-6B Bernt Viking of SAS-Scandinavian Airlines System.

Reg.LN-LMT Douglas DC-6B Bernt Viking of SAS-Scandinavian Airlines System.

Reg.LN-LMT Douglas DC-6B Bernt Viking of SAS-Scandinavian Airlines System.

Reg.LN-LMT Douglas DC-6B Bernt Viking of SAS-Scandinavian Airlines System.

Reg.LN-LMT Douglas DC-6B Bernt Viking of SAS-Scandinavian Airlines System.

Convair 440-12 Metropolitan

Convair 440-12 Metropolitan of SABENA.

Convair 440-12 Metropolitan of SABENA.

Convair 440-12 Metropolitan of SABENA.

Vickers 708 Viscount & Vickers 700/800 Viscount

General view at London Heathrow Airport with one Viscount from Air France and BEA.

Vickers Viscount.

Vickers 808 Viscount

Green top/White tail livery. Arrival of this 808 Viscount at the same terminal seen above.

Vickers 806 Viscount of Aer Lingus.

Vickers 806 Viscount of Aer Lingus.

Vickers 708 Viscount

Registration F-BGNU, c/n 38. Delivered to Air France on July 1954, and operated till 1961, when leased to Air Vietnam. Returned to Air France in January 1963, but sold to Air Inter. Withdrawn from service in January 1975. Donated to Aéro Club de Mulhouse , Habsheim Airfield. Transferred to Auto und Technik Museum, Sinsheim, Germany in 1985 were it still is nowadays.
Viscount of Aer Lingus on the left (listed further). In the far background is another BEA's Viscount.

Reg.F-BGNU Vickers 708 Viscount of Air France.

Reg.F-BGNU Vickers 708 Viscount of Air France.

Who knows who were these VIP standing on the stair for the photo?

Reg.F-BGNU Vickers 708 Viscount of Air France.

Reg.F-BGNU Vickers 708 Viscount of Air France.

Reg.F-BGNU Vickers 708 Viscount of Air France.

Reg.F-BGNU Vickers 708 Viscount of Air France.

Vickers 808 Viscount

Registration EI-AJI, c/n 289. Delivered to Aer Lingus in June 1957 and operated until October 1969. Stored at Collinston Airport, Dublin, then broken up for scrap in May 1972.

Reg.EI-AJI Vickers 808 Viscount St Gall of Aer Lingus.

Reg.EI-AJI Vickers 808 Viscount St Gall of Aer Lingus.

Douglas C-47/DC-3 and BEA's Viscount in the background.

Reg.EI-AJI Vickers 808 Viscount St Gall of Aer Lingus.

Vickers 806 Viscount

Viscount F-BGNU from Air France is taxiing towards the runway.BEA's Viscount on the right.
On the left, tail fin of G-AOYT, c/n 268. Delivered to BEA on May 1958. Sold to Winner Airways (Taiwan) in May 1969, then purchased in 1976 by Far Eastern Air Transport. Leased to Indonesion company Mandala Airlines in September 1977. Scrapped after a belly landing in 1985.

Reg.G-AOYT Vickers 806 Viscount R.M.A. James Watt of BEA-British European Airways.

Several BEA's Viscount in the row.

Vickers Viscount of BEA-British European Airways.

Vickers 802 Viscount

Registrated G-AOHS, c/n 167. Delivered on June 1957 to BEA. In 1971, it operated for the regional division BEA Scottish Airways until the merge into British Airways in July 1973. Withdrawn from service in June 1975 and stored at Rhoose Airport, Cardiff and used for fire and rescue training by the Cardiff Airport Fire Service.Definitively scrapped in March 1980.

Reg.G-AOHS Vickers 802 Viscount R.M.A. Robert Thorne of BEA-British European Airways.

Reg.G-AOHS Vickers 802 Viscount R.M.A. Robert Thorne of BEA-British European Airways.

Reg.G-AOHS Vickers 802 Viscount R.M.A. Robert Thorne of BEA-British European Airways.

Two other BEA's Viscount in the far background.

Reg.G-AOHS Vickers 802 Viscount R.M.A. Robert Thorne of BEA-British European Airways.

Vickers 806 Viscount

Vickers 806 Viscount in Peony/Three crown livery of BEA worn from 1950 to 1959.

Vickers 806 Viscount of BEA-British European Airways.

Vickers 701C Viscount

Registration G-ANHA, c/n 61. Delivered to BEA in October 1954. Purchased by Brazilian VASP in August 1962. Withdrawn from use on February 1969 then stored until 1975 when donated to Aero Clube Rio Claro. Scrapped in 1989.

Reg.G-ANHA Vickers 701C Viscount R.M.A. Anthony Jenkinson of BEA-British European Airways.

Reg.G-ANHA Vickers 701C Viscount R.M.A. Anthony Jenkinson of BEA-British European Airways.

Various Aircraft

1 - Vickers Viscount.
2 - Vickers Viscount.
3 - Douglas C-47/DC-3.
4 - Vickers Viscount.

Various aircraft at London Heathrow Airport.

Vickers 701 Viscount

Registration G-AMON, c/n 27. Built in February 1952, delivered to BEA on December 1953. Sold to Cambrian Airways on March 1963 who operated the aircraft until March 1976. Sold to the British Airways Board and written off on April 1976.
Another Viscount of BEA with older livery seen in the background left. Listed below.

Reg.G-AMON Vickers 701 Viscount R.M.A. Thomas Cavendish of BEA-British European Airways.

Reg.G-AMON Vickers 701 Viscount R.M.A. Thomas Cavendish of BEA-British European Airways.

Reg.G-AMON Vickers 701 Viscount R.M.A. Thomas Cavendish of BEA-British European Airways.

Reg.G-AMON Vickers 701 Viscount R.M.A. Thomas Cavendish of BEA-British European Airways.

Reg.G-AMON Vickers 701 Viscount R.M.A. Thomas Cavendish of BEA-British European Airways.

Reg.G-AMON Vickers 701 Viscount R.M.A. Thomas Cavendish of BEA-British European Airways.

Vickers 806 Viscount

Peony/Three crown livery for this 806.

Vickers 806 Viscount of BEA-British European Airways.

Vickers 806 Viscount of BEA-British European Airways.

Vickers 803 Viscount

Seen from one window of the Viscount G-AMON listed above.

Vickers 803 Viscount of KLM-Royal Dutch Air Lines.

Douglas DC-3

Very blurry C-47/DC-3 in the right, seen from the cokpit of Viscount G-AMON when arriving at Aeropuerto Madrid-Barajas (MAD/LEMD).

Douglas DC-3.

Bristol 175 Britannia 318

Nose of BEA's Viscount G-AMON on the right, at Aeropuerto Madrid-Barajas (MAD/LEMD).

[Bristol 175 Britannia 318 of Cubana de Aviación.

[Bristol 175 Britannia 318 of Cubana de Aviación.

Bristol 175 Britannia 312

2 tail fins of Bristol Britannia from BOAC at London Heathrow Airport in the early 60's. 2nd variant with white stripes on dark blue fin.

Bristol 175 Britannia 312 of BOAC-British Overseas Airways Corporation.

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See also

• London Airport - Heathrow 1940s to 1970s at avionvideo.com
• London Airport - Heathrow 1940s to 1970s at IMCDB