Gatwick Airport - From the 1960s to the 1980s

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Last updated on 1 November 2020.

Gatwick Airport - From the 1960s to the 1980s DVD Cover .

Documentary (2010)

Starring:
Howard Asbridge (Narrator)

This DVD recreates the sights and sounds of Gatwick from as far back as 1959, right up to the late eighties. Using the same high-quality techniques and painstaking attention to detail as we did for our London Airport DVDs; ancient cine film, some more than 50 years old, has been digitally transformed to take you back in time.

Because it was used for charter flights to London, Gatwick always had such a variety of interesting airlines and aircraft. We start with the very early days, as an Air Links Dakota departs from an almost deserted apron. Then the big props arrive; DC6s, Britannias, Viscounts and CL44s. There’s also a delightful Canadian Air Force Bristol Freighter, a Balair DC4 and one of Caledonian’s first DC7Cs.

Soon, the whine of early jets is heard, as the BAC 1-11 era begins. Adding to the din are 707s and DC8s from the USA and Canada, Spanish DC9s, the legendary Dan Air Comet 4s and lots more.

Gradually, the wide-bodied era starts, with early 747s, including a ‘Big Orange’ from Braniff, appearing alongside DC10s and Tristars, featuring airlines like CP Air, Wardair, Air Florida, BCAL, Cal Air, World Airlines, TWA and British Airtours.

Gatwick in its heyday was always a favourite place for airliner enthusiasts. Now you can step back in time and visit it once more!

Also from this series:
Avion Video Series

McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30

The 1984 Control Tower of London Gatwick Airport (LGW/EGKK) in the background.

McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30 of Northwest Airlines.

Various Aircraft

The scene is rather late 1990's than 80's.
1 - Lockheed L-1011-385-1 TriStar 1 of Air Atlanta Icelandic.
2 - Boeing 737 Classic in unknown livery.
3 - Unidentified Aircraft.
4 - Boeing 777-236/ER registration G-VIIK, c/n 28840 from British Airways in Animals and trees - World Art tails livery.]]

Various aircraft at London Gatwick Airport (LGW/EGKK).

British Aerospace BAe 146-200

Another one to the right of Atlantic Airways from Faroe Islands, and McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30 of American Airlines to the left.

British Aerospace BAe 146-200 of Jersey European Airways.

Bristol 175 Britannia C.1

Registration XL639, c/n 13448. Built in 1959, written off in 1980. Same aircraft in other works at IMPDb: Frequently Seen Aircraft (Military Fixed-Wing).

Reg. XL639 Bristol 175 Britannia C.1 Atria of the Royal Air Force Transport Command.

Douglas Dakota IV

Wearing an ex Aer Lingus livery.
In the background, a Vickers 833 Viscount of British United Airways, and an unidentified De Havilland DH114 Heron.

Douglas Dakota IV of Air Links.

Douglas Dakota III

Registration G-AMKE, c/n 25928. Ex RAF, first civilian use with British European Airways from June 1951 to April 1961, then sold to Air Links for service from July 1961 to August 1962. Sold to Salisbury, Rhodesia.