Motion History: The Air Ferry - Aviation Traders ATL-98 Carvair
Documentary (2020)
Production:
Ruairidh Mac Veigh (Editor)
Ruairidh Mac Veigh (Writter)
Ruairidh Mac Veigh (Narrator)
Documentary on the Aviation Traders ATL-98 Carvair a car-carrying conversion for the Douglas DC-4, built to provide improved air ferry services between England, Ireland and Continental Europe.
Also from this series:
Motion History
Entrepreneur Freddie Laker's origin
Handley Page H.P.59 Halifax B.II Series IA
Escorted by a Supermarine Spitfire.
With more than 6000 aircraft produced, the Halifax would be a source for civilian use after WWII.
Freddie Laker's new company Aviation Traders Ltd (ATL) created in 1948 will participate at the conversion of several ex RAF Bombers for civilian use, and for the 1948/49 Berlin Airlift.
Handley Page H.P.70 Halifax C.VIII
Cargo and passenger version used as civil transport after WWII, especially in the Berlin Airlift 1949.
Registration G-AIAP, c/n 1354. Built for the RAF as PP281. Sold to B.O.A.C in September 1946. Sold to Airtech Ltd in October 1948. Sold to Eagle Aviation Ltd in February 1949. Destroyed in a crash on takeoff from Calcutta Dum Dum Airport (Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport nowadays (CCU/VECC)) the 25th November 1950.
Douglas C-54D Skymaster
Berlin airlift.
Douglas C-47 Skytrain
Berlin airlift.
Flughafen Berlin-Tempelhof (THF/EDDI) during Berlin Airlift.
Vickers VC1 Viking 1B & Vickers 701 Viscount
In 1949, ATL changed the name of its company to Aviation Traders Engineering Limited (ATEL) and became in the 1950s a sales agent of refurbished ex BEA Vickers Viking.
From left to right:
1 - Vickers VC1 Viking 1B, unknown registration.
2 - Vickers VC1 Viking 1B, registered G-AJBY, c/n 250. First flight in September 1947 owned by the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Delivered to British European Airways in October 1947. Sold to Aero Express in November 1955, registered D-AFUS. Sold to Deutsche Flugdienst in April 1958, re-registered D-BELA. Written off in October 1958 after an emergency landing due engine failure in Belgium.
Already met on this site:IMPDb: Frequently Seen Aircraft (Civil Fixed-Wing).
3 - Vickers 701 Viscount, registered G-AMNY, c/n 006, named RMA Sir Ernest Shackleton. Delivered new to British European Airways in February 1953. Written off in February 1960 after losing control due hydraulic failure while taxying.
4 - Vickers 701 Viscount, unknown registration.
Douglas Dakota IV
Registration G-ANTD, c/n 26414/14969. Delivered new to USAAF as Douglas C-47B-10-DK in October 1944, registered 43-49153. Lend lease to RAF changed to Dakota IV, registered KJ977. Bought by C E Harper Aircraft Co in July 1954, registered G-ANTD. Sold to Derby Aviation in April 1955, named Dove Dale. Changed to British Midland Airways in October 1964 after merge with Mercury Airlines. Sold to Aircraft & General Finance Corp. Ltd and leased to Cameroon Air Transport in October 1968, registered TJ-ACF. Returned to G-ANTD when sold to Field Aircraft Services Ltd in August 1970. Sold to East Lease Ltd in April 1971, operated by Air Anglia until November 1973. Broken up at International Norwich (EGSH/NWI).
Vickers 744 Viscount
First turbo-prop powered airliner in the history of aviation, fitted with 4 Rolls-Royce Dart engines.
Hawker Siddeley HS.748
Powered by a pair of Rolls-Royce Dart engines. A fair success for this generation of turbo prop airliners.
Registration G-HD**. Could be G-HDBA, G-HDBB or G-HDBC delivered to British Airways in 1984 / 1988 as 748-426 Srs2B and 748-378 Srs2B.
Handley Page HPR.7 Herald 206
Fitted with 2 Rolls-Royce Dart engines, the turbo prop version of the Herald arrived too late compared to the competitors on the market such as Fokker Friendship, Avro 748.
Registration G-BDFE, c/n 167. Delivered new to Eastern Provincial Airways in March 1963, registered CF-EPC. Leased to Bahamas Airways in February 1964, registered VP-BCG. Returned to CF-EPC from Eastern Provincial Airways in May 1964. Sold to BAF-British Air Ferries in June 1975, registered G-BDFE, named Rory Keegan. Leased to TAT-Touraine Air Transport in April 1979, then to Air Algérie in April 1980. Bought by Keegan Leasing And Management Southend-On-Sea in September 1982. Leased to Janus Airways in May 1983, then to Star Offshore Services Ltd. Sold to MMM Aéro Services as 9Q-CAA in February 1984. Wfu and stored at N'djili International Kinshasa (FZAA/FIH) in April 1986. Broken up in March 1987.
Fokker F27-600 Friendship
Powered by 2 Rolls-Royce Dart engines. Around 750 aircraft built, exceeding the number of Viscount produced.
Registration D-AELD, c/n 10442. First flight in September 1970, registered PH-EXA. Leased to Air Anglia in April 1971, registered PH-FPR. Leased to Royal Air Inter in September 1972. Expected to be operated by Turavia, as I-VANA, but not taken up. Sold to Bangladesh Biman in November 1973, registered S2-ABP. Purchased by Satair Leasing as OY-SLF in August 1990. Sold to WDL Aviation in August 1991, registered D-AELD, named Jaegermeister. Wfu at Wahn,Cologne (Köln) - Bonn ( EDDK/CGN) in October 2002.
NAMC YS-11
Another turbo prop airliner fitted by 2 Rolls-Royce Dart engines. 182 aircraft produced.
Exclusive type of airplane operated by Gambia Airways. This one is one their 2 aircraft registered C5-GA*, either C5-GAA or C5-GAB.
Aviation Traders ATL-90 Accountant
In 1957, Freddie Laker with its ATEL company tried to address the promising market of regional turboprop aircraft and launched the ATL-90 Account twin-engined 28-passenger turboprop airliner, powered by 2 Rolls Royce Dart engines as it direct competitors listed above. Unfortunately the aircraft did not attract much commercial interest, in a context of an already oversaturated market.
Registration G-ATEL (test period G-41-1), c/n ATL.90. First flight the 9th of July 1957. Displayed at the Farnborough Airshow in September 1957.The aircraft last flew on 10 January 1958, development was abandoned and the aircraft was scrapped in February 1960.
Car air-carrying Laker's idea
In 1958, Freddie Laker noticed a potential market for ATEL, with conversion of improved aircraft design into cross-channel air ferries. At the time, this market was operated by several companies with outdated Bristol 170 Freighter developped for military transport at the end of WWII, reconverted as civilian in 1946. Low capacity and performances of the Bristol 170 combined with extremely tight schedules necessary to meet the high demand for cross-channel flights, especially during the summer, involved rolling maintenance plans very expansive for the companies. A developpment for replacement of this aircraft might seem wise.
Bristol 170 Freighter
Unknown registration. Seems to wear Silver City Airways colours.
Bristol 170 Freighter
Advertising prospectus.
Bristol 170 Freighter Mk 21
Registration G-AGVC, c/n 12732. Built as Mk 1, first flight in November 1945. Leased to Canadian Pacific Air Lines in 1947, then to LAV Línea Aeropostal Venezolana. Converted to Mk 21 as G-18-2. Sold to Silver City Airways as G-AGVC again, named City of Sheffield in June 1953. Sold to Manx Airlines in December 1961. Withdrawn from use after undercarriage collapse at Ronaldsway (EGNS/IOM), Isle of Man UK in June 1962.
In the background, 2x Douglas C-54 Skymaster from Flying Tiger Line.
Bristol 170 Freighter Mk 21 & Mk 21E
Background left to foreground right:
Registration G-AHJI, c/n 12741. Built as Bristol 170 Wayfarer Mk IIA, first flight in July 1946. Sold to Dalmiajain Airways in November 1946, registered VT-CHK. Return to the Bristol Aeroplane Company in January 1950. Converted to Bristol 170 Freighter Mk 21E. Sold to Aviaco in April 1950, registered EC-AES. Sold to Air Kruise in December 1955, registered G-AHJI. Sold to Silver City Airways, named City of Bath in October 1957. Changed to BUAF-British United Air Ferries with the merge in the new company in 1963. Withdrawn from use in 1964. Broken up at Southend (EGMC/SEN),UK in December 1965.
Registration G-AIC*. Either G-AICM or G-AICS, named City of *****)
Bristol 170 Freighter Mk.32 Superfreighter
Unknown registration.
Bristol 170 Freighter Mk.32 Superfreighter
Registration G-APAU, c/n 13256. First flight in April 1957, owned by Bristol Aircraft Co Ltd until July 1961. Sold to Air Charter Ltd in July 1961. Changed to BUAF-British United Air Ferries after merge in the company in July 1965. Changed name to BAF-British Air Ferries in 1967. Sold to Midland Air Cargo in April 1971, named City of Edinburgh. Wfu in December 1977.
Same aircraft in other works at IMPDb: Frequently Seen Aircraft (Civil Fixed-Wing).
Bristol 170 Freighter Mk.32 Superfreighter
Unknown registration.
Bristol 170 Freighter Mk.32 Superfreighter
Registration G-ANVR, c/n 13256. First flight in April 1954, owned by the Bristol Aeroplane Company renamed Bristol Aircraft Co Ltd until December 1957. Sold to Air Charter Ltd in December 1957. Sold to BUAF-British United Air Ferries after merge in the company in July 1965. Changed name to BAF-British Air Ferries in 1967. Wfu in 1971. Broken up in 1973.
Bristol 170 Freighter Mk.32 Superfreighter
Bristol 170 Freighter Mk.31M
Registration 9699, c/n 13219. Delivered new to Royal Canadian Air Force - 137 Transport Flight in July 1955, based at Baden Sollingen, West Germany. Sold to Norcanair in 1967, registered CF-WAE. Preserved at James Armstrong Richardson International Winnipeg (CYWG/YWG) Canada (Manitoba).
Replacement of the Bristol Freighter
Laker's first idea was to create a car-carrying version of the ATL-90, named ATL-96, but the failure of the Account project and the weak financial resources of ATEL could not validate this industrial option. Another possibility was to convert existing second-hand aircraft which had become abundant on the market with the emergence of more modern jet aircraft in the late 1950s. The Douglas DC-4 would be the proper design for such a solution. The Aviation Traders ATL-98 Carvair project was born.
Aviation Traders ATL-96 Accountant Car-carrier
New design for a replacement of Bristol 170 Freighter based on the defunct ATL-90 concept. Abandoned project.
Vickers VC10 Srs 1101
Illustration of a new generation of jet airliner replacing previous post-war propeller-driven airliners in the commercial aviation, offering a significant amount of second-hand aircraft available at a fair price for conversion to car-carrier.
First variant of Vickers VC10 Srs 1101 from B.O.A.C wearing Blue Tail Twin Stripe livery.
Another one in the background left.
Douglas C-54B-1-DC Skymaster
Western Airlines operated 15x Douglas C-54 Skymaster or Douglas DC-4 between 1946 and 1957. Two of them, NC88721 and NC88816 were sold and converted in the following years to Aviation Traders ATL-98 Carvair.
This one, NC88701, remained as C-54 Skymaster.
Registration NC88701, c/n 10474. First days during WWII registered 43-72369 with the USAAF. Bought by Western Airlines in August 1946 as NC8871, re-registered N88701 later. Sold to California Eastern Airways in 1950, registered N4002B. Sold to TACA International Airlines in 1951, registered YS-04C. Sold to Rutas Aereas Nacional SA (RANSA) Costa Rica as TI-1046 in 1952. Sold to Trans Caribbean Airlines in 1952, registered N4664S. Leased to TALOA Transocean Air Lines from 1952 to 1960. Sold to Líneas Aéreas Paraguayas S.A. in October 1963, registered ZP-CAR. Sold to Paraense Transportes Aereos in October 1969, registered PP-BTV.
Douglas DC-4-1009
South African Airways have operated 8x Douglas C-54 Skymaster or Douglas DC-4 between 1946 and 1967. None of them were converted to Aviation Traders ATL-98 Carvair.
Registration ZS-AUB, c/n 10474. Delivered new to South African Airways in May 1946, registered ZS-AUB named Outeniqua. Sold to South African Air Force in September 1967. Returned to South African Airways in 1995 as ZS-AUB for the SAA-Historic flight .Leased to Swissair in summer 1997 for the 50 years of Trans-Atlantic service, registered ZU-ILI with Swiss Air Lines colours and HB-ILI registration.
Still airworthy nowadays, based at Rand Germiston - Johannesburg (FAGM/QRA], owned by the SAA Museum and operated by Skyclass Aviation, with Orange tail SAA's colour scheme adopted from 1960 to 1967.
Douglas DC-4-1009
Delta Air Lines have operated 9x Douglas C-54 Skymaster or Douglas DC-4 between 1945 and 1953. N37477 has been the sole of them converted to Aviation Traders ATL-98 Carvair in the following years.
Registration N37474, c/n 27238. First days during WWII as Douglas C-54B-DO Skymaster. registered 44-9012 with the USAAF. Converted to Douglas DC-4 in January 1945. Sold to Delta Air Lines in February 1946, named 74. Sold to Consolidated Airline Equipment in May 1953. Leased to California Eastern Airways in May 1953. Written off from use in June 1955. Broken up in February 1958.
Douglas C-54E-15-DO Skymaster
Never been converted to Aviation Traders ATL-98 Carvair.
Registration VH-EAY, c/n DO298/27352. Delivered new to USAF in September 1947 as 44-9126 . Transferred to the Military Aircraft Storage and Disposal Center (MASDC) with inventory number CC205 in December 1971. Sold to Dross Metals Inc. in November 1975, registered N9013V. Sold to Transglobal Inc. in October 1978. Sold to Flying Fish Inc. in September 1979. Sold to Tiger Leasing in january 1980, then leased to Hardee County Sheriffs Department. Sold to Thomas March in January 1981. Sold to Bahama Police in April 1981. Sold to Force International Inc. in November 1983. Sold to Lynch Air Cargo Inc. in June 1984. Sold to Pacific Air Freighters in June 1995, registered VH-PAF. Sold to Air Freighters International in October 1997. Bought by Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) in June 2008, registered VH-EAY. Restauration with Qantas livery in 2021.
The Carvair production and air-ferry exploitation
Based upon a DC-4 airframe with two hinged-doors in the front, the cockpit positionned above and enlarged tail fin. The plane could carry 25 passengers and 5 cars. 21 conversions have been produced from 1961 until 1968, 3 at Southend on Sea ATEL's plant, 18 aircraft at Stansted.
Aviation Traders ATL-98 Carvair (drawing presentation)
Designed by Freddie Laker himself.
Aviation Traders ATL-Dart Engine Carvair 7 (project)
No sooner had the ATL-98 Carvair been launched than ATEL was considering a Carvair 7 version with turboprop Rolls-Royce Dart engines and pressurized cabin, based on the Douglas DC-6/DC-7. The studies were abandoned with the failure to come of the main project ATL-98.
Aviation Traders ATL-98 Carvair (model)
In late colour scheme of BAF-British Air Ferries (1974-1982).
About G-AOFW:
Registered G-AOFW, c/n 10351. First days during WWII as Douglas C-54A-15-DC Skymaster registered 42-72246 with the USAAF. Sold to PAA-Pan American Airways System in July 1946, registered N88919 named Clipper Panama then changed to Clipper Talisman. Sold to Alitalia Aerolinee Italiane Internazionali in March 1950, registered I-DALV named Citta di Napoli. Sold to California Eastern Airway in 1954, registered N1436V. Sold to Air Charter Ltd in December 1956, registered G-AOFW. Converted to Aviation Traders ATL-98 Carvair in 1963. Sold to BUAF-British United Air Ferries in October 1963. Changed to BAF-British Air Ferries in March 1965. Destroyed in May 1984.
Same aircraft (real)in other movies at IMPDb: Frequently Seen Aircraft.
Aviation Traders ATL-98 Carvair
Exit from ATEL's construction workshop in Southend Airport (SEN/EGMC).
Bristol 170 Freighter or SuperFreighter behind in the background.
Almost ready for the painting workshop.
Aviation Traders ATL-98 Carvair
The first customer Channel Air Bridge took delivery of the Carvair's prototype in February 1962.
Registration G-ANYB, c/n DC259/10528/1. First days in 1944 as Douglas C-54B Skymaster registered 42-72423 with the USAAF. Sold to Braniff International Airways in November 1945, registered N88709.Damaged at Love Field (KDAL/DAL), Dallas in May 1953. Sold to World Airways in June 1953. Bought by ATEL in June 1961 for conversion to ATL-98 Carvair (Prototype - 1st built). Sold to Channel Air Bridge in February 1962, registered G-ANYB named Golden Gate Bridge. Transferred to BUAF-British United Air Ferries in January 1963. Stored at Lydd Kent (LYX-EGMD) in March 1967. Broken up in July 1970.
Later variant with BUAF livery.
Aviation Traders ATL-98 Carvair
Registration G-ARSF, c/n DO113/18339/3. First days in 1944 as Douglas C-54B-5-DO Skymaster registered 43-17139 with the USAAF. Sold to Braniff International Airways in November 1945, registered N88709. Leased to Northwest Orient Airlines in October 1950. Leased to TALOA-Transocean Air Lines in June 1954. Leased to Resort Airlines in October 1954. Bought by ATEL in June 62 for conversion to ATL-98 Carvair (3rd built). Delivered to Channel Air Bridge in July 1962, registered G-ARSF named Pont de l'Europe. Wfu after a crash in December 1962 at Rotterdam-La Haye (RTM/EHRD).
Crash on landing at Rotterdam airport (RTM/EHRD) on December 28, 1962. The captain died but all passengers and the rest of the crew were safe.
Aviation Traders ATL-98 Carvair
Registration G-ATRV, c/n DO257/27311/15. First days in 1945 as Douglas C-54E5 Skymaster registered 44-9085 with the USAAF. Bought by PAA-Pan American Airways System in November 1945, registered N88886 named Clipper Mandarin, then Clipper Frankfurt, then Clipper Pegasus with Pan American World Airways in 1950, renamed later as Clipper Hannover. Sold to Trans Mediterranean Airways in January 1961. Bought by ATEL in November 1963 for conversion to Aviation Traders ATL-98 Carvair (15th built). Sold to BUAF-British United Air Ferries in late 1963. Bought by Compagnie Air Transport in May 1967, registered F-BOSU. Broken up at Aéroport Garons (LFTW/FNI) Nimes, France in November 1972.
Aviation Traders ATL-98 Carvair
Unknown registration.
Aviation Traders ATL-98 Carvair
Registration G-ARSD, c/n DC42/10311/2. First days in 1944 as Douglas C-54A-10-DC Skymaster registered 42-72206 with the USAAF. Sold to California Eastern Airways in May 1952, registered NC57670. Leased to TALOA-Transocean Air Lines then to Resort Airlines in October 1954. Bought by ATEL in March 1962 registered G-ARSD, converted to Aviation Traders ATL-98 Carvair (2nd built). Sold to Channel Air Bridge, named Chelsea Bridge. Transferred to BUAF-British United Air Ferries in January 1963. Transferred to British Air Ferries in October 1967. Broken up in August 1970 at Lydd International (EGMD/LYX), UK.
Aviation Traders ATL-98 Carvair
Registration G-ASDC, c/n DC4/10273/7. First days in 1944 as Douglas C-54A-1-DC Skymaster registered 42-72168 with the USAAF. Sold to California Eastern Airways in May 1946, registered N54373. Sold to Seaboard & Western Airlines in February 1953, named Wake Island Airtrader. Bought by Air World Leases Inc. in December 1955 and leased to TALOA-Transocean Air Lines. Sold again to Seaboard & Western Airlines in October 1958. Bought by Mr.Marshall Landy in May 1959. Sold to Interocean Airways for United Nations Organization in March 1961. Bought by ATEL for conversion to Aviation Traders ATL-98 Carvair (7th built) in August 1962, registered LX-BNG. Sold to BUAF-British United Air Ferries in March 1963, registered G-ASDC named Pont du Rhin. Changed to British Air Ferries in October 1967, renamed Big Louie in 1972, then Plain Jane in 1975. Sold Falcon Airways in April 1979, registered N80FA. Sold to Pacific Air Express in April 1983, registered N103. Wfu at Tucson International (KTUS/TUS) in October 1986. Bought by Frederick L Mason, Lagrange GA in November 1987. Leased to Hondu Carib Cargo. Leased to Great Southern Airways in April 1988. Leased to Yesterdays Wings Inc. Wilmington DE in December 1995. Leased to Great Arctic Airways in April 1996. Crashed in June 1997, fire in engine developed after take off from Venetie on flight to Fairbanks AK, emergency landing on a sand and gravel bar in the Chandalar River (no fatalities).
Same aircraft in other movies at IMPDb: Frequently Seen Aircraft (Civil Fixed-Wing).
Pictures from James Bond film Goldfinger (1964).
Aviation Traders ATL-98 Carvair
Registration G-ASKG, c/n DC113/10382/10. First days in 1944 as Douglas C-54A-15-DC Skymaster registered 42-72277 with the USAAF. Civilian registration as NC12491, then N12491 but unknown operator. Bought by Braathens in 1947, registered LN-HAU named Norse Trader. Sold to Seaboard & Western Airlines in October 1950, registered N1221V named Oslo Airtrader. Leased to Trans Caribbean Airlines in January 1953, registered N1221V. Registered LX-BBP as unknown airline (perhaps Interocean Airways?). Bought by ATEL for conversion to Aviation Traders ATL-98 Carvair (10th built) in 1963, registered G-ASKG. Sold to BUAF-British United Air Ferries in August 1963, named Channel Bridge. Leased to Alisud between August 1963 and February 1964. Leased to with Air Ferry Ltd in 1965.Transferred to British Air Ferries in October 1967, named Big Joe. Leased to Compagnie Air Transport in March 1969, registered F-BRPT named Cdt Charles. Leased to Transports Aériens Réunis in June 1969. Returned to British Air Ferries in March 1973. Sold to SOACO in February 1975, registered TR-LUP. Sold to Aer Service as TN-ADX in 1980. Sold to EclAir as 9Q-CTI in March 1993. Sold to Transair Cargo in April 1995. Wfu and broken up in September 1995 at Kinshasa International (FZAA/FIH).
With 1967-1972 BAF livery, not yet renamed Big Joe at it would be.
Aviation Traders ATL-98 Carvair
The real aircraft already listed above, in former BUAF-British United Air Ferries livery.
Same aircraft in other movies at IMPDb: Frequently Seen Aircraft.
Aviation Traders ATL-98 Carvair
Registration G-APNH, c/n DO107/18333/11. First days in June 1944 as Douglas C-54B-5-DO Skymaster registered 43-17133 with the USAAF. Converted to Douglas DC-4, delivered to Delta Air Lines in April 1946, registered N37477 named 77. Sold to NAA-North American Airlines in 1953. Sold to Trans American Airlines in 1956. Sold to Twentieth Century Airlines in 1957. Reserved by Luftransport Untermenhen as D-ANET but not taken up. Sold to Independent Air Transport in June 1958, registered G-APNH. Sold to Blue Air in October 1959. Sold to Air Charter Ltd in March 1960. Bought by ATEL for conversion to Aviation Traders ATL-98 Carvair (11th built) in August 1964. Sold to BUAF-British United Air Ferries in September 1964, named Menai Bridge. Operated with BUA-British United Airways livery for few months around 1966/67, then transferred to BAF-British Air Ferries in October 1967. Crashed on the 18th of March 1971 at Le Touquet Airport (LFAT/LTQ), France while landing.The nosegear collapsed on touchdown in crosswind conditions. The Carvair came to a halt 1550 m from the threshold. W/O beyond repair.
Aviation Traders ATL-98 Carvair
Unknown registration. One of the 3 aircraft operated by Aer Lingus: EI-AMR, EI-AMP, EI-ANJ.
Aviation Traders ATL-98 Carvair
Registration EI-AMR, c/n DC179/10448/8. First days in June 1942 as Douglas C-54B-1-DC Skymaster registered 42-72343 with the USAAF. Sold to Chicago and Southern Air Lines in March 1951, registered NC88819 named C-43 City of Kingston. Sold to Resort Airlines in 1955 as N88819. Leased to World Airways from July 1960 to June 1961. Sold to Slick Airways in 1962. Converted to Aviation Traders ATL-98 Carvair (8th built) in 1962. Sold to Aer Lingus in February 1963, registered EI-AMR named St Jarlath/Larfhlaith. Sold to Eastern Provincial Airways in May 1968, registered CF-EPV. Civil registration LN-NAB reserved but not taken up. Sold to BAF-British Air Ferries in September 1973 with remaining CF-PEV registration. Scrapped at Southend (EGMC/SEN) in September 1978, cockpit section removed to Beccles Suffolk (Halesworth Airfield) where it remains.
At Southend Airport (EGMC/SEN).
Aviation Traders ATL-98 Carvair
Registration EI-AMP, c/n DO88/7480/6. First days in June 1942 as Douglas C-54A-5-DO Skymaster registered 42-107461 with the USAAF. Sold to American Airlines in April 1946, registered N90431 named flagship Philadelphia. Operated by AVENSA as YV-C-AVH. Sold to Resort Airlines as N75298. Leased to World Airways from July 1960 to June 1961. Converted to Aviation Traders ATL-98 Carvair (6th built) in 1962, registered G-ARZV. Sold to Aer Lingus in February 1963, registered EI-AMP named St Albert/Ailbhe. Sold to Eastern Provincial Airways in February 1968, registered CF-EPX. Crashed on 28th September 1968 at Twin Falls airstrip near Churchill Falls Labrador after a heavy landing.
Aviation Traders ATL-98 Carvair
Registration G-ASHZ, c/n DC195/27249/9. First days in June 1945 as Douglas C-54B-20-DO Skymaster registered 44-9023 with the USAAF. Delivered to Western Airlines in July 1946, registered NC88816, changed to N88816. Sold to Aerovias Guest S.A. in December 1956, registered XA-MAA. Sold to Aerovias Panama Airways in September 1957, registered HP-256, changed to HP-268 in 1958. Sold to Lloyd Aero Boliviano in April 1960, registered CP-682. Sold to Babb Company in March 1961, registered N9326R. Sold to International Aircraft Services in January 1962. Converted to Aviation Traders ATL-98 Carvair (9th built). Built at London Stansted (EGSS/STN) with the fitting of a bulbous, swing-nose from Remmert World Airways DC-4 c/r N9326R. Sold to BUAF-British United Air Ferries in July 1963, registered G-ASHZ named Maasbrug. Transferred to BAF-British Air Ferries in October 1967, named Fat Annie. Sold to Falcon Airways in July 1979, registered N89FA. Bought by Mercantile National Bank of Dallas in March 1980, then James Blumenthal in December 1982. Sold to Customer Air Service in March 1987, then McSwiggan Robert D. in April 1987. Leases to Academy Airlines in October 1996,stored at Griffin, GA. Return to Custom Air Service in October 2000. Sold to Gator Global Flying Services Inc. in January 2003. Sold to South African Air Lease in March 2012, stored at Municipal Airpark Clayton (KCAO/CAO).
Aviation Traders ATL-98 Carvair
Registration F-BOSU, c/n DO257/27311/15. First days in 1945 as Douglas C-54E5 Skymaster registered 44-9085 with the USAAF. Bought by PAA-Pan American Airways System in November 1945, registered N88886 named Clipper Mandarin, then Clipper Frankfurt, then Clipper Pegasus with Pan American World Airways in 1950, renamed later as Clipper Hannover. Sold to Trans Mediterranean Airways in January 1961. Bought by ATEL in November 1963 for conversion to Aviation Traders ATL-98 Carvair (15th built). Sold to BUAF-British United Air Ferries in late 1963, registered G-ATRV. Bought by Compagnie Air Transport in May 1967, registered F-BOSU. Broken up at Aéroport Garons (LFTW/FNI) Nimes, France in November 1972.
Aviation Traders ATL-98 Carvair
Registration F-BMHV, c/n DC06/10365/5. First days in August 1944 as Douglas C-54A-15-DC Skymaster registered 42-72260 with the USAAF. Soon transferred to US Navy as Douglas R5D-1 Skymaster, registered 50843. Sold to Veterans Air Express in April 1946, registered NC58003. Re-registered N57777 but not taken up. Delivered to Air Ceylon in February 1949, registered VP-CBD (owned by ANA-Australian National Airways), re-registered CY-ACA in September 1950. Returned to ANA-Australian National Airways in March 1951, registered VH-INY, named Laxapana, VIP transport for British Royal Tour 1954. Leased to Seven Seas Airlines in 1958, registered N5520V. Sold to Trans-Avia Flug in May 1958, registered D-ADAL. Sold to Lufttransport Unternehmen in September 1959. Sold to British United Airways in August 1960, registered G-AREK. Bought by ATEL in November 1962 for conversion to Aviation Traders ATL-98 Carvair (5th built). Sold to Intercontinental Airways, registered N9757F. Sold to Interocean Airways in December 1962, registered LX-IOG, operated by United Nations Organization. Sold to Compagnie Air Transport in May 1965, registered F-BMHV named Cdt Max Geudt. Leased to BAF-British Air Ferries in April 1972, then bought February 1973, registered G-AREK, named Porky Pete. Wfu in February 1976 at Southend Airport (EGMC/SEN). Leased to Pauling Construction Air Cargo from 1976 to 1977 (Based in Middle East). Sold to Uni-Air in June 1977, registered F-BYCL. Bought by Falcon Airways in August 1979, registered N83FA. Leased to Kodiak Western Airlines in 1981. Sold to Gifford Aviation in May 1982, then to Robert D McSwiggan in October 1985. Operated by Custom Air Service. Written Off in April 1997 at Griffin-Spalding County Airport on take off after engine failure.
The Carvair cargo and passengers exploitation
With the widespread implementation of roll-on/roll-off car ferries and Seaspeed hovercraft service on the cross-channel route during the mid-60s, able to carry dozens of cars in a single crossing, the air-ferry service was doomed to gradually disappear. Nevertheless, the loading capacities of these aircraft could interest operators for cargo applications. Already some of these companies used it for this role. Several Carvairs will be reassigned in this use across the globe.
Aviation Traders ATL-98 Carvair
Registration CF-EPX, c/n DO88/7480/6: History already described with Aer Lingus's EI-AMP listed above. EPA-Eastern Provincial Airways operated both passenger and all-cargo flights with the Carvair at this time.
At London Stansted Airport (EGSS/STN).
Vickers Viscount Series 700 or 800 of TAA-Trans Australia Airlines in the background left, remarkable by its inscription THE NATION'S JETLINE.
Douglas C-54B-5-DO Skymaster
Ansett-ANA took 3 aircraft from its Douglas C-54's fleet for conversion by ATEL to ATL-98 Cargo.
This one was not converted.
Registration VH-INX, c/n DO101/18327. First days in May 1944 as Douglas C-54B-DO Skymaster. registered 43-17127 with the USAAF. Delivered to Pacific Overseas Airlines in 1946, registered N74628. Sold to Air Charter Survey & Exploration Ltd in 1948, registered ZS-BYO named Discovery. Sold to British Aviation Services in December 1948, registered G-ALEP. Leased to Silver City Airways in January 1949. Sold to ANA-Australian National Airways in February 1951, registered VH-INX. Transferred to Ansett-ANA in October 1957 after merge of this company with Ansett Airways Pty Ltd. Converted to freighter (Cargomaster) in September 1959. Leased to MMA-MacRobertson-Miller Airlines in December 1965 until July 1966. Returned to Ansett-ANA. Wfu in 1970, moved to Melton (YMEL), Victoria AUS in March 1972. Broken up in October 1991.
Aviation Traders ATL-98 Carvair
Registered VH-INM, c/n DO260/27314/21. First days in July 1945 as Douglas C-54E-10-DC Skymaster registered 44-9088 with the USAAF. Sold to PAA-Pan American Airways System in December 1945, registered N88881 named Clipper Kit Carson, then changed to Clipper Golden West and again to Clipper Red Rover. Sold to Japan Air Lines in February 1958, registered JA6015 named Amagi / 天城. Wfu in March 1964. Bought by Ansett-ANA in March 1965, registered VH-INM. Sent to ATEL for conversion to Aviation Traders ATL-98 Carvair (21st and last built). Transferred to Ansett Airlines of Australia in 1968. Sold to Seulawah Air in 1975. Sold to Nationwide Air in October 1978, registered ZK-NWB. Wfu in 1979. Bought by Hawaii Pacific Air in June 1990, registered N5459M. Bought by Airline Marketing Consultant Inc. Miami FL in March 1996. Leased to Wonderair in 1998. Sold to Phoebus Apollo Aviation in April 2002, registered 9J-PAA. Stored at Rand Germiston - Johannesburg (FAGM/QRA).
Aviation Traders ATL-98 Carvair
Registered HI-168, c/n DC216/10485/16. First days in 1942 as Douglas C-54B-1-DC Skymaster registered 42-72380 with the USAAF. Sold to American Airlines in 1946, registered N90417 named Flagship Monterrey. Sold to Iberia in February 1950, registered EC-AEP, named 116. Leased to Aviaco in April 1963 until May 1964. Converted to Aviation Traders ATL-98 Carvair (16th built), registered EC-WXI. Sold to Aviaco in June 1964, registered EC-AXI. Sold to Dominicana de Aviación in 1969. Crashed on the 6th June 1969, shortly after take off after from Miami International (KMIA/MIA) attempting to return to the airport due to failure of both the number 2 and 4 engines. All 4 on board + 6 on the ground killed.
One of the 4 Pratt & Whitney R-2000-7M2 Twin Wasp fallen on a Ford Mustang.
Aviation Traders ATL-98 Carvair
Registration N80FA, c/n DC4/10273/7. History already described with BUAF-British United Air Ferries's G-ASDC listed above. Bought from BAF-British Air Ferries in April 1979. BAF colours, with Falcon Airways title and Cargo on the tail.
Registration N83FA, c/n DC06/10365/5. History already described with Compagnie Air Transport's F-BMHV listed above. Bought from Uni-Air in August 1979. BAF colours, with Falcon Airways title and Cargo on the tail. The pictures shows erased Falcon Airways title. Perhaps on lease to Kodiak Western Airlines (1981)? Gifford Aviation ownership (1982)? or stored as Robert D McSwiggan at Griffin,GA?
Aviation Traders ATL-98 Carvair
Registered ZK-NWB, c/n DO260/27314/21. History already described with Ansett-ANA Air Cargo's VH-INM listed above. Sold to Nationwide Air in October 1978.
Aviation Traders ATL-98 Carvair
Registered N898AT, c/n D4-55/42994/20. Built in 1946 as Douglas DC-4-1009 registered N898AT. Sold to DNL-Det Norske Luftfartselskab in June 1946, registered LN-IAE. Transferred to SAS-Scandinavian Airlines System in 1951, named Olav Viking. Sold to Japan Air Lines in October 1956, registered JA6012 named Mikasa / 三笠. Leased to Korean Air in October 1962, registered HL4003. Returned to Japan Air Lines in February 1964. Converted to Aviation Traders ATL-98 Carvair (20th built) in October 1965 after beeing purchased by Ansett-ANA, registered VH-INK. Sold to Nationwide Air in September 1978. Wfu in July 1979. Sold to James Air Ltd in October 1979, registerd N406JT. Sold to Air Cargo Hawaii Ltd Partnership in April 1992, registered N5459X. Bought by Hawkair Aviation Services Ltd in June 1997, registered C-GAAH. Sold to Brooks Fuel Inc. in March 2003, registered N809AT. Written off in May 2007 undershot on landing Nixon Fork Mine AK u/c collapsed airframe broke up and burned out. No fatalities.
Aviation Traders ATL-98 Carvair
Registered N5459M, c/n DO260/27314/21. History already described with Ansett-ANA Air Cargo's VH-INM listed above. Owned by Airline Marketing Consultant Inc. Miami FL since July 1996. Exported to Zambia in 2002.
Aviation Traders ATL-98 Carvair
Registered N89FA, c/n DO260/27314/21. History already described with BAF-British Air Ferries's G-ASHZ listed above. Owned by South African Air Lease Llc since March 2012. Stored at Municipal Airpark, Clayton MO (KCAO/CAO).
Aviation Traders ATL-98 Carvair
Registered 9J-PAA, c/n DO260/27314/21. History already described with Ansett-ANA Air Cargo's VH-INM listed above. Owned by Phoebus Apollo Aviation since 2002. Stored at Johannesburg - Rand (Germiston) (QRA/FAGM).
Results of this production
Not to mention a huge success, this atypical aircraft marked the history of air transport in the sixties/seventies. Some of them even passed the 21st century. Only 21 aircraft were produced, owned and/or operated through the time by around 45 different companies, here is the list (alphabetical order):
Academy Airlines, Aer Lingus, Aero Union, Aer Service, Air Cargo Hawaii, Air Ferry Ltd, Airline Marketing Consultant, Ansett-ANA, Aviaco, British Air Ferries, British United Airways, British United Air Ferries, Brooks Fuel Inc., Channel Air Bridge, Compagnie Air Transport, Custom Air Service, Dominicana de Aviación,, EclAir, Falcon Airways Inc., Gator Global Flying Services, Gifford Aviation, Great Arctic Airways, Great Southern Airways, Hawaii Pacific Air, Hondu Carib Cargo, Intercontinental Airways, Interocean Airways, Jack M.Garfinckle, James Blumenthal, Kodiak Western Airlines, Nationwide Air, Norwegian Overseas Airways, Pacific Air Express, Phoebus Apollo Aviation, Robert D.McSwiggan, Sfair, SOACO, Société Secmafer Aviation, South African Lease, Transair Cargo, Transports Aériens Réunis, Uni-Air, United Nations Organization, Yesterdays Wings.
Various Carvair profiles
British United Air Ferries, Interocean Airways, Aer Lingus.
Interocean Airways, Aer Lingus.
Aviaco, untitled.
Please add Ansett-ANA and Compagnie Air Transport... said the Sales Department.
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See also
- Motion History
- Eastern Provincial Airways
- Aviation Traders ATL-98 Carvair
- Bristol 170 Freighter
- Douglas C-47 Skytrain
- Douglas C-54 Skymaster
- Douglas DC-4
- Fokker F27 Friendship
- Handley Page Dart Herald
- Handley Page Halifax
- Hawker Siddeley HS.748
- NAMC YS-11
- Supermarine Spitfire
- Vickers VC10
- Vickers Viking
- Vickers Viscount
- Aer Lingus
- Air Anglia
- Ansett-ANA
- British Air Ferries
- British Airways
- British Overseas Airways Corporation
- British United Air Ferries
- Capital Airlines
- Compagnie Air Transport
- Delta Air Lines
- Dominicana de Aviación
- Eagle Aviation Ltd
- Flying Tiger Line
- Phoebus Apollo Aviation
- Silver City Airways
- South African Airways
- Trans Australia Airlines
- Western Airlines