More Turboprop oldies

went aboard at Yeovilton in 1995 on a day out when living at Plymouth

Yeovilton, stored on behalf of the science museum or so the internet says

they were 2 different aircraft, BSST was 002 XDN was 003 or 004

Really, I am gobsmacked. All these years I thought I’d seen the same jet back then. I was certain (but wrong I guess). Where is G-BSST now?

For example Concorde 002 (our first prototype) was originally registered as G-AXDN and flew at Farnborough with that serial. Shortly afterward it was re-registered G-BSST .

they were 2 different aircraft, BSST was 002 XDN was 003 or 004

correction, XDN was c/n 101 and was a pre production aircraft

thanks V
It was interesting that BOAC bought 707s at a similar time to BEA getting Vanguards, around G-AP** reg issueing.

Yes, I believe this was the time BEA also got their first Trident 1c jets. The Vanguards (although these days they seem old) were BEA’s longest haul planes I believe so they served a special purpose. But I am not that knowledgable about registrations, I am just trying to remember stuff from back then.

thanks V
It was interesting that BOAC bought 707s at a similar time to BEA getting Vanguards, around G-AP** reg issueing.

when did it become fashionable to change a red number when change of ownership?
ie the Invicta Vanguard kept its original reg, but nowadays as planes change airlines the reg changes more often than not

As I recall, in the 1960s registrations were given out sequencially only. If a former British registerer aeroplane came back from foreign ownership to took back its original serial. About the early 1970s out of sequence registrations became available to aircraft owners. For example Concorde 002 (our first prototype) was originally registered as G-AXDN and flew at Farnborough with that serial. Shortly afterward it was re-registered G-BSST so I would guess this was the time that the CAA changed aircraft registration regulations allowing owners to choose a ‘custom’ letter set. So you have custom registerd fleets like BOAC’s Concorde fleet G-BOAA, BOAB, BOAC… and EasyJet’s 737 fleet.

when did it become fashionable to change a red number when change of ownership?
ie the Invicta Vanguard kept its original reg, but nowadays as planes change airlines the reg changes more often than not

Thanks for posting brings back memories of Gatwick…more please!

Another great memory jerking selection. When I working in handling at STN in the the 80s we used to handle C130s, and occasionally, An12s of the Algerian A/F. The Herks wore civil regs, might have worked the one in your pic, but curiously, the An12s carried a civvy reg on the fin as well as military marks on the fuselage. Every visit the crews would take a minibus into town and clear the local shops of ‘Huggies’ nappies and powdered baby food! Thanx for sharing those pics. If you’ve any more left, it would be great to see them.:)

Nice ones. I particularly liked the shot of the Heron.

Nice retro stuff again!
Always liked Air Inters livery.