A Saab and 737s at Southend

March had been very quiet for maintenance movements at Southend. The weather has been bad as well, which produced the first diversion of G-CDEB operating the IOM-LCY flights owing to snow bringing down the visibility at LCY.

Here is G-CDEB departing in the snow – a very smart one – but I preferred shooting it in the evening Summer sunshine at LCY last July!

G-CDEB British Airways SB20 at Southend EGMC by AeroPics, on Flickr

The last couple of days had produced a few Boeing 737 photos – which are becoming increasing rarer at Southend for maintenance as Airbuses are becoming more common…

The latest acquisition for Jet2 arriving Runway 06 after a test flight. It entered service today out of Manchester before having been painted… Jet2 seem short of aircraft at the moment.

G-GDFR ‘Jet2’ B738 at Southend EGMC by AeroPics, on Flickr

And G-GDFR backtracking Runway 06 prior to departing to Manchester in nice evening light:

G-GDFR ‘Jet2’ B738 at Southend EGMC by AeroPics, on Flickr

G-GDFR ‘Jet2’ B738 at Southend EGMC by AeroPics, on Flickr

Today – the very last Boeing to retain the Brussels Airline livery being towed back to the hangar after engine runs. Is planned to depart imminently for repainting.

OO-VET Brussels Airlines B734 at Southend EGMC by AeroPics, on Flickr

And a Norweigian Air Shuttle 737 returning from Engine runs with Roald Amundsen (the first chap to reach the North Pole) on the tail – very inappropriate giving the freezing conditions. The aircraft departed for a test flight soon after…

LL-KKL Norwegian Air Shuttle B733 at Southend EGMC by AeroPics, on Flickr

But the test flight brought to light a ‘minor problem’ as the landing gear would not retract, casing a premature return to Southend and a full airfield emergency. The aircraft landed safely but made the lowest approach to Runway 06 I’ve ever seen!

LL-KKL Norwegian Air Shuttle B733 at Southend EGMC by AeroPics, on Flickr

I hope these are of interest!