Croydon airport open day.

Originally posted by A330Crazy
G-AOXL on the poles outside. Restoration project to begin soon on this aircraft.

Bruce: Not sure of the timing for Shell’s ownership of UO but you might find the following interesting.

(Hmmmm, I seem to remember posting this once before……..)

For G-AOXL read G-ANUO. For many years based at Leicester East (EGBG) this Aircraft was operated by British Nuclear Power Corp and flew a daily service to Anglesey (RAF Valley?) and other BNC facilities throughout the U.K. Often Captained by Alan Firmin – I managed to beg a few flights on it in the 70’s. It was equipped with a Decca Navigator – a forerunner to today’s GPS systems but surprisingly accurate for it’s day. Uniform Oscar replaced G-AS(?)UU, another Heron, that operated thoughout the 60’s on the same run. Note: One of the 2 was reputed to be ex Queen’s Flight. I last spotted UO in a very dilapidated state at Biggin Hill in the 80’s and thought that it was to be scrapped. Apparently it has been partially restored and transformed into XRray Lima to represent the last flight out of Croydon.

Tim.

The original is as far as I can find out still preserved at the Flyhistorik Museum Sola at Stavanger painted as LN-PSG although is actually LN-BFY . It is still listed in the European Wrecks and Relics book noted as being present Oct 2001.

‘G-AOXL’ is in fact G-ANUO, the ex Shell Heron 2D

‘XL was a Mk 1 Heron

UO came from Biggin Hill where it was stored with G-AOTI, which I arranged to purchase from the then owners for the museum. I had the choice of either, but bought ‘TI, as it was less damaged – less complete, but less damaged! As part of the deal, we had some parts from ‘UO as well – including the missing parts of that engine!

I think I’m right in saying that the real ‘XL still survives in Norway – anyone??

Cheers

Bruce

Great pictures, and some interesting history there Andy. Thanks 😀

One of the engines from G-AOXL.

Plaque on the wall outside the main entrance.

run from a place in Rugby

That’ll be the atomic clock, I have a radio controlled alarm clock which gets its signal from the same place. I wouldn’t say it was invaluable, but I’ve no reason ever to be late 🙁

G-AOXL on the poles outside. Restoration project to begin soon on this aircraft.

Freight info:

War time info:

This picture was on one of the walls in the visitors centre.

Yet more info:

More info:

Some general info on the airport:

Weather and communications.

The “navigational table and Radar!”. So basic compared to now-a-days.

Radio/communications

Old tower from the outside… the clocks have just been replaced with those new ones, due to be switched on tomorrow. Apparently according to a woman who works there, they are being run from a place in Rugby, and will keep the exact time for 1,000,000 years!