This set contains pictures taken over two visits to Elstree in April 1969. I don’t exactly remember how those visits came about. I think it was a case of I knew someone who knew someone….
First of all, a pair of rather bedraggled warbirds, Spitfire G-AVAV and Hurricane G-AWLW. Then concentrating on vintage types: Auster G-AOZL, Proctor G-AOGE, Messenger G-AKIO, Monarch G-AIDE and Messenger G-AKBN. Also in shot is Messenger G-AHZT and an unidentified Tiger Moth. In addition to the abundance of Miles types, dumped in the long grass at the back of the hangars was a tatty Messenger, but I had run out of film by then and also I forgot to note its identity. I like the way the car park joins directly onto the aircraft parking.
Has anyone any suggestions as to the identity of the abandoned Messenger?
By: kartman - 6th June 2012 at 18:00
This would probably have been the colour scheme http://www.flickr.com/photos/dwhitworth/5804918384/
………..Martin
By: HP111 - 6th June 2012 at 16:31
It has been repainted for the garage, so there is no way of seeing what it used to look like. I can only very vaguely remember any way.
By: Arabella-Cox - 6th June 2012 at 16:14
Could this be the one?
http://www.abpic.co.uk/results.php?q=G-AJFF&fields=all&sort=latest&limit=10
Planemike
By: HP111 - 6th June 2012 at 14:18
Of the two suggested identities for the dumped Messenger, I vaguely recall that the reg was entirely different to the others present. This makes G-AJFF a more likely contender, but I am guessing rather. I had perhaps better look around for a suitable Wrecks & Relics.
By: Propstrike - 5th June 2012 at 22:22
Here is a candid account of flying (once) his Elstree warbirds, by Anthony Samuelson.
”Tubby wanted to get his hands on the Irish Spitfires and guessed correctly that I was up for it. I was busy being a film tycoon in those days and did not go across to Dublin. I just handed over the cheque. A deal was done with Hamish Mahadie, sometime Mosquito Ace and flying consultant on the Battle of Britain movie, whereby the three of the five Spitfires that were capable of being made airworthy without too much expense were supplied to the film. Not much money was involved (Mahadie was a role model for every Scotsman ever born when it came to counting the bawbees) but the deal was that the aircraft would be returned to me with new Certificates of Airworthiness.”
By: Yak 11 Fan - 5th June 2012 at 22:01
Those classic cars behind the Miles!A-40 Pininfarina (x2?), Humber Hawk, White Facel Vega??, [Vauxhall Viva,pass!!], Jaguar, MGB, Rover…..
Looks more like a white Renault Caravelle rather than a Facel Vega, and the Viva is an HB
By: Mark V - 5th June 2012 at 20:51
The Spitfire is MJ772/G-AVAV and still sporting its last BoB film code CD-N.
Mark
So the Spitfire Productions art dept finally got the Fabalon to stick 😉
By: kartman - 5th June 2012 at 18:33
Messenger AJFF was withdrawn from use at Elstree and purchased by the BP filling station out on the A41 Watford bypass about 3 miles away as the crow flies. It was reassembled and rotted there for a number of years, as a young lad in the early 70`s i always looked for it as we drove past. I believe the wings and other small parts survive………..Martin
By: alertken - 5th June 2012 at 17:27
Messenger 2A G-AKAV was withdrawn from use at Elstree after Cof A expiry, 26/2/66. Maybe yours…
By: dh83 - 5th June 2012 at 17:17
Tiger Moth in the the picture
this is G-AOIM
dh83
By: longshot - 4th June 2012 at 20:09
Those classic cars behind the Miles!A-40 Pininfarina (x2?), Humber Hawk, White Facel Vega??, [Vauxhall Viva,pass!!], Jaguar, MGB, Rover…..
By: Mark12 - 4th June 2012 at 18:12
The Spitfire is MJ772/G-AVAV and still sporting its last BoB film code CD-N.
Mark
By: David Burke - 4th June 2012 at 17:48
Lovely pictures as always !
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June 4, 2012 at 5:36 pm