XW750 HS 748 up for auction

Even the chap that scrapped this aircraft didn’t want to scrap as it was in such good condition.

I understand it was offered for sale at what it stood him, but there were no takers, although a chap from Duxford did turn up just after the wings had been chopped off!

I have been searching for an Avro 748 to take some detailed photos of the aircraft especially the undercarriage, but have contacted Southend Airport where there are a few, I think 2 were sold to a Hotel at the airport, the other 3 I am not sure of as I have been given email addresses of Avionicare who says that they don’t own them, they gave me Trygonaviation email, who say they don’t own them either, but are situated near the Easyjet terminal and is impossible to take photos because of Security risks

Kev,

You are more than welcome to come and photograph G-BEJD at Speke, however not sure you will get the shots you want as the U/C legs are all retracted at the moment.

Jon

Awww – how sad. Thanks, Jon.

Afraid it doesnt exist anymore.

You are reading posts going back 5+ years. XW750/G-ASJT/N748D was broken up late 2009 at Southend.

Jon

Smiths Aviation Division Avro 748

I’m really pleased to hear this plane still exists because I can remember a flight around 1965. I had designed an analogue circuit for comparing radio signal strengths and tradition demanded that I go on the test flight.

I flew in the main cabin, which was fitted with floor-to-ceiling racks carrying the various atr, half atr and quarter atr cases of a complete SEP6 autopilot, well spaced out for ease of access. The SEP6 was the latest Smiths Electric Pilot. Whereas previous autopilots had used very accurate and reliable magamps (magnetic amplifiers), this version was designed to use discrete npn and pnp bipolar transistors.

All I can remember of the flight was the phenomenal take-off acceleration of the near-empty 748. It went like a rocket!

The 748 along, with the rest of the Smiths aircraft, flew from Staverton, halfway between Gloucester and Cheltenham. The Smiths R&D labs were at Bishops Cleeve, a few miles north of Cheltenham.

Avro 748

I have been searching for an Avro 748 to take some detailed photos of the aircraft especially the undercarriage, but have contacted Southend Airport where there are a few, I think 2 were sold to a Hotel at the airport, the other 3 I am not sure of as I have been given email addresses of Avionicare who says that they don’t own them, they gave me Trygonaviation email, who say they don’t own them either, but are situated near the Easyjet terminal and is impossible to take photos because of Security risks

I work for a company based at robin hood airport, we are now the owners of xw750, she is still live and we hope to fly her soon, her main role here is for ground running and engineering training. Just thought I’d let you all know she is ok and being looked after.

Are you the EASA 147 company at Robin Hood – for training new aircraft fitters (licence modules and FD?) ? I am ex- Newcastle Aviation Academy, now contracting all over (PA474….., and the usual airbussy stuff). If the 748 is now in a technical school, she is in good hands. Newcastle’s 737-200 C-GWJO is in fine form, and getting better all the time. Good luck with the propjob…

Question – Is Newcastle Aviation Academy’s Boeing 737-200 (ex C-GWJO) the only preserved Boeing 737 in the country? They also had a HS125, but some lunatic chopped it up into sections (That will be me…. sorry)

I work for a company based at robin hood airport, we are now the owners of xw750, she is still live and we hope to fly her soon, her main role here is for ground running and engineering training. Just thought I’d let you all know she is ok and being looked after.

If, like me, you love 748’s I recommend ‘Robby’ Robinsons book ‘Avro One’ in which he talks about his days flying them on delivery and such from Woodford.

J man

Why going to Doncaster?

Is there an engineering training school there

Would be nice to see a 748 preserved, as its a fairly unsung hero of UK civil aviation.

A retired colleague of mine, Capt John Smith, was rumoured to be the most experienced 748 pilot in the world. He had flown the 748 for most of his career and it was rumoured he had circa 17,000 hours on the type.

Not only a true gent with a great sense of humour, but an avid enthusiast of historic aviation. Unfortunately John passed away last year after a long illness.

Think it would be somewhat fitting to see a preserved 748 in Dan Air livery, with John’s name stencilled somewhere under the left hand windscreen.

From another forum

>last flight of Avro 748 XW750 c/n 1559.
>Arrived at Doncaster @ 16:37 (25th January) as N748D for use as >instructional airframe

Thanks for the update.
I am a bit sorry it didn’t go to a museum, but hopefully it will be kept in a live condition for a few more years & it’s still in the UK, in one piece.

Does anyone know who the new owners are?

From another forum

>last flight of Avro 748 XW750 c/n 1559.
>Arrived at Doncaster @ 16:37 (25th January) as N748D for use as >instructional airframe

XW750’s new home

XW750/N748D was due to depart Boscombe yesterday but after two abortive attempts due to technical problems never made it.

I understand that is new home is Finningly/Doncater/RH

Phil

I think adding an aircraft like the 748 to the BBMF would be stretching it a little far!

…..if you did that, you would have to call it an Andover C.1:D

I think adding an aircraft like the 748 to the BBMF would be stretching it a little far!

Sad

With hopefully the oldest series 1 aircraft G-BEJD of the new emerald owners possible giving it to Duxford the U.K. will have a least on Budgie.

We do not know at the moment on what the new owners of the rest of the U.K. budgie fllet are going to do hopefully some will be seen again around the U.K.

To see a well kepy Series 2 aircraft possible going states side if a couploe of commnets ago stating an American registration is being applied to it is any thing to go by.

As we all know there are a lot of non U.K. registered aircraft flying around our skies so lets hope it is not going accross the pond

For many a year I have liked the Budgie as it is well know as the Avro 748 is how I got to know my wife.

Should it join the BBMF fleet?

The aircraft must be past being a classic and must be a vintage type by by now.

Come on Britain wake up and look after the old British aircraft before they all die away.

I believe the US registration is a for a ferry flight within the UK, as the aircraft is to become an instructional airframe, retaining all its current fittings. It will be maintained in a ground running condition, so its immediate future looks secure

Phil

N748D

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