Last set (for now):
G-AKIN (Still active Sywell), Cambridge 24-2-51:
G-AKIN again, 1950:
G-AKKG (W/O 1-6-68) Luton 22-7-51:
G-AKKG again, White Waltham 15-6-52:
G-AKKM (W/O 5-2-58) Cambridge 9-6-51:
G-AKZU (To F-BGOM 1952) Cambridge 4-7-51:
G-ALAG (W/O 30-12-57) Gatwick 19-7-51:
G-ALBE (Wfu by 1965) Hendon 21-7-51:
G-ALBE again, Hatfield 23-6-51:
The revival of this thread prompts me to add some more fifties Messenger photos. As before, all were taken by the late Gerald Lawrance, digitised and made available by Tony Clarke. Three or four have already been posted on my 1950’s posts, but are repeated here for completeness. Dates and locations unknown unless stated.
EI-AFH (Ex and To G-AKBL 1950-1953) W/O 1-4-53. Hatfield 23-6-51:
EI-AFH again at Luton 22-7-51:
G-AGPX (Wfu by 1962) Denham 7-3-53:
G-AHZS (Wfu by 1962) Cambridge 3-7-51:
G-AHZT (Wfu by 1970) Shoreham May 1958:
G-AIAJ (Scrapped Stapleford 1965) Cambridge 3-7-51:
G-AIEK (Still active as RG333):
G-AILI (W/O 23-5-64):
G-AILL (Wfu by 1973) Cambridge 4-7-51:
G-AISL (Wfu by 1967):
G-AISL again, Broxbourne 1-7-52:
G-AJDM (Scrapped Stapleford 1962) Cambridge 1951:
G-AJOC (Wfu by 1982) Stored?
G-AJYZ (Wfu by 1968) Cambridge 6-5-51:
Another visit to Duxford today (Friday April 15th), I have provided alternative captions so I can please everyone:
Work drags on to extricate the remains of the once proud Mary Alice from the dismal and corrosive environment of the AAM Folly.
( Splendid progress with the demanding dismantling of Mary Alice, a fascinating insight into the construction of this iconic aeroplane. Once restored to glory, she will be the star of the wonderful memorial that is the AAM):
Visible progress with the Vampire ( Why not the Shackleton? ):
Can’t be long before we enjoy the sight of two Magnificent Messerschmitts, finished to the unsurpassed standards of ARCO’ s team of dedicated archivists ( I guess they only had Magnolia paint left at B&Q):
There’s nothing like a close-up of Mitchell’s finest ( Only two Spitfires on the move today, why can’t they wait for sunshine before they start? )
Perfect passes from the expert himself ( I note they couldn’t find a better colour scheme this year)
The Herons:
G-AMTS (W/O 16-7-61):
G-ANNO (To HS-EAB 1980) Cambridge:
G-AOTI Rolls Royce (Wfu 1982) Heathrow:
G-AOZN Overseas Air Transport (1959-1962):
G-AOZN Mercury Airlines (1962-1964) Cambridge:
G-APRI (Ex Jordanian Air Force, To Riley Heron) 1965:
G-APRK (Later ST-27):
G-ARUA (1962-1965):
G-ASFI (To VH-CLW 1964) 1963-1964:
CF-CNX (Ex Kuwait Air Force, To ST-27) Fairoaks 13-2-72:
Dates and locations unknown unless stated
Someone asked for Doves and Herons:
G-AHRB Skyways (To CR-CAD 1957):
G-AIWF (To TF-BPD 1964):
G-AJZT, Probably Croydon 1950 (W/O 9-6-51):
G-AKJR Olley Air Service (Wfu by 1968) Cambridge 1950:
G-AKSK Olley Air Service (W/O 23-7-55) Probably Croydon 1950:
G-AKYS (To 6V-PRD 1964) 1950:
G-ALCU (Wfu by 1973, preserved Coventry) Cambridge Pre 1950:
G-ALCU (Wfu by 1973, presrved Coventry) Cambridge 3-7-51:
G-ALFT Ministry Of Civil Aviation (Wfu by 1973):
G-ALVS (Wfu by 1970):
G-AMKS Fairey Surveys (Wfu by 1972):
G-AOSE Precise Surveys (Scrapped 1974):
G-AOYC Morton Air Services (To PK-ICS 1969):
G-AOZW Channel Airways (Wfu by 1966):
G-ASPA Dowty (Wfu by 1982) Cambridge:
G-ATGI (To Riley Dove and VH-ABM 1974):
G-ATGI Riley Dove, McAlpine Aviation (To VH-ABM 1974) Cambridge:
HB-LAS (To G-AZPG 1972) Somewhere in Switzerland:
Dates and locations unknown unless stated
Imagine my surprise after a couple of days away, when I checked my thread of a few Duxford photos. 36 replies and 1700 hits ! I am very pleased to have prompted so much debate on varied topics, when all I intended was sharing my good luck. Thanks to all for comments, updates, reasoned debate and good old fashioned blowing off steam.
I am going to continue posting a few photos from Duxford on this thread, since I am able to check on happenings there a few times a week. It’s cheaper and easier than starting a website ! I hope very much that anyone interested will add vital information , rumours and opinions, and to H**L with the dreaded Thread Drift.
Here are a few snippets from today (Friday April 8th):
Checking first on Mary Alice, several ‘ breakpoints ‘ have been uncovered prior to disassembly. The two mechanics that have been working on No 3 engine for the last fourteen years have been removed. I wonder who will be restoring them.
The clearing up of Hangar 5 has meant the Vampire project is more visible. The standard of work on this long term rebuild is amazing.
Another Duxford resident emerged from hibernation this afternoon. A sizeable audience watched as the Catalina was towed into the sunshine. The wingtip clearance was very tight , but not as critical as the B-17 project.
Several residents were displaced while the Catalina moved out, including Leopard Moth, Dragon Rapide and Cosmic Wind:
An interesting visitor in the circuit was the Auster AOP 11, or more correctly Beagle E.3 Mk.11. I believe this has been off the scene for a while:
Returning to (shared) base was Spitfire TD248:
That’s Roobarb surrendering. I think:
Finally the Hurricane replica is back on its stick:
1949:
G-ALVG DH.106 Comet 1 prototype (Scrapped 1953):
PA147 Supermarine Seagull ASR.1:
VN799 Canberra 1 prototype:
VX784 Avro 707 (FF 4-9-49 W/O 30-9-49):
G-ALEG Westland Sikorsky S-51 Mk.1A (To WZ749 1952):
Westland Sikorsky S-51 Widgeon (To G-APPS 1958):
G-ALJA Percival P.50 Prince 2:
G-ALUB Miles Marathon 1:
G-ALFZ Percival P.50 Prince 2:
1948:
RA490 Gloster Meteor F.4:
RE339 Avro Lincoln B.2 Theseus Testbed:
G-AKPK Gloster Meteor T.7 (To Belgian AF 1948):
VW120 De Havilland DH.108 (W/O 15-2-50):
G-AJCJ Cierva W.14 Skeeter 1 (Scrapped 1952):
G-AILH Miles M.60 Marathon 1:
G-AHRF Vickers Viscount 630 prototype (W/O Khartoum 27-8-52):
G-AJPH Vickers Nene Viking:
PF606 DH.98 Mosquito TT.39:
TS368 Armstrong Whitworth AW.52:
VT487 Fairey Firefly AS.5:
VV219 DH Vampire FB.5:
VW897 Boulton Paul Balliol:
VW905 Bristol 171:
G-AJJP Fairey FB.2 Jet Gyrodyne (To XD759 1950):
G-AKBC Newbury Eon AP.4 Mk.2 (W/O 14-4-50):
G-ALCV Cierva W.11 Work Horse (Ex and to VZ724 1948):
G-ALCM Percival P.50 Prince 1 (Wfu by 1956):
G-AKSV DH.104 Dove 1 (To YI-AEH 1966):
Further research shows that G-AEYE was active until 1964.
Here’s another picture, at Cambridge early sixties:
Part 3/3
G-AKMN Miles M.14A Hawk Trainer III (W/O 26-2-53):
G-AKPE Miles M.14A Hawk Trainer III (Wfu by 1965):
G-AKRT Miles M.14A Hawk Trainer III (W/O 8-11-53):
G-ALBE Miles M.38 Messenger 4A (Wfu by 1965):
G-ALCK Percival P.34A Proctor III (Wfu by 1963, now preserved Duxford):
G-ALGJ Miles M.14A Hawk Trainer III (W/O 22-7-52):
G-ALMS Percival P.30 Proctor II (W/O 1951):
G-AMCO Percival P.34A Proctor III (To EC-AHB 1952):
G-AMIH Auster J/1B Aiglet (To F-OAMZ 1953):
Finally, high security as Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret are shown around DH.106 Comet 1 G-ALYR (Delivered BOAC May 1952, W/O Calcutta 25-7-53):
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