Here is another one about to land on zero six along with Bristol Freighter G-AICT thrown in for good measure

Great shots – what part of the airfield is the ground picture taken?

The 06 shot has a barn like building on the left, which i don`t remember at all, i remember the cottages there that were pulled down, but all this maybe before my time, as all i remember Channel Airways wise are Viscounts, 1-11s etc when i was 5 or there abouts, living the otherside of the railway line from Laddie Marmols!

The ground shot of the Viking was taken outside the Channel hangar. If you leave the hangar heading out, the road suddenly bends and it is on actual bend that aircraft were parked, usually Vikings and the DC4. Therefore if you are driving towards the Channel hangar as you start to approach it you had to make sure you did a sharp right or else you would hit the aircraft!

The original Channel hangar was the one near the terminal building that eventually became the freight shed. They only had half the hangar which was totally cordoned off. I am not sure what was in the other half.

1977-1996 in Ipswich, I attended most of the airshows and recall seeing the DC3 in black livery when they were making the film with Michael Caine. the Queen also arrived at Ips. Airport for the 25th Jubilee Celebrations, I think in an Andover.

I last met the CFI Stanley Ward about 18 months ago.

There were several casualties from the ‘hurricane’ of ’87 where light aircraft were tipped over

I learnt to fly during 1964/65 at Ipswich. Stan Ward was the CFI initially and then he went off to do other things and Wing Commander Pickford took over. It was he who eventually certified my log book. I understand some time later than Stan returned as the CFI again.

In fact he formed the “Flying Sparrows” aerobatic team!

Another one – those were the days when traffic lights didn’t exist on that stetch of road!

Thanks for the pictures. As a product of Ipswich myself interested to know the history behind these Austers – or any other aviation stories from the late, lamented Ipswich airport for that matter. Was this some sort of air taxi operation?

No, they just belonged to the local East Anglian Flying Club which was owned by Southend-based Channel Airways. The club did own a Tiger Moth at one stage but that was written off in the early 1960’s.

The original club Austers were G-AGXP and G-ANHZ, but these were later joined by G-AIZY and G-AJUE which were purchased from Souhend Municipal Flying Club inb 1964. The club also later on did operate a couple of Saia Marchetti aircraft