Iam after help on the former Spanish Airforce C-47’s that came to the UK and flew off to USA etc

I know G-BHUB is preserved in the IWM Museum at Duxford
and G-BGCG but last regd N5595T is stored at Hatch (Any photo’s of her in the Shed at Hatch so much wanted as this has never been photographed)

Yes I have the DC-3 Production book but need more pics to fill my spots.

Can anyone help ???

Please no silly comments
Hope you can help

Ive got a photograph of T3-48 when it passed through Southend in the 70’s. Its also carrying a delivery reg of N86451but is primarily still in Spanish A.F markings. Pm me with your e mail address if you would like a copy sent. Its a bit grainy-typical of prints of the day!(At least mine anyway!)

Not forgetting the Duchess of Bedford who went missing in 1937-wreckage never found and various stories/theories etc
as to what happened? Wreckage found off the Norfolk coast at about the same time but as far as I know not positively identified as coming from her aircraft?

I grew up in the area too (St Osyth) and used to regularly find bullet heads/canon type shell heads (.50?) and even old musket balls in the mud when bait digging!!
I recall being told there was some kind of rifle range there during the war-shooting from the low cliffs out on to the mud?

Right-side doors are for catering, not pax. I think there would have been a webbing barrier across each door while they’re waiting for the catering trucks to arrive. Looks like it was a nice sunny day, so they may well be open to afford ventilation too.

The VC.10s just had a single webbing strap across the catering doors at around waist height which essentially warned you that it was an open door-but it would have been relatively easy still to fall through. They were normally only left open for short periods or just as the catering trucks were due to arrive. It was useful in hot destinations to open the door to get some breeze through the cabin. (I was cabin crew on them for several years)
The lower open doors are of course the baggage holds.

The Swordfish was at Legends and Luton is on the direct route from Duxford to Yeovilton. The timing aligns with its return home – could it have been a low pass – did your son see it touch down?

He didn’t see it touch down as he was driving but said it flew over the road (which is in a cutting under the approach lights)and seemed as if it was landing anyway.
I was working for one of the biz jet handling companies there a few years back and at that time there was no avgas at all then.
Only the Britannia/Thomson flying club had a small private supply for the use of its Cherokees/Mooney etc.
A google search now seems to indicates it is available (but please check if any of you were thinking of flying in and can afford the landing/handling fees) as you also need a designated handling agent too-to get a slot/in and out.
We had two or three piston singles/twins turn up at very short notice or on weather diversion etc and subsequently couldn’t get fuel. Recall sending one of them on to Cranfield and another to Southend once weather had improved.
Fortunately they had sufficient fuel remaining to continue.

Nice photos-sad to see the Jags etc broken up though.
Picture one is a Navajo I think (PA-31) in what looks like Spanish air force markings.
No idea how it got there and what it was used for in that form though!!

I remember it well as I flew out that morning from Southend on Air Ferry Viscount G-AVHE on a day trip to the Hanover air show with a group of enthusiasts/spotters. On the way back later the same day we got diverted in to Stansted due to the Viscount blocking the runway/overun area. The weather that night was awful and we were thrown about all over the place during the descent and diversion into Stansted-with lightning/heavy rain and severe turbulence followed by the heaviest landing I can ever recall.
The crashed Viscount had apparently aquaplaned and failed to stop within the runway length and overan the runway onto the railway line. (not the first to do so of course). At least that was what we were told on the night!!
We were subsequently coached back to Southend and saw the Viscount on the railway line.