Very nice images. Great to see the RJ A310 still about.

Pete, Thanks for taking the time for the info and the pics. I think the images say it all.

Denis, Many thanks for the info you have provided. Up until 5 years ago I travelled the old A11 along that section to get to work every day from 1975, initially on a Puch Maxi moped!, until 2001 and saw this gentleman most days and he would always wave as I passed. He was often pushing a pram with a dog and sometimes with puppies in tow, I did hear at one time that the Army unit at nearby Carver Barracks used to keep an eye on him and provide things for him but maybe that ceased. Until today I did not even know his name or anything else about him but he became part of my daily routine if you like, for a good many years. May he rest in peace and thanks again for the post.:(

A terrible plane, rush built, not tested properly and not engineered correctly.
They are where they should be; Firmly on the ground.

Well……….

In reality the Tupolev Tu144 was a classic command economy solution to a command economy directive. ie: to provide a supersonic airliner to fly long haul domestic (initially at least) routes for Aeroflot. A terrible plane?, well a subjective view at best, rush built? certainly by Soviet standards, not tested properly? are you or I qualified to make that statement?, not engineered correctly? see previous. The Tu144 was a product of its time and like many cutting edge airframes before and after it, had its share of technical problems but it was still the first SST to fly and to go through the sound barrier, the Americans could manage neither, and it therefore deserves to be remembered as such. Not a perfect machine but hardly deserving of the harsh comments in the quote. And its looks knocked the other SST into a cocked hat :p

Neil, I’m very sorry to hear that and I wish you all the luck in the world findidng alternative employment. I was made redundant in 2001 from a 21yr aviation career thanks to our “low cost” friends so I know how you feel. With your background mate something will come along;) Please keep us all posted.

Well we were asked,

British United: Bristol 170
BEA: Comet 4B, Trident 2
Transeuropa: Caravelle 10R (I think it was a 10R)
JAT: DC9.30, Boeing 727-200
BAF: HP Herald, ATL Carvair
Southern International: Viscount 800F
Air UK: EMB110, F27, SD330, SD360 F28
Air UK Leisure: Boeing 737-200
Private Lear 35: Newspaper flight!
Private DH Puss Moth
Private DH Rapide
Intra: DC3, Viscount
JEA: EMB110, Twin Otter, SD330/360
Monarch: Boeing 737-200, BAC 1-11-500
Busy Bee: Boeing 737-200
Sterling: Caravelle 10B
Transwede: Caravelle 10, MD80 Srs
Conair Boeing 720B
British Airways: Boeing 707-320, Tristar 200 and 500. Boeing 747-100
Air Ecosse: EMB110, Twin Otter
Redcoat Air Cargo: CL44
SAS/Scanair: DC8-63, DC9-40
Maersk: Boeing 737-200
Braathens SAFE: Boeing 737-200
Linjeflyg: F28
Dan Air: Boeing 727/100, 727/200, 737/200, BAC 1-11, BAe 146
British Caledonian: DC10
Aeroflot: Tu134A, Tu154B/M, Ilyushin IL62M
Balkan: Tu134A, IL18
Interflug: IL18, Tu134A
LOT: Tu134A
Malev: Tu134A, Tu154B
TAROM: IL18, BAC 1-11-500
CSA: Tu134A, IL62M
CAAK/Air Koryo: IL62M, An24
CAAC: Boeing 747SP
Aviaco: DC9-30
Syrian Arab: Boeing747SP
Virgin Express: Boeing 737-400
Egyptair: Boeing 777, A300-600, A321

I should stress that these trips were over many years and in some cases part of my employment at the time. Great to see what we’ve all been on. BTW first flight on that B170 I was only 5 yrs old:)

Disgraceful.

No other word for it.

I totally agree.

Very good news for Aer Lingus and Gatwick. Never does an airport operator any harm to see a well respected airline place a new operation on your patch. Great shame to see some “fellow enthusiasts” derive such glee from the financial problems at EI.