"from logs to blogs" - Elmdon over the years

1973
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Highlights of 1973 - G-BAAA L1011 Tristar 1st vist of type, 4X-AIH & 4X-AMT Stearman's, OK-PAH Il18 CSA DM-SCI, DM-SCM Tu134's Interflug plus lots of good old fashioned diversion days !
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Jan 01 - G-AWSC Cl44 Tradewinds, OH-LSA Se210 Finnair, HB-IFR DC9 Swissair, G-AOVT Britannia
Jan 01 - G-AVMI, G-AVMZ Bac111's, G-APFP B707 BOAC, G-APEI Vanguard BEA, G-ARPB, G-ARPC
Jan 01 - G-ARPG, G-ARPR, G-AVFO, G-AWZD, G-AWZN, G-AWZC all Tridents BEA,diversions
Jan 03 - G-ARPD, G-ARPK, G-ARPN, G-AWYZ all Tridents BEA, G-AVMT Bac111 BEA,
Jan 03 - G-APDB Comet Dan Air, G-AXML Bac111 Court Line, diversions
Jan 05 - N228W Aero Commander 680
Jan 09 - D-ILKA Beech 90
Jan 10 - D-IMWZ Lear Jet 24
Jan 11 - EI-AVS Pa30
Jan 12 - 68-16377 UH1D US Army
Jan 14 - G-AWZI Trident BEA
Jan 15 - XJ319 Sea Devon Royal Navy, XP820 Beaver Army, XM296 Heron RAF
Jan 16 - RM-1 Pembroke Belgium AF
Jan 17 - D-IHMT Cessna 340, G-AVRM, G-AVRN, G-AVRO all B737's Britannia all Luton diversions,
Jan 17 - G-APEU Vanguard BEA Heathrow diversion
Jan 18 - D-ICAJ Cessna 310
Jan 19 - G-AZLR Viscount BMA - port undercarriage collapsed on landing, G-BABW Beech 90
Jan 22 - F-BSUX Lear Jet 23, WB534 Devon RAF, EI-AVH Pa28, EI-ASV Pa28
Jan 23 - HB-GDV Beech 90, G-AOYM Viscount BEA, G-AWSY B737 Britannia, G-APED Vanguard BEA
Jan 24 - G-ASDD DH104 Dove, G-ATMA Britannia IAS Cargo
Jan 26 - 68-16377 UH1D US Army
Jan 29 - G-AGJV DC3 Air Anglia
Jan 30 - OY-AGA Cessna 402, OO-DEB Beech 55, G-ASZJ Shorts Skyvan, XP966, XR382 Alouette's Army
Jan 30 - XT505, XT153 Sioux's Army
Jan 31 - N3851Q Cessna 172, G-AWDK Cl44 Tradewinds
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Feb 01 - N7876Q Cessna 310, D-IGLS Cessna 340, F-BRPK Falcon 20, F-BSUD Cessna 421
Feb 02 - G-APEH Vanguard BEA, G-AWWZ Bac111 BCAL, G-AWWD B707 BCAL, EI-AWH Cessna 210
Feb 04 - G-AYPD Comet Dan Air, G-AZNX B 720 Monarch, G-AVYZ Bac111 Laker,
Feb 04 - G-APEJ, G-APEM Vanguard's BEA, G-AVFJ, G-AVFF, G-AWZE, G-ARPA, G-ARPX
Feb 04 - G-AWZI Trident's BEA, G-ARVJ, G-ARVC, G-ARVL, G-ASGO VC10's BOAC,
Feb 04 - D-ABDI B727 Lufthansa, D-ABEC, D-ABEN B737's Lufthansa, G-APFI, G-APFM B707's
Feb 04 - G-AWHU B707 BOAC, EC-CAI B727 Iberia, all diversions
Feb 07 - N9930F Cessna 340
Feb 08 - I-ARNT Jet Commander, XR382 Alouette Army, XT505 Sioux Army, D-IATD Lear Jet 23
Feb 09 - EI-ATC Cessna 310
Feb 10 - OO-MET Cessna 172, EI-AWA Bell 206
Feb 13 - D-ILKA Beech 90, XT672 Wessex RAF, XT202 Sioux Army, G-AMWW DC3 Air Feight
Feb 14 - XR383 Alouette Army
Feb 19 - XT637 Scout Army
Feb 20 - EI-AOK Cessna 172
Feb 22 - XS792 Andover RAF, XT671 Wessex RAF, XR376 Alouette Army, XT551 Sioux Army
Feb 27 - XS789 Andover RAF

Touchdown British Airways Trident G-ARPX - photo Terry Lee

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Mar 01 - F-BOIF Cessna 310, XP966 Alouette Army
Mar 03 - D-CAHA Heron
Mar 04 - N14271 Pa23
Mar 05 - LX-AIR Piper Pa28 Cherokee, XV212 C130 RAF
Mar 07 - CP-11 C119 Packet Belgium AF, CF-QIE Beech 18, XT505, XT551 Sioux's Army
Mar 07 - XP966, XR376, XR379 Alouette's Army
Mar 07 - 4X-AIH, 4X-AMT A75N Stearman's, OY-BDS Falcon 20, F-BRNN Pa31
Mar 08 - F-BTCY Falcon 20
Mar 09 - G-AROI DH104 Dove
Mar 11 - G-ALBM DH104 Dove
Mar 13 - F-BRSM Cessna 402
Mar 14 - XM223 Heron RAE
Mar 15 - G-ANUJ DH104 Dove CAA, F-BRSL Lear Jet 24
Mar 16 - XV188 C130 RAF
Mar 19 - OK-PAH Il18 CSA
Mar 21 - D-ICKS RC690
Mar 22 - CP-18/OT-CAR C119 Packet Belgium AF, F-BRAL Lear Jet 24, EI-AWH Cessna 337
Mar 22 - LN-MTT Cv440 Stellair, F-BRHB Falcon 20, CP-18 C119 BAF
Mar 25 - EI-AWK Bell 212, EI-AWL Pa28
Mar 26 - HB-VBZ HS125, N40225 Pa23, G-AVXJ HS748 CAA
Mar 27 - G-BAAA L1011 Tristar Court Line - 1st visit of type, K-8 C47 Belguim AF, G-AWZV Trident BEA
Mar 27 - G-ASGH VC10 BOAC, G-ARPB Trident BEA, 4X-FAC N2501 Noratlas Isreali AF
Mar 28 - PH-DNT DC9 KLM, G-ALWC DC3 Fairey Surveys
Mar 29 - OY-BDW Pa23, G-ASPA DH104 Dove, HB-VBR Lear Jet 25
Mar 30 - XT558 Sioux Army
Mar 31 - EI-AVH Piper Pa28R
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Apr 03 - G-AZSU HS748 Dan Air, EI-AUG Rallye, G-AZHG Cessna 421, G-AJPI Argus
Apr 04 - N80WT Piper Pa23, OO-GDA Cessna 401, D-IOGA Laer Jet 24, XJ319 Devon RAF
Apr 05 OY-FAV Piper Pa23, G-BAGJ Sa341 Gazelle, G-BARE Cessna 414
Apr 06 - G-AYWX Comet Danair, PH-VIP Cessna 337, SE-EWK Beech 95, G-BABX Beech 90
Apr 07 - XV176 C130K RAF
Apr 08 - EI-AVH Piper Pa28 Cherokee, HB-GFI Beech 90, OO-GDA Cessna 401
Apr 10 - YR-IMI Il18 Tarom, D-IEHL Beech 90, G-AGYZ DC3 Air Freight
Apr 11 - G-ALWC DC3 Fairey Surveys, F-BTCZ Cessna 310
Apr 12 - OE-FPB Piper Pa30 Twin Comanche
Apr 13 - G-BAUR Fk27 Air Anglia, F-BNAP Beech 90, HB-GDU Beech 90, 66-16377 UH1D US Army
Apr 13 - 5B-DAB Trident Cyprus AW
Apr 14 - YU-AJD Tu134 Aviogenex
Apr 15 - F-BRHB Falcon 20, EC-BJD Cv990 Spantax
Apr 17 - EI-AVC Cessna 337
Apr 18 - F-BRSM Cessna 402, G-BASC Bell 47
Apr 19 - G-AMPO DC3 Macedonian Aviation
Apr 20 - PH-TRR Se210 Transavia, F-BLKE Nord 262, EC-BZQ Cv990 Air Spain
Apr 21 - G-AROV Comet Dan Air
Apr 22 - EC-BXI Cv990 Spantax
Apr 23 - EI-AUP Rallye
Apr 24 - YR-IMI Il18 Tarom
Apr 25 - F-BRUK Piper Pa30 Twin Comanche
Apr 26 - OO-SKF AC680T, I-DABL Se210 SAM, OO-SRD Se210 Sobleair, OO-AOL Pa23
Apr 27 - 5B-DAC Trident Cyprus AW, EC-BFJ Britannia Air Spain, XR967 Alouette Army
Apr 29 - EC-BQA, EC-BZO Cv990's Spantax, N2469K Beech 60
Apr 30 - N720F Gulf 2, G-BAKL Fk27 Air Anglia
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May 01 - VP959 Devon RAF
May 04 - XV732 Wessex RAF, D-IKUS Sa226, G-BASW BN2A
May 05 - EC-CAM DC8 Air Spain, N40262 Pa23
May 08 - OY-BDO Piper Pa31
May 09 - OY-SBZ Se 210 Sterling
May 10 - G-BAPF Viscount BMA, XP966 Alouette Army, XT501 Sioux Army
May 12 - EC-CAN DC8 Air Spain, G-ATBY Wessex Bristows
May 15 - WB534, VP958 Devon's RAF, PH-ATS Pa30, F-BRAL Lear Jet 24
May 16 - XS773 Bassett RAF, XP809 Beaver Army, D-EAVA Cessna 182
May 17 - G-ATYW Beagle 206, PH-VIP Cessna 337, XX507 HS125 RAF
May 18 - OO-LBW Cessna 310, EC-CDB DC8 Air Spain, G-BAPG Viscount BMA
May 20 - N806CC Gulf 2
May 21 - XV217 C130K RAF (ILS run), G-ATBJ S61N, D-ICDW Cessna 421
May 22 - 133 / 62-QL N2501 Noratlas French AF, N44R Bac111, D-CELL Falcon 20, F-BJLG Cessna 310
May 23 - F-BJLG Cessna 310, PH-PLK GY80
May 24 - F-BTCY Beech 55
May 30 - 68-16377 UH1D US Army, EC-ATP DC8 Aviaco, OY-RYL Cessna 340, N80WT Pa27
Mar 30 - G-BYER HS125, XT764 Wessex Royal Navy
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Jun 01 - XT500 Sioux Army, 66-16377 UH1D US Army
Jun 02 - OO-GPB Pa31, G-BAVY Pa27
Jun 03 - 4X-FPY Boeing C97G Isreali AF (ILS run), D-ANUE Bac111 Bavaria
Jun 04 - D-IHMT Cessna 310, G-AGYZ DC3 Air Freight
Jun 05 - RM-1 / OT-ZAA Pembroke Belgium AF, XP825 Beaver Army, HB-IDN DC9 Swissair
Jun 06 - F-BTQK Lear Jet 23
Jun 07 - D-ILCY Beech 60, G-AZBM Beech 90, WJ949 Varsity RAF (ILS run)
Jun 08 - XP805, XP822 Beaver's Army, HB-VBZ HS125
Jun 09 - EC-ARL Se210 Iberia
Jun 10 - XT764 Wessex RAF, EC-BXI Cv990 Spantax, F-BSAA Rallye, 66-0953 UH1D US Army
Jun 11 - F-BRPK Falcon 20, XW791 HS125 RAF
Jun 12 - CP-26 C119 Packet Belgium AF, D-ILCU Beech 55
Jun 13 - N4000X Gulf 2, XV271 Beaver Army
Jun 15 - F-BOIF Cessna 310, LN-FOE Falcon 20
Jun 16 - G-BANJ BN2A
Jun 17 - OY-STW Pa28
Jun 18 - F-BRHB Falcon 20
Jun 19 - EC-CCY C500, F-BFRE Beech 90, RM-7 Pembroke Belgium AF
Jun 20 - G-AYDD SF260, N331PN Pa31P (ILS run)
Jun 21 - N9161N RC695
Jun 22 - OO-TVO Pa28, G-BAZB HS125, N575GD Lear Jet 25, G-BAWP B707 BCAL
Jun 23 - XM517 Britannia RAF (ILS run)
Jun 27 - F-BRHL Fk27, OH-CDH Cessna 310
Jun 28 - D-COSA HFB320 Hansa Jet, PH-ATS Pa30
Jun 29 - EI-AWL Pa28, F-BUCV Rallye
Jun 30 - N1077U Pa34, N40269 Pa27, LN-FOE Falcon 20
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Jul 01 - N40225 Piper Pa23
Jul 02 - LN-FOE Falcon 20
Jul 03 - G-AMPZ DC3 Intra Airways, 16+02 HFB Hansa Jet WGAF, HB-IDN DC9 Swissair, OY-RYT Cessna 421 Jul 03 - N40269 Piper Pa23
Jul 04 - OY-APA Fk27 Maersk Air, SE-FPU Pa28, G-AMPY DC3 Intra Airways, OH-PCX Pa28
Jul 05 - N4797T Piper Pa34 Seneca
Jul 06 - OY-DPV Beech 95
Jul 07 - OO-GDA Cessna 401
Jul 08 - XP805 Beaver Army, OO-TUO Pa28, D-IFUM Lear Jet 24
Jul 09 - WL688 Varsity RAF (ILS run)
Jul 10 - N331PN Pa31P, F-BTOK Beech 90
Jul 11 - XP967 Alouette, EC-CCY C500
Jul 13 - F-BRHB Falcon 20, N802WA World Airways, 68-16377 UH1D US Army
Jul 14 - N419PA B707 PanAm , XT764 Wessex RAF
Jul 15 - N28728 B707 Trans World
Jul 18 - F-BRSM Cessna 402, XT545 Sioux Army
Jul 19 - N720F Gulf 2, XV732 Wessex RAF
Jul 20 - G-AZRO B707 BCAL, N802WA DC8 World Airways, OO-LFZ Lear Jet 25
Jul 22 - EC-BRY Se210 Trans Europa
Jul 23 - D-EKMC Cessna 206
Jul 24 - G-BANJ BN2A
Jul 25 - EC-ARB DC8 Iberia, XT111 Sioux Army
Jul 26 - N806CC Gulf 2, G-AZRD Cessna 401, EC-BIB Se210 Aviaco
Jul 28 - N7775Q Cessna 310
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Aug 01 - EC-AUM DC8 Aviaco , D-IBMT Cessna 310, F-BHRN Se210 Air France
Aug 03 - G-AYSI B707 BCAL, XT618 Scout Army
Aug 04 - XV203 C130K RAF, N427PA B707 PanAm, D-EMWW Pa28, SE-ECE Pa23
Aug 05 - N806WA DC8 World Airways, N28724 B707 Trans World
Aug 06 - F-BSBO Falcon 20, XX507 HS125 RAF
Aug 10 - N801WA DC8 World Airways, F-BTCY Falcon 20, G-AZRO B707 BCAL, 67-17201 UH1D US Army
Aug 10 - D-EETX Cessna 172, PH-NSI Pa28R
Aug 12 - N40225 Pa23, OY-BDO Pa31
Aug 13 - 66-0953 UH1D US Army
Aug 15 - OE-FLD Cessna 421B
Aug 16 - WJ920 Varsity (ILS run), LN-FOE Falcon 20, OO-BOY Jodel
Aug 17 - D-ICEG Cessna 310, F-BTOF Beech 55, EC-BIE Se210 Aviaco
Aug 18 - XV195 C130K RAF
Aug 20 - HB-VBZ HS125, F-BOJG Beech 55, D-IOGA Lear Jet 24
Aug 21 - PH-PLK GY80, XS772 Basset RAF, 64-13730 UH1D US Army
Aug 22 - 64-13730 UH1D US Army, G-BAHC Pa27
Aug 23 - XS792 Andover RAF
Aug 27 - XT193, XT206, XT242, XT511 Sioux's Army
Aug 28 - SE-EEL Pa27, SE-EES Beech 95
Aug 29 - HB-VCB Falcon 20, D-IHFF Pa23, XV131 Scout Army, 5B-DAB, 5B-DAE Trident's Cyprus Airways
Aug 31 - 5B-DAD Trident Cyprus Airways
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Sep 01 - F-BRHB Falcon 20
Sep 03 - N466AS Beech 55
Sep 04 - EI-AWG DC7 Aer Turas
Sep 05 - D-ILKA Beech 90
Sep 06 - WL427 Varsity RAF (ILS run), EI-AUN Rallye, F-BPOG Jodel, SE-FPT RC680
Sep 07 - XP805 Beaver Army, G-BBHA RC695
Sep 08 - EI-AWS Pa34, D-EEFT Pa28, D-ANUE Bac111 Bavaria
Sep 10 - N429JX Gulf 2, F-BLKL MS760 Paris, PH-MAN DC9 Martinair
Sep 11 - XT810 Sioux Army, N523AC Jetstar
Sep 13 - WF411 Varsity RAF (ILS run), XR140 Argosy RAF (ILS run), F-BSRU Falcon 20
Sep 14 - XV733 Wessex, XR232 Alouette Army, 5B-DAB Trident Cyprus, PH-MAO DC9 Martinair
Sep 14 - PH-TVA B737 Transavia, D-IFUM Lear Jet 24
Sep 15 - EC-CDA DC8 Air Spain
Sep 16 - EC-BRY Se210 Trans Europa, XP967 Alouette Army, XT551 Sioux Army
Sep 17 - F-BTML Falcon 20, N204RG Pa28R
Sep 18 - OY-KRB Se210 SAS, EI-AYE Pa28R
Sep 19 - F-BHRA Se210 Air France
Sep 20 - F-BULA Rallye, G-BAZA HS125
Sep 21 - XT841 Sioux Army, EC-AYD Se210 Aviaco
Sep 22 - XT249 Sioux Army
Sep 25 - XK969 Whirlwind RAF
Sep 27 - F-BOLC Pa23, F-BSEM Cessna 402
Sep 29 - LN-TVX Cessna 401
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Oct 02 - N711SC Gulf 2, OO-PDG Cessna 337, PH-MAR DC9 Martinair
Oct 03 - D-GBFM Pa34, XT803, XT165 Sioux's Army
Oct 05 - D-EGSJ CEA253, N1JR Lear Jet 25
Oct 06 - XT788 Wasp Royal Navy
Oct 07 - G-AOVG Britannia Monarch, EI-AWL Pa28
Oct 08 - OO-AOL Pa23
Oct 09 - CH-10 C130H Belgium AF, VP958 Devon RAF
Oct 10 - OO-LFZ Lear Jet 25, G-BBGF Cessna 340
Oct 11 - WJ902, WJ921 Varsity's RAF (ILS runs)
Oct 13 - D-ECLW Cessna 182
Oct 14 - N5306M Sa226
Oct 15 - PH-MAT Fk28 Martinair
Oct 16 - WF371, WF413 Varsity's RAF (ILS runs), EI-AVR RC112, F-BOJH Pa23
Oct 17 - WJ886 Varsity RAF (ILS run), G-AXPU HS125
Oct 18 - G-AYBJ B707 Sudan AW
Oct 19 - WL671 Varsity RAF (ILS run)
Oct 22 - D-IOGE Lear Jet 24, OY-AKA Cessna 402
Oct 23 - DM-SCI Tu134 Interflug, G-ATZX Hiller
Oct 25 - DM-SCM Tu134 Interflug, G-BAXG HS125
Oct 26 - F-BPFN Beech 55
Oct 29 - OO-SKF RC690V, 66-18021 U21A US Army, F-BRPM Pa23
Oct 30 - G-AXXZ, G-APFJ B707's BOAC, G-ARPB, G-ARPE, G-ARPH, G-ARPU, G-ARPW, G-ARPZ
Oct 30 - G-AVFA, G-AVFE, G-AVFG, G-AWZG, G-AWZH, G-AWZK, G-AWZN, G-AWZP, G-AWZU
Oct 30 - G-AWZX Trident's BEA, G-AVMH Bac111 BEA, G-APEU Vanguard BEA
Oct 30 - HB-IFG, HB-IFN DC9's Swissair, all Heathrow diversions
Oct 30 - YU-AJA, YU-AJD Tu134's Aviogenex, XS789 Andover RAF, SE-FHM Pa31P
Oct 31 - F-BUTR HS748 Rousseau Aviation, EI-AWG DC7 Aer Turas, G-AOBN DC3 Air Anglia
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Nov 01 - OO-TVA Cessna 182
Nov 02 - OO-VGB DC6 Delta Air Transport, OO-CVM Pa23, G-BACI HS125, OO-CVN Beech 60
Nov 02 - 65-9922 UH1D US Army
Nov 04 - N57108 RC690
Nov 06 - G-BAYT HS125
Nov 07 - WJ942 Varsity RAF (ILS run)
Nov 09 - G-AWZC, G-AWZG, G-AWZO, G-AWZW, G-AVYF Trident's BEA, G-APEP Vanguard BEA
Nov 11 - 5B-DAC Trident Cyprus AW, G-AWZL, G-AWZN, G-AWZR, G-AZWS, G-AWZU, G-AWZV
Nov 11 - G-AWZX Trident's BEA, G-ARVK, G-ASGH VC10's BOAC, G-ARRB B707 BEA
Nov 12 - F-BOJH Pa23, OO-VGT Cv440 Delta Air Transport, XV273 Beaver Army
Nov 13 - F-BUIC Falcon 20, WJ901 Varsity RAF (ILS run), G-BBAA Cessna 340
Nov 15 - VP978 Devon RAF, F-BRNL Lear Jet 24
Nov 16 - F-BSBU Falcon 20
Nov 21 - G-AWNV BN2A
Nov 22 - G-APEG, G-APEH, G-APEL, G-APET Vanguard's BEA, G-ARPF, G-ARPL, G-ARPM, G-ARPN
Nov 22 - G-ARPU, G-ARPZ, G-AVFC, G-AVFW, G-AWZB, G-AWZF, G-AWZH, G-AWZM, G-AWZT
Nov 22 - G-AWZY Trident's BEA, G-APFH, G-APFO B707's BOAC, G-APMG Comet BEA
Nov 23 - G-APEP, G-APEG, G-APEV Vanguard's BEA, G-AWZI, G-AWZN, G-AZXM Trident's BEA
Nov 25 - G-ASWS Aero 145
Nov 26 - WL688 Varsity RAF (ILS run), XS644 Andover RAF (ILS run), F-BUYI Falcon 20
Nov 26 - XW616, XR637 Scout's Army
Nov 29 - D-IHWY Cessna 411, PH-PBX Fk28 Dutch Royal Flight, EI-AWL Pa28
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Dec 01 - F-BSUG Beech 99 TAT
Dec 04 - HB-GDU Beech 90
Dec 07 - F-BUYI Falcon 20
Dec 08 - G-AZXA Beech 55 (undercarriage collapsed on landing)
Dec 10 - G-AKBN DC3 Air Anglia, N40269 Pa23
Dec 11 - XS729 Dominie RAF (ILS run)
Dec 12 - G-BASX Pa34
Dec 17- F-BSSL HS125, EC-ASN DC8 Aviaco
Dec 22- G-BAFD Bolkow 105 (ILS run), SE-FKG Cessna 172, F-BOIF Cessna 310, G-AOVT Britannia
Dec 22 - 64-13730 UH1D US Army
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Credit - the "2R's" Roy & Roger & Simon Neville

Introduction

"from logs to blogs"

A look back in history at Elmdon airport, Birmingham. Starting at 1955 and ending at 2010 when the bhx movements blog was started. It has been born from the passion of our more senior members to retrace history. A log of the more interesting movements will be built up, accompanied by photographs. If anyone has old logs and/or photographs and wishes to share them, please make contact with Ian or Mick.

We have also added special events, e.g the Kings Cup air race, G8/NATO summits, Ryder Cup Golf, Football finals, Accidents & Incidents to name but a few.

Credit to the following publications, 'A celebration of Birmingham International', 'Past, Present & Future', 'Birmingham International Airport'. Also to the various photographers over the years.

Acknowlegements: Ian Farquarson, Mick Farley, Roger Chapman, Roy Kesterton, Andrew Jones, Simon Neville, Nigel Osborne, Phil Cross, Peter Collins, Alec Wilson, Simon Butler, Tony Green, Terry Lee, David & Sue Shephard, Coptercrazy, Kevin Farley, David Miller, Tim Newman and to everyone else who has sent in information.

The early years

Birmingham (Elmdon) airport opened for business on 1st May 1939. Although 800 acres of land were available to develop the airport only 215 acres were initially used. The cost of buying the land was £130,613, £28,314 for preparing the site, £144,647 for buildings, roads and equipment and £18,861 for lighting. A further £39,181 was expected to be spent on additional land. The whole project was expected to cost £361,816. Three grass runways of 3000ft in length plus a fourth at 4,700ft were in use.

The first arrival was Swallow G-ACXE, the first scheduled arrival was Great Western & Southern Airlines Dragon Rapide from Liverpool and Manchester, leaving for Brisol, Southampton, Ryde and Shoreham. Next arrival was Railway Air Services DH.86 Neptune from Croydon on route to Liverpool, Belfast and Glasgow.Sadly the onset of war curtailed further schedules from materializing.

The ceremonial opening was carried out by The Duchess of Kent on the 8th July 1939. Other dignitaries consisted of Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, Air Minister Sir Kingsley Wood plus 60 invited guests. Sadly the weather spoilt the opening with heavy rain and a low cloud base, prevented most aircraft from arriving. The air display to celebrate the opening consisted of Fleet Air Arm Skuas, C.40 Autogyro, Piper Cub, 8 Spitfires, Blenheim, Lysander, Hurricane, Whitney, Blenheim and Hampden bombers. Other visitors included the DH.95 Flamingo, DH.86, Rapides, Dragon and Dragonfly.

The war and post war years

Two months after the opening Elmdon was requisitioned by the Air Ministry and all civil flying ceased. The 14th Elementary Flying School for the RAF and Fleet Air Arm took up residence with Tiger Moths. Close by Austin built a factory on the North side of the railway line. The factory was used for the final assembly of Stirling bombers and later Lancaster bombers. The aircraft were towed to the Elmdon site via a bridge over the railway line for test flying. The grass runways had been replaced by two concrete ones. The airfield stayed under military control until 1946 when it was handed to the Ministry of Civil Aviation. It was the late 1940's before scheduled services re-commenced again. A number of small companies operated flights to destinations such as the Isle of Man, Isle of Whight,the Channel Islands, Blackpool and Weston-super-Mare. A variety of aircraft were used on the flights from Austers to Dragon Rapides. British European Airways (BEA), controlled all domestic traffic and gradually took over the more profitable routes. 1949 saw the first international route to Paris, operated by a BEA Dakota G-AHCU. The service was poorly supported and other Continental routes were ruled out. In 1949 Aer Lingus introduced a service to Dublin again using the Dakota, EI-ACL operated the 1st service. In contrast to BEA woos, the Dublin service proved to be a great success.

The 1950's

Despite the poor support for the Paris service, new services were gradually introduced using Dakotas to Belfast 1950, Jersey 1950, Glasgow (via Manchester) 1952, Edinburgh (via Glasgow) 1953, and Northolt 1953. Again services were poorly supported resulting in cancellations or additional stops. From 1953 the Paris service originated from Manchester and saw the Dakota being replaced by Airspeed Ambassadors on the route.

In 1954 BEA replaced the Ambassadors with the Vickers Viscount on domestic services and its International route to Paris, cutting the flight time to just 75 minutes.
1954 saw Aer Lingus also replace the Dakota with the Vickers Viscount, flight time on route was 50 minutes. By 1956 BEA had introduced the Viscount on new services to Dusseldorf and Zurich. However the downside of Viscount services to the Continent was Elmdons runway length, it could not support fully laded operations. During 1958 the runway was extended by 800ft and Continental services suspended, re-commencing in 1959 when the extension was completed. Over the coming years flights were added to Amsterdam, Barcelona, Basle and Milan.

The 1960's - the jet age

On April 2nd 1960 Birmingham City Council took over the running of the airport. Lost was the name Elmdon Airport to be replaced by the name Birmingham Airport. 1961 was a significant year, the first jet airliner visited Birmingham in the shape of an RAF Comet, born was the jet age. 1962 saw the arrival of the first BEA Vanguard, the biggest aircraft to use the airport, but could not operate fully laden. Again a decision was taken to extend the main runway to 7400ft to allow jet operations, the extension was completed in 1966. This allowed scheduled airlines and tour operators to introduce jets on its flights from Birmingham, approx 300 jet flight were to operate that summer, including BUA BAC 1-11's and Spantax Coranado's. The first jet to use the extension was a BEA Trident from Heathrow, flight time 15 minutes. 1966 had also saw the introduction of scheduled flights to Amsterdam, flown by KLM using the Lockheed Electra, replaced by the DC9 in 1967. 1967 also saw BEA start serving the Malta route with Comets. Also during that year Air France commenced Caravelle services to Nice, while Iberia operated to Palma with the same aircraft type. 1967 also saw Birmingham's first trans-Atlantic flight in the shape of a Caladonian Britannia diverted in from Montreal. Later that year saw the first BOAC B707 to visit the airport arriving from New York with freight. Another new jet type to grace the tarmac was Seaboard World Airways DC'8s operating from Chicago with freight. 1969 saw the viist of the 1st BOAC VC10 G-ARVE to promote the airlines new service to New York.

The 1970's-The I.T revolution

The 1970 saw the commencement of a four times summer only weekly service to New York via Manchester. The service struggled to attract passengers and was routed out via Prestwick. Finally in 1973 the route was pulled due to massive losses. The inclusive tour market was really picking up with large numbers of charter airlines being seen at Birmingham on a reguar basis. Flights were operated to Mediterranean hotspots and the USA. An impressive list of Airlines operated the flights including, Air Malta, Air Spain, Aviaco, Aviogenex, Balair, Braathens, Cyprus Airways, Inex-Adria, JAT, SAM, Spantax, Trans Europa and World Airways, plus several British companies. Types used included BAC 1-11's, B720's, Britannias, Caravelles, Coranado's, DC-7's, DC-8's, DC-9's, Tridents, TU134's and Viscounts. The terminal was now bursting at the seams at passenger figures soared to 1 million per year. Urgent action was required to extend the terminal. During the winter of 1972/3, Birmingham became a major diversion field for flights diverted away from the London airports. 45 diversions were handled in one day alone with others being turned away. As a young lad I would go down a help load the coaches with bags as the terminal was at bursting point. On many occasions the short runway would be lined with diverted flights.1978 saw the first visit of type in the shape of a B747 belonging to Qantas, VH-EBH. Followed the next year with scheduled flights to Toronto with CP Air.

The 1980's-the supersonic era

1980 saw the visit to Birmingham of the first supersonic airliner Concorde, an Air France example F-BTSC operated a charter flight. This was soon followed by British Airways examples operating pleasure flights for those who wanted to sample supersonic flight. BEA despite its dominance in Birmingham soon began to struggle, many flights were withdrawn at the start of the decade. 1982 saw Air India operating twice weekly services via Moscow to Delhi and Amristar using B707's. These services lasted to 1984 before being withdrawn. Passenger figures continued to soar and ended the decade at 3.5 million. A new passenger terminal on the east side of the airfield close to the railway station and the National Exhibition centre was given the go ahead in 1980 at a cost of 29 million. The terminal was handed over to the airport on the 11th January 1984, while the 1st departure was on the 22nd March of that year when a BEA BAC 1-11 departed to Bordeaux. The open day and airshow was held over the weekend of 28-30 May 1984 in pouring rain and gales just like the opening of the original terminal way back in 1955. The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh officially opened the new complex on the 30th May. After the opening of the New terminal, International operators started to open up new routes including, Air France, Iberia, Lufthansa, KLM, Swissair and Air Canada. 1987 saw a two week strike that closed Manchester airport for two weeks, Birmingham handled 618 extra movements during this period, which equated to 60,00 passengers.

1996 EU Summit

EU Summit May 6th-7th

May 06 - 93-7026 C650 TuAF, T-18.1 F900 SpAF, 102001 Gulfstream 4 SAF, 0125 Falcon 20 RDAF,LX-GDL C550, 249 Gulfrstream 3 IAC, OE-GCI C550, 034 FA50 FAF, D-CDEN LJ31, HB-VJI LJ31,17+02 VFW614 GAF, SX-ECH F900, MM62012 DC9 IAF, C-1 F27 RNAF, CS-01 HS748 BAF, ZD704 HS125 RAF, 17403 FA50 PAF, 27 FA50 FAF, 240 BE20 IAC, 78 FA50 FAF

May 07 - TF-DCA BE90, 12+04 CL60 GAF, LZ-D-050 TU134 BuAF, 0420 TU154 Czech AF, LN-VIP LJ55, 0601 TU154 Slovak AF, 038 YAK40 PAF, C-3 F27 RNAF, N31LJ LJ31

1996 European Championships

VILLA PARK (Holland v Scotland v Switzerland)(Croatia v Czech R)

Jun 10 - G-AZPK B146, F-GCVM SE210, D-ABNX B757 Condor, G-MAJS A300 Monarch,OO-VLE FK50 VLM, F-GNEM DC10, OO-OLJ B737, OO-IBL JS31, PH-HVG B737 Transavia, G-BUPS AT42, PH-OZA B737, G-BVOV HS748, PH-AHI B757 Air Holland, G-MOND B757 Monarch, G-BIFH SH30, N186AT L101 American Air Tran, D-ADUP F27, TF-ABH L101 Air Atlanta, PH-DNB FK50 Denim Air, C-8 FK50 NAF, OO-IBJ JS31, PH-HVF B737 Transavia, G-MONS A300 Monarch, PH-OZB B737, G-ZAPG SH60, D-IAAV C441, PH-RAZ SW4, PH-FWM MU2, PH-ATM BE20, PH-GYN PA31, N9210Y PA31, PH-FWC C406, OY-CKY Falcon 20, D-ICSM BE20, D-IAMU C421, PH-ECO PA31, OY-JRS B190, PH-IDA PA31, PH-PTE PA31, PH-ABD PA31, PH-DAE PA31, OY-JEO SW4, OO-DFE C421, PH-JMV PA31, PH-PTC PA31, OY-AUP SW4, F-GMRD BE58, D-COOL LJ55

Jun 13 - PH-MCF B747 Martinair, G-MONX A320 Monarch, PH-HVT B737 Transavia, OO-VLE FK50 VLM, PH-AHI B757 Air Holland,PH-IDA PA31, PH-RAZ SW4, PH-BRN B350, D-IHLK C421, TF-ABH L101 Air Atlanta, G-CEAP L101, OO-KNM C441, PH-XPI PA31, PH-HBB TB20, G-MOND B757 Monarch, G-UKLJ A320 Air UK, F-GOMA B146, G-BWJA B737, G-MONC B757 Monarch, HB-IIB B737, HB-ILJ F27, HB-IUH MD81, G-BPND B727, OY-JRS B190, PH-MCT MD11 Martinair, PH-FWC C406, OY-JEO SW4, PH-DNB FK50, HB-INS MD80 Swissair, D-IAMU C421, N528WA C210, N9095Y PA32, OO-ILJ B737 Air Belgium, PH-MFX C650, PH-ABD PA31, HB-VIS C550, PH-DAE PA31, OY-EBA F27, PH-TKC B757 Transavia, HB-VIC C501, G-OBWA B1-11 BWA, G-AYOP B1-11 BWA , PH-MCS MD11 Martinair, N9210Y PA31, F-BPVG B747 Air France, PH-JOE C425, OY-NPB SW3, D-ICSM BE20, HB-IIC B737, PH-ECO PA31, PH-GYN PA31, PH-EEF PA31, D-AITH C414, PH-PRM PA44, I-FFRI LJ24, N541JA BE60, HB-VJZ C560, PH-AIJ PA34, PH-MCH B767 Martinair, PH-HVN B737 Transavia, PH-PTE PA31, HB-LQJ PA34, PH-ATM BE20, OY-BJT SW4, G-OZBA A320 Monarch, OO-VLN FK50 VLM, EC-261 C525

Jun 18 - HB-INR, HB-ISX, HB-IUH MD82 Swissair, HB-IKM MD83, EI-TLB A320, HB-VGS Citation,F-GFBO BE90, MM62153 G222 IAF, HB-IJE A320, OE-LRS DHC8, HB-VKP, HB-VLE C550's, F-GILJ B300

Jun 21 - OK-TCD TU154, OK-VCP TU154, OK-BYA CL60, OK-BYV IL62, OM-AHK B727, CS-ATG FA20, CS-TEQ B737 TAP, D-AIAH A300 Lufthansa, OO-LFL C441, N6315X C421

1998 G8 Meeting

May 15 to 17th
May 01 - 86-8019 C-5B
May 06 - RA-96012 IL96
May 10 - RA-86710 IL62
May 11 - 159357, 159351 VH-3D, 71-0924, 70-01626, 73-1648 MH-53J
May 12 - 86-0015 C-5B, RA-78817 IL76
May 14 - 159351 SH-3D, 82-8000 VC-25A, 72-7000 VC-137B, 20-1102 B744 JAF, 20-1101 B744 JAF , C-FTNL L101 Air Transat
May 15 - RA-86710 IL62, RA-96012 IL96, RA-86561 IL62, 15005 A310 RCAF, F-RADA A310 FAF, OO-LFR LJ25, F-RAFQ F900 FAF, 12+04 CL60 GAF, MM62013 DC9 IAF, 85-6973 VC-137B, N350JF LJET, N117AH WW1224
May 16 - 159351 VH-3D
May 17 - F-RAFL FA50 FAF, F-RADA A310 FAF, RA-78817 IL76, 66-0149 C141B, 86-0022 C-5B, RA-78835 IL76
May 18 - 86-0019 C-5B

1999 EUFA Cup Final

VILLA PARK
May 19 - N73M G5, D-AWDL B146 WDL, I-LIAC FA20, G-OMJB BH06, I-SNAX F900, N560MM C550, I-SNAW F2TH, I-LIAD LJ35, I-AROO C550, I-AVJE LJ25, D-IRKE C525, T-18.1 F900, EC-FQX L1329, EC-GNK F2TH, D-IHHS C525, C-GTSR L101 Star A/L, CS-TEB L101 Air Medeira, D-AHFK B738 Hapag Lloyd, D-AWUE B146 WDL, EC-FXY, EC-GVI MD83 Spanair, EC-GHM B762 Air Europa, EC-GRX, EC-HCN, EC-HCP B734 Futura EC-GUO, EC-HAN B734 Air Europa, EC-HBC B738 Air Europa, EC-HCR A320 Iberworld, EI-CEK, EI-CMM, EI-CMZ, EI-CNR, MD83 Eurofly, EI-COJ B734 Air One, EI-CRD B763 Eurofly, EI-TLE A320 Britannia A/W, EI-TLT A320 Trans Aer, F-GKLJ, F-GSEA, F-GSUN B747's Corsair, F-GKTA B733 Air One, F-GPVC DC10 Air Liberte, F-GRSE A320 Star A/L, I-DACR MD83 Alitalia, I-DEMN B747 Alitalia, I-DUPE MD11 Alitalia, N242GD B734 Blue Panorama

2002 Ryder Cup Golf

Belfry
Sep 20 - LX-PRS C550, SE-DVP DA10, N910JW F900
Sep 21 - N300K GLF5, N800PM GLF2
Sep 22 - EC-HGI C550, CS-DNY C560, N326K F900, C-FIDO LJ60
Sep 23 - G-EVLN GLF4, N521DB B727, HB-VHV H25B, G-OMAK A319, N326K DA900
Sep 24 - N1125S G150, D-ISCH C25A, PT-SUC E135, C-FIDO LJ60, N331P GLF4
Sep 25 - N777KK GLF4, HB-VIS C550, HB-VMH C550, N521DB B727, PH-HMA C550, N82RP F900
Sep 25 - N252JS GLF5, G-LCYA F900, EI-WGV GLF5, EI-CVT GLF4, N404QS GLF4
Sep 26 - N170SW GLEX, N330FX CL60, EI-WJN H25B, CS-DNR F2TH, N2518M WW1124
Sep 26 - HB-IUX F900, CS-DNJ H25B, CS-DNR F2TH,N90AM GLF5
Sep 27 - N255CC CL60, HB-IBQ FA50, HB-VJI LJ31, N122RS GLF4, N777KK GLF4, N176CL F900, G-RIBV C560
Sep 27 - N178HH GLF3, N436QS GLF4, HB-IVN F2TH, EI-PAX C56X, N601WM CL60, N119CS C525
Sep 28 - G-BJIR C550, HB-IUT GALAXY, G-LCYA F900, EI-CVT G-4, N418QA G-4, VP-BKZ GLF5
Sep 28 - N132JC GALAXY, N900VL F900, N501PC GLF4
Sep 29 - N500LS B737 BBJ, N275NM C750, N200UP FA50, N96UT FA50, HB-VHV H25B,N590HM GLF4
Sep 29 - HB-IBG F900, N436QS GLF4, EI-RNJ H25B, OY-LJG LJ45, HB-IVM F2TH, N750NS C750
Sep 29 - G-POAJ CL60, N46WC H25B, D-COKE LJ35
Sep 30 - N403QS G-4, HB-VNI C56X, HB-IUX F900, N368CE B733, N40DK LJ55, EC-FZP C525

Birmingham's 70th Anniversary

9th September 2009
A6-EDE Airbus A380861 Emirates Airlines
G-ADND de Havilland DH-87B (Marked W9385.)
G-AERV Miles M.11A
G-AGTM de Havilland DH-89A Air Atlantique Classic Flight
G-AKWS Auster 5A/160 (Marked RT610.)
G-ARGY Piper PA-22160
G-ATSR Beech M35
G-AWFP Rollason CondorD.62B
G-AWFZ Beech A23-A19
G-AYTR Menavia CP.301A
G-BBMO de Havilland Canada DHC-1 (Marked WK514.)
G-BCDJ Piper PA-28140
G-BFHP Champion 7GCA
G-BKJB Piper PA-18135
G-BNVB American Aviation AA-5A
G-BROR Piper J/3C 65
G-BTZX Piper J/3C 65
G-BVAF Piper J/3C 85
G-CBEF Scottish Aviation SA.120T.1 (Marked XX621.)
G-CHAP Robinson R44
G-MOOV Czech Aircraft Works SportCruiser
G-UTSY Piper PA-28R-201

Accidents and Incidents

March 5 1960 -A Douglas C-47A (registration G-AMSF) operated by Don Everall Aviation crashed on takeoff from Birmingham International Airport due to engine failure; all three crew and 28 passengers survived, but the aircraft was written off.
9 January 1973 - A Viscout of British Midland Airways G-AZLR suffered a landing accident at Elmdon Airport, Birmingham during a positioning flight from Leeds.As the aircraft touched down the port main undercarriage collapsed and the aircraft skidded along the runway and slewed off to the left, and onto the grass. There was no fire but the aircraft was very close to the runway and the airport was closed. It was only a positioning flight crew and all on board were unhurt. After an extensive investigation it was determined that the port undercarriage leg was not locked down properly. This showed in the cockpit but no blame was attached to the crew as they had noted the unsafe cockpit light and checked the port wing indicator before they landed which showed it was in a safe position The mechanical indicator on the port wing had frozen solid overnight at Leeds and broke when the undercarriage was retracted, thus giving false information to the crew. The aircraft returned to service after repairs.
29 November 1975 - The accident occurred when the aircraft returned at night to its home base after an international private flight and the pilot attempted to make a landing in fog. Three unsuccessful approaches were made using the Instrument Landing System (ILS) but on each occasion the pilot made an overshoot.
After initiation of the third overshoot the aircraft lost height and struck the ground 670 feet to the right of the runway and 4,800 feet beyond the threshold. The aircraft caught fire and was destroyed. All four occupants lost there lives.
The report concludes that the reason for the loss of height could not be determined but in the light of the handling pilot's medical history it is considered possible that he became incapacitated and that the other pilot was unable to maintain control of the aircraft.
21 March 1985 - Cessna 150 G-AZHF crashed on to a warehouse roof while making an emergency landing to runway 15 at Birmingham. The flight from Prestwick en-route to Coventry initially diverted to Liverpool due to a low pressure oil warning. After rectification 'ZHF' carried on to Coventry, as he approached Birmingham the pilot declaired an emerency with a rough running engine. While attempting to land on runway 15 all power was lost and the pilot initiated a landing in the dark on to a football pitch. At the last momement the pilot stalled the aeroplane in an attempt to land on the football pitch, but caught a tree and was cartwhelled in to the warehose roof. The pilot walked away with minor injuries, the cause of the accident was fuel starvation due to empty tanks. The pilot had not accounted for the diversion to Liverpool, taxi etc and ran out of fuel.
27 November 1985 - C404 G-BKTJ belonging to Donington Aviation Crashed on take-off from Birmingham Airport (BHX/EGBB), Elmdon, Birmingham, West Midlands on route to Norwich Airport with a crew of 1 and 11 passengers. Of the 12 persons on board, 4 were seriously injured, the aircraft came to a stop in an alotment at the end of the runway.
The subsequent AAIB report attributed the accident to accumulated icing on the wings and flying controls. This prevented the aircraft from gaining sufficient airspeed to gain altitude and climb away from the airport.
4 January 2002 – A Bombardier CL604 Challenger business jet crashed on take-off from runway 15 at Birmingham. The aircraft with registration N90AG was on lease by AGCO corporation and was carrying two company executives, two pilots and an observer. After arriving from Palm Beach International airport the previous evening, the aircraft was parked overnight at Birmingham where ice formed on the wings due to the cold weather conditions. The following morning the pilots did not request de-icing of the aircraft before their flight to Bangor airport in Maine. The ice on the wings caused one wing to dip on take off, the aircraft inverted, crashed into grass beside the runway and caught fire. There were no survivors. Sleeping pills taken by both pilots the night before the crash are thought to have been a factor in reducing the pilots' judgment.
23 February 2006 – Mahan Air Airbus A310 operating a flight from Tehran, Iran, was involved in a serious incident while on approach to Birmingham International Airport. The aircraft descended to the published minimum descent altitude of 740 ft despite still being 11 nm from the runway threshold. At a point 6 nm from the runway the aircraft had descended to an altitude of 660 ft, which was 164 ft above ground level. Having noticed the descent profile, Birmingham Air Traffic Control issued an immediate climb instruction to the aircraft, however, the crew had already commenced a missed approach, having received a GPWS alert. The aircraft was radar vectored for a second approach during which the flight crew again initiated an early descent. On this occasion, the radar controller instructed the crew to maintain their altitude and the crew successfully completed the approach to a safe landing. The accident investigation determined that the primary cause was use of the incorrect DME for the approach, combined with a substantial breakdown in Crew Resource Management. Three safety recommendations were made.
15 June 2006 – A TNT Airways cargo B737 300 made an emergency landing at Birmingham with damaged landing gear.The aircraft, registration OO-TND, had been flying from Liege in Belgium to Stansted. Due to poor visibility at Stansted the flight diverted to East Midlands Airport As the weather at East Midlands was also poor, the aircraft performed a full autopilot approach. During this approach the autopilot momentarily disengaged causing it to deviate from the course. The aircraft hit the grass to the side of the runway, which caused the right main gear to detach. The crew initiated a go-around, declared an emergency and diverted to Birmingham. After it landed on Birmingham's main runway, the airport was closed for a number of hours. The pilots were unharmed. However, the company ascribed the incident to human error and both pilots were dismissed.The official report into the accident highlighted a number of factors contributing to the accident - poor weather forecast information; a message passed from Air Traffic Control to the aircraft at an "inappropriate" time; the pilot accidentally disconnecting the autopilot when attempting to respond to the message; the pilot losing "situational awareness" and failing to abort the landing.
19 November 2010 – A Cessna Citation aircraft, registration G-VUEM, crashed at Birmingham Airport during final approach in thick fog. Reports from West Midlands Police were that there were two casualties, one critical. The aircraft was bringing a human liver from Belfast airport, for a transplant operation which was subsequently completed successfully.The airport reopened at around mid-day the following day.
21 September 2012 - A Monarch chartered jet skidded off the runway at Birmingham Airport when it touched down from Nice in the South of France this afternoon.The Aurela Boeing 737 LY-SKA, leased to Midlands-based Monarch Airlines by the Lithuanian operator. The packed flight ZB 467 careered off the tarmac after it touched down in heavy rain and the runway was closed. All flights were suspended for more than two hours while airfield emergency services assisted the crew to evacuate the aircraft. Its wheels overshot the runway and got stuck in a grass verge alongside the tarmac. A spokesman for the airport confirmed that there were no injuries among the passengers on board the 23-year-old jet leased by the Midlands-based airline.“We are working with Birmingham Airport to move the aircraft and is fully assisting with the authorities. As a standard precaution emergency services have attended the aircraft,” she added. Heavy lifting gear eventually towed the stricken aircraft away from the vicinity of the runway, two hours after it had touched down.

Local Airfields

Castle Bromwich Aeroplane Factory - The City of Birmingham III Spitfire.

As the Second World War approached, the Air Minister (Sir Kingsley Wood) asked Lord Nuffield (William Morris) if he would establish a new shadow factory to produce aeroplanes. This was to be built between Fort Dunlop and Castle Bromwich airfield. Construction commenced on 14 July 1938 and an initial order for 1,000 Spitfires was placed on 12 April 1939.

Castle Bromwich Aeroplane Factory was then the largest of its kind in Britain.

It covered 345 acres and employed 12,000 people. The site plan shows main offices, drawing offices, tool rooms, stores for finished parts, areas for the assembly of wings and fuselages, and covering of tailplanes and fins, drape shops (for covering of parts including petrol tanks), canteens, surgeries, sports and social clubs, and power-generating plants.

During March 1940, Vickers-Armstrongs was placed in charge of the factory. The factory built somewhere between 11,555 and 11,939 Spitfires, over half of the total number produced. Often 50 Spitfires a week were made with a peak of 320. In 1941, 200 Avro Lancaster Mk II bombers were ordered, by the end of the war 300 Lancaster of various marks had been built. Fifty Seafire 45s were also made.

In 1943, a bomb was dropped on the factory, causing some production to be dispersed to other sites around the Midlands. There had been a fatal bombing at the factory on 13 August 1940, in which six workers were killed.

When aircraft were completed, they were towed across the main Chester Road to the airfield where they were flown by test pilots and delivered to the RAF by Air Transport Auxiliary pilots. Alex Henshaw was Chief Test Pilot from 1940 to 1945, personally putting more than 10% of the aeroplanes produced through their paces, and providing some spectacular air displays with Spitfires.

Post war...The aeroplane factory was closed in 1945 and became a car factory. It was first sold to Fisher and Ludlow Ltd, which was acquired by BMC in 1953. Later, it became part of Jaguar. Part of the original site was also bought by Dunlop to extend their premises and house their research programme.

source:ForcesWarRecords.

June 1951 and Birmingham was chosen for a trial service linking Birmingham and London. Three flights a day with tickets costing £2/10s single, or £4/10s return.

Helicopters operated from a dedicated site on a recreation ground in Hay Mills, 3 miles from the city centre.

Flight Magazine described the Hay Mills ‘RotorStation’ as “two asphalt touchdown points and a small wooden traffic building.”

The daily flights stopped at Northolt Airport, West London, before reaching Heathrow.

Authors of a university paper, Martin Dodge and Richard Brook are puzzled by the location of Birmingham’s heliport.

“It was only a couple of miles away from Birmingham’s existing airport at Elmdon,” The location probably matched the ‘make do’ circumstances of the time, contingent on available land that was vaguely suitable.”

The grand plans were scaled down somewhat. The journey from Hay Mills and Northolt took 70 minutes in a Westland-Sikorsky S-51 copter, which could only carry 4 passengers.

Under used and propped up by Government subsidies, the passenger service was scrapped in April 1952.

Costs were high and operating precautions severe.

"from logs to blogs" - Elmdon over the years

Elmdon Building

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