"from logs to blogs" - Elmdon over the years

1976
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Highlights of 1976- OO-VFG DC6 Delta A/T, N12ST L100 Saturn, F-BRGU Caravelle Minerve
4583 C130 Moraccan AF, 7Q-YKH VC10, 5H-MOG & 5X-UVJ VC10's East African, N18709, N28728 B707

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Jan 10 - F-BTAM T.Otter Air Languedoc
Jan 05 - N677S Gulfstream 2
Jan 21 - SE-FTF MU-2
Jan 17 - G-AXVR Islander Loganair also 14/2,21/2
Jan 22 - XS793/XS794 Andover CC.2 RAF
Jan 24 - XX397/543 Gazelle HT3 705SQD, EC-ARB DC8 Aviaco
Jan 29 - D-IDAU Citation, EC-CCY Citation
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Feb 01 - OO-VFG DC6B Delta A/T, D-IKAT Cessna 421, OO-TBW MU-2
Feb 02 - PH-MAO DC9 Martinai, PH-MAT F28 Martinair, XS793 Andover CC.2 RAF
Feb 06 - SE-FNT Baron, G-ATAI Dove Centrax
Feb 07 - G-AXKB Islander Loganair
Feb 11 - XS712/A Dominie T1 (DYN56) ILS run
Feb 14 - XS789 Andover RAF
Feb 15 - G-AWMS HS125 RTZ
Feb 23 - G-BDFE Herald BAF, G-AOGO Heron, G-BCII Citation C500, G-BCYF Falcon 20
Feb 25 - D-ECNP Cessna 210, PH-IKF Falcon 20, G-AVXI HS125
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Mar 01 - PH-BAB PA31 Navajo
Mar 03 - N806CC Gulfstream 2, G-AYVS Comet Dan Air
Mar 09 - G-BBRO HS125 and 17/3
Mar 10 - CH-03 Hercules Belgium A/F
Mar 11 - VP978 Devon C.1
Mar 12 - G-AMPY Dakota INTRA Staverton div
Mar 13 - N501TL Viscount Alidair, G-BDMA SD330 Alidair EMA divs, G-AWNR Islander Loganair and 20/3
Mar 17 - N12ST Hercules EMA div, G-AOYH Viscount Northeast
Mar 19 - G-AOYL Viscount Northeast
Mar 22 - LN-SUP B737 Braathens, OY-SAJ SE210 Sterling
Mar 28 - XP105 Wessex HAS3
Mar 29 - 66-1165 UH-1H Iroquois (66.61165) US.Army, D-IFZO Dornier 28
Mar 31 - XW206/CC Puma HC1, XK895 Sea Devon C20
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Apr 03 - G-BDDV Islander Loganair also 10/4
Apr 05 - PH-MOL F28 Martinair
Apr 06 - OY-BDS Falcon 20
Apr 07 - F-BUYP HS125, G-AXDD PA31 Navajo
Apr 08 - G-ANXA,ANSZ,AXFH Herons Peters Aviation, OY-SAM SE210 Sterling
Apr 09 - XV105 VC10 RAF, OY-BLG Lear Jet, G-BDRC Viscount Intra
Apr 12 - XT135,XT108,XT165,XT154,XT211 Sioux Army
Apr 10 - N692WA B727 Air Malta also 01/5,24/5
Apr 15 - G-APRL Argosy ABC AK618
Apr 16 - G-AZHN Argosy ABC AK620
Apr 17 - N530SW Gulfstream 2 LTN div
Apr 22 - XT630/D Scout AH1, XT640/F Scout AH1
Apr 23 - EC-ASN DC8 Aviaco, 66-0928 UH-1D also 28/4
Apr 24 - G-BANL Islander Loganair
Apr 26 - G-APRN Argosy ABC, 45/F-YDAO Nord 262 French Navy
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May 01 - LZ-BAB AN-12 Balken (LZ2005/6)
May 03 - 931/F-YDEA Navajo French Navy
May 04 - HB-VEH Citation
May 05 - LN-SUI B737 Braathens also 16/5
May 06 - I-ELET Navajo
May 07 - 72/F-YDAP Nord 262 French Navy, G-AZWA B707 BMA also 21/5
May 10 - G-ARBY Viscount Alidair
May 12 - G-BAXD Trislander Loganair
May 15 - YU-AKF B727 JAT, YU-AKG B727 JAT, LZ-BTK TU154 Balken
May 16 - LN-SUI B737 Braathens
May 17 - G-BGKN HS125-600
May 19 - D-BAKI F27 WDL
May 22 - YU-AKD/14302 B727 Government A/C, also 4/9, YU-AKE B727JA, G-AZWA B707.321
May 24 - I-GIAZ Falcon 20
May 25 - I-BOGI HS125
May 29 - LZ-BTL TU154 LZ, YU-AGG B707 JAT
May 30 - LZ-BTD TU154 LZ

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Jun 01 - RM11/OT-ZAK P.Pembroke C51 Belgium A.F
Jun 02 - 906/F-YDAF PA31 Navajo French Navy, G-BGKN HS125, G-BABX Be100 King Air
Jun 03 - RM-4/OT-ZAD Pembroke Belgium A/F
Jun 07 - G-ARVM VC10 ILS
Jun 08 - OY-APY B720 Maersk Air, D-ICHS Lear Jet
Jun 09 - G-BBDK Viscount ABC, C-FFNM Gulfstream 2
Jun 10 - XT124, XT18, XT553 Sioux AH1 Army
Jun 11 - 45/F-YDAQ N262 French Navy also 16/6
Jun 13 - G-BBVJ B24R Sierra
Jun 16 - F-BIHY Falcon 20
Jun 17 - I-AUSA Navajo
Jun 18 - OH-LSG SE210 AY also 22/6
Jun 21 - F-BRGU SE210 Caravelle Minerva A/L, 4583/CN-AOF Hercules C130H Moroccan A/F
Jun 26 - N28728 B707 TWA, G-AZTG B707 Dan Air, YU-AHF SE210 JAT
Jun 27 - D-EAGL AL.60B, OH-LYG DC9 AY

Dan Air HS748 G-AXVG photo John Banbrook

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Jul 01 - G-BDLZ Britannia Air Faisal
Jul 02 - D-CCWK Lear Jet, F-BRGU SE210 Minerve, F-BVRZ Vanguard EAS
Jul 03 - G-AYSL B707 Dan Air also 17,18,25/7
Jul 07 - XT764/P-T Wessex HU5 RN, SE-GGU Cessna 402, OY-RYI Cessna 182
Jul 11 - LZ-BTL TU-154 Balken
Jul 14 - I-BOGI HS125
Jul 16 - I-AUSA PA31 Navajo, G-AYVG B707.321, G-AZZD DC10.10 Laker
Jul 17 - EC-CGS DC9.32, YU-AGE B707.340C, XV182 Hercules C1 G-AZTG B707 Dan Air also 18/7
Jul 18 - N8729 B707 TWA
Jul 25 - G-BDIX Comet 4 Dan Air
Jul 26 - PH-NZG S-61N KLM Helicopters
Jul 29 - F-BXOG Vanguard EAS
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Aug 04 - N121AM Falcon 20
Aug 06 - N18712 B707 TWA, N28728 B707 TWA also 30/8
Aug 13 - OY-STH SE210 Sterling, G-BAEL B707 BMA also 27/8, PH-LEA Fuji
Aug 16 - D-COSE Hansa Jet, VP952 Devon C.2
Aug 18 - OY-SAJ SE210 Sterling, SE-DDE Citation
Aug 19 - SE-DDE CEitation, XR637 Scout AH1
Aug 22 - N155AS MU2
Aug 25 - G-AVPN Herald BIA
Aug 27 - N14CP BE90
Aug 29 - G-AVFF,G-AVFH ,G-AVFG,G-AVFM Tridents BEA,G-AVYE Trident Northeast LHR divs
Aug 30 - EC-CNF CV990 Spantax, G-AYVG B707 BMA, N8731 B707 TWA
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Sep 02 - N12ST Hercules Saturn
Sep 05 - EC-CUS DC8 TAE
Sep 09 - N805CC Gulfstream 2
Sep 11 - N28727 B707 TWA
Sep 12 - EC-ARC DC8 Aviaco, N65358 DC9-15 BMA
Sep 13 - 74-01688 C130H USAF
Sep 18 - G-AYSL B707 Dan Air also 19/9,25/9
Sep 20 - OO-SKJ HS125
Sep 21 - LN-SUD B737 Braathens
Sep 23 - SE-DEN SN601 Corvette, OY-DLP PA31 Navajo
Sep 24 - OY-APA F27 Maersk Air
Sep 25 - N523AC BAC 1-11 Amway Corp
Sep 26 - D-IBMB Merlin, YR-IMD IL18 Tarom
Sep 27 - OY-APF F27 Maersk Air also 30/9
Sep 28 - PH-MOL F28 Martinair, F-BVRV Nord 262 Air Alsace, D-IMLN Citation, OH-GLB Lear Jet 24D
Sep 29 - G-ANSZ Heron Peters Aviation
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Oct 01 - G-ANNO Heron Fairflight
Oct 02 - N7200K Lear Jet
Oct 03 - YR-IMZ IL18 Tarom
Oct 05 - N806CC Gulfstream 3 also 21/10
Oct 07 - LN-MOB DC4 Bergen Air Transport, G-BDOA HS125
Oct 08 - G-AMPZ Dakota Intra, N18709 B707 TWA
Oct 09 - G-AZHN Argosy ABC EMA div
Oct 10 - G-AZTG B707 Dan Air also 17/10
Oct 11 - G-APBC Dakota Skyways
Oct 13 - G-BCYC Trislander Loganair, N4290X Gulfstream 2
Oct 18 - OY-SAK SE210 Sterling
Oct 20 - OY-BLG Lear Jet, N806CC Gulfstream 2
Oct 21 - G-APWJ Herald BIA
Oct 25 - G-AVYE B707 BMA EMA div
Oct 26 - EC-CKR Lear Jet
Oct 29 - F.99/61-ZQ Transall French A/F also 31/10
Oct 31 - F99/61-ZQ C-160F Transall French A.F
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Nov 02 - HB-VEM Lear Jet
Nov 03 - G-AWYS BAC 1-11 BCAL LGW div
Nov 07 - G-BBXI Herald BIA GLO div
Nov 09 - D-IGSO Lear Jet 24
Nov 10 - G-BAFZ B727 DA, D-ABCE B737 LH, G-AVYZ 1-11 Laker, HB-IFY DC9 SR MAN divs
Nov 10 - G-APIM,G-AOYR VIiscount LPL div, G-APFO B707 KT LGW div
Nov 10 - A4O-AA Gulfstream 2 LTN DIV, G-APEG Vanguard LHR div, PH-ILF Falcon 20
Nov 11 - G-APET Vanguard, G-AWZG Trident BEA LHR div, D-ANNO BAC 1-11 Bavaria LTN div
Nov 12 - OY-ASP Lear Jet also 14/11
Nov 13 - G-ARJN, G-BDIU Comet DA, G-AVBX BAC 1-11 GK MAN div, D-IABC Citation,OY-POP Navajo
Nov 14 - G-BDIX Comet DA EMA div, G-AVFF, G-AWYZ, G-AWZJ, G-AVFO Trident BEA LHR div,
Nov 14 - OY-STI SE210 Sterling LTN div, 7Q-YKH VC10 Air Malawi LHR div
Nov 15 - 7Q-YKH VC10 Air Malawi, G-AVZZ B707 Laker LGW div, 5H-MOG VC10 East African LHR div
Nov 15 - LX-LGF SE210 Luxair LHR div, HB-IFG,HB-ISO DC9 SR LHR div, EC-BIK DC9 IB LHR div
Nov 15 - G-ARPX, G-ARPW, G-AVYC Trident BEA, OO-SDJ B737 Sabena, LHR diversions
Nov 17 - OY-TOR VFW614 Cimber Air
Nov 18 - D-INCC Citation, D-IMSM Citation, SE-GKL C414, OE-FPM Aztec
Nov 19 - F-BSUX Lear Jet 23, XR446 Sea Heron R NAVY,XV204 Hercules RAF
Nov 22 - G-ARVM VC10
Nov 29 - OY-APU B720 Maersk Air also 30/11
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Dec 01 - F-BRGF Lear Jet, XW233 Puma HC.1
Dec 03 - G-AOHV Viscount LPL DIV, G-AVMU, AVMH, AVMO, AVMY, AVMX, AVMW BAC 1-11
Dec 03 - SE-DAP DC9 SAS, D-ABDI B737 LH, OO-SDM B737 SN, G-AVZZ B707 LAKER,
Dec 03 - G-AVBY BAC 1-11 LAKER, G-AZNX B720 MON, G-AXNC, AVRN B737 BY,
Dec 03 - EI-ASG B737 EI MAN Diversion, SE-FPF Navajo, SE-GGL, SE-GGR C402
Dec 04 - G-AVMO, AVMP, AVMW, AVMM, AVMH BAC 1-11 BA, G-AVBY 1-11 Laker,
Dec 04 - G-AXNC, AVRN, BAZG B737 BY, G-BAFZ B727 DA, G-BDAE 1-11 DA, D-IMSM Citation
Dec 04 - D-ABEM B737 LH MAN Divs, G-AZNH VIS BMA EMA div, G-BCWE Herald BAF LPL div
Dec 05 - G-AVRL, AXNC B737 BY MAN div, G-AZWA B707 BMA EMA div, LN-KCG Navajo.
Dec 07 - LN-SAN Navajo,G-ARBY Viscount Alidair
Dec 08 - N121AM Falcon 20,G-AOBN Dakota Skyways
Dec 09 - D-IEJB Cessna 337, XT621 Scout, F-BYCA SE210 Catair, PH-MOL F28 MP, OH-LSG SE210 AY
Dec 10 - XR628, XR632, Scout AH1, XT121, XT124, XT553, XT843 Sioux AH1, N121WT Falcon 20
Dec 10 - D-IGSO Lear Jet 25.
Dec 11 - D-ABDE B737 LH, G-AVMN, AVMP, BBMF, AVMO 1-11 BA, G-BAZH, AZNZ B737 Britannia
Dec 11- EI-ASE B737 EI,G-AVYZ 1-11 GK, G-BAFZ B727 DA, G-APYD Comet DA all MAN Divs
Dec 11 - G-APIM VIS BEA LPL div
Dec 12 - XW236/CQ Puma HC1, F-BYCC Falcon 10, G-AZNZ, B737 BY, OY-SAJ SE210 Sterling
Dec 12 - G-AVBW 1-11 GK MAN Divs, G-AZNX B720 MON, G-AWWZ 1-11 MON, G-BDAT 1-11 Dan Air
Dec 12 - G-BADR, BAZI, AVRN B737 BY LTN divs.
Dec 14 - G-BAZI, AVRN, AXNB, AXNC B737 BY LTN divs
Dec 15 - G-AXNA, AVRN, AXNB, BAZI, BAZG B737 BY LTN divs, OY-BDS Falcon 20, D-IBMD Merlin
Dec 15 - F-BRNN Navajo, EI-AWY MU-2.
Dec 17 - G-AXNB, AZNZ, AXNC B737 BY, G-BCWA 1-11 DA LTN divs, G-AZNA Viscount BMA,
Dec 17 - OE-IRA B707 Montana LGW divs
Dec 18 - G-AZNZ, AVRL, AVRN B737 BY, D-ALFA 1-11 Bavaria, G-AXMG 1-11 MON, LTN divs
Dec 20 - G-BBUV COMET DA, G-AVRL, AXNB, BADR B737 BY LTN divs, G-AVRM, AVRN B737 Britannia
Dec 20 - G-AZLP, AZNB, AZNC, AZLT VIS BMA EMA divs
Dec 21 - G-AXNB,BADP,BAZG,AVRN B737 BY LTN DIVS,G-ATPJ,ATPL,AXYD 1-11 DA LGW DIVS.
Dec 22 - G-AVRN, BAZI B737 BY LTN DIV, G-AZNZ B737 BY, G-AZLP Viscount BMA EMA divs
Dec 22 - G-BCWE Herald BAF.
Dec 23 - G-BAZG, AZNZ B737 BY LTN divs, PH-DNT DC9 KLM.
Dec 28 - G-BCDU Cessna 414
Dec 29 - HB-IFY DC9 SR, D-ABFE, ABET B737 LH, 5X-UVJ SVC10 East African LHR divs
Dec 30 - G-ANXB Heron Peters Aviation
Dec 31 - G-BADR B737 BY, G-AZLP, AZNB Viscount BMA EMA divs
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Credit to the "2R's" Roy & Roger and Simon Butler

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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