"from logs to blogs" - Elmdon over the years

"1955 this was the year that myself, Roy Kesterton and Roger Chapman happened to meet at the airport, and we have been friends ever since. For sixty years now I have been one of the 2R's, and enjoyed every minute of this exciting hobby"

1955
**************************************************************************************************************************
Highlights of 1955- 348892 Douglas C47 USAF, PH-DBE, DBS & DBT DC4's, N17 DC3 US Embassy
ZS-BSU Ryan Navion, EI-ACM DC3 Aer Lingus, F-BEIJ DC3 Air France, PH-DBW DC4 KLM
***************************************************************************************************************************
Apr 16 - G-AJIA & G-ALXM DC3's British European
Apr 23 - G-AMDZ DC3 BEA & WV575 Provost T1 RAF, EI-ACI & EI-AFB DC3's Aer Lingus
Apr 30- G-AKJG & G-ALFT DH104 Dove's, G-AGDP & G-ALGC DH89A Rapide's,G-AJIC DC3 BEA
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May 01 - G-ANGC P.Proctor 3
May 03 - EI-ACE DC3 Aer Lingus, G-AGHJ DC3 British European
May 04 - EI-AFQ Bristol 170/31E
May 05 - G-ANAP DH104 Dove 1B, G-AKZO DH89A Rapide
May 09 - G-AJBI DH104 Dove 1B, EI-AFT Bristol 170/31E
May 12 - G-AHPM & G-AIVH V610 Viking 1B's Eagle, G-ALIT P.Proctor 3
May 15 - G-AIYO F24W Argus  2
May 19 - EI-ACG DC3 Aer Lingus, PH-DBE, PH-DBS & PH-DBT DC4's
May 21 - G-AJXH AS65 Consul, G-ANYJ DH114 Heron 2 Dragon Airways
May 21 - G-AMPR P50 Prince 3E, G-AIUL DH89A Rapide
May 24 - F-BEIJ DC3 Air France, G-ALLI DC3 British European, G-ADNL M77 Sparrowjet
May 28 - PH-DBW DC4 KLM, G-AJPI F24W Argus 2, G-AHBS Proctor 1, G-AKED DH89A Rapide
May 30 - G-ALEJ DH89A Rapide, G-AMRN DH104 Dove  2
May 31 - VV895 Avro Anson C19 RAF
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Jun 01 - 40 N2501 Noratlas French AF, G-AGJG DH89A Rapide
Jun 02 - PH535 Avro Anson C19 RAF, G-AOAJ Sikorsky S51, EI-AFS Bristol 170/31E
Jun 03 - G-ANNO DH114 Heron 1B, G-AKSW DH104 Dove 2, G-AGLR DH89A Rapide
Jun 03 - 25 X Harvard T2s - Stored at Helliwells Ltd - Hanger 2, FS769, FS819, FS854, FS889, FS890
Jun 03 - FS894, FS896, FT213, FT245,FT339,FT340, FT384, FX319, FX356, FX391, FX425, FX470
Jun 03 - KF240, KF274, KF307, KF430, KF447, KF700, KF739, KF756
Jun 04 - G-AMLZ P50 Prince 3E, G-AMKE DC3 British European
Jun 06 - PH832 Avro Anson C19 RAF, G-AHRI DH104 Dove 1, G-AIFV Bristol 170/21 Silver City
Jun 07 - G-AGVB Bristol 170/21 Silver City
Jun 08 - 100962 Douglas C47 French A/F, VL351 Avro Anson C19 RAF, G-ANMJ DH104 Dove 1
Jun 08 - G-AICS Bristol 170.21 Silver City
Jun 09 - G-AJLR AS65 Consul  Morton Air Services, G-AMZC Dakota 4 Manx
Jun 10 - G-AMSS Dakota 4 Dan Air, G-AGIP DC3 British European
Jun 11 - N17 DC3 US Embassy
Jun 13 - G-AJLV DH104 Dove 1, G-AGZO & G-AHPU DH89A Rapide's
Jun 15 - G-AIKT AS65 Consul, G-AMVC Dakota 4 BKS
Jun 16 - WJ906 Varsity T1 RAF, G-AMWC Bristol 170/32 Silver City
Jun 17 - G-ANWI Bristol 170/32 Silver City, G-AHCV & G-ALPN DC3's British European
Jun 17 - G-AMWG Bristol 171 Sycamore 3A British European
Jun 18 - VS590 Avro Anson C19  RAF, WH318 Gloster Meteor F8 RAF, G-AMWV DC3,
Jun 18 - G-ANTD DC3 Derby Aviation
Jun 20 - G-AMYO DH104 Dove 1, G-AMWE Bristol 170/32 Silver City
Jun 20 - G-AIBB & G-AHED DH89A Rapide's
Jun 21 - G-ANWG Bristol 170/32 Silver City, G-ANVC DH104 Dove 2B, G-ALCC DC3 British European
Jun 23 - G-ANUK Sikorsky S55 British European, EI-AFC DC3 Aer Lingus
Jun 24 - G-ANRG SA Pioneer 2, G-AHTZ C30A Autogiro, G-ANWH Bristol 170/32 Silver City
Jun 25 - WP973 Chipmunk T10  RAF, G-AIVO V610 Viking 1B  Eagle
Jun 25 - G-ANCI DH114 Heron 1B Dragon Airways, G-AMWA Bristol 170/32 Silver City
Jun 28 - G-AOBN DC3 Air Kruise, G-AGUH Avro 19 Anson 1, G-AMKX P34 Prince  3B

Bristol Sycamore G-AMWG with a very young Roy Kesterton

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Jul 02 - G-AMUC & G-AMUG  Chipmunk 21's
Jul 10 - ZS-BSU Ryan Navion, EI-ACM DC3 Aer Lingus
Jul 11 - WL690 Varsity T1
Jul 15 - G-AJOR Sikorsky  S51, G-ACZP  DH86 Express
Jul 11 - G-AMKY P54 Prince 4B, G-AGVC Bristol 170/32 Silver City
Jul 20 - G-AJBR V610 Viking 1B BKS
Jul 21 - G-AMWF Bristol 170/32 Silver City, G-ANOV DH104 Dove 5,G-ANAE Dakota 4, G-ALGE  DH89A
Jul 23 - G-AMSU Dakota 4 DanAir,  EI-AFW Visount 707 Aer Lingus
Jul 26 - VS595 Anson C19

Silver City B170 G-AGVC - photo Terry Lee

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Aug 06 - N4726V DC4 Airwork Ltd
Aug 07 - LX577 AS Oxford T2 RAF
Aug 08 - LN-IAS DC3 SAS, G-ALVS  DH104 Dove 2B
Aug 09 - VS504 Anson C19, WD292 Chipmunk both RAF, G-ALXN DC3 British European
Aug 10 - G-AMDA Avro 19 Anson 1, G-AGZC DC3 British European
Aug 11 - G-AHXH M57 Aerovan 4
Aug 14 - G-AHCT DC3 Fairey Aviation, G-AJPR DH104 Dove 1 BOAC, G-AFMJ DH89A Rapide
Aug 26 - 03 N2501 Noratlas (F-ZABT)  French AF
Aug 28 - VM313 Avro Anson C19 RAF
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Sep 16 - G-AKYS DH104 Dove 2
Sep 17 - G-AMWH B171 Sycamore 3A Britsh European
Sep 20 - G-AIOS AS65 Consul
Sep 23 - G-ALCU & G-ANUU DH104 Dove's
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Oct 12 - G-ANUT DH104 Dove  6, G-AKJP & G-AJDP D104 Dove  1's, VM370 Avro Anson C19 RAF,
Oct 12 - G-AKPA  DH89A Rapide
Oct 15 - T7016 & T7753 DH82A Tiger Moths, G-AODI Augusta Bell 47G
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Nov 03 - G-AHEG AS65 Consul
Nov 14 - G-AOCF Sikorsky S55 British European, VV254 Avro Anson C19  RAF
Nov 19 - PH-CGC Convair Cv340 KLM, XE880 DH Vampire T11 RAF, G-AESR DH89A Rapide
Nov 21 - 348892 Douglas C47 USAF
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Dec 03 - WG118 BP. Balliol T2 RAF, G-AMLJ Bristol 170/31 Skyways
Dec 05 - VM394 Avro Anson C10 RAF, G-AGWA Avro 19 Anson 1, G-AHCX DC3 BEA
Dec 07 - XB443 Avenger AS4
Dec 16 - G-AHXS Avro 19 Anson 1
Dec 18 - G-AKST DH104 Dove 1, G-AMRB Dakota 4
Dec 21 - HB-LAS DH104  Dove 2, 5516  Douglas C54G ( 50516) USAF
Dec 23 - WL684 Varity T1, VL347 & TX174 Avro Anson's all RAF
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Credit - the "2R's" Roy & Roger

1956
**************************************************************************************************************************
Highlights of 1956- D-ABIR Viking, K-681 & K-682 Douglas C47 Danish AF, F-BFGV  DC3 Air France,
0-476772 Douglas C47 USAF, 48-0043 RB-45C Tornado USAF, 315211  Douglas C47 Norwegian AF
****************************************************************************************
Jan 02 - XD428 Vampire T11 RAF
Jan 13 - G-ALBI DH89A Rapide
Jan 18 - G-AOAL DC3 Hunting Aviation
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Mar 01 - G-AJSL DH89A Rapide
Mar 12 - G-AHPT DH89A Rapide, K-687 Douglas C47 Danish A.F, 0-476772 Douglas C47 USAF
Mar 13 - G-ANMF & G-ANVR Bristol 170/31's Air Charter
Mar 14 - WF844 Meteor F8 RAF, G-AMSA Bristol 170/31 Air Charter
Mar 17 - VV550 Vampire FB5 RAF, WL479 Meteor T7 RAF, F-BFGV  DC3 Air France,
Mar 17 - F-BBIM Macchi MB320, K-681 & K-682 Douglas C47 Danish AF, G-ANZG DC3
Mar 17 - G-AOBI P31C Procter, G-AMKZ M65 Gemini 1A, G-AMKZ M65 Gemini 1A
Mar 18 - WP861 Chipmunk T10
Mar 20 - G-AJCD V610 Viking 1B Eagle
Mar 24 - X11 Douglas C47 ZU-11 Dutch AF, XE829 Vampire T11 RAF
Mar 26 - G-ACCB DH83 Fox Moth,  G-AMZG Dakota 4 Transair
Mar 27 - G-ANLF DC3 Air Kruise
Mar 29 - WB449 Avro Anson T21 RAF, VZ224 Vampire FB5 RAF, G-AHKB DH89A Rapide
Mar 30 - G-ACEJ DH83 Fox Moth
Mar 31 - X5 Douglas C47 ZU-5 Dutch AF

Eagle Viking G-AJCD - photo Roy Kesterton

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Apr 03 - 48-0043 RB-45C Tornado  USAF (Low Run)
Apr 04 - G-AMVU DHC Beaver 2, G-AHOP V498 Viking 1B Airwork Ltd
Apr 07 - XE830 Vampire T11 RAF
Apr 09 - WL371 Gloster Meteor T7 RAF
Apr 10 - G-AKSS DH104 Dove 1 Fairey Aviation, G-ALMU M65 Gemini 3A
Apr 19 - G-ACUU  C30A Autogiro, VS565 Avro Anson C19 RAF
Apr 21 - VP510 Avro Anson C19, WF690 Glos Meteor F8 & XE927 DH Vampire T11 RAF
Apr 28 - PH-LPS  Beech D18S
Apr 30 - XE885 Vampre T11 RAF
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May 05 - WK711 Gloster Meteor F8 RAF, G-AHAA M28 Mercury
May 07 - G-ALPK DH89A Rapide
May 08 - G-AJNE AS65 Consul Airwork Ltd
May 10 - G-AEYE P16 Q-Six
May 14 - G-AHKU DH89A Rapide
May 19 - WA136 Vampire FB5 RAF
May 21 - G-ACPP DH89A Rapide Hawker Aircraft Ltd
May 22 - 47-0079 RB-45C Tornado USAF (Low Run)
May 23 - XA157 Sea Vampire T22 Royal Navy, 0-476906 Douglas C47 USAF
May 23 - F-BGOA DH104 Dove  2
May 28 - F-PHFR D3 Turbulent, WN144 BP Balliol T2
May 30 - G-AMSM Dakota 4 Skyways, G-ALTZ AS65 Consul
May 31 - 315211 Douglas C47 'BW-B' Norwegian AF
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Jun 01 - VV569 Vampire FB5 RAF
Jun 02 - WK713 Gloster Meteor F RAF, G-AMOB Viscount 701 British European Airways
Jun 07 - VM388 Avro Anson C19 RAF
Jun 09 - WN141 BP Balliol  T2, G-AJCL DH89A Rapide Cambrian Airways
Jun 12 - PH-DPP DC6 KLM
Jun 14 - VV330 Avro Anson C19 RAF
Jun 15 - WF934  Sea Prince T1
Jun 16 - WF118 Sea Prince T1
Jun 17 - WA832 Gloster Meteor T7 RAF
Jun 19 - XB377 Avenger AS4
Jun 20 - G-AMZE Dakota 4
Jun 21 - G-ANHE Viscount 701 BEA, G-AKNN DH89A Rapide  Marshall Flying Services
Jun 23 - WK875 Gloster Meteor F8 RAF
Jun 25 - G-ANFH Sikorsky S55 British European Airways
Jun 26 - G-AIYR DH89A Rapide, VM363  Avro Anson C19 RAF
Jun 27 - WL691 Varsity T1 RAF, G-AMGW M60 Marathon 1A Derby Av, G-AODK Bell 47G

Autair Viking G-AMPJ - photoDavid Miller

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Jul 01 - VL349 Anson C19 RAF
Jul 02 - SE-CDH Piper J3C65 Cub
Jul 07 - G-AIAH AS65 Consul
Jul 08 - G-AGTC & G-AIEP P44 Procter 5's
Jul 10 - WJ561 Anson T22 RAF, G-AODJ Bell 47G
Jul 13 - G-AMHR M60 Marathon 1A Derby Aviation
Jul 14 - G-ANBH Britannia 102 BOAC (ILS run from Filton), G-AMWW Dakota 4 Skyways
Jul 15 - G-AEWZ DH90A Dragonfly Silver City
Jul 16 - N3627D Cessna 310
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Aug 08 - VS598 Anson C19 RAF
Aug 11 - XF261 Dragonfly HR4 RAF, G-AHEU P28B Proctor 1
Aug 18 - WJ552 Anson T22 RAF
Aug 23 - K-684 Douglas C47 Danish AF
Aug 26 - G-AOGZ Dakota 4 Derby Aviation
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Sep 02 - G-AOFX Viscount 701 BEA
Sep 26 - G-AJOT DH104 Dove 1B
Sep 27 - OO-DFA Anson 1
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Oct 07 - G-AGLR  DH89A Rapide (took off and crash landed at Berkswell,with no fatalities, aircraft written off)
Oct 26 - PH-DBP  DC4 KLM, K-683 Douglas C47 Danish AF, G-AKIF DH89A Rapide
Oct 27 - WP110 Hunter F5 RAF 56(F) SQN (engine flame out and declared an emergency to the airport, and   landed on runway 24. Overshot the runway and demolished a few landing lights, just stopping short of the A45. (Aircraft was put inside Hangar 1)
Oct 28 - G-AISF M57 Aerovan 4, EI-AJG Bonanza 35
Oct 31 - D-ABIR V610 Viking  1B, VL397 Anson C19 RAF
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Nov 02 - G-AGUP DH89A Rapide Airlines Jersey
Nov 05 - G-AMKT DH104 Dove 1B BOAC
Nov 09 - G-ANCA Britannia 301 (ILS runs from Filton)
Nov 19 - 447221  Beech C45 French AF
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Dec 12 - VV455 Vampire FB5 RAF
Dec 14 - D-IDUM Beech C50 Twin Bonanza
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Credit- to the "2R's'' Roy & Roger

1957
****************************************************************************************************************************
Highlights of 1957-1595 Beech C45 RCAF, EL AL Britannia's 4X-AGA & AGC, AP-AJB DH104 Dove,
PI-C770 Viscount Phillipines Airlines, 1523 / B7 Grumman CS2F-1 Tracker Royal Candianian Navy.
***************************************************************************************************************************
Jan 03 - VL272 Valetta C1 RAF
Jan 06 - VL354 Anson C19 RAF
Jan 12 - WP800 DH Chipmunk T10 RAF, G-AOVA Britannia 312 BOAC (ILS runs from Filton)
Jan 15 - WJ519 Anson T22 RAF
Jan 23 - K-685 Douglas C47 Danish AF
Jan 26 - 1595 Beech C-45F Royal Canadian AF
Jan 27 - EI-AGI Viscount 707 Aer Lingus
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Feb 02 - WJ945 Varsity T1 RAF
Feb 16 - G-AKIK DC3 Field Aircraft  Serv, G-ANBJ Britannia 102 BOAC (ILS runs from Filton)
Feb 16 - F-BEHI Beech D18S
Feb 27 - WV475 Provost T1 RAF
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Mar 03 - XA155 Sea Vampire T22 RN
Mar 06 - 61/340-VJ N2501 Noratlas French AF, G-AOTI DH114 Heron 2D  Rolls Royce Ltd
Mar 07 - G-AOSE Dove 6 Smiths, KJ994 Douglas C47 RAF
Mar 07 - O-348616 Douglas C47 USAF
Mar 11 - PH-NIV Fk27 Friendship 100 (Prototype)
Mar 12 - WA638 Gloster Meteor T7 RAF
Mar 20 - K-686 Douglas C47 Danish AF
Mar 22 - VS578 Anson C19 RAF
Mar 25 - 0-51133 Douglas C47 USAF
Mar 26 - G-AOCH V621 Viking 1 Dragon Aiways
Mar 27 - 42-101011 Douglas C47 USAF
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Apr 06 - XF610 Provost T1 RAF, WA271 Vampire FB5 RAF
Apr 09 - G-ANEG Dakota 4 Tranair
Apr 10 - TX222 Anson C12 RAF
Apr 15 - VP519 Anson C19 RAF, WW429 Provost T1 RAF
Apr 22 - WB766 Chipmunk T10 RAF
Apr 23 - G-ANBN Britannia 102 BOAC (ILS run)
Apr 24 - VL337 Anson C19 RAF
Apr 28 - XB261 Beverley C1 RAF
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May 04 - WB691 Chipmunk T10 RAF, EI-AHY Chipmunk  22, G-AOZM  DH114 Heron 1
May 06 - WJ899 Varsity T1 RAF
May 09 - G-AOGW DH114 Heron 2 Vickers Armstrong Ltd
May 11 - PI-C770 Viscount 784 Phillipines Airlines - delivery flight.
May 12 - EC-ANJ DH 114 Heron 2D
May 22 - VL312 Anson C19 RAF
May 24 - WK712 Gloster Meteor F8 RAF
May 31 - WG986 Gloster Meteor T7 RAF
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Jun 12 - 43-49512 Douglas C47 USAF
Jun 13 - N9866F Beech 35 Bonanza, G-ANBC Britannia 102 BOAC (ILS runs)
Jun 15 - G-ANAE Dakota 4
Jun 19 - VP-YPE Cessna 310 (en-route Croydon and Africa on delivery flight)
Jun 19 - EC-AKH DH98 Mosquito 35 (on delivery to Ontario, Canada. Written off eight weeks later landing at Kendra Airport)
Jun 20 - CP-37/OT-CBQ Fairchild C-119G Belguim AF
Jun 22 - WV441 Provost T1, WL361 Gloster Meteor T7 both RAF
Jun 28 - WK574 Chipmunk T10 RAF, G-AOZA Dakota 4 Field Aircraft Services
Jun 28 - G-AIMH Britol 170/21 Silver City
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Jul 06 - G-AHGU AS40 Oxford 2 Air Couriers
Jul 20 - WW442 & XF592 Provosts  RAF
Jul 24 - WG317 Chipmunk T10 RAF
Jul 28 - VS584 Anson C19 RAF, G-AHJD Bristol 170/31 Eagle
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Aug 13 - G-AOVB Britannia 312 BOAC (ILS runs)
Aug 17 - 4X-AGA Britannia 313 EL AL (ILS runs), AP-AJB DH104 Dove 2, WW440 Provost T1
Aug 21 - G-AMBE Anson 1 BKS
Aug 28 - G-ALMR DH104 Dove 1B English Electric
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Sep 14 - WG144 Balliol T2 RAF
Sep 20 - XK861 Pembroke C1, VP523 Anson C19 both RAF
Sep 21 - G-APCZ DH104 Dove  2
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Oct 18 - G-ALXH Anson  1 BKS
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Nov 02 - WL481 Gloster Meteor T7  RAF
Nov 07 - 4X-AGC Britannia 313 EL AL (ILS run)
Nov 09 - GB+107 N2501 Noratlas WGAF,
Nov 09 - 1523 /B7 Grumman CS2F-1 Tracker Royal Candianian Navy, (This rare visitor was from the aircraft carrier HMCS Bonaventure)
Nov 10 - 1531 Beech C45F Royal Canadian AF, G-ANXA DH114 Heron 1B BEA
Nov 15 - VL352  Anson C19 RAF
Nov 30 - WW389 Provost T1 RAF, G-APBM DH89A Rapide

Canadian AF Tracker - photo Roy Kesterton

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Credit- to the "2R's" Roy & Roger

1958
****************************************************************************************************************************
Highlights of 1958- HZ-AAF& AAG DC4's Saudi, VT-DJA Viscount Air India, CF-CZD & CZX Britannia's,
4607 PV-2 Harpoon Portugease Navy o/f, N241V Viscount Continental, OH-LCI DC3, 0-50943 Douglas C47
***************************************************************************************************************************
Jan 03 - XE928 Vampire T11 RAF
Jan 25 - G-AOVG Britannia 312 BOAC (ILS runs)

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Mar 04 - G-AHTZ C30A Autogiro Rota Towels Ltd (crashed on airfield, turned over and burnt out, pilot killed)
Mar 09 - G-ANWM Bristol 170/32 Silver City
Mar 15 - XF912 Provost T1 RAF
Mar 16 - G-ANAT P44 Proctor 5
Mar 21 - WG223 Balliol T2 RAF
Mar 28 - G-AOVK Britannia 312 BOAC (ILS runs)
Mar 29 - VP974 DH104 Devon C1 RAF
Mar 30 - G-APDX V805 Viscount Eagle

Provost XF912 - photo Roy Kesterton

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Apr 06 - G-APDW V805 Viscount Eagle
Apr 10 - VL306 Anson C19 RAF
Apr 12 - G-AIVL V610 Viking 1B Eagle
Apr 14 - N241V V812 Viscount Continental (ILS run)
Apr 21 - XM296 DH114 Heron C4 RAF
Apr 22 - VL247 Valetta C1 RAF, PH-RAC Pa22 Tri-Pacer, G-AHIB Avro 19 Anson 1
Apr 23 - 53299 U-1A Otter US Army, G-AJCD V610 Viking 1B Eagle
Apr 29 - WG403 Chipmunk T10 RAF

Piper PA22 Tri Pacer PH-RAC - photo Roy Kesterton

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May 02 - PH830 Avro Anson C12 RAF
May 03 - G-AGRS V639 Viking 1 Eagle
May 08 - VT-DJA V768 Viscount IAC (ILS run)
May 09 - G-AHPB V639 Viking 1 Hunting Clan, G-AOUF DH104 Dove 6
May 10 - G-AMNX V635 Viking 1B Eagle
May 14 - OH-LCI DC3
May 15 - VM361 A. Anson C19 RAF
May 19 - G-AOVN B. BRritannia 312 BOAC ILS runs
May 22 - HZ-AAG DC4 Saudi Arabian A/L
May 25 - 0-23643 Douglas C47 USAF

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Jun 03 - OY-ADH Cessna 180
Jun 04 - WL795 A.Shackleton MR2 RAF, OO-JAC Beech 35 Bonanza
Jun 06 - PH-NIO Piper PA23 Apache, G-AHPG V614 Viking 1
Jun 07 - G-AIHA V610 VIiking 1B Eagle
Jun 13 - VV351 A. Anson C19 RAF
Jun 19 - WL734 BP, Sea Balliol T21 RN, G-APIR SA.Twin Pioneer 1
Jun 23 - CF-CZX B. Britannia 314 CPA ILS runs
Jun 28 - XF891 & XF565 P. Provost T1's RAF, 6383 L-20A Beaver US Army (60383)
Jun 28 - CF-CZD B. Britannia 314 CPA ILS runs

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Jul 02 - 4607 PV-2 Harpoon Portugease Navy, flew low across the airfield heading North to Prestwick.
Jul 21 - MM26009 C-119G Packet (46-34) Italian A.F
Jul 23 - G-AOVP B. Britannia 312 BOAC ILS runs, G-ANVU Dove 1B
Jul 25 - G-AOZW Dove 1B, G-AJBW V629 Viking 1B

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Aug 10 - G-AJFR V627 Viking 1B Tradair
Aug 12 - TX159 A. Anson C12 RAF,WM741 P. Sea Prince T1 Royal Navy
Aug 13 - No.250 MD312 Flament French A.F, G-AHOY V639 Viking 1Pegasus
Aug 16 - WV681 P. Provost T1 RAF, G-AINL Bristol 170/31 Dan Air
Aug 19 - G-AOVR B. Britannia 312 BOAC ILS runs
Aug 20 - G-APMV DH114 Heron 2E Ferranti
Aug 26 - G-AJFS V627 Viking 1B Tradair
Aug 29 - G-APIN Douglas C54 Starways
Aug 30 - G-ALVF Dove 1Colledge of Aeronautics

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Sep 01 - 53302 U-1A Otter US Army
Sep 03 - HZ-AAF DC4, G-APEZ DC4 Starways
Sep 09 - G-AOVS B. Britannia 312 BOAC ILS runs
Sep 11 - EI-AKI PA23 Apache
Sep 12 - VM358 A. Anson C19 RAF
Sep 15 - 0-50516 Douglas C54D USAF
Sep 17 - G-ANCE B. Britannia 307 Air Charter ILS run
Sep 18 - MM26017 C-119G Packet (46-39) Italian A.F
Sep 19 - WN153 BP. Balloil T2 RAF
Sep 23 - OO-DAL Dove 2
Sep 26 - WJ350 P. Sea Prince C2 Royal Navy
Sep 27 - G-AHOZ V614 Viking 1

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Oct 13 - 0-50943 Douglas C47 USAF
Oct 15 - G-APNA B.Britannia 317 Hunting ILS runs
Oct 29 - SE-CFD Curtiss C46 Fred Olsen

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Nov 14 - G-APNB B. Britannia 317 Hunting ILS runs

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Dec 08 - G-APPE B. Britannia 252 ILS runs
Dec 19 - EI-AKB F27 Aer Lingus, G-AOVT B. BRritannia 312 BOAC ILS runs
Dec 21 - HB-GOB A.Commander 560
Dec 21 - N5179H Piper PA-18A Cherokee, VP968 DH Devon C1

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Credit- to the "2R's" Roy & Roger

1959
****************************************************************************************************************************
Highlights of 1959-9G-AAC DC3 Ghana A/W, CU-P669 & 671 Britannia's Cubana, F-OBDP Bristol 170,
4R-ACI DC3 Air Ceylon, 40514 RB-66B Destroyer USAF, CR-IAC Viking TAIP, YA-AAC DC3 Ariana.
***************************************************************************************************************************
Jan 04 - XF904 Provost T1 RAF
Jan 10 - WD196 Valetta C1 RAF
Jan 23 - CU-P669 Britannia 318 Cubana (ILS runs)
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Feb 01- G-APOO V621 Viking 2 Tradair
Feb 22 - YA-BAH DC4 Ariana
Feb 26 - YA-AAC DC3 Ariana

Ariana DC$ YA-BAH - photo Will Blunt

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Mar 04 - G-ANWL Bristol 170/32 Silver City, MM26000 / 46-3 C-119G Packet Italian AF
Mar 04 - 6406 U-6A Beaver (60406) US Army
Mar 06 - 9G-AAC DC3 Ghana Airways, WJ531 Anson T22
Mar 20 - YA-AAD DC3 Ariana
Mar 25 - G-APRL AW650 Argosy, TX186 Anson C12 RAF

Ghana Airways DC3 9G-AAC - photo Mick Coy

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Apr 19 - G-AIPA Avro 19 Anson 1
Apr 21 - VM369 A.Anson C19 RAF
Apr 23 - G-ALEC Dove
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May 04 - VM330 A.Anson C19 RAF
May 06 - EI-AKP Piper PA22 Tri-Pacer
May 10 - G-APRN AW650 Argosy, XF550 P. Provost T1 RAF
May 14 - VM375 A.Anson C19 RAF
May 15 - G-AOYD Dove 2
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Jun 05 - WP914 DH Chipmunk T10 RAF
Jun 15 - CP24/OT-CBD C-119G Packet Belgium A.F
Jun2 1 - XJ727 W. Whirlwind HAR2 RAF
Jun 24 - WG422 DH Chipmunk T10 RAF
Jun 28 - VS568 A. Anson C19 RAF
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Jul 02 - CU-P671 B. Britannia 318 Cubana ILS runs
Jul 08 - F-OBDP Bristol 170/31
Jul 09 - 9G-AAD DC3 Ghana A/W to Wymeswold
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Aug 12 - XF692 P. Provost T1 RAF
Aug 14 - F-OBDR Bristol 170/31
Aug 15 - HZ-AAI DC4 Saudi Arabian A/L
Aug 17 - HZ-AAW DC4 Saudi Arabian A/L
Aug 18 - CR-IAC V.VIiking 1B TAIP
Aug 25 - VM365 A.Anson C19 RAF
Aug 26 - WF787 G Meteor T7 RAF
Aug 28 - EI-AKV Piper PA24 Comanche

Meteor WF787 photo David Miller

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Sep 05 - VV295 A. Anson C19 RAF,PH558 A. Anson C19 RAF
Sep 07 - XK897 DH.Sea Devon C20 RN
Sep 11 - VP955 DH Devon C1 RAF
Sep 12 - WL108 G.Meteor F8 RAF
Sep 24 - 40514 RB-66B Destroyer USAF low run
Sep 25 - GA+396 Piaggio P149D 047 WGAF
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Oct 03 - G-APUC DC3 Air Links
Oct 09 - OO-EEN V610 Viking 1B Aviameer A/L
Oct 11 - AS+456 Piaggio P149D 305 WGAF
Oct 12 - CF-CPD B. Britannia 324 CPA ILS runs
Oct 18 - G-APUO F8L Falco
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Nov 29 - 6397 U-6A Beaver (60397) US. Army
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Dec 24 - 4R-ACI DC3 Air Ceylon
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Credit-to the "2R's" Roy & Roger

1960
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Highlights of 1960-N30042 DC4 Lufthansa, 9G-AAE DC3 Ghana Airways, D-ANUR Viscount Lufthansa,
F-OBDX N2501 Noratlas 148 Air Algerie, G-APOM DC-6A Eagle, LX-IOA DC4 Interocean Airways.
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Jan 16 - G-APPH Twin Pioneer 1, F-OBDX N2501 Noratlas 148 Air Algerie
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Feb 04 - WB531 Devon C1 RAF
Feb 19 - G-ANPV DH114 Heron 2D
Feb 29 - PH-LLG Constelation KLM

KLM Constelation PH-LLG operating a football charter - photo David Miller

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Mar 05 - 0-49051 Douglas C54 USAF, G-AMSF DC3 Don Everall Aviation (crashed taking off on runway 15,              skidded across the grass and stopped just short of hangar3, thankfully no injuries)
Mar 19 - G-AIFO  Brisol 170/21, XF874 Provost T1 RAF
Mar 20 - N7307E Cessna 210D
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Apr 02 - Open day organised on behalf of Birmingham City Council.
             XH116/Y Beverley RAF
             XJ775/69 Vampire T11 RAF
             WJ918 Varsity T1 RAF
             XM415 Jet Provost T3 RAF
             WH907 Canberra B6 RAF
             WN353/504VL Gannet AS1 Royal Navy
             WV198 Whirlwind HAS22 Royal Navy
             G-APUZ & G-APZG Piper Pa24 Comanche's
             G-APTE WB1 Widgeon (pleasure flights)
             G-AMAM DH89A Rapide

Vampire XJ775 at the Elmdon open day - photo Roy Kesterton

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Apr 06 - G-APYY Britannia 318 Eagle (ILS run)
Apr 15 - G-AMGH V635 Viking 1B
Apr 16 - G-AHPE V614 Viking 1, G-AJBX V610 Viking 1B Maitland Drewery
Apr 25 - D-ANUR Viscount 814D Lufthansa
Apr 30 - G-APVD WB1 Widgeon
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May 08 - EI-ALN Auster J/5L
May 18 - G-APSA DC-6A Eagle
May 26 - G-APOM DC-6A Eagle, G-AOZD WB1 Widgeon Bristow
N5527A Lockheed 18 Lodestar (prototype aircraft ex-G-AJEW
(Piloted by Mr.Karl Knight it flew to Prestwick for overhall by Scottish Aviation, after being re-engined in Paris with P/W Hornet engines and stored in Rome for nine years)

British Eagle DC6 G-APOM - photo Terry Lee

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Jun 02 - F-BJLD Cessna 210
Jun 04 - OK-NHF Super Aero 145
Jun 07 - WK572 Chipmunk T10 RAF
Jun 22 - G-AOFZ DC3 Derby Aviation
Jun 26 - G-AIWC DC3 Silver City

Derby Aviation DC3 G-AOFZ - photo David Miller

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Jul 10 - AS+453 Piaggeo P149D WGAF, HB-ECG Beech 35 Bonanza
Jul 17 - I-TONY DH104 Dove 6
Jul 19 - G-AKTU V634 Viking 1B Airwork
Jul 22 - D-IBAD Piper Pa27 Aztec
Jul 26 - G-APYP Piaggio P166 K McAlpine
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Aug 22 - 9G-AAE DC3 Ghana Airways

Ghana Airways DC3 9G-AAE - photo Will Blunt

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Sep 02 - PH845 Anson C19 RAF
Sep 03 - N6685N DC4 Riddle
Sep 19 - G-APTT DC4 Trans Arabian Airways
Sep 21 - D-IEHE Beech D50 Twin Bonanza, G-ARBC Cessna 310D

Trans Arabian DC4 G-APTT - photo Terry Lee

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Oct 01 - G-AREP DC6B Fields
Oct 24 - XH375 DH114 Heron C2 RAF
Oct 27 - N590 Aero Commander 560
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Nov 01 - D-GARY Piper Pa23 Apache
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Dec 01 - LX-IOA DC4 Interocean Airways
Dec 06 - GB+106 N2501 Noratlas WGAF
Dec 27 - N30042 DC4 Lufthansa (Leased)
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Credit- to the "2R's" Roy & Roger

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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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