"from logs to blogs" - Elmdon over the years

1986
****************************************************************************************************************************
Highlights of 1986- 9Q-CTD Trident, G-BJZE DC10 Cal Air, VR-HII/HIJ B747CPX, ZS-SAO B747 SAA
C/P-65020 & C/P-65783 TU134, PH-MBT DC10 MPH, 4X-ATY B707 ELAL, 5N-AYK, HZ-KA5 HS125's

****************************************************************************************************************************

Jan 01 - CS-TBL B707 TAP

Jan 02 - EI-BEL SH360, G-BMAA DC9 div EMA, 9Q-CTD Trident

Jan 03 - XW790 HS125, F-GBYD B737

Jan 06 - N9240Y PA31T, G-BEZB HP7

Jan 07 - F-GCCB C310

Jan 08 - G-BFLL HS748

Jan 15 - XV191 C130, F-GDFF BE20, G-OMCL C500, G-SALV BE90 N125G HS125, LN-KCG BE90

Jan 16 - F-BVRS BE90, PH-SMS PA34

Jan 19 - G-BHLC BE20

Jan 21 - G-APIM VC8 div NEW, G-LATC E110 div ABZ, G-BKHI J31 div INV, G-BEJD HS748 div, D-COMM BE20

Jan 23 - G-OSAL C421, F-GDAL PA31T, OE-GCS FA20, OY-TON PA31

Jan 24 - G-SEBE LJ35

Jan 27 - G-OHTL S76

Jan 28 - SE-FNZ BE65, D-IBAH BE20,XX491 Jetstream, XW304 Jet Provost, G-BDTP BN3, D-CONI Jetstream

Jan 30 - XX495 Jestream RAF

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Feb 02 - EI-BRY C210

Feb 03 - F-BTCR BE55

Feb 04 - F-BVPK SN601, PH-MBZ DC9 Martinair

Feb 05 - OO-TEL B733 TEA, OO-JPJ PA34, G-GENE C500, HB-IAE FA50

Feb 06 - XX494 Jetstream RAF, HB-VFB LJ35, G-BGMC DHC6

Feb 07 - N131WT FA50, D-CHIC LJ35

Feb 11 - F-GDAV LJ35, OY-ARJ C414

Feb 14 - EC-CLD DC9 Aviaco, D-IBAH BE20, XV203 C130 RAF, G-BISU Bristol 170

Feb 18 - HB-VGP C550, D-IDRB BE20

Feb 19 - XS790 Andover RAF

Feb 20 - D-IATH C414, PH-ABD PA31

Feb 21 - G-BIZZ C500

Feb 23 - CS-TBM B707 TAP, G-ESSX PA28

Feb 24 - OY-BTR BE20, F-BPJH B727 Air France, D-IHVI PA31T, G-YMRU B1-11 Cymru

Feb 25 - OY-BZN C414, G-SALV BE90,F-GBYH B737 Air France, XV221 C130

Feb 27 - D-IKES BE90, OY-BTR BE20, D-ILLI BE60, G-JANE C340, PH-EGC PA34, G-KFIT BE90

Feb 28 - F-BXJC RC690

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mar 03 - EI-BPS PA39

Mar 04 - OY-BSO C340, G-DJHB BE23, G-JVMR P68, G-RANY C421

Mar 05 - F-GESC BE20, G-BRUM C150

Mar 06 - XX232 HAWK ,D-IBPE BE20

Mar 07 - G-AOYL VC8, G-OJCB B206

Mar 08 - EC-BIQ DC9

Mar 11 - EI-BED B747 EIN, F-BVRS BE90, SE-DEK FA10

Mar 12 - PH-WCU PA28, EI-BED B747, G-BRAL Gulfstream 1

Mar 13 - HB-IAE FA50

Mar 14 - OY-PRW P68

Mar 17 - ZS-SAO B747 div LHR, D-AICM A300 div LHR, VR-HII B747 div LGW, G-AWWX B1-11 div LGW

Mar 17 - HB-LCE C310, G-MARC AS50, D-ILEW PA23, EI-BDP C182, 71 Xingu Fr AF

Mar 18 - OY-BVL BE20

Mar 19 - OO-MCA PA32, OO-DTC FH227, D-IEXB BE99, EI-BOE TB10, EI-BDP C182, EI-BRO C152, SE-FNY BE60

Mar 20 - F-BTCR BE55, XV184 C130

Mar 21 - D-INKA C441, PH-MCA A310, PT-SIH E120 DLT

Mar 23 - EC-BYH DC9

Mar 25 - XV297 C130

Mar 26 - PH-DLM PA34, EI-AVC C337

Mar 27 - XV186 C130, XV187 C130, XV205 C130

Mar 28 - G-BAPF VC8, G-AZNA VC8, G-BMAT VC8

Mar 31 - D-ABFS B737, F-GBYE B737, HB-IFH DC9, D-CCHB LJ35, F-BXSL BE90, G-BKYN B737

Minerve Caravelle F-GALZ - photo Terry Lee

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Apr 02 - XX372, XX370 Gazelle's AAC, D-ABMD B737 Lufthansa, G-AOHT Viscount BAW

Apr 03 - D-ABHS B737 Lufthansa, N131WT FA50, G-AZNA Viscount BMA, EI-BIC C172

Apr 05 - N4NR Gulfstream 2, N1039 Gulfstream 2, HB-VHY FA20, 5N-AYK HS125, N228G B727, HZ-KA5 HS125

Apr 06 - D-ABHU B737 Lufthansa

Apr 07 - SE-EXW BE58, HB-IDO DC9 Swissair, DABHB B737 Lufthansa, G-HIRE GA7

Apr 09 - G-REXY BE90, G-TWOB BN2A, G-JETE C500, SE-DES C550, OO-FLH PA32, OO-RWG C402

Apr 09 - N9347E C172, D-ABHW B737 Lufthansa, HB-ISW DC9, N533 W WIND

Apr 10 - G-MAGY AS55, G-ONTA H500, D-ABLE F27 DLT, G-BSAN Gulfstream 3, D-ABHC B737 Lufthansa

Apr 11 - D-ABFY B737 Lufthansa
Apr 12 - D-ABHH B737 Lufthansa, EC-BQY DC9/EC-BIK DC9 Aviaco, YU-AJA TU134 Aviogenex

Apr 13 - VR-HIJ B747 Cathay LGW div, EC-CGN DC9 Aviaco, D-ABHS B737 Lufthansa LHR div,
Apr 13 - D-ABHW B737 Lufthansa, HB-IFU DC9 Swissair, N2729Y C421, G-BMAH, G-BMAG DC9's BMA

Apr 14 - D-ABHF B737 Lufthansa

Apr 15 - D-ABFL B737 Lufthansa

Apr 16 - F-GEBH PA31T, D-ABFU B737 Lufthansa, G-CNIS P68

Apr 17 - PH-ILH BE20, G-HAMA BE20, G-CEAS Herald, F-GBYH B737, DABKQ B727, G-5-002 BA146

Apr 18 - D-ABFB B737 Lufthansa

Apr 19 - HB-ISU DC9 Swissair

Apr 20 - EC-CLD DC9 Aviaco, OY-BJR PA23, D-ABHA B737 Lufthansa, OY-STD SE210 Sterling, CS-TBL B707 TAP

Apr 21 -OY-BLG LJ35, OO-BVT AA5, OO-FLE PA34, LN-SUD B737 Braathens , D-CONU JS31, D-CCCA LJ35

Apr 21 - OY-BVL BE20, XV179 C130, OO-JPN METRO, OO-NAN C441, I-CMUT FA20, OO-SBT B737

Apr 21 - OY-BJR PA23, D-IESE PA31, F-BTYL BE35, D-ABFC B737 Lufthansa

Apr 23 - HB-VGG HS 125, OO-PEN C303, SE-GVZ PA31, SE-IDB PA28, F-GBQJ C182, D-IFDK C421, OY-BJR PA23

Apr 23 - D-CCCA LJ35, D-IADH RC690, F-BMKS SE210, F-BPJS B727 Air France,OY-STM SE210
Apr 24 - ZA368 Tornado, LN-SUS B737 BRA, OY-SUI C421, D-IASA BE55, ZA401 Tornado, PH-MCA A310 MPH
Apr 25 - PT-SIJ E120, XV197 C130, XS643 Andover, OY-STI SE210 NB, OY-DZW BE95
Apr 27 - 0-21714 UH1H US Army,
Apr 29 - VR-CLA FA10, PH-KJG JS31

Air Chater Caravelle F-GDFY - photo Terry lee

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
May 01 - EC-DVC DC8, YU-AHW DC-9, CS-TBY B727
May 04 - YU-ANN B1-11
May 07 - N1FE CL60, YR-BCR B1-11
May 08 - CS-TBA B707 TAP, G-BGBC L1011, C-GXRA B747, OO-PLH B737 diversions, EC-CZE DC-8
May 09 - N533 WW1124, XS641 Andover

WW1124 N533 parked on the new terminal - photo Kevin Farley

May 11 - YU-ANM B1-11, N4641U C172 Floatplan

May 12 - TF-ISB DC8, OO-PEN C303, F-GBRD BE90, G-BIEZ BE90
May 13 - OY-BTR BE20, SE-GIP PA34, C-FNHN Cataline o/s
May 15 - N110M CL60, D-IATC C500, SE-DDE C500, OE-INA C500, EC-DVC DC8, OO-FRT AC700
May 18 - D-ILHA & D-ILHD BE90 DLH, YU-AGI B707 JAT, TF-ISB DC8 Eagle Air

Eagle Air DC8 TF-ISB - photo John Banbrook

May 21 - SE-IOF BE55, G-MRFB H25B
May 24 - D-CFVG LJ
May 28 - G-REXY BE80, G-REXP BE80, G-DORE PN68, G-CHIS PN68
May 29 - EC-DVB DC8
May 30 - EC-DZH B737

Spantax DC8's operated regular charters f/t the Med - photo John Banbrook

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jun 01 - OO-PLH B737
Jun 02 - G-PAMI AS55, G-BUZZ B206, G-BYSE B206, N2998 GLF2
Jun 05 - PH-KID PA31, D-IMAR PA31, PH-ARW PA28, G-RNCO AC95, D-IEEA PA31T
Jun 09 - I-FLYC LJ, G-GAYL LJ35, D-IESG BE60, OO-TEF A300 TEA, XV806 VC10, PM-MBT DC10
Jun 10 - C/P-65042 TU134 AFL

Aeroflot TU134 CCCP-65042 - photo John Banbrook

Jun 11 - F-BXJC AC90, OO-TEL B737 TEA
Jun 14 - YU-AGI B707 JAT, C-FDJC B747 Wardair
Jun 18 - F-GDLR FA10, N9240Y PA31P, G-GAYL LJ35
Jun 23 - N20G CL60, I-CMUT FA20, N131WT FA50, XV187 C130
Jun 25 - N187AT L1011 AMT, G-BEJM B1-11, G-BMFT HS748

AMT L1011 N187AT operating a charter flight - photo John Banbrook

Jun 26 - OO-CVL MU-2, OY-CGO C500, LN-AAD C550, G-OAFB BE20
Jun 29 - C/P-65781 TU134
Jun 30 - I-ERDN FA50, F-GCVR DHC6, TF-ISA DC-8

Aeroflot TU134 CCCP-65781 - photo John Banbrook

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jul 01 - F-GDLA MU-2
Jul 02 - F-GAOT F27, PH-ALA PA31T, D-ILPC BE20
Jul 03 - PH-JDV PA42, XX500 JS31, XV187 C130 RAF
Jul 04 - EI-BEK SH60, G-UBSH B300, EI-BPS PA30
Jul 11 - C-FAAL CL60, G-BGMO HS748, G-MOTE C421

CL60 C-FAAL - photo Terry Lee

Jul 13 - C/P- 65020 TU134

Jul 15 - EC-DXV B732 Spantax, G-BAZI B732 Air Cymru Bristol diversions, G-PROC B737, EC-DZB B737

Jul 16 - N189AT L1011 Air Transair, PH-KFI F27 NLM, G-APES Vanguard Air Bridge Carriers
Jul 18 - PH-CTC C500, G-BLSY B222, N15SC LJ35
Jul 19 - I-EJIA LJ, LZ-BTO TU54 LAZ
Jul 23 - 4X-ATY B707 ELAL, N188AT L1011 AMT
Jul 24 - I-CIGB C500, SE-GNA PA31, OO-BOS C414
Jul 25 - G-MALN BN2A

Air Bridge Vanguard G-APES - photo Terry Lee

Worldways DC8 C-FCPQ - photo John Banbrook

Aug 13 - XS235 Comet
Aug 16 - N296BB LJ, ZA149 VC10
Aug 20 - HB-LOZ PA31T, D-IBUR Do28, OO-LFA LJ
Aug 22 - D-ILHA & D-ILHB BE90 DLH, 65/116-LB Paris Fr AF
Aug 24 - C/P-65783 TU134, F-GCVR DHC6
Aug 25 - XX304, 253, 227, 260, 252, 297, 266, 306, 259, 264 Hawk's (Red Arrows)

The Red Arrows operating at a local airshow - photo John Banbrook

Aug 29 - OY-BVC BE20, XZ997 Jaguar
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sep 01 - N802CC G159, XV183 C130, SE-GNP PA28
Sep 02 - OY-SUJM C500, OO-NAN C441, OY-BTR BE20, PH-SNJ PA34
Sep 03 - OY-CCA B100, G-BMVY BE20, G-BLEC BN2A, G-IBCA BE20
Sep 04 - F-GCLA E110, OY-BPK SW3, ZE704 L1011
Sep 07 - C/P-65872 TU134, PH-SFA F27, EI-BMF Falco, G-HGPC BN2A
Sep 08 - ZF534 EUFI o/s, PH-AHD B727 AHD, CS-TEL B737, D-BAKI F27 WDL, D-AICH A310 DLH

Lufthans A300 D-AICH replaced the normal B737 - photo John Banbrook

Sep 09 - G-BFFJ S61, F-BVPN FA20, F-BTML FA20
Sep 10 - HB-VEM LJ, PH-MCB A310 MPH, HB-INR DC-9 Balair
Sep 11 - OY-SBR SN601, I-FRTL MU-2, OO-TYC B707, HB-ICQ SE10, N296BS LJ

TEA B707 OO-TYC about to depart BHX - photo Simon Butler

Sep 12 - N524AC B1-11, F-GENR TB10, XS492 JS32
Sep 13 - C-GIFE L1011
Sep 14 - F-BVGB A300 AFR, F-BXPY BE90
Sep 17 - F-GBEC A300 AFR
Sep 18 - VR-BJH L1329, ZE700 B146 RAF, XV732 Wessex
Sep 21 - C/P-65697 TU134 AFL

Aeroflot TU134 CCCP-65697 - photo John Banbrook

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oct 06 - OY-BHY MU-2
Oct 08 - YU-ANO DC-9, XP769 Beaver AC, G-NUIG BE90
Oct 10 - EC-DUE SN601, G-OJSY SH60 JEA
Oct 15 - D-IBAH BE20, D-CCMB FA20, D-IBAF BE20
Oct 17 - OH-LNF DC-9 KarAir, 51 FA50 Fr AF
Oct 22 - G-BJZE DC10 Cal Air, I-CUVI BE20, PH-KJD, PH-KJG JS31 Netherlines
Oct 22 - PH-SFA F27 Schreiner, PH-VCM C421
Oct 28 - I-ALBS C500

C500 I-ALBS parked on to new terminal - photo Kevin Farley

Oct 31 - I-EDIS FA20, F-GCMS LJ, D-IAAO C441

BEA G159 N802CC - photo John Banbrook

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nov 01 - EI-BSE & EI-BSF HS748 RYR, XV102, XV106, XV108 VC10's RAF
Nov 03 - D-IFIE BE60, G-BEDZ BN2A, G-DEMO BN2A, VR-BJI L1329
Nov 05 - PH-MCB A310 MPH
Nov 10 - SE-ICS PA31, OO-AUD C310, OO-EJM PA31
Nov 13 - HB-VIC C550, N283K FA50, G-OSEA BN2A
Nov 14 - N3DZ LJ
Nov 24 - B-03 BN2A BAF, OY-CGO C500, TF-ELT C425
Nov 27 - D-ABXD B737
Nov 28 - F-GFMD FA10
Nov 30 - OY-BDP PA23, G-BEBL DC10 & G-BHDH DC10 Caledonian diversions, G-BHSU H25B

Highland Express B747 G-HIHO operated to Ney York for a limited time - photo Simon Butler

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dec 01 - I-KESO C550, I-FLYB C500, D-IDLW C404, G-BEFP BN2A, I-EDIF FA20, SE-EXW BE55, F-BOXY BE36
Dec 02 - I-DECI C500, D-ILBI C421
Dec 03 - PH-SFB F27, PH-VDE C340, G-BKXK AS65, G-HHOI H25B, ZE700 B462 RAF, G-BHSU H25B
Dec 04 - OY-BDS FA20
Dec 07 - G-BRWN G159
Dec 08 - D-CEMA E120, I-CMUT FA20, OY-CIC AT42, HB-GHF BE20, F-BXJC AC90, G-BHYB SK76
Dec 10 - A6-SMH C550, D-ENRB BE36, G-RANY C441, G-DJBE C550, G-MRFB H25B
Dec 12 - OY-BEW C401, F-GFDJ BE90, G-ONOR C425
Dec 13 - I-FLYA C500
Dec 16 - F-GLJA C500, G-HBCA A109
Dec 17 - D-IOLT C303
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Credit Mick Farley

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

Blog Archive

Contributors