"from logs to blogs" - Elmdon over the years

1977
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Highlights of 1977-9G-ACE Britannia Gemair, A4O-BU BAC 1-11, G-ASHZ Carvair BAF, EP-PAR FH227
C-FCPJ DC8 CPA, N887PA B707 PAA, SE-FOX Viscount Skyline, OY-SAH/STI Caravelle Sterling A/W
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Jan 02 - PH-DNZ DC9 KLM
Jan 05 - G-APSO Dove Fairflight, PH-BAB Navajo
Jan 06 - OY-BLG LEAR JET, PH-RDO C177
Jan 07 - XV271 Beaver AL.1
Jan 09 - N806CC Gulfstream 2
Jan 14 - XS793 Andover CC.2
Jan 16 - XS790 Andover CC.2, D-IDPA C337.
Jan 17 - 904 Navajo French Navy, XS794 Andover CC.2.
Jan 18 - D-IOGA Lear Jet
Jan 22 - OY-DVL Citation, OO-XYZ Seneca
Jan 30 - SE-DGA, SE-DGB F28 LF, SE-DBU DC9 SAS, LN-SUP, LN-SUS B737 BU STN diversions
Jan 30 - G-AWSY,AXNB B737 BY,G-AZFB B720 MON,OY-SAL,STG SE210 Sterling LTN diversions
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Feb 04 - I-EKET Falcon 20
Feb 07 - PH-DNG DC9 KLM
Feb 08 - XS793 Andover, XV733 Wessex , PH-MAT F28 Martinair
Feb 09 - F-BVEZ Lear Jet 24, PH-RPE C337, G-ASVO Herald BAF Brawdy diversion
Feb 15 - I-DIXE DC9 AZ LHR diversion
Feb 17 - G-ARGR Viscount Alidair
Feb 19 - XP346 Whirlwind HAR.10, G-BDIX Comet Dan Air
Feb 22 - F-BTQK Lear Jet 23
Feb 26 - D-CCHB Lear Jet Coventry diversion
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Mar 03 - F-BIHY Falcon 20
Mar 07 - 9G-ACE Britannia Gemair LTN diversion
Mar 09 - G-AROI DOVE Fairflight, G-AMPY Dakota Intra EMA diversion, 51+14 C160D WGAF
Mar 10 - G-BEJD HS748 Dan Air, EC-CCY Citation also 11/3
Mar 13 - HB-VDM Citation , OH-CHL C402, SE-EPA Comanche
Mar 14 - SE-FOX VIiscount 814 Skyline also 16/3, HB-GDU King Air, D-ICCA Citation, SE-GIC Seneca
Mar 14 - D-IAMU C421
Mar 15 - PH-TVD B737 Transavia, G-ANXB Heron Peters Aviation
Mar 15 - EI-BAA Britannia Aer Turas Coventry diversion, SE-GRP Beech 200, G-ATMJ HS748
Mar 15 - F-BUTJ Cherokee,PH-VIP Seneca,XW750 HS748, D-INGE C421, HB-VDA Citation
Mar 16 - SE-DAL DC9-41 SA, G-APSO Dove Fairflight, D-IGAD Aero Commander 690
Mar 16 - N806CC Gulfstream 2, F-BPIA Baron, , G-AZVS HS125, G-AWMS HS125, G-AYLG HS125.
Mar 17 - F-BJTG SE210 Air Charter International, PH-MAR DC9 Martinair, PH-CAT C182
Mar 17 - EI-ANG 1-11, EI-ASC, ASF, ASL B737's Aer Lingus, OY-DLM MU-2, OO-AWA Beech 80 Queen Air
Mar 18 - PH-MAO DC9 MP, EI-ASC,ASF,ASH B737 Aer Lingus
Mar 21 - LN-SUA B737 BU,G-ANXA Heron Peters Aviation
Mar 22 - D-IBMD Merlin
Mar 24 - XP299 Whirlwind, VP958Devon
Mar 25 - VP958 DH104 (RRR1808), N806CC Gulf 2
Mar 28 - OY-SAH, OY-STI SE210 Sterling LTN iversions
Mar 30 - PH-NLR Queen Air, G-ATMJ HS748 CAA
Mar 31 - F-BKMC HS125, SE-FNV Beech 99 Baronair
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Apr 01 - XX507 HS125 (RRR1564) RAF, XR379 Alouette (AA379) AAC
Apr 02 - G-MFEU HS125
Apr 03 - XT250 Sioux (AA382) AAC, G-BDFE Herald BAF
Apr 06 - G-AVDX HS125 CAA, G-AVOI HS125
Apr 13 - 51+11 C160D (DCN2472) WGAF
Apr 20 - D-AHLP B727 Hapag Lloyd (HF638) - Bristol Diversion, G-ATAI DH104 Centrax Ltd
Apr 23 - G-APWE Herald BIA, G-AYOP BAC 1-11 BCAL
Apr 25 - G-BCWE Herald BAF also 27/4
Apr 26 - G-AYMG Herald BIA, G-BDFE Herald BAF, OY-ANP King Air, F-BVEC Lear Jet 24
Apr 30 - PH-MAT F28 Martinair, LN-SUE F27 Air Executive

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May 02 - OY-SAL SE210 Sterling
May 03 - PH-CAT C182, OY-DTW C340, F-BXSN Beech 90
May 04 - F-BPPM Beech 90, D-ILFS C310, G-AVXL HS125
May 05 - F-BXLZ Seneca, OO-AWA Queen Air, OO-DIL C210, N245 C337
May 06 - XV219 C130 RAF
May 09 - F-BTML Falcon 20 and 10/5, CS-02 HS748 Belgium A/F
May 10 - G-BECG B737 Britannia
May 11 - G-AWUF HS125 HB-GOZ Baron, G-AWYR BAC 1-11 BCAL
May 14 - XV306 C130 RAF
May 16 - F-BIHY Falcon 20, OY-ASH Beech 90, EI-BBR Islander, G-ATAI Dove, D-IMSM Citation
May 17 - PH-NAS Navajo, OO-WAZ BE99, OY-DHH Navajo
May 18 - XP789 Beaver
May 19 - G-DJBB Citation, G-AVDX HS125, OO-VKB Beech 36
May 20 - G-ANUW Dove, G-AYNR HS125, OO-FHD SIAI 205
May 21 - PH-NZG S61N KLM Helicopters
May 24 - G-BECH B737 Britannia , HB-GFS Aero Commander 690T , OY-AKA C402
May 27 - I-GIAZ Falcon 20, F-BVTC Navajo
May 29 - G-BEJE HS748 Dan Air
May 30 - G-AROI Dove Fairflight
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Jun 02 - CS-03 HS748 Belgium AF
Jun 03 - G-AWWL HS125 Jun 07 - EI-BCR B737 Aer Lingus
Jun 08 - 50+49 C160 WGAF (DCN2966)
Jun 11 - XJ350 DH104 Sea Devon Royal Navy
Jun 12 - G-ARGR Viscount Alidair, OH-PCX Cherokee
Jun 13 - EI-BBR Islander, PH-MVT C206, PH-ILY Falcon 20
Jun 14 - G-BDJE HS125-600B, OY-ATW Merlin 3
Jun 15 - 50+99 C160 WGAF (DCN2992),SE-GLB Cheyanne
Jun 17 - G-ASDC Carvair BAF, XW790 HS125 RAF, VP952 Devon
Jun 20 - 903 Navajo French Navy
Jun 21 - D-CONO Lear Jet 35 ,N805CC Gulfstream 2, F-BVPI Corvette
Jun 23 - F-BXXC Islander,SE-GIT Navajo
Jun 27 - CF-CPJ DC8 CP AIR, N894PA B707 Pan Am , OY-DLM MU-2
Jun 28 - OO-LFZ Lear Jet 25
Jun 29 - N75WC Gulfstream 2, G-BACI HS125
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Jul 01 - 71 Nord 262 French Air Force
Jul 03 - F-BXOG Viscount Europe Air Service
Jul 05 - N23G Lear Jet 36
Jul 10 - F-GAJD LEARJET 24,D-IOET Aero Commander 690A
Jul 13 - 51+15 C160D WGAF
Jul 16 - OE-IRA B707 Montana
Jul 18 - C-FCPJ DC8 CP Air
Jul 21 - HB-VBZ HS125
Jul 23 - G-AZNH Viscount Alidair,G-BEKF HS748 Dan Air
Jul 25 - OE-FDP Citation
Jul 29 - 5N-AEP Piper Pa31
Jul 30 - F-BVUY V753 Europe Aero Service, EP-PAR Fh227 Par Air
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Aug 03 - XV733 Wessex, G-BEOZ Argosy ABC
Aug 04 - LX-LGW B707 Luxair
Aug 05 - XW188 Scout
Aug 06 - EI-BBR BN2 Aer Arran - Cardiff Diversion, G-BEKC HS748 Dan Air
Aug 08 - CF-CPH DC8-43 CP Air
Aug 09 - N887PA B707 Pan Am
Aug 10 - 50+62 C160D WGAF, G-BEAF B707 Dan Air, PH-NZI S61N KLM
Aug 11 - XR637 Scout, PH-NZG S61N KLM, OY-ATS Beech 90, D-CAVW Sabre
Aug 12 - XR385 Alouette
Aug 14 - G-AZKM,AZNX,BCBA B720 Monarch LTN diversions
Aug 14 - G-APMB Comet Dan Air MAN Div, G-BDAN B727 Dan Air EMA Diversion, G-BEGZ B727 Dan Air
Aug 16 - G-AOYJ VC8 - Heathrow Diversion, G-AVOI HS125
Aug 17 - G-AZNX & G-BCBA B720's Monarch - Luton Diversions, G-BEBB Herald BAF
Aug 20 - G-BELS Twin Otter Loganair ,EI-ASO B707 Aer Lingus LHR diversion
Aug 21 - N101BG Lear Jet 35, G-ARYM Dove Aug 29 - C-FCPJ DC8 CP Air ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sep 01 - G-ASHZ Carvair BAF and 3/9, F-BXAS Astafan Commander
Sep 02 - F-BXAS, F-BSTM Astafan Commanders, OY-DVL Citation
Sep 05 - HB-VEZ, F-GSBU Falcon 20`s, I-COKE Citation, D-IMWU Navajo, G-ARGR Viscount Alidair
Sep 05 - A4O-BU BAC 1-11 BA/GF
Sep 09 - OH-LYB DC9 BMA also 18/9,25/9
Sep 10 - G-AMSM Dakota Skyways
Sep 11 - N805CC Gulfstream 2,EC-CAE SE210 Aviaco BRS diversion
Sep 13 - XX105 BAC 1-11 BLEU ,LX-FZB SF.260
Sep 14 - 50+86 C160 WGAF , G-APKW Heron Fairflight, also 15/9
Sep 15 - F-BOXV, F-BSTR Falcon20`s, OE-FPL Aztec, HB-GBX Baron, F-GAPS C421,LN-NPY Navajo
Sep 15 - D-ICKS RC690,D-INCC Citation, PH-CUP C310, F-BPJU B727 ACI
Sep 16 - F-BVJC RC112,D-EMWE Cherokee,D-EKHB Mooney 20, OO-SID Shrike Commander,
Sep 16 - D-IJOS C310, F-BVPD Corvette
Sep 17 - OY-PRT Aerostar, OY-BLW Seneca, D-ICKS RC690, LN-NPZ Navajo, D-IKHO C340, D-ILAC Seneca
Sep 17 - D-IKAM C340, F-GAPS C421, OO-MAP SF.260
Sep 18 - F-BRPQ C337, D-EMWE Cherokee, SE-GNY Cherokee, OY-AJV Citation
Sep 19 - OY-RPL C421, F-BPIA Baron, F-GAPS C421, PH-AST Navajo, OE-FCW BE100,
Sep 19 - I-GIAZ Falcon 20,OO-MRT RC690, LN-NPZ Navajo, D-ILKA BE90, CF-CPQ DC8 CP AIR
Sep 20 - OO-LFG C421, F-BSUP Aztec, OE-GMA LJ 35, F-BPIJ Cherokee, D-ILNO C310, D-ELXY C172
Sep 20 - D-IDDD LJ24,PH-DMN Seneca, OY-SAA SE210 Sterling, OO-JPI Metro EAT
Sep 21 - F-BVTB, F-GALZ BE90, D-IASG Cheyanne, D-IHEF C414, LX-NIT PUP, F-BXOL Beech 200
Sep 21 - OO-MRT RC690, LN-NPZ Navajo, PH-LUA C150, PH-PLY Lance, HB-DVI Mooney 20
Sep 21 - PH-TVH B737 Transavia , G-BEAF B707 Dan Air, OO-JPN Metro EAT
Sep 22 - D-IHVB Aero Commander 690, OO-LFE C340, PH-BOS Cherokee, F-BPIA Baron
Sep 23 - N523AC BAC 1-11, D-ICKS Aero Commander 690 Sep 27 - G-BEAF B707 Dan Air ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oct 01 - HB-VCI Lear Jet 24
Oct 02 - N5306M Merlin
Oct 03 - I-MORA Sabre 60, N2755A Aero Commander 690 ,F-BXLD Navajo
Oct 04 - G-BAZJ Herald BIA
Oct 05 - G-APBC Dakota Skyways
Oct 06 - I-GIAZ Falcon 20, VP958 Devon
Oct 07 - N23AG Lear Jet 36, OO-ABZ Beech 35
Oct 09 - SE-GLE Navajo
Oct 10 - D-IALS BE90, C-FCPJ DC8 CP AIR
Oct 11 - XV732 Wessex, D-IKOS C414, HB-VFD Lear Jet 36A, F-BTQB Navajo
Oct 12 - XS770 Basset, OO-KLO Boisavia B.601L Mercury
Oct 13 - N80MD Beech 90, F-BTCX Navajo, D-IKAL C340,D-IFIB Beech 90, G-APWF Herald BIA,
Oct 13 - G-BEYF Herald BAF, EI-BBR Islander AerArran, G-APFG B707 British Airtours , G-AWZG Trident 3
Oct 14 - XS792 Andover, OE-FVW C421
Oct 15 - OY-SAA Caravelle Sterling LTN diversion
Oct 16 - G-AWZF Trident 3 , G-AMPZ DC3 EMA diversion
Oct 17 - I-MORA SABRE 60
Oct 18 - EI-AWM, EI-BBR Islander Aer Arran
Oct 20 - OO-SNA Bech 100, D-IJET Cheyanne, G-BDRV Islander, G-BDIV COMET Dan Air LGW diversion
Oct 21 - F-BLKE Nord 262 , D-INWK Merlin, OO-LFA Lear Jet 23
Oct 23 - G-ASDC Carvair BAF
Oct 24 - OY-PRY P.68
Oct 25 - OE-LDD DC9 Austrian LHR diversion
Oct 27 - G-APWE Herald BIA
Oct 29 - G-APWH Herald BIA
Oct 30 - C-FCPL DC8 CP Air
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Nov 01 - G-AXXH Islander, VP957 Devon, N121AM Falcon 20, PH-MAX DC9 MP, EI-BBR Islander Aer Arran
Nov 02 - OO-TPN P.68B, D-IFLP Navajo, OY-PRY P.68B, G-BEOZ Argosy ABC EMAdiversion
Nov 03 - XP771 Beaver, F-GATR Beech 90, G-ASBG Herald BIA
Nov 06 - N15ST Hercules EMA diversion
Nov 07 - XW219 Puma
Nov 08 - N73M,N43M Gulfstream 2`s
Nov 09 - F-BSTS Queen Air, 50+59 C160 (DCN3805) , OY-CAA P.68B, G-AWYT BAC 1-11 BCAL
Nov 12 - G-BACI HS125 and 13/11
Nov 13 - G-BAPD Viscount BMA
Nov 15 - I-MORA Sabre 60
Nov 16 - OY-BUC Cessna 402
Nov 18 - OO-LFB Cessna 402, X S793 Andover, VP976 Devon, OE-FKH Cessna 414, G-ASHZ Carvair BAF
Nov 20 - D-IATS Aero Commander 690B, EI-AYN, EI-BCE Islanders Aer Arran
Nov 21 - F-BVPG Corvette
Nov 22 - F-BTDS C340, G-AWMS HS125, XS789 Andover, PH-LTX Cessna 402
Nov 22 - PH-TVH, PH-TVO B737 Transavia
Nov 23 - N226CC Lear Jet 36, G-AWYS BAC 1-11 BCAL, PH-MVT C206
Nov 24 - N2755A Aero Commander 685,N81547 Aero Commander 690,OO-GMA Seneca, D-IHWT Navajo
Nov 28 - PH-BAA Navajo and 29/11

Transavia B732 PH-TVH - photo John Banbrook

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Dec 01 - G-ASDC Carvair BAF, D-IBMD Merlin, SE-GKV C402
Dec 03 - CS-APZ Commander 500
Dec 04 - N101BG Lear Jet 36,also 6/12,7/12
Dec 06 - I-GJBO HS125, N121EU Falcon 20,G-ASNU,G-BACI HS125,OH-LSA SE210 Finnair
Dec 07 - D-ICED C340, F-BRUC Baron
Dec 10 - XV271 Beaver
Dec 12 - XP825 Beaver,I-BOGI HS125
Dec 13 - PH-ATV Twin Comanche, OO-DUK Baron
Dec 18 - N805CC Gulfstream 2

Diversions lined up on runway 06/24 - photo John Banbrook

Dec 19 - I-DEKT Falcon 20 AMS, D-ILUT Navajo , PH-SAT Beech 200 LTN div,
Dec 19 - G-AVVB, G-BCXF, G-AVAI HS125's LTN divs,G-BDIX , G-APYC Comet Dan AIr LGW divs,
Dec 19 - G-ASPL HS748 Dan Air LGW div, G-AYNR HS125 LGW div, G-AZLP Viscount BMA EMA div,
Dec 19 - G-AXNA, AXNB B737 BY LTN div, OE-LDH DC9 Austrian , SE-DAP, SE-DBM DC9 SAS,
Dec 19 - EI-ASF B737 Aer Lingus, HB-ISN, HB-ISU DC9 Swissair , G-BBAJ L1011 British Airways,
Dec 19 - G-AOYI, G-APEY, G-APEX Viscounts BEA,G-AXXZ B707 British Airways ,G-AVFE ,G-AWZK ,
Dec 19 - G-AWZV , G-AWZZ, G-AVFF ,G-AVFO ,G-AVFI ,G-AWZN ,G-AVFL Tridents ALL LHR diversions
Dec 29 - XS499 Wessex RN
Dec 30 - XT448 Wessex RN ,F-BHRI Caravelle Air France MAN diversion

Austrian DC9 OE-LDH diverted in from Heathrow, photo John Banbrook

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Credit Simon Neville

Introduction

"from logs to blogs"

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

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

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

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

The early years

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

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

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

The war and post war years

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

The 1950's

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

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

The 1960's - the jet age

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

The 1970's-The I.T revolution

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

The 1980's-the supersonic era

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

1996 EU Summit

EU Summit May 6th-7th

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

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

1996 European Championships

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

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

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

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

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

1998 G8 Meeting

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

1999 EUFA Cup Final

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

2002 Ryder Cup Golf

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

Birmingham's 70th Anniversary

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

Accidents and Incidents

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

Local Airfields

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

source:ForcesWarRecords.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Costs were high and operating precautions severe.

"from logs to blogs" - Elmdon over the years

Elmdon Building

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