DC6 at Luton

[tomcat14]

Back in May 1980 (some 31 years ago!), when Luton Airport was very different to what it looks like now, DC6B N84AU turned up and parked on the grass area outside the Flying Club.The aircraft had been in Europe (Belgium) and had, I believe, been involved at one time in giving some joy flights. For some 2 weeks it remained at the airport, with work being carried out on it and the engines run. Then early one morning it flew away. Believed heading for Africa records show it had been withdrawn by 1989 and eventually scrapped at Lanseria in S. Africa. The cockpit still survives.

Anyway, here are some photos taken whilst it was at Luton.














A beautiful machine, although from what I remember when I was shown inside it was a bit spartan.


Paul

[Mike]

What a gorgeous-looking beast, brings back loads of old memories for me.

[EGVP]

Lovely shots or a very nice aircraft, the car-park hasn't changed much though! (I think a couple of those cars are still at the far end of it, too!)

[...]Believed heading for Africa records show it had been withdrawn by 1989 and eventually scrapped at Lanseria in S. Africa. The cockpit still survives.

Do you have any more info on this?

[StuBie]

A very nice aircraft indeed, cheers for sharing

Chris, this is all that was on the FAA N- register. I assume you want to know more about operators and locations on it's African trip?

Serial Number:43740
Manufacturer Name: DOUGLAS
Model: DC-6B
Mode S Code: 52676623
Cancel Date: 05/18/1989

Stu

[EGVP]

Thanks Stu, didn't even think to look at what the FAA said

But yes, the African bit is what I'm most interested in, as well as where the cockpit now resides. Only on my phone so I can't do a full search

[tomcat14]

This extract is taken from the DC6 Association of South Africa site.


N8223H National Airlines, delivered 8 November 1952
FB Ayer and Associates 29 March 1963
Northeast Airlines "623" leased 5 September 1963
FB Ayer and Associates returned 11 September 1967
Withdrawn from use and stored San Antonio, Texas
Bought by Arthur Stewart 20 December 1971
Sold to Gary Aircraft Corporation 12 March 1974
Sold to Air Djibouti as F-OCYJ in April 1974
To International Freight Airways as OO-IFA March 1977
Sold as N799TA to Atlas Aircraft Corporation 12 September 1978
Sold to Interocean Airways as 9J-AEP 22 November 1978
To Urban Drew as N84AU 10 August 1979
Sold to Shelia Sharman February 1982 and leased to Air Swaziland
Sold to Flying Enterprise Inc September 1986 - leased to Interocean Airways Mocambique
Withdrawn from use 18 May 1989 and scrapped at Lanseria Airport November 1990
Cockpit section to South African Airways Museum Society. On loan to SAA Technical Paint Shop

Paul