Gatwick in the '70s slide scans

[andygolfer]

a few slide scans from Gatwick , first 2 in 1972 and the other 3 from 1976, amazing how the place has changed, Aztecs parked where the satellite stands, used to walk right round there and it was only a low fence

Aviaco Caravelle EC-BIC, this crashed a year later
LGW Caravelle EC-BIC Aviaco (wo 13-8-73) by sickbag_andy, on Flickr

LGW 1972,1 by sickbag_andy, on Flickr

some old classics
LGW 1976 airliners general by sickbag_andy, on Flickr

remember Laker airways:
LGW 1976 airliners Laker DC10 by sickbag_andy, on Flickr

and how about Aviogenex Tu 134s?
LGW 1976 Dan Air BAC111 & Aviogenex Tu134 by sickbag_andy, on Flickr

hope it brings back some memories

[garryrussell]

Thanks for those

Were Delta regular then??

Also the Aviaco seems an odd livery?

[PorkScratching]

Wow, the Aviaco Caravelle is a peach.

[andygolfer]

Thanks for those

Were Delta regular then??

Also the Aviaco seems an odd livery?

Delta operated a few flights to LHR but then I believe they moved to LGW and did several daily flights there for a long time

that was the old Aviaco scheme from memory, they changed it to the blue one which I never liked as much

[garryrussell]

Thanks Andy

[Sussex to Devon]

Hi,

That brought back memories.

[marpleman]

Brilliant Andy!!

Look at those Comets on the remote stand, and if I'm not mistaken, a couple of Laker 707's on the other side of the pier in the "Skytrain" shot?

Is that a Capitol DC-8 behind the DC-10?

Really enjoying these retro threads you've posted!

Regards

Rich

[condor]

Thanks for the memories , in 1973 we were flying in and out in light twins ; practicing for our Instrument Ratings . You could not do that now .

rgds condor .

[Bob UK]

In the Aviogenex shot, I remember camping in the field just above where the fuel bowsers are, came down to LGW on my motorcycle & did Redhill & Biggin on the way home......... CP Air, Canadian AF Herc's, assorted Russians, Jetstars, Jet Commanders... never knowing what was going to turn up next.. yep, thanks for the memories.

[andygolfer]

you'd pay a lot to stay in that area overnight nowadays Bob, there's a plush hotel around there now - how times change.

It was interesting in those days before we had FR24 and computers, never knew what would turn up as there was no way of finding out. In some ways that made it more fun because being there just by chance at the right time was far more satisfying.

[marpleman]

It was interesting in those days before we had FR24 and computers, never knew what would turn up as there was no way of finding out. In some ways that made it more fun because being there just by chance at the right time was far more satisfying.

I can remember discussing with fellow spotters back in the early 80's how brilliant it would be to be able to just look up at flyovers etc and know the registration. We laughed about it back then! How times change.

I agree though, that most of the magic has been taken out of the hobby. Relying on rumours etc and driving down to Heathrow overnight, stopping off at Luton and Northolt not having a clue what, if anything would be there, and then spending all day on the Queen's Building focusing on the line of lights on approach trying to be the first to recognise what is was!
I even bunked off school on afternoon, along with a couple of mates to go and sit on Werneth Low that overlooked the approach to "24" at Manchester, purely on a rumour that an Air France 747 was due in on a charter flight. Of course it never showed, but how were we to know!!

Brilliant memories of a great era

Rich