Civilian Aviation

In my early working life my second job (the first was a trainee architectural assistant which I decided wasn't for me) was as a land surveyor which took me all over the country carrying out land surveys for road and motorway projects (I always remember what the M11 to A10 section of the M25 was like before the motorway was built as I surveyed that section - think of me next time you get stuck on it!), building and civil engineering developments and best of all from my point of view was in the autumn of 1972 when I was sent to Devon to survey Exeter airport for improvements to the taxiways and main runway and the terminal area, needless to say my camera was rarely far away and these are some of my photos from the time there. most are self explanatory so will only add notes where it adds to the story. Hope you like them....

The only regular operator at that time was BIA with it's Heralds and even then it was only 3 weekdays a week
G-APWG HP Herald BIA by sickbag_andy, on Flickr

the Lands End Aero Club's Rapide G-AIYR visited on one occasion, I managed to fly on it 42 years later when I did a pleasure flight at Duxford where it now resides
DH.88 G-AIYR Lands End Aero club by sickbag_andy, on Flickr

we skived off early for a pleasure flight in this one afternoon:
G-AXWF Ce172 by sickbag_andy, on Flickr

these Cherokees were from a flight training school from somewhere near Southhampton - the name escapes me, most days up to a dozen of these (and sometimes a twin or two) would arrive on cross country training sorties
Pa.28s G-AYAB & G-AVNU by sickbag_andy, on Flickr

civilian helicopters were rather rare:
G-AVVYX B206 jetranger by sickbag_andy, on Flickr

and military ones even rarer - I think this was the only one during my time there:
Royal Navy Wessex XT772 by sickbag_andy, on Flickr

on the fuel ramp - note the high tech fire appliance in the background!
G-AZMJ AA5 at fuel pumps by sickbag_andy, on Flickr

now a few more general ones, starting with a Beagle Pup for Mike;
G-AXNS B.Pup by sickbag_andy, on Flickr

G-AXBH Ce172 by sickbag_andy, on Flickr

G-AXDL Twin commanche by sickbag_andy, on Flickr

G-AXRW Twin commanche by sickbag_andy, on Flickr

G-AYII Pa28 by sickbag_andy, on Flickr

G-AZFJ Cessna 310 by sickbag_andy, on Flickr

G-AZMC Fournier by sickbag_andy, on Flickr

Cessna G-ATBK by sickbag_andy, on Flickr

there's a few more in my flickr album but nothing out of the ordinary.
C&C welcome, Andy

Mmmmmm.................lovely Pup.

The Cherokees were from the College of Air Training at Hamble, Andy.

They also had a fleet of Beech Barons and Chipmunks.

Mike wrote:Mmmmmm.................lovely Pup.

The Cherokees were from the College of Air Training at Hamble, Andy.

that's right , I couldn't remember the name of either

I've got a couple of other nice Pups on other sets to load up as I go through them - maybe we could have Beagle Pup topic for everybody to add to!
A few themed ones like that would be quite interesting to see what is lurking in peoples' photo collections

Thanks for these Andy.

Is the Wessex an Admirals Barge?

garryrussell wrote:Thanks for these Andy.

Is the Wessex an Admirals Barge?

i did a google and found this: Westland Wessex HU5 XT772, of 781 Sqn FAA based at Lea on Solent; used as an Admirals Barge hence the colour scheme and marking. Note the RN Ensigen on the nose. ( https://www.flickr.com/photos/toteavbod ... 557421775/ )

also this : XT772 was subsequently transferred to 707 NAS at Yeovilton and was kept in its 2-tone livery to be used as a VIP transport. It was universally known on the Squadron as "The Green Parrot".

BIA Herald!!! Now you're talking proper aeroplanes!!

Great set!

The Herald looks great in that livery. The Wessex is sublime.

Thanks for that

I thought the green of the Wessex made it an Admirals Barge. I used to see the green stripe Heron quite often, ex Royal Flight.

Super set of pictures. I recall spending days at Exeter with my father as we would holiday in Devon annually and there was always plenty to see there.

The BIA Herald G-APWG brings back great memories as I managed to eventually fly on a decent proportion of their fleet as BIA and Air UK. Many years later I played a part in the recovery and restoration of G-APWA.

A few themed threads; Airports, Airlines and Types would be great fun.

Cessna

Cessna954 wrote:Super set of pictures. I recall spending days at Exeter with my father as we would holiday in Devon annually and there was always plenty to see there.

The BIA Herald G-APWG brings back great memories as I managed to eventually fly on a decent proportion of their fleet as BIA and Air UK. Many years later I played a part in the recovery and restoration of G-APWA.

A few themed threads; Airports, Airlines and Types would be great fun.

Cessna

thanks Neil, I've started a themed thread on Beagle pups in the nostalgia section, any other ideas would be welcome or even just start one off if you have an idea

My first flight ever was on G-APWG in July 1968 just before British United went on strike from which they never fully recovered from.

Andy , thanks for the memories .The two Cherokees were indeed from CoAT , they appear to be still active on the British register . In the Autumn of '72 , I passed thro' Exeter a few times in similar a/c , whilst learning our trade . Sorry to say it was not in these two , but in sister ships .

rgds condor .

G-AYAB is stil in good nick , flying and based at Turweston . Saw her yesterday .

rgds condor .

condor wrote:Andy , thanks for the memories .The two Cherokees were indeed from CoAT , they appear to be still active on the British register . In the Autumn of '72 , I passed thro' Exeter a few times in similar a/c , whilst learning our trade . Sorry to say it was not in these two , but in sister ships .

rgds condor .

I wonder if I watched you land or depart? do you know any of the regs, I have one or two more on some of the other (not so good) slides - might have one of you in action!

Andy , phew just got old logbook out of attic .... Exeter in from Brissl and out to Hamble 11/9/72 in G-AVNW . In from Hamble out back to Hamble 28/9/72 in G-AXZF . Plus about 3 times as safety pilots for mates on our course [ these not logged ] .
Looking through our twin training on Beech Barons ; I did not pass through Exeter at all . I st solo on the Baron was at Weston Super Mare ; then mostly longer airways flights to practice for the Instrument Rating exam . Including Gatwick twice , Amsterdam , and Nice ! Couldn't do training flights there now .
Did pass over Exeter 3 times with the Baron ....... all at night . Practicing and then flying my Qualifying Night Cross Country . All in July '73 ; so they would have been very late so as to get full night in mid summer ! Apologies if we disturbed you !
Thanks for the memories ,
ATB

condor .