The Liat Lark

Former British Aerospace salesman Barry Lloyd recounts his rather arduous experience of selling 748 turboprops in the Caribbean.

LIAT took delivery of its second batch of 748s, including V2-LCQ (c/n 1800), after a protracted EEC competition.
BOB O’BRIEN COLLECTION

In 1981, British Aerospace (BAe) had its attention directed towards the Caribbean when Leeward Islands Air Transport (LIAT) unveiled plans to replace its fleet of Hawker Siddeley 748s. The carrier’s series -2A examples had given 16 years of good service, but relatively short inter-island sectors combined with the corrosive sea air had taken their toll on airframes and engines.

Become a Premium Member to Read More

This is a premium article and requires an active Key.Aero subscription to view.

I’m an existing member, sign me in!

I don’t have a subscription…

Enjoy the following subscriber only benefits:

  • Unlimited access to all KeyAero content
  • Exclusive in-depth articles and analysis, videos, quizzes added daily
  • A fully searchable archive – boasting hundreds of thousands of pieces of quality aviation content
  • Access to read all our leading aviation magazines online - meaning you can enjoy the likes of FlyPast, Aeroplane Monthly, AirForces Monthly, Combat Aircraft, Aviation News, Airports of the World, PC Pilot and Airliner World - as soon as they leave the editor’s desk.
  • Access on any device- anywhere, anytime
  • Choose from our offers below