Recent UK planespotting highlights!
We present a selection of images of visiting aircraft from airports around the UK. For the most part they’re commercial jets, but almost all of them are unusual types, wearing new or unique liveries, or first visits by an airline or airliner to a particular airport.
BOAC Chairman’s Comet insights
The Chairman of BOAC gave his view from the top on the first jetliner as the Comet entered commercial service in this article he penned for ‘The Aeroplane’s’ May 2, 1952 issue
The wartime trainer nobody wanted
Not only did Heston’s T1/37 trainer look faintly outsized for its role, but the requirement to which it was built seems to have been taken less than seriously by the Air Ministry
The diverse roles undertaken by UK military Comets
Well known as a pioneering civilian jet airliner, the de Havilland Comet also enjoyed an often overlooked military service. In the September 2016 issue of Aviation News, Kevin Wright reviewed the type’s RAF history and talked to some of those who operated the aircraft
Aeroplane Meets...Stewart Dawson
One of the USA’s most experienced warbird pilots has been the ‘go-to guy’ for all kinds of historic aeroplanes, and a Reno racer to boot
Spatial awareness: The UK's defence space strategy
After many months of speculation as to where the UK’s Defence Space Strategy might head, the government earlier this year revealed which future capabilities are to be developed
Vampire in the North – Norway’s first flying jet warbird
A Boeing 737 pilot broke new ground by getting approval from the Norwegian CAA to fly a de Havilland Vampire. The challenging project was detailed by Malcolm Barker in the September 1993 issue of FlyPast
Rare Photos of BOAC Comets in Africa
Prior to the Comet entering service BOAC undertook route familiarization flights in Africa. Depicted are some stunning colour photos from the May 2, 1952 issue of ‘The Aeroplane’
Nordair L-188 Electras – Hunting icebergs
A good view of the initial ice patrol modifications made by Nordair to its L-188C Electras: an under-fuselage radome taken from a CP-107 Argus, an astrodome that used to be a Sabre canopy, and bulging observation windows. Observers would take hour-long turns in the upper ‘bubble’.