`Nostalgia` Collection
The page for old colourschemes,old airliners and airlines that have gone out of business.
BOEING 727
JAT 727 YU-AKB
JAT-Jugoslovenski Aerotransport were the state airline of the former Yugoslavia,until the civil war broke out.This 727 was plying it`s trade in the skies of Europe,in the airline`s pre-civil war livery.I flew on this aircraft in 1985,from London Heathrow to Pula.
BOEING 737
Airways International Cymru 737-200 G-BAZI
download Airways International Cymru 737-200
Airways International Cymru,were a small Cardiff based airline,that flew holiday charters from the UK to the Mediterranean sunspots in the 80s.Owned by Red Dragon travel of Wales,the airline flew two 737-200s and two BAC 1-11s,until it ceased operations in 1988.This aircraft,G-BAZI previously flew with Britannia.
Orion 737-200 G-BGTV
Orion were based at East Midlands airport,and flew IT charters for its parent company Horizon Holidays.In 1988 however Horizon were aquired by the Thomson holiday group,and Orion was merged into Britannia,their in house airline.Orion had a venerable fleet of 737-200s,and leased in Airbus A300 equipment during peak periods.Just before the airline was merged with Britannia,it had taken delivery of brand new Boeing 737-200s.I flew on this aircraft,from London Gatwick to Palma de Mallorca in 1983.
Britannia 737-200 G-BECH
Still flying today as the World`s largest charter airline,Britannia has standardised its fleet on the Boeing 757 and 767.In years gone by however the 737 formed the backbone of the Britannia fleet,and the airline had the distinction of being the first in Europe to put the 737 into service.This aircraft G-BECH shows the airline`s former colourscheme used before the present,smart dark blue livery was introduced.My first ever flight was on G-BECH,in 1982 at the tender age of 7,from Gatwick to Gibraltar.G-BECH went on to serve with easyJet.
Inter European 737-400 G-IEAE
download Inter European 737-400
Colourful Inter European were yet another British charter airline,that suffered as a result of its parent holiday company.The airline was owned by Aspro holidays,and based in Cardiff and Bristol,and had a modern fleet of 737-200s,737-300s,737-400s and 757s,until Aspro was bought by Airtours in 1993,and the airline was merged into their in house carrier Airtours International.The 757s were kept,but the 737s were disposed of in favour of Airbus A320s.
CONVAIR 990 CORONADO
Spantax CV990A EC-BQQ
This fabulous aircraft was a real gem,and no-one who,like me,was fortunate enough to fly on one will ever forget it.Whilst it was a complete disaster for General Dynamics,the elegant beauty and unique splendour of what is still the World`s fastest subsonic airliner,will ensure it remains a success to all enthusiasts.Spantax were a cheerful,Palma based Spanish holiday airline,that flew 990s,737s,DC8s, DC9s and DC10s around the World,and into almost every British airport in the 70s and 80s.Sadly the airline went out of business in 1988,the 990s were broken up,and tragically only one remains in a flyable condition.I had the honour of flying in a 990 between Exeter and Palma,in 1984. On the return trip we left Palma 30 minutes late,and arrived at Exeter 20 minutes early!What an aeroplane.
Mc DONNELL DOUGLAS DC10
British Caledonian DC10-30 G-DCIO
download British Caledonian DC10-30
With perhaps the most appropriate registration ever,G-DCIO flew with British Caledonian until the airline was merged into British Airways,with whom she still flies today.British Caledonian or BCAL were the UK`s leading independant airline,flying scehduled and charter flights from the UK all over the World,until BA stepped in.The BA merger caused a furore in the UK at the time,but the BCAL rampant Lion and name,in part,lived on with Caledonian Airways,at the time BA`s charter airline.
Mc DONNELL DOUGLAS DC9
Aviaco DC9 EC-CLD
Aviaco are a Spanish airline that is still flying today,albeit in a completely different role.In the 70s and 80s Aviaco were Iberia`s charter subsidiary, flying a fleet of DC9-30s between Europe and the Spanish holiday resorts.Today Aviaco flies mainly sheduled services,using MD80 aircraft.I flew on this DC9 in 1986 beween Bristol and Tenerife South.
© Garry Lewis 1998, 1999, 2000