This page is under construction!

This page may not be completed and may only display partially correct information. Please use the discussion page before making any changes.
Last updated on 01 September 2021.

London Airport - Heathrow in the 1960s & 70s DVD Cover .

Documentary (2003)

Starring:
Howard Asbridge (Narrator)

Remember where it all began? On the roof terrace at a major airport; noisy, exciting, full of variety and interest. You may have started a lifelong passion for aviation at that moment, but today’s airliners don’t really match up to those early days, do they?

Now we can take you back in time, with the help of some enthusiasts’ cine film, that has been digitally restored and matched to authentic sound. This production hasn’t been made by filming a flickering projection screen. With a specialist ‘Telecine’ conversion process, also used by the BBC and by ITV, we can digitally transfer pictures direct from the film on to digital video tape. These can then be enhanced and edited as necessary.

We start in the 1960s with Viscounts and 707s everywhere, alongside Caravelles, DC8s, Britannias, DC7s, Comets and TU104s. The earliest shot appears to be in 1963, with more from 1964.

Highlights include BEA Herald, Lufthansa C46, Ghana, Swissair and MEA CV990s, the crashed TCA DC8, Aer Lingus Carvair, CSA and CPA Britannias, British Eagle and UAA DC6s. Alitalia, Dan Air and BOAC DC7s, UAA Caravelle.

The 1970s begin with early 747s, DC10s and Tristars. We’ve still got some 707s and increasing numbers of DC8Fs, plus Concorde and the last days of the Tridents.

Highlights include Pan Am DC10 & 737, Northeast Trident, Merpati Vanguard, National 747, Libyan 727, SAA 747SP.

Overall the variety is amazing. Let’s just list the 707s: BOAC, PanAm, TWA, Air France, Lufthansa, TMA, MEA, Air Malta, El Al, PIA, Kuwait, Olympic, SAA, TAP, QANTAS, Montana [Austrian], Kenya, Air Mauritius, US Govt.

So, why not relive those memories today?

Also from this series:
Avion Video Series

The 1960s

Tupolev Tu-104A & Vickers 951 Vanguard

In the background at London Heathrow Airport in the early 60's.

Tupolev Tu-104A of Československé Aerolinie and 2x Vickers 951 Vanguard of BEA-British European Airways.

Vickers 808 Viscount

Registration EI-ALG, c/n 312. First flew on February 1958 as 805 version, delivered to Eagle Airways Ltd as G-APDX on March 1958, exported to Bermuda's subsidiary of Eagle on February 1959 as VR-BAY. Sold to Aer Lingus on February 1960 and converted to 808 Standard. Wfu on October 1969. Scrapped in 1972.
Same aircraft in other movies at IMPDb: Frequently Seen Aircraft.
In the background is a Vickers 951 Vanguard from BEA.

Reg.EI-ALG Vickers 808 Viscount St Kieran of Aer Lingus.

De Havilland DH106 Comet 4C

Taxiing between EI-ALG already listed above and another Vanguard from BEA in the background.

De Havilland DH106 Comet 4C of the Royal Air Force.

Convair 990A-30 Coronado

On approach in the sky of Heathrow. Must be either HB-ICA, c/n 30-10-7 Bern or HB-ICE, c/n 30-10-14 Vaud of Swissair on lease to Ghana Airways in 1964. See the Ghanaese flag on the tail fin.