Filton February 1975

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Member for

11 years 10 months

Posts: 635

This set is from 26/27th February 1975 at Filton Bristol where the British Concordes were assembled. Although they were built there, test flying was done elsewhere, so actual movements were rare. Word got about that G-BOAC was about to leave Filton. How I heard I don't remember, but I was working a late shift that week so getting out and about during the day was no problem. The vantage point is on the south side, to the west of the offices, where there is/used to be a crash gate. The dirty state of these pictures illustrates a definite advantage of digital photography - you don't get dust and hairs gathering on your pictures!

On the 26th a few people turned up but not much happened. Eventually someone said it was delayed until the next day at such and such a time. Here are two pictures from the 26th.

Vulcan B.1 XA903, the Olympus test bed, was being towed away from the engine running area.

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r493/hp111a/Filton1975/AAAA034.jpg

HS.125 G-AVPE arrived. This was at the time owned by BAC.

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r493/hp111a/Filton1975/AAAA035.jpg

On the 27th more of a "crowd" arrived, probably about 40 people or so. So did the Police, but they were mainly interested in keeping the access road to the crash gate clear. As can be seen, this particular event was of sufficient interest to be considered a family occasion.

First of all, something of a rarity appeared out of the mist and landed in front of us, VFW 614 D-BABC:

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r493/hp111a/Filton1975/AAAA036.jpg

With the sun starting to break through the mist and hopes rising of the flight taking place, Beagle 206 G-AVHO, owned by BAC at the time, put in an appearance (Enlargement to try and make the reg readable):

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r493/hp111a/Filton1975/AAAA037.jpg

Finally G-BOAC appeared and trundled past on its way to the west end of the runway:

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r493/hp111a/Filton1975/AAAA038.jpg

Having turned around, it was a case of go for it:

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r493/hp111a/Filton1975/AAAA039.jpg

...and away into the distance. I am interested that there are several "photographers" on the airfield. Someone who had apparently left work to come outside the airfield in order to take pictures commented that those people had wandered out from the offices onto the airfield without permission and would be "in for it". Did they "get it"? We'll never know.

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r493/hp111a/Filton1975/AAAA040.jpg

Original post

Member for

16 years 7 months

Posts: 10,647

The Hawker Siddeley 125 G-AVPE was the runabout for British Aircraft Corporations' executives, Beagle 206 Srs 2 G-AVHO briefly similarly used by the Vickers part of BAC at Wisley. I think it later belonged to our illustrious hosts, Flypast Magazine?

Member for

20 years 8 months

Posts: 939

Lovely shots thanks for posting them. My son and I flew on G-BOAC from Fairford - an experience I will always treasure.
OG