Swiftsure in her prime

[PeteP]

Seeing that splendid photo of ES reminded me that there was one in Tangmere's 'Michael Harries Collection' of EJ in the same livery, taken at Belfast in August 1987.



Here's on of EM taken on the same day, also at Belfast.



Apologies for the tight crops - necessary to comply with the forum's 800 x 600 rule.
Pete

[TSR2]

lovely stuff Pete, they were regular visitors to Aldergrove at that time

Does anyone know what that is hanging underneath the tail of EJ?

[PeteP]

Hi Ben,
Looks like some sort of prop to make sure it doesn't tip on its tail when being loaded.
PP

[petermcleland]

Yes that is the "Tail Prop" for loading...Without that and sliding the loaded pallets aft, it can tip back onto its tail before the loading is complete enough to restore the balance. The loading door it at the front so you have to put the pallets for the rear in first and then roll them aft and lock them in position one at a time.

[DaveB]

Smashing shots Pete

I wish our tail prop worked at Brooklands. It's better than nothing but only just!

ATB
DaveB

[PeteP]

Whilst rummaging around in my 'Michael Harries Collection' box, I came across this photo of ES in an earlier life which, I think, nicely complements Robbie's original picture.



And here's one of EM in BEA service from the same photo collection



Pete

[Garry Russell]

Beautilful Pete

A Vanguard at it's best

[DaveB]

Indeed.. both lovely shots.. BEARS (sigh) The second shot is quite apt really.. EM with a Caravelle in shot. While it's not fair to blame the Caravelle for the Vanguards short lived popularity as a passenger aircraft (BEA introduced the Comet4B in '61 to counter the Caravelle 'threat') it certainly didn't help. Just another case of perfectly bad timing if there ever was one!

Tks for posting those Pete

ATB
DaveB

[robbie]

Yes indeed

Thanks for those Pete, a fitting tribute to a wonderful A/C.

Beautitful shots too.

Robbie.

Do you need a bigger album Mr B?.

[DaveB]

That would be nice

ATB
DaveB