EGPF Forum

When I first started in Glasgow Airport in 1971 things were a lot different. It was possible for anybody to walk straight onto the apron, there was no fence. We would regularly have dogs from the tenements across the road running loose on the apron.

The airfield was surrounded with only a 3 wire fence to stop cows grazing on the grass at the side of the runway this did not always work

We would sunbath in the summer on the grass next to the apron at no 1 cargo terminal at lunch time

You could turn up 15 mins before your flight and still catch it

Few of the my favourite old airlines
British Eagle,
British United,
Donaldson,
Regular cargo visits DC3, DC4, DC6, DC8, Britannia, CL44, Belfast.

Then came the anti christ (security.)

Fencing went up every where. No one was allowed to drive onto the apron'9 without being checked.
Security checks for passengers, doors were keep locked, Id badges checked and it dint stop there.

I now retired but I think how simple life was back then.

What do you remember about the early days at Glasgow airport.

Yes cycling down to GLA, or sometimes by bus from Paisley to visit the spectators terrace; going out on the Britannia van to go onboard aircraft; once with PiperOne and Mr Potts for an onboard photoshoot for Pride in Service. Going onboard a CalAir DC-10 with our neighbour who was Customs Manager, trips airside into the hangars from the old West of Scotland Flying Club. Happy days.

Nowadays it’s only once airside that you can see the apron views…..a definite plus point of my ID pass.

viscount wrote: ↑Fri Aug 19, 2022 7:48 pm

What do you remember about the early days at Glasgow airport.

Getting my bike that my dad built for me nicked

My earliest memories from around 66/67 , when I lived in Inchinnan , and could see everything. Expecting the unexpected was the best part , sometimes sub-charters. BKS and Laker Britannias subbing for BY , the based ACE Connie , BKS , Dan Air and Autair Ambassadors , BUA VC10s on a Saturday morning , TMA DC6s , Braniff 727 , AFA , Wardair , Luxair , Loftleidir , Aer Turas Bristol Freighter , Fred Olsen C46 etc etc I wish I could relive it !

billyg6 wrote: ↑Sat Aug 20, 2022 11:21 am My earliest memories from around 66/67 , when I lived in Inchinnan , and could see everything. Expecting the unexpected was the best part , sometimes sub-charters. BKS and Laker Britannias subbing for BY , the based ACE Connie , BKS , Dan Air and Autair Ambassadors , BUA VC10s on a Saturday morning , TMA DC6s , Braniff 727 , AFA , Wardair , Luxair , Loftleidir , Aer Turas Bristol Freighter , Fred Olsen C46 etc etc I wish I could relive it !

You mention Aer Turas when I worked with Scotia I had the pleasure of loading their aircraft, I believe they are part of Aer Lingus now, also I remember the Connies but could not remember who operated them, thanks for you input,

I remember the "exotic" Friday nights in the late 60's timeframe. 2 X Adria DC6s, 1 x Sobelair DC6, 1 x SAM DC6 and 1 x Spantax DC7 from late May thru September I think. Cant remember if some of these were fortnightly only.