Dan@MAN
40th Anniversary of Dan Air flight DA1008 Manchester –Tenerife (North)
24th April 2020 marked the 40th anniversary of the tragic accident of Dan Air Boeing 727-46 G-BDAN which crashed into high ground whilst on approach to Tenerife North Airport.
The following narrative and photographs have been sent to us by Phil Blinkhorn with respect to the Dan Air livery at the time of the Tenerife accident which was being introduced to their fleet.
The photo above (by Phil Blinkhorn) shows Boeing 727-46 G-BDAN departing Manchester, taken on 24 April 1980, the day before its final flight from Manchester to Tenerife which sadly ended catastrophically with the loss of all 146 passengers and crew.
The AAIB accident report can be found here:-
https://www.gov.uk/aaib-reports/8-1981-boeing-72-g-bdan-25-april-1980
The aircraft (G-BDAN) had been delivered to Japan Airlines as B727-46 JA8318 on 14.07.1966 and was transferred to TOA Domestic on 19.03.1972. Dan Air bought it in August 1974 and with its registration it became the flagship of the fleet.
It carried the modified Dan Air livery with increased areas of black trim which was slowly being applied to the whole Dan Air fleet.
an Air HS748 G-ASPL at Manchester in Summer 1979. Photo: Phil Blinkhorn
This livery had also been applied to the ill fated Dan Air HS748, G-ASPL which crashed in Nailstone (Leicestershire) on 26.06.1981. Papa Lima was undertaking a mail flight from Gatwick to East Midlands when the rear passenger door became detached (in flight) and in doing so became wedged in the right horizontal tailplane making the aircraft uncontrollable. Sadly all 3 persons on board were killed in the accident.
The AAIB accident report can be found here:-
https://www.gov.uk/aaib-reports/5-1983-bae-hs-748-g-aspl-26-june-1981
After the tragic 748 accident the livery change was abandoned by Dan Air and a reversed and modified version of the Arkia livery in which BAC 1-11 500 G-BEKA had been operated with for two years was adopted. Photo: Phil Blinkhorn
The final scheme as worn by B737-200 G-BJXJ.
Although the airline was officially based at London Gatwick it had a significant operational and engineering base at Manchester from where it operated Charter, Inclusive Tour and Scheduled services for almost 40 years. Dan Air ceased operations in 1992 following an initial bid for the airline by Virgin Atlantic (which fell through) the airline was purchased by British Airways for the sum of £1.
DAN at MAN
On a personal basis I (Peter H) have many memories of Dan Air at Manchester:- their ever changing and varied fleet, the unusual aircraft that passed through their hangar. Taking countless BAC 1-11 flights with them to go on holidays, their hot breakfasts on the London flights. The always helpful Dan Engineers, the infamous “Dan Air Tractor” calls over the R/T. The many personalities and friendly people who worked for the airline which actually included my wife (Girlfriend at the time) who worked with them as a Stewardess in April 1980 – how could we forget that tragic day of the Tenerife accident? I was working at Manchester Airport and remember a good friend and colleague rang me from the Duty Office to ask if my wife was flying that day – I responded that “she was… to Palma”. He then told me the news…
If you have any photo’s and / or memories of Dan at MAN please send them to peter@airportsol.com and we will do our best to share them with our readers between now and the end of April.
…I promise to add at least two or three each day between now and the end of the month!
Dan Air Bristol 170 Freighter G-APLH at Manchester 28th May 1958. Photo: Hubert Parish.
A great photograph taken on 23rd August 1964 showing a Dan Air Dakota G-AMSU, KLM Viscount and a Dan Air Ambassador on Pier B. Take a closer look at nose of the DAK and the “unconventional” or perhaps conventional? (at the time) loading procedures…
Dan Air Ambassador G-AMAE on Pier B in December 1969. Famous for it’s wet starts (lots of smoke and flames) !and chugging noise on taxiing !
Hi Pete,
I've been reading your article about Dan Air with great fondness. I had flights in their B737-200 / G-BJXJ to and from Tenerife in 1983 also in their BAC1-11's / G-ATPL and G-BJYM, to and from Beauvais for your wedding to Sylvie in 1984.
But my main purpose of writing concerns the Dan Air Ambassadors. If you look at the picture of G-AMAE you can just see a small white wheel towards the rear underside of the fuselage. I remember sitting on the Terraces one sunny afternoon at 'Ringway' watching the ground-crew getting a 'Lizzie' ready for departure. Then a man walked out with a small paint tin and commenced to paint the small wheel with white paint. My subsequent understanding of this is that if the paint was missing the crew could tell if the rear fuselage had touched the runway either by rotating too soon on take-off or landed with the nose too high.
I was at Duxford last June for the C47 Commemoration which also allowed me to make a close-up inspection of the sole remaining Ambassador G-ALZO which is painted in Dan Air colours. Sure enough the small wheel was painted in pristine white paint.
Cheers,
Pete Maher (Former TAS Vice-Chairman)
Many thanks to Malcolm McLean (former TAS Registrar) for sharing this shot of Lizzie G-ALZY taken from Pier B at MAN in the sixties. G-ALZY was delivered by Airspeed to BEA in 1952 primarily operating short haul European services from Heathrow as an “Elizabethan” aircraft, She was sold to The Royal Jordanian Air Force in 1959 prior to being acquired by Dan Air in 1963 for whom she operated on Inclusive Tour package holiday flights from Gatwick and Manchester. She was withdrawn from use in 1969
Quite a rare shot of the Dan Air Skyways livery on 748 G-ARMW at MAN in May 1973
Taken 45 years ago this month - A Dan Air Comet on Pier B in April 1975 and behind a scene that many of us will remember well. An extra point for spotting the Fairey DAK G-AHCT!
Dan Air’s famous Nord 262 G-AYFR which operated the domestic Link City services between 1970 and 1972.
A beautiful image which typifies Manchester in the Seventies…A Dan Air Comet in the Southbay, a Pan AM Boeing 707 departing on Runway 24 and the Brickworks chimney just creeping in on the photo! Peter H July 1975.
It’s often the case with photography that the background can be as interesting as the main subject matter as this photo depicts rather well? Dan Air Boeing 727 G-BAEF taken by Peter Hampson in September 1976.
Viscout G-ARIR Manchester March 1977. Photo: Peter H
Gone but not forgotten - DAN at MAN an early morning photo from the Ops Tower in the late eighties. Photo: Peter Hampson
Dan Air operated a Twin Otter G-BELS on the Link City services - she is seen here at MAN in August 1982. Photo Peter H
Hi Peter,
Good to see the write up re DAN DARE as they were unfortunately known by many inside and outside the industry. It brings back lots of memories for me. the most poignant one was when I was on a travel agents trip to the Costa Brava in July 1970 with Vistatours , a name that only lasted a few years. However, my trip was from Luton to Girona on a BAC 1-11 operated by British Midland . The day after we arrived ,04 July ,the rumour went around about a plane crash near Barcelona. It was sad to hear . We got news further into the day that it was unfortunately a Dan Air Comet (G-APDN) from Manchester that had crashed. The aircraft was on a private charter flight. Unbeknown to me, my family were beside themselves as they knew I was going to Spain . My auntie came over in floods of tears fearing the worst , naturally thinking I had flown from Manchester that I would be on board . Thank goodness it was not. However, I Still have many fond memories of those Comets , 727s and 1-11s.
Keep up the good work. Ken Garrity, KEN GARRITY TRAVEL
A typical Dan Air line up on Pier B in October 1978. Peter H
Hi Peter,
Just read your interesting article and it brought back a few memories of the various trips I made between 1990-1992..
On 7th Dec 1990 I made my first Dan Air trip. A day trip from Gatwick to Manchester; living only 40 mins from LGW it was more convenient and cheaper than the train. I recall Dan Air regularly switching a/c types at short notice which always made the flights more interesting. In this case I experienced my first BAC 1-11 trip on G-ATVH and then the return flight on the Friday evening was switched to a B727-200 G-BHVT; there was only about 40 passengers onboard hence the take-off was impressive and the flight took 35 mins.
Throughout 1991-1992; I lived in Aberdeen and regularly used Dan Air to visit family in Kent. Two of the four daily flights to Gatwick called at Manchester enroute and were sold at the same fare; so I chose these to get 2 flights for the price of one. Again the types regularly alternated mostly between 1-11, B737-200 and occasionally 146-300 and even a B727-200. Service was always very good and I remember being served food & drinks on both sectors. A bit different now..
Matthew Walker
November 1969 and a Dan Air BAC 1-11 -401 G-AXCK awaits her departure from the domestic pier A. Just look at the Manchester Terminal building and those Spectator Terraces complete with Shop, Bar and Restaurant! Photo: Bob Thorpe
Dan Air operated a number of Boeing 707’s G-AZTG is seen here in July 1974.
Hi Peter,
On 26th March 1976 I took a trip from MAN-to / from Tenerife-North on Dan Air Boeing 707 G-AYSL . Aaah Pratt and Whitney …real jet engines! Photo: Paul Tomlin
Built at Woodford and broken up at Ringway…Avro 748 Construction number 1541 was a 1962 vintage Series 1 748 which first flew in 1962 being delivered to Aerolineas Argentina. She returned to Manchester in 1977 when she was purchased by Dan Air with whom she served until 1987. She was taken out of service and initially used for spares for the DAN 748 fleet taking up various parking spots around the airfield.
I remember being approached by the Dan Air Hangar Manager in Spring ? 1989 to try and find a spot on the aerodrome where they could have easy access and literally disassemble (scrap) the aircraft. The spot chosen was outside the disused Southside Hangar 523 which was originally used by Avro in 1940’s and then just after WW11 was used for parting out military aircraft (including Avro aircraft) - I remember being quite chuffed at the time having played a part in recreating history!
In the early sixties prior to the opening of the “new” terminal the site was also used as a spectator viewing area and again used by TAS in the eighties for a famous Concorde day at the airport where we were given permission to open up the area to view the arrival and departure of two Air France Concorde’s.
As part of the event we organised a huge BBQ for TAS Members and visitors. I remember the event well as not only did we have two Air France Concorde’s at the airport that day, but the smoke from the BBQ attracted the attention of the Airport Fire service who had received a report that the Hangar was on fire!!
You know what happened next - Yes…lots of blue lights, sirens and men with hose pipes arrived at the scene. Of course the Hangar wasn’t on fire but the smoke from the burgers did at one time get a little shall we say “excessive!” A few red faces from the Chef who as a consequence ended up feeding the whole of the airport Fire service sausage and burgers for lunch…. A great day was had by all… Photo and narrative: Peter H (Sorry to digress and get into one of my meandering Manchester stories!)
Dan Air stayed with the Boeing 727 upgrading to the -200’s. G-BMLP is seen taxiing out for a Runway 24 departure in 1992. Photo: With thanks to James Fairbrother.
Many thanks to Paul Tomlin for sharing his photograph of Boeing 727-200 G-BHVT in LACSA / Dan Air livery . Like most Dan Air aircraft their is a story to tell:-
Victor Tango was originally delivered to Singapore Airlines in 1977 as 9V-SGC . She was sold to Dan Air just 3 years later as G-BHVT and wet leased to LACSA (Costa Rica) for the European Winter season in November 1981 - returning to DAN in April 1982. In October 1982 she was sold to LACSA as TI-LRR and leased back to Dan Air as G-BHVT for the European Summer season April - October 1993 (When the photo above was taken at Manchester). Following her return to LACSA she returned then returned to DAN on Summer lease in 1984 at the end of which she was actually re sold to Dan Air (Sept 1984).This time being leased out during several UK Winters to Sun Country Airlines USA.
In November 1992 DAN finally sold Victor Tango to Conifar Aviation (Canada) as C-FRYS.
Boeing 737-200 G-BLDE joined the DAN fleet in 1983 having first flown in 1982 and operated by Arkia (Israel). She is seen here at Manchester in 1992 just prior to the airlines acquisition by BA. She was then sold to Mandala Airlines Indonesia as PK-RII in 1993 for whom she operated until 2008. She still survives today - allegedly “preserved” in a field in Nusa Dua, South Bali as a “tourist attraction” although recent photographs would suggest the now all white aircraft is looking a little sorry for herself. Photo: James Fairbrother.
….and sold to the gentleman on my left for £1. Ex Dan Air Boeing 737-300 G-BOWR now with BA titles taxiing onto stand at Manchester. Photo - James Fairbrother December 1992. G-BOWR was actually owned by the International Lease Finance Company (ILFC) at the time of DAN’s acquisition by BA. Having taken her first flight in March 1986 she was leased from ILFC to Air Belgium, Orion, Dan Air from February 1992 until November 1992. At the termination of her lease to DAN-AIR / BA in May 1993 she returned Stateside to be operated by Southwest Airlines being withdrawn from use at Tucson, Arizona in 2016.
Memories of Dan Air….BAC 1-11 -301 G-ATPL .Photo: Peter H
The Dan Air Hangar (No 4) – Manchester
Dan Air BAC1-11 500 G-AWWX outside the Dan Air Manchester Hangar. Photo: Peter Hampson
A tale of two Viscounts
The Sultan of Oman's Air Force operated Viscounts 501 and 502 seen here at Manchester. Photo: Phil Blinkhorn
501
Was built for Trans Australia Airlines in 1959 as a Viscount 816 c/n 435. For reasons that are not now clear it was not taken up and was converted to 836 standard with slipper fuel tanks as an executive transport for the Union Carbide and Carbon Corporation as N40N in May 1960.
In August 1964, it was sold to the Royal Australian Air Force as A6-435. In November 1969 it passed to the Alda Corporation as N40NA and was stored in Australia.
She was sold to Jetair Australia in December 1969 it became VH-EQP. When they filed for bankruptcy in September 1970 it passed to Gates Aviation Turbine Propeller Sales and passed to the Sultan of Oman's Air Force as 501 in June 1971.
Viscount “501” wearing Omani Air Force livery being pushed into the Dan Air Hangar by the infamous Dan Air tractor. Photo: Peter Hampson
She was retired from the Omani Air Force in December 1977 and was stored at Manchester under the care and maintenance of Dan Air from January to September 1978 during which time it was registered as 3D-ACN for Royal Swazi Airlines, but never delivered.
Omani Air Force Viscount “501” inside Dan-Air Hangar 4 Photo: Phil Blinkhorn
3D-CAN at Manchester. Photo: Peter Hampson
The sale was frustrated with British Midland eventually purchasing the aircraft. The slipper tanks were removed and in March 1979 the aircraft was painted in full BMA colours becoming G-BFZL.
She was leased to Manx Airlines in BMA colours with Manx titles in October and November 1983. She was eventually painted in full Manx livery in November 1985.
Viscount G-BFZL at Manchester. Photo: Malcolm McLean.
In May 1986 BAe bought the aircraft but leased it back to BMA for sub lease to Manx until November 1988. Photo: Malcolm McLean
Photo: Malcolm McLean
Leased by BAe to Baltic Airlines in Manx colours from November 1988 until January 1989.
Sold to Landhurst Leasing in February 1989, it was leased to British Air Ferries who sub leased it to Manx Airlines in April and May 1990.
BAF became British World Airlines in 1993 and the aircraft was converted to carry parcels and newspapers and painted in the new BWA scheme.
Converted back to passenger configuration in April 1997 by Heli-Jet Aviation, it departed to South Africa where it was sold to Planes R Us as ZS-NNI. Sold to Trans IntAir as 9Q-CHL and then as 9Q-CGL in November 2002, it was damaged beyond repair in April 2003 when it overran a 900 metre laterite surfaced airstrip. She was last noted in July 2018 in poor condition and overgrown at the end of the strip.
502
502 was originally built for Trans Australia Airlines in 1959 as a Viscount 816 c/n 436. For reasons that are not now clear it was not taken up and, as the last Viscount built at Hurn, it stayed with Vickers until converted in 1961 to V839 standard as an executive aircraft for the Iranian Government with slipper tanks fitted.
In 1963 it was leased to the Iran National Airlines Corporation for 18 months upon return from which, in September 1964, it was sold to the Royal Australian Air Force as A6-436.
Refurbished at Wisley it arrived in Australia in October 1964 and became, along with c/n 435 (above), the mainstay of 34 Squadron's VIP fleet. In December 1969 it passed to the Alda Corporation as N40NB and was stored in Australia. Sold to Jetair Australia in December 1969 it became VH-EQQ When they filed for bankruptcy in September 1970 it passed to Gates Aviation Turbine Propeller Sales. It was delivered via the UK to Denver CO, USA but was sold to the Sultan of Oman's Air Force in June 1971 as 502.
3D-ACM at Manchester – Photo: Peter Hampson
Retired in February 1978 it moved first to East Midlands and then to Manchester where it was overhauled by Dan Air. The slipper tanks were removed by Dan at MAN and it was painted in full Royal Swazi colours as 3D-ACM and duly delivered to Swaziland in July 1978.
In January 1979 it was sold to Air Bridge Carriers and returned to the UK as G-BGLC and leased to Dan Air in their new red and black livery.
Photo: Peter Hampson at Manchester in 1979
In October 1980 it was sold to Air Zimbabwe as VP-WGB and left Manchester in Dan Air colours, carrying the Zimbabwe registration.
It became Z-WGB in October 1983 but was then stored until 1985 when it returned to service.
She was withdrawn from service in November 1990 and was noted derelict at Harare in June 1996 but in the early Spring of 1997 was dismantled and moved to Chegutu to form a bar/restaurant complex with Viscount c/n446, Z-WGC.
In October 1999 it was noted painted as “The Flying Pot” Restaurant in red and white complete with beer logos.
Contrary to rumours of her demise, she was still visible on a Google Earth' photo taken in 2018.
