I crept in to this very aircraft when she was sitting at Lasham in July 1975. I was 15 and doing a gliding course. In the evening over I went and explored her. Sooner or later I was shoo'd out by a security guard ! Glad to see she survived scrapping !
It was a decision of the Brabazon committee to produce one aircraft with gas-turbines and one with piston engines, in case the new-fangled technology had a hitch in its development. Probably wise because the Britannia had just such a problem with its Proteus engines, so by the time it was ready jets were about to arrive on the scene.
Zulu Oscar was one of the Dan-Air fleet that I used to work on at Lasham in Hampshire when I had my first job as an airframes and engine trainee in 1967. I remember working on her like it was yesterday !
Great vid mate! The only time I've seen an Ambassador so far was in 1965 in AMS. The huge yelow flames and dense black smoke left such an impression in my (then 7-year-old) memory that I just have to close my eyes to relive the scene.
one of the most beautiful aircraft ever built! too bad for it's short history, yes rolls Royce engine's would be better, and no lucus electric. lol. beautiful aircraft! cheers
Ambassador's got nice lines. I wonder why they kept the Dan Air livery over the more recognisable BEA. When ever most people think Ambassador they usually think BEA. I know this particular plane ended it's service at Dan Air but still...
