South West Aviation DC3's

Post by **RAF_Quantum** » 28 Feb 2007, 15:29

Hi,

SWA started at Exeter in 1966 commencing operations with a Piper Aztec. By early 1968 the airline had grown and acquired a Shorts Skyvan on lease and had established footholds at Bristol Lulsgate and Swansea as well as Exeter. Late 1968 they acquired their first DC3 aircraft G-APBC which operated numerous charter flights within UK and to Ireland and the rest of Europe. It was used for airborne filming of the 'Torrey Canyon' and Aberfan disasters. A second DC3 G-AMYJ was acquired in 1969. Initially the DC3's carried out most of their flying from SW England and S Wales. However, in April 1969 'BC started charter operations between Norwich, Tesside and Aberdeen in support of the North Sea oil industry. 1970 saw the introduction of scheduled air services to Cherbourg from both Exeter and Southampton using the DC3. In 1972 SWA were bought out by Ashford based Air Freight Ltd and the name of South West Aviation disappeared.

G-APBC (early livery)

G-APBC (later livery)

G-AMYJ

Rgds

John

Post by **Garry Russell** » 28 Feb 2007, 15:52

Nice one John

Another of the rare short-term airlines.

Southwest actually used two Skyvans their own G-AWSG and one on lease for a while in the form of series 2 G-ATPF.

'TPF was in I think Emerald basic and had a very irritation sound from it's TurbomÃ©ca Astazou especially when on approach and was the only Series 2 I think I ever saw.

Garry

DispatchDragon · Post by **DispatchDragon** » 28 Feb 2007, 18:50

I remember the SWA Skyvans - especially TPF

Leif

Post by **Garry Russell** » 28 Feb 2007, 18:52

Like an angry bee on a mission

Garry

DispatchDragon · Post by **DispatchDragon** » 28 Feb 2007, 19:10

Garry

I think I saw it at Kidlington doing skydiver service - It did sound like a demented mosquito

Leif

Post by **RAF_Quantum** » 28 Feb 2007, 23:29

Uploaded to Avsim and Otter's Pond so should be available within the next 24hrs.

Rgds

John

thehappyotter · Post by **thehappyotter** » 28 Feb 2007, 23:36

These as well as the Air Ulster DC3's now at the pond.

Post by **RAF_Quantum** » 28 Feb 2007, 23:37

Crikey Rob, that was quick

Thanks

John

thehappyotter · Post by **thehappyotter** » 28 Feb 2007, 23:39

You we're just lucky to catch me as i'm at my PC.

Because I work shifts it's luck of the draw really.

Nice paints by the way.

jab · Post by **jab** » 01 Mar 2007, 13:37

Dont know the airline but a great paint job there.

James