This roof-top public viewing area at Heathrow was brilliant and usually busier than shown here. I know some preferred the roof of the multi-story car park (right background).
I remember the fantastic noise from the turboprop engines - getting louder and louder and more higher pitched as they started up (particularly the Viscount's).
That last one in particular sums up the era perfectly with the Dalek in line with those other rides Looking again, I see a pair of Argosy's in the background too
Shot number 4 from top with the Vanguard shows the pre-pier system that we used...Just that circular white line on the ground...You taxied in round the line and stopped where indicated then the pax got off down air-stairs which at that time were fitted to both front and rear doors. Then they got onto the waiting buses.
The new lot arrived in buses and boarded up both air-stairs. When ready to go you just started engines and taxied out, continuing the turn round to the taxiway centre line...No pushback tractors required. And a faster turn round achieved...Lovely!!