G-ANCF ¦ MSE 03.08.1985
Bristol 175 Britannia 308F (c/n 12922)
Invicta International Airlines
Manston (MSE/EGMH)
03 August 1985
Even though looking quite sorrow when seen rotting away at Manston in summer 1985, this Britannia was one of the last ones still flying commercially worldwide. Ordered by BOAC in the mid-fifties as a series 305 but not taken up, the aircraft was converted to the enhanced civil long-range version -308, and eventually delivered to Transcontinental of Argentina in late 1959.
By 1964 the Britannia returned to the UK, to become G-ANCF with British Eagle, who converted it to series -308F, the cargo version with reinforced cabin floor and large cargo doors. After stints with Monarch Airlines, IAS Cargo Airlines and African Cargo, the Britannia joined the fleet of Invicta International Airlines in mid-1976. Invicta was the last operator of the aircraft, eventually retiring it at Manston in late 1980, where it was seen in faded Invicta colours but still fairly intact.
G-ANCF was partially broken-up at Manston, but the fuselage was moved to Kemble in the early nineties, and to the old Liverpool-Speke airport in 2007, where it is now preserved in an all-metallic finish on the former apron of the characteristic Speke art-deco terminal, under the care of the Britannia Aircraft Preservation Trust.
G-ANCF ¦ MSE 03.08.1985
Bristol 175 Britannia 308F (c/n 12922)
Invicta International Airlines
Manston (MSE/EGMH)
03 August 1985
Even though looking quite sorrow when seen rotting away at Manston in summer 1985, this Britannia was one of the last ones still flying commercially worldwide. Ordered by BOAC in the mid-fifties as a series 305 but not taken up, the aircraft was converted to the enhanced civil long-range version -308, and eventually delivered to Transcontinental of Argentina in late 1959.
By 1964 the Britannia returned to the UK, to become G-ANCF with British Eagle, who converted it to series -308F, the cargo version with reinforced cabin floor and large cargo doors. After stints with Monarch Airlines, IAS Cargo Airlines and African Cargo, the Britannia joined the fleet of Invicta International Airlines in mid-1976. Invicta was the last operator of the aircraft, eventually retiring it at Manston in late 1980, where it was seen in faded Invicta colours but still fairly intact.
G-ANCF was partially broken-up at Manston, but the fuselage was moved to Kemble in the early nineties, and to the old Liverpool-Speke airport in 2007, where it is now preserved in an all-metallic finish on the former apron of the characteristic Speke art-deco terminal, under the care of the Britannia Aircraft Preservation Trust.