Video - Heathrow late 50s/early 60s

[graham]

A good quality b/w film with no sound I'm afraid, some great footage of the QB as well as the aircraft

[lordevanelpuss]

I know that I said it in a previous posting, but what a crying shame when they shut it and LGWs viewing terrace down. Of course there has been much redevelopment at LHR in recent years with the Queen's Building itself  being razed to the ground, but, surprise-surprise, no public viewing terraces to replace it. Why are hobbies like ours so poorly supported and treated with a degree of derision? Yes, you might have been able to blame covid restrictions over the last two years, but it was like this in pre covid times. Compare that to those who like to watch or take part in various sports. Gyms and various stadia were forced to close at the height of the pandemic. Remember football & rugby being played in near empty stadiums with only officials being allowed inside, they couldn't wait to re-admit the public and did so as soon as they were able to. Time for a re-think of attitudes to ours and other similar hobbies I think.

[keefyboy]

Another great find Graham. The QB layout never really changed over the years - only the fashion and the aircraft. Even the Europa terminal remained largely unchanged until well into the 70's. The downstairs restaurant kind of ceased to exist in the late 60's and was a haven for spotters on cold days. Great to see all those Viscounts on the pan - I flew in a few of those up to Scotland. It was only on a recent visit to Brooklands that I realised just how big the windows were and how tiny the luggage racks are compared to the slick racks we have these days. Also good to see a TWA Connie - I'll start a separate thread on this.

IIRC, it was the IRA that first posed a security threat to LHR that prompted (temporary?) closure of the roof gardens and 9/11 was the nail in the coffin. Does anyone recall the year it closed for good? I agree with his lordship that we should have a dedicated viewing area in the centre - airports like Munich manage it very well. It won't happen with all the current infrastructure but it would be nice to think a future development might give us something but I doubt it. Heyho!
Cheers
Keith

[chrisj]

Thanks for a clip that pre dates my visits !! The QB was a very good viewing base unless landings were from the West - over Slough ! I am not sure just when it closed but I recall a TV program where the airport operators had called in the marketing men from Tesco . It was worked out that every square foot of the terminals ( and presumable viewing area ) was worth so much . Shortly after this , the facility closed . Part had been closed due to being structurally unsafe ( not maintained ) . The IRA used the car park of a hotel nearly opposite the tunnel for their mortars . I also recall the 'Head Man' of LAAS claiming to have worked with the airport authorities in order to get a viewing facility - hence the North side near useless facility . Why did they plant trees in front of the facility ?? One problem now days , is car parking at any airport / airfield . If there were a facility in the centre of LHR , just where would we park ? Just look at the likes of LUTON which I visit only a few times per year and parking to view seems impossible and is getting worse now the long term has reduced the free period with anything over an hour costing the earth ! I too have questioned how we are treated but failed ! Money seems to be the only answer ! Oh well . Come on Graham - where's the next one ?? Chris

[Deleted]

Seems a long long time ago now that the QB closed- visits since have consisted of either parking up at Hatton Cross tube station which had a toilet when it was working or the toilet at the garage over the road or paying top dollar in one of the airport hotels with a runway view- I did once however parked in the long stay  car park when it was a reasonable price. Only problems no toilets.

Gone but never forgotten.

Bob