Registered to Air Holdings as G-AXOY in October 1969, this Vanguard was originally Air Canada's CF-TKU. In May 1970 it became Air Viking's first aircraft, registered TF-AVA. They later operated a CV-880 and Boeing 720s, but the Vanguard was returned in January 1971, going back to Iceland with Thor Cargo as TF-JEJ. Returned in October 1971 and was taken up by Invicta international in February 1972. To Europe Air Service in 1975, stored and eventually scrapped at Perpignan in 1983

First flown in November 1961 it was delivered to BEA at Heathrow as V.953 Vanguard "Superb" on 13th December 1961. During 1970/71 it was converted as a V.953C Merchantman and re-delivered to BEA Cargo, (renamed British Airways Cargo on 1st April 1974), on 8th March 1971. Sold to Air Bridge Carriers, (Hunting Air Cargo from 1992), in November 1979, it was stored at East Midlands Airport until entering service in 1981. When retired in September 1996 it was the last airworthy Merchantman, and made its last flight on 17th October 1996 when it was donated to the Brooklands Museum by Hunting PLC.

Photographer not known. This EAS livery was a modified version of the aircraft's previous Air Canada colours.

Photographer not known.

Another ex British Airways Vanguard stored and waiting to be readied for operations with Air Bridge Carriers. It did so circa 1981.

It was reported as withdrawn from service by British Airways and acquired by Air Bridge Carriers circa Nov/79. It remained stored at EMA in basic British Airways colours until it was repainted and entered service with Air Bridge Carriers circa 1981.

Probably off on another race horse charter. I have flown on this aircraft from LTN when I worked for Air Bridge with horses to Beauvais and Malpensa. Delivered to BEA - British European Airways on 24 Jan 1962 and called Swiftsure. Converted from a Vanguard to a Merchantman Apr 1970. Merged into British Airways on 1 Apr 1974. Sold to Air Bridge Carriers on 25 Nov 1976. Renamed Hunting Cargo Airlines on 15 Aug 1992. WFU and stored at East Midlands Feb 1995. Later broken up, nose section preserved.

from my collection, photographer unknown, picture might be taken after repaint into MNA c/s and before delivery to Indonesia as PK-MVE,

Unknown photographer. Picture acquired in the late 70's. Parked in the maintenance area at Heathrow. Delivered new to BEA as G-APEI on 20 Jul 1961. Merged as British Airways on 01 Apr 1974. To Merpati as PK-MVD on 23 Mar 1975. WFU and stored at JKT in Nov 1982. Broken up in 1992.

Operated by Air Bridge Carriers. Ex British Airways and still in BEA colours. Delivered new to BEA as a Vanguard G-APEJ on 17 August 1961. Converted to a Merchantman freighter in June 1971. Merged into British Airways 01 April 1974. Sold to Air Bridge Carriers on 13 December 1979. Noted as Hunting Cargo Airlines on 15 August 1992. WFU and stored at East Midlands in December 1992. Broken up and the nose section went to the Brooklands Museum in August 1995.

Ex CF-TKK. Converted to 'Cargoliner' in 1966, stored at Perpignan in January 1977 and broken up during the 1980s.

An ill-fated aircraft: G-APEE crashed at Heathrow in fog on 27 October 1965, with the loss of all 36 people on board. The aircraft was on its third approach to land and crashed on runway 28R after the pilots became disorientated during an attempted go-around. The two other Vanguards in shot are most likely series 953s, as they have a larger BEA "red square" on the fin, this having become the standard style, while near the hangars, as well as an unidentified DC-8, two British Eagle DC-6As can be seen. (Photographer not known.)

This is the Merchantman conversion of the Vanguard. Delivered to BEA on 13 Dec 1961 as a Vanguard 953 registration G-APEP it was converted to a Merchantman in Mar 1971. Sold to Air Bridge Carriers on 08 Nov 1979. Renamed Hunting Cargo Airlines by 15 Aug 1992. Preserved at the Brooklands Museum on 17 Oct 1996. Still there in 2023.

Not that common to have two Merch' on the ramp at EMA in the daylight. They usually spending their days parked up at Zurich, Belfast and Glasgow. The aircraft are G-APEP and G-APEK. G-APEP To British Airways on 13 Dec 1961 as a Vanguard 953 and was converted to a Merchantman in Mar 1971. Sold to Air Bridge Carriers 08 Nov 1979. Renamed Hunting Cargo Airlines by 15 Aug 1992. Preserved at the Brooklands Museum since 17 Oct 1996. G-APEK To British Airways 16 Sep 1961 as a Vanguard 953 and converted to a Merchantman Feb 1970. To Air Bridge Carriers 05 Nov 1979. WFU at EMA 1990 later broken up.

Delivered to BEA - British European Airways on 24vJan 1962 and called Swiftsure. Converted from a Vanguard to a Merchantman Apr 1970. Merged into British Airways on 1 Apr 1974. Sold to Air Bridge Carriers on 25 Nov 1976. Renamed Hunting Cargo Airlines on 15 Aug 1992. WFU and stored at East Midlands Feb 1995. Later broken up, nose section preserved.