BBC television recordings of Queen Elizabeth II's coronation were flown from Alexandra Palace to an airport by this Sycamore, and then to Canada by Canberras. The cricket ground in Alexandra Park was then surrounded by a horse race track. XD196 was delivered to the RAF in April 1953 for evaluation in the rescue role. Crashed near RAF Linton-on-Ouse on 13 January 1954 while with No 275 Sqn. Photo from: BBC Photo Archive

Delivered new to Air India 02.48 as L-749 VT-CQR. Bought by Qantas as VH-EAE 01.50 and converted to L-749A in 09.51 for operation on the UK route. Here it arrives at Heathrow North on Queen Elizabeth II's Coronation Day wearing special "Australian Coronation Service ER 1953" titles and insignia. Sold to BOAC 08.54 as G-ANTG and to Pacific Northern as N1552V in 11.58. Transferred to Western Airlines 07.67 and retired 11.68 with 40,568 total hours.

"Gullfaxi" served Flugfelag Islands from 1948 until 1958. It is arriving at Heathrow North flying the UK flag from the portside cabin window - the Icelandic flag would be on the starboard side. This civilised practice has long gone in today's bustling frenetic world, alas!

"Marlborough" taxies towards Heathrow North at the end of a scheduled cargo flight. It served BOAC from May 1946 until scrapping at Heathrow in May 1955. RAF serial TS812 allotted but not taken up.

Statically exhibited at Heathrow North during QE II's Coronation week. 'B' of 1 Air Navigation School, based at RAF Hullavington. BOAC's maintenance hangars in background with a Constellation outside. The Varsity wears the initial all-metallic scheme with yellow 'trainer band' on the rear fuselage.

"Leif Viking" taxies from Heathrow North to return to Copenhagen. It wears the initial scheme with "Scandinavian" in the fin band and fearsome animal on its nose. She served SAS from December 1952 until sale to REAL as PP-YSL in February 1961.

Delivered to the RAF as P6174 in June 1940, serving 613 (City of Manchester) Squadron and other units in communications role. Bought by the Yorkshire Aeroplane Club, Sherburn-in-Elmet, in August 1946 and flown until sale as D-EFAG in July 1956.

Comet 1 being towed to Heathrow North for another scheduled service. Withdrawn in April 1954 after the Comet crashes.

540 Squadron Canberra PR.3 at Heathrow North. On Coronation Day three Canberras were used to transport the BBC's coverage of event across the Atlantic for 'same-day' viewing by our Canadian friends - hence the aircraft is fitted with wing tip tanks.. Aircraft allocated were PR3s WE136, WE140, and WE142, with B2 WD987 as reserve. WE140 did not actually make the Transatlantic trip due to a faulty radio compass.