Photographer unknown

Crashed into the North Sea off Aberdeen on 4 August 1978.

Aborted take-off, overshot runway 24 and burnt out at Luqa on 7 December 1978; pilot and navigator ejected safely while third crew member (passenger) was killed. Cause was loss of power from water in the fuel system, from recent heavy rain. Aircraft was en route from Cyprus to Wyton. Was based at Luqa until the Squadron's departure for Wyton at the beginning of October 1978.

I have deliberately left the main subject of this photograph off-centre to show the background. It seems inconceivable today, but even at a busy international airport like this, unescorted ramp access was easily obtained simply by asking. It can be seen how easily access to the larger aircraft could be obtained too.

The bright red VH-AUB was the private aircraft of Aubrey (Titus) Oates. It was a common sight around Moorabbin airport between 1958 to 1960 but after the aircraft moved to Bankstown airport it rarely flew. In 1966 -AUB was cancelled from the register, sold and trucked to Rosedale Station, near Jericho, Queensland. In the mid 1970s it was sold to warbird restorer Col Pay and moved to his base at Scone, New South Wales. It returned to the register in 1980 wearing less eye-catching but authentic RAAF markings. Oates had died of natural causes in Zambia the previous year. Peter Ricketts photo

Much top my surprise, this aircraft is still active in the USA

This Jumbo SP was delivered new to Syrian Air on 21 May 1976.

Early production Airbus A300 leaving Heathrow for Paris. This aircraft served Air France from new in May1974 until retired in April 1997.

Delivered to BOAC on 27 March 1965. Sold by BA to RAF in May 1981 for spares use as ZD233.