First flown in 1947, the Ambassador was a large medium-haul airliner with triple fins and two Bristol Centaurus engines. Only 23 were built.

The only survivor of the 23 of this iconic British type built, seen about a year before being withdrawn from service and preserved at Dan-Air's Lasham maintenance base. Moved to Duxford in 1986 after which long-term restoration commenced

Operated for Flightline (LH, EI & SR leases) and VLM after Dan-Air and then to National Jet as a freighter registered VH-NJZ, now flown by Cobham Aviation/National Jet Express

Although reportedly some parts of the real G-AMSU were used in the preparation of this Dak for display, it was really G-AMPP which served Dan-Air between 1961 and 1971 after an RAF career. The aircraft was removed to France in 1991, then to the Netherlands in 2002. Finally it went to Berlin in 2005, to be used for the making of a film about the Airlift, to represent crashed Dakota KN491, which went down on 24 Jan 1949 in East Germany while approaching Lübeck-Blankensee. When filming was completed, the remains of the aircraft went to Olawa, Poland.

Looking good but at the time still awaiting a few finishing touches to the markings on the tails. Some 45 years between my first and last shots of this aircraft on AirHistory.net!

This aircraft has been under restoration for a considerable time, mostly in a hangar so it was lucky to catch it outside and looking superb. On my first visit to Gatwick in 1969 a few of these were still in service and this is now the sole survivor of the 23 built