LAX-area
April 1980
In April 1980, several aviation friends and I visited some parts of the USA, on a month long aviation tour. We had bought a National Airlines pass and went from Amsterdam, via London-Heathrow, on National Airlines DC-10-30, N83NA, to Miami. After spending two weeks in the Miami area, we vistited San Juan, P.R., Saint-Thomas in the Virgen Islands, the Los Angeles area and Houston International airport.
Below, I focus on our visit to the LAX area.
Below, I focus on our visit to the LAX area.
The Theme Building at Los Angeles International Airport is a true Modern icon, recognized worldwide as the space-age landmark of one of the world's youngest and most influential major cities.
Hughes Airwest Douglas DC-9-15RC is seen here taxiing to the gates at Satellite Terminal 2. This ship was originally delivered to Continental Airlines in October 1967.
This lady was listed stored in USA Jet colors at Detroit Willow-Run Airport since February 2022.
Continental's Jetstream logo is well and truly emblazoned on the DC-10's vertical fin.
'Golden Jet', N88701, a Boeing 727-224, was delivered new to Continental in May 1968. She is listed parked in Benoit, MS. and in use as a house, still in her original Continental colors and registration.
LAX - Home of United Airlines; - Seen taxiing along taxiway 48 outbound toward Runway 25 right is, N8090U, a Douglas DC-8-61, purchased by United in August 1968.
N8090U, started flying for United Airlines in August 1968. She was listed scrapped in Burlington Express colors at Mojave during 2014.
Palm Springs based Sun Aire Lines started "Desert Connection" services into Los Angeles International Airport-LAX during 1977 with flights to Palm Springs. Seen on Taxiway 48 ready to depart on an afternoon flight is N1006L, a Swearingen SA-226TC Metro II.
By 1980, Aeromexico was flying DC-9's on the daily flights from LAX to both Guadalajara and Monterrey. Here, XA-DEL taxis out for another LAX departure.
XA-DEL, started flying for Aero Mexico in March 1974. After 35 years of faithful service, she was listed scrapped at Guadalajara during 2009.
San Luis Obispo based Swift Aire Nord 262's were used on routes from San Luis Obispo to Los Angeles and San Francisco.
N73120 trundles out to join the take-off queue for runway 25R. - No idea that exacly twenty years later, I would be flying in this machine with ERA Aviation from Anchorage to Valdez, Alaska.
Aspen, Colorado based Aspen Airways turbine powered Convair CV-580's became known as the "Mountain Master" and flew 1980 from San Jose, Burbank, and San Francisco to Lake Tahoe with Los Angeles service starting a year later in 1980.
N423SA, a Fokker F-27-600 Friendship, was virtually new when I photographed her during her taxi run at LAX in April 1980.
On Friday, July 2, 1999, the Fokker F-27, registrated XY-AEO, was operating a cargo flight for Myanma Airways, carrying construction materials, from Yangon to Sittwe, and took off at the Yangon Airport at about 13:00 local time. The aircraft crashed into a cloud-covered ridge at 270 m/880 feet while approaching Sittwe runway 29.
N332GW, having just landed and taxiing toward the terminal on a bright spring day.
Golden West Airlines Shorts Brothers SH-330 turboprop were operated on the company's trunk routes, such as Los Angeles-Ontario and Los Angeles to Santa Ana/Orange County.
N332GW, started flying for Golden West in 1978. She was sold in June 1985 to the US Army, to become a C-23B. She was listed derelict at Redstone Arsenal AAF, AL. in 2013.
The workhorse of the Golden West fleet was the rugged de Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter and providing service to the smaller stations from Los Angeles such as Inyokern, Ontario, Oxnard, Palmdale, and Santa Barbara.
Golden West Dash 7 inbound on short final from Orange County.
N420SA from San Luis Obispo, Calif. approaches RWY 25 Left.
Golden West Airlines, brand new de Havilland Canada DHC-7, four-engined turbo-prop were used on the popular Los Angeles-Santa Barbara, Los Angeles-Orange County, and Los Angeles-San Diego routes.
N701GW, started flying for Golden West in first month of 1980. She wasn't spared the cutters’ s torch and was chpoped-up at Tel Aviv, Sde Dov Airport in Arkia colors after 2000.
Seen on short final to Runway 24 Right on a clear summer day is, N11006, a Trans World Lockheed L-1011.
N11006, started flying for TWA in September 1972. She is listed parted-out and scrapped at Kingman, AZ. during 2000.
LuxuryLiner, N9665, glinting in the sun while on final for runway 25R.
N9665, started flying for American Airlines in September 1970. She is listed scrapped in United Airlines colors at Tucson, AZ. during February 1999.
With full flap deployed, this Continental Airways DC-10-10 was photographed on short finals second from touchdown at Los Angelos International on a bright April day in 1980.
N68044, started flying for Continental Airlines in June 1972. She is listed stored in TAB colors at Cochabamba, Bolivia, since 2015.
A Douglas DC-10-10, LuxuryLiner, is seen here on short finals.
After the grounding of the Douglas DC-10 in June 1979, after the tragic crash of American Airlines Flight 191 in Chicago, American slowly reintroduce the Douglas Tri-Jet after FAA mandated changes and recommendations. A more subtle change was the removal of the "DC-10" label preceding the "LuxuryLiner" moniker just under the forward main passenger door, and replacing it with "American Airlines."
N747PA “Clipper America” Boeing 747-121of PAN AM is about to touch down on Los Angelos Runway 25R. She ended her career as a restaurant in Seoul, South-Korea.
Caught over the numbers for Runway 24 Right on a pleasant summer day is N710DA, a Lockheed L-1011-Tristar 1, delivered new to the airline in November 1974.
N710DA, started flying for Delta Airlines in July 1974. She is listed stored in American Trans Air colors at Roswell, New Mexico.
Golden West, N330US, coming in low at LAX International devoid of fancy titles.
Swift Aire Fokker F-27-600, N422SA, about to land at Los Angeles. April 24, 1980.
On October 6, 1993, Myanmar Airways F-27, XY-AEP, overran the runway of Kawthaung Airport, Burma, by 250 feet, ending up against the bank of a small stream.
Taxiing up to the hold-short point for Runway 24 Left, is this brand new United Airlines Boeing 727-222, N7640U, wearing Saul Bass colorful 'Tulipe' livery.
N7640U, started flying for United Airlines in February 1969. She is listed stored in Planet Airways colors at Cuernavaca, Mexico in derelict condition.
Pratt & Whitney powered, N506US, looking tough in ther Northwest Orient uniform.
N506US, built in 1975, worked all her career with the Minneapolis based carrier. She is listed parted-out and scrapped at Marana, AZ. during 2010.
Taxiing toward Runway 25 Right for a late morning departure is N291WA, a Boeing 727-247, delivered new to the airline on June 19, 1979.
By 1980, Western was using the 727 on flights from LAX on the 100-mile hop south to San Diego, to the 1600-mile international route to Acapulco, Mexico as well as to eight other cities served from the airport.
N291WA, started flying for Western Airlines in March 1980. She is listed scrapped at Victorville, Calif., wearing her FedEx uniform, during January 2009.
Taxiing up to the hold-short point for Runway 24 Left is Swift Aire brand new Fokker F-27-600, N421SA.
Holding short of Runway 24 Left for a morning departure to San Luis Obispo.
On December 22, 1992, Llyod Aereo Boliviano F-27, CP-2165, departed Guayaranmerin Airport, Bolivia, but just before V1 (107 kts) the no. 2 engine auto feathered. The takeoff was aborted and the aircraft overran runway 17 coming to rest against trees 120 m from the runway.
The National Airlines 'Sun King' logo is well and truly emblazoned on the DC-10's vertical fin.
N68NA, started flying for National in December 1972. She is listed stored at Victorville in FedEx colors since March 2014.
Taking the active Runway 24 Left for a early afternoon departure is N68049, a Douglas DC-10-10, delivered new to the Continental in Feb. 1974.
N68049, started flying for Continental Airlines in December 1973. She is listed stored at Victorville in FedEx colors since April 2016.
Taxiing up to the hold-short point for Runway 24 Left is Trans World Tristar, N31008.
N31008, started flying for Trans World in April 1973 and spent all its life operating for TWA. She is listed scrapped at Kingman, AZ. during October 2001.
Taking the active Runway 24 Left for a morning departure is Delta Airlines, N716DA, a Lockheed Tristar, delivered new to the airline in 1974.
By 1980, Delta Airlines Lockheed L-1011 Tristars were used extensively from Los Angeles on both shorter segments such as flights to San Diego and San Francisco as well as longer routes to Atlanta and Dallas-Ft. Worth.
'Baby' Boeing 737-247, N4523W, is taxiing out for take-off at Los Angelos on April 24, 1980.
N4523W, started flying for Western Airlines in March 1965. In hands of Mexican Air Force pilots, she overan the Loma Bonita Airport runway and was destroyed by fire due to lack of firefighter facilities. The accident occured in May 1999.
Thai Airways Boeing 747-200 looks majestic in her purple, magenta and gold 'jumpee' livery.
This brand new Boeing started flying for Thai, with registration HS-TGC, in February 1980. She is listed stored at Mojave in Atlas Air colors since March 2014.
Taking the active Runway 24 Left for a morning departure is N806WA, a DC-10-30, which rolled-off the Long Beach production line in 1979.
N106WA, started flying for World Airways in April 1979. She is listed stored at Victorville in FedEx colors since May 2015.
Flying Tiger DC-8-63CF, N786FT, holding short on holding point before taking the active.
N786FT, started flying for Flying Tigers in Decembeer 1968. She is listed stored at Roswell, New Mexico in UPS colors since August 2010.
Taxiing up to the hold-short point for Runway 24 Left for a late morning departure to Honolulu is N4703U, a Boeing 747-122.
United Airlines' "heavy" Boeing 747s were a daily visitor to Los Angeles, and were used extensively on trans-Pacific services to Honolulu, Hawaii with no less then five daily departures using the "Jumbo Jet." With a capacity of just over 400-passengers, United's Boeing 747 was also scheduled on the popular daily flights to both Chicago and Denver.
Seen taxiing toward Runway 24 Right for an afternoon departure to Mexico City is XA-DOD, a Douglas DC-8-51, delivered new to National Airlines in May 1962.
XA-DOD, started flying for Miami, FL. based National Airlines in May 1962. She is listed dismantled at Mexico City between 1994 and 2004 and is being used as a trainer for the national guard.
Taxiing up to the hold-short point for Runway 24 Left, N474BN, wearing the chocolate brown “Ultra” colors introduced in 1978.
Braniff International Airways continued to serve Los Angeles with both international and domestic flights. The airlines Boeing 727s were used on the four daily flights between Los Angeles and Dallas-Ft. Worth promoting Braniff's characteristic flair.
N1832U, taxiing up to the hold-short point for Runway 24 Left.
N1832U, started flying for United Airlines in July 1975. She is listed stored in FedEx colors at Victorville since January 2015.
Seen taxiing toward Runway 25 Right for a noon departure is N12306, a Boeing 727-231, delivered new to TWA in June 1968.
N12306, started flying for Trans World in June 1968. She is listed scrapped at Kansas City during July 1994.
Taxiing up to the hold-short point for Runway 24 Left is the French Air Force Douglas DC-8-55CF, F-RAFC.
F-RAFC, taking the active Runway 24 Left for a morning departure to Le Bourget, Paris.
F-RAFC, started flying for Union de Transports Aeriens (UTA) in September 1965. She is listed scrapped at Le Bourget during 2010.
The Boeing 747 proofed to be a top jetliner.
N4718U, started flying for United Airlines in May 1971. This ship had serviced United for all her service live. She is listed scrapped at Las Vegas during February 1999.
The Twin Globe livery was the smartest look ever. Real class.
N81025, started flying for TWA in December 1974 and has spent all her working life in service for the Kansas City based carrier. She is listed scrapped at Kansas City in 1997.
A Pacific Southwest 727-200 holds short of LAX runway 25R while a company 727 lands.
The Boeing 727 was the flagship of the Pacific Southwest Airlines (PSA) fleet with thirty-one aircraft being used by 1980. During this time, PSA was serving Los Angeles with over sixty daily flights to ten cities across four states, all using the Boeing 727.
737, N9039U, looks to be in superb condition.
N9039U, started flying for United in November 1968. She is listed stored at Manila Ninoy Aquino Airport in AirPhil Express colors for a long time.
A Western Airlines 'Spaceship' taking the active Runway 24 Left for a morning departure to Seattle.
N907WA, started flying for Western Airlines in February 1976. She is listed broken-up at Greenwood, MS. during 2002.
A, rather lackluster, Northwest Orient DC-10-40 is seen here taxiing up to the hold-short point for Runway 24 Left; - No idea that in around ten years I would be working for this Minneapolis based airline.
N148US, started flying for Norhtwest Orient in May 1973. All her recyclable components were removed at Greenwood, MS. during 2005.
Western, N2823W, blasting out of LAX.
N2823W, started flying for Western Airlines in February 1977. She is listed preserved in basic FedEx colors at Atlantic City Airport since 2013.
A glinting "LuxuryLiner" is seen here taxiing up to the hold-short point for Runway 24 Left.
N9670, started flying for American Airlines in December 1970. She is listed parted-out in Polar Air Cargo colors at Roswell, MS. in 2013.
Taxiing out for takeoff at Los Angelos, C-GAAM is bound for Vancouver, Canada.
C-GAAM, started flying for Air Canada in July 1975. She is listed stored at Victorville in FedEx colors since March 2013.
Taxiing up to the hold-short point for Runway 24 Left is N330GW, a Shorts SD-330-100 wearing the "earth-tone" colors which was introduced with the delivery of the first aircraft.
The Shorts SH-330 "wide-bodies" were seen on flights from Los Angeles to Ontario, Oxnard, Santa Ana-Orange County, and San Diego.
Taxiing up to the hold-short point for Runway 24 Left and wearing the "earth-tone" colors introduced in the early 1970s is N63128, a de Havilland DHC-6-200.
Inland Empire Airways Swearingen Metro, N5451M departing for Fresno, Calif.
Mid-day sunshine glints off the polished aluminum of this American Airlines DC-10-10.
By 1980, American was using the Douglas DC-10 on the high capacity flights from Los Angeles to Chicago, Dallas, Honolulu, San Diego, and Washington-Dulles.
'Banana', N9341, is seen taxiing toward Runway 24L.
N9665, started flying for American Airlines in September 1970. She is listed scrapped at Tucson, AZ. during February 1999.
Holding short of Runway 24 Left for a morning departure to Vancouver is CF-CPM, a Douglas DC-8-53.
Having established service into Los Angeles in 1975, Vancouver, Canada based CP Air continued its single city service between LAX and Vancouver using mainly the Boeing 727 and Boeing 737 on the route. Occasionally the airline's Douglas DC-8 was substituted on the route, such as this example, CF-CPM "Empress of Lisbon," a Douglas DC-8-53.
Special Performer 'Clipper Great Republic' is seen holding short of Runway 24 Left for a departure to Sydney, Australia.
PAN AM's '747SP' was placed on the Los Angeles-Sydney, Australia non-stop service in 1977, becoming the first airline to start non-stop service between the two continents and capturing the title of world's longest flight.
Boeing 707-131B N754TW seen here heading purposefully towards the runway threshold.
Even through the airplane was slowly being withdrawn from TWA service, LAX still had service to nine cities using the venerable four-engine jetliner including Chicago, Newark, Oklahoma City, St. Louis, and San Francisco.
Taking the active Runway 24 Left for an afternoon departure to Toronto is CF-TNE, a Lockheed Tristar, delivered new to the airline in April 1973.
CF-TNE, started flying for Air Canada in April 1973. She is listed scrapped at Melbourne Airport, Australia, during April 1988.
Seen taxiing toward Runway 25 Right for a late afternoon departure is Gem State Airlines, N117GS, a Convair 580, delivered as a '340' to United Airlines in March 1953.
In 2022, she ended her career as an Airtanker in hands of Canadian Conair from Abbotsford, BC.
Awaiting takeoff clearance and holding short of Runway 24 Left and wearing the chocolate brown “Ultra” colors introduced in 1978, is N1809E, a Douglas DC-8-62, delivered new to the airline in November 1969.
Braniff added new cities to their network, such as San Francisco and Los Angeles, and the non-stop Los Angeles-Lima and Los Angeles-Panama City route. Eventually a Los Angeles-Santiago route was started using the venerable DC-8 on the non-stop, 5,564-mile sector. The Douglas DC-8 remained in the Braniff fleet providing a pivotal role in the South American flights until the airline's bankruptcy in May 1982.
Lots of metal parked at Burbank Airport in 1980; - From left to right BAC 1-11 N711ST, United DC-8 N8003U, another 1-11 hulk, a 727 and Bourac Boeing-707 N792FA.
N792FA, a Boeing 707-138 which was operated by Indonesian Bourac Airlines, languish at the Burbank maintenance facility in April 1980. Despite a color scheme (on her tail) that hints at previous operation with Turkish Airlines, this ship was originally a Qantas bird.
During 1994 the 'short' Boeing was parted-out at Marana.
Although wearing Fiesta Air Travel Club Phoenix titles, the Douglas was actually owned by GO transportation since August 1979.
Douglas DC-8-21, N8015U, started flying for United Airlines in November 1959. She is listed chopped-up at Mojave during October 1982.
DC-3, N74KW, stands illuminated under a rain laden sky.
N74KW, was taken on strength with the United States Army Air Force with s/n 42-47375. After the war she changed hands many times and ended her career at McAllen, TX. Her certificate of airworthiness expired in 2012.
Aspen Airways continued to provide service into Los Angeles with flights to both Burbank and Lake Tahoe using the Convair 580 turboprops.
N73132, started flying for United Airlines in May 1953. She was listed scrapped at Kelowna, Canada in 2011.
Tiger Air BAC 1-11, N120TA at an overcast Burbank.
N120TA, started flying for American Airlines in January 1966. The aircraft went on to serve with many airlines on short leases, until stored at Rockford, IL. and finally broken up during 2008.
Well-travelled former Transavia Sud Aviation Caravelle N777VV parked at Burbank in unseasonal Californian April weather in 1980.
N777VV, started flying with United Airlines in June 1961. After being sold, in 1970, to Dutch charter airline Transavia Holland, she returned to the USA nine years later. She was listed scrapped at Tucson during 2010.
The weather was miserable during our visit.
Go Transportation Inc. Vicount 700, N776M, rolled-off the Hurn, Bournemouth production-line in 1957 for delivery to Norhteast Airlines USA. Scrapping process started at Tucson Airport in 1993.
Go Transportation Inc. Vicount 700, N1898S, rolled-off the Hurn, Bournemouth production-line in 1952 for delivery to Trans Canada Airlines. She was listed scrapped at Tucson in 1993.
Decidedly static Douglas DC-7B , N4885C, at Burbanks minus her engines on a rather overcast day at Burbank. Fortune smiled on the propliner however and it was brought out of storage and sold to T & G Aviation and ferried to Chandler, AZ.
N4885C, started flying for Delta Airlines in 1958. She was listed scrapped at Chandler, AZ. in 2006.
It doesn't look as though N62242 is going far when I saw it, still in her Mercer Airlines livery, at Burbank. How wrong could I be!
N62242, started flying for American Airlines in November 1946. The word spread that this DC-6 'drugs-runner' crashed during take-off when it failed to clear trees from an airstrip in northeastern Colombia in September 1981.
Together, with several other Boeing 720's, this former Saudi Arabian Airlines, HZ-ACB, was seen parked at Van Nuys Airport in April 1980.
This, 1961 built, Boeing has spent its entire life with Saudi Arabian Airlines flying passenger's services between Europe and its Jeddah base. She was listed cannibalized at Van Nuys in 1983.
Side view of an anonymous former USAF C-131, parked at Burbank in dull cloudy conditions.
This anonymous C-131 was parked at the Burbank maintenance area during our visit in April 1980 and seemed to be stored.
- The End -