SecretLeeds - History, culture and architecture in Leeds

When in the Leeds Central Reference Library today I noticed there is an exhibition covering the history of Leeds and Bradford Airport (that's still Yeadon Airport to me!). It is very interesting with photos and lots of other items but unfortunately it closes on March 27 so there is very little time left to see it.

That's interesting, I haven't seen it advertised anywhere. I remember when it as owned by 3 local authorities in West Yorks and how I cringed when I heard it was being sold off to the private sector. I always thought it would be relocated to South Leeds somewhere on the m62/m1 to assist its growth and employment in the older mining areas. It's a difficult airport to get to, the road network, train links are not good, I can't see how much more it can grow in its current location. IMO. I think the exhibition will be good showing the development from a military airfield to a commercial one over the years. I once flew from Heathrow with a tail wind to LBA in 30 mins.

Wow, only 30 minutes book. That's quick. No time for an onboard meal I guess!

That flight was with BMI, a complimentary drink was served and no sooner had I had my first sip, the hostess was collecting them back from us.

I first flew from LBA to Jersey in 1966. We went with Heaps Tours. But the flight was with BKS. Full board including two excursions for 28 gns. each. It doesn't sound much and tbf it was cheap even by 1966 prices. There was only one plane and it made two journeys a day. On the day we were due to return it broke down and made only one trip, so we ended up flying to Newcastle in a Britannia - I think the Leeds plane was an Andover. I recall checking in at what appeared to be a huge hangar, but it is a long time since!It was September and I'd never been further south than Great Yarmouth. I thought I was travelling to a South Sea island and expected tropical weather. By some chance that's exactly what we got. Some days it ws 90 deg. F.

[quotenick="majorhoundii. On the day we were due to return it broke down and made only one trip, so we ended up flying to Newcastle in a Britannia - I think the Leeds plane was an Andover. I recall checking in at what appeared to be a huge hangar, but it is a long time since!The Leeds plane would have been an Avro 748. The Andover was the military version.

Uno Hoo wrote: [quotenick="majorhoundii. On the day we were due to return it broke down and made only one trip, so we ended up flying to Newcastle in a Britannia - I think the Leeds plane was an Andover. I recall checking in at what appeared to be a huge hangar, but it is a long time since!The Leeds plane would have been an Avro 748. The Andover was the military version. ta

[quotenick=" I once flew from Heathrow with a tail wind to LBA in 30 mins. I wonder if I was on the same flight I was on? Having had a similar experience - probably early/mid 1990's, and it was the last flight of the day for BMI from Heathrow to L&B! The cockpit door was open during landing (and that says something don't it!) and you could see the runway of L&B appear and disappear in the cockpit window as the aircraft was buffeted left and right by the wind!

Patexpat wrote: [quotenick=" I once flew from Heathrow with a tail wind to LBA in 30 mins. Quote Patexpat: "I wonder if I was on the same flight I was on? Having had a similar experience - probably early/mid 1990's, and it was the last flight of the day for BMI from Heathrow to L&B! The cockpit door was open during landing (and that says something don't it!) and you could see the runway of L&B appear and disappear in the cockpit window as the aircraft was buffeted left and right by the wind!" That's why it's called Leeds/Bradford Airport. One minute you're pointing at Leeds, the next Bradford!     

I have just contacted the Central Library. The LBA Exhibition is on till April 27th, not March 27th.