G-APSA Douglas DC-6A of Air Atlantique
in British Eagle Colours
Related Notes & Links
G-APSA Douglas DC-6A of Air Atlantique looking splendid in its new coat of paint, which was applied
not long before her appearance at Biggin.
Douglas DC-6A c/n 45497 was built in 1958 and appeared on the British Register on 12 February 1959
as owned by Maritime Central Airways (Canada) and then joined the British Eagle fleet on 28th July
1959. In early 1964 British Eagle International Airways Limited sold the Aircraft to Saudi Arabia
and it disappeared from the British Register on 24th February 1964.
Almost exactly 23 Years later, G-APSA returned to the British Register on 13th February 1987 with Instone.
On the 12th December 1997 it was registered to RVL Aviation and on the 3rd August 2007 was registered to
Air Atlantique.
Douglas Holland adds:
2008 was significant as it was both the 50th Anniversary for Douglas DC-6A c/n 45497 which had spent
over half its life on the British Register as G-APSA and also the 40th Anniversary of the demise of
that once great airline, British Eagle.
I never worked for Eagle, Cunard Eagle, or British Eagle International (I was still at school in 1968),
but I have tremendous affection for the Airline. When it shut down on the 12th November 1968, I was
incredibly sad, this was replaced with teenage angst when I read that Labour MPs reacted to the news
with joy.
I suspect this incident in Parliament is, at least in part is the reason for the early development of my
lifelong cynicism for British Politics and Politicians.
Links:
G-APSA The Famous Classic Airliner - Air Atlantique Site Dedicated to the Aircraft
Eagle/Cunard Eagle/British Eagle - Links:
The Home Of Eagle - Tribute Site
British Eagle International Airlines - Tribute Site
British Eagle - Wikipedia Entry
Douglas DC-6 Links:
DC-6/C-118A Liftmaster Transport - Boeing History Site
Douglas DC-6 - Wikipedia Entry
Douglas Aircraft Company - Wikipedia Entry
