First flown in November 1961 it was delivered to BEA at Heathrow as V.953 Vanguard "Superb" on 13th December 1961. During 1970/71 it was converted as a V.953C Merchantman and re-delivered to BEA Cargo, (renamed British Airways Cargo on 1st April 1974), on 8th March 1971. Sold to Air Bridge Carriers, (Hunting Air Cargo from 1992), in November 1979, it was stored at East Midlands Airport until entering service in 1981. When retired in September 1996 it was the last airworthy Merchantman, and made its last flight on 17th October 1996 when it was donated to the Brooklands Museum by Hunting PLC.

Another ex British Airways Vanguard stored and waiting to be readied for operations with Air Bridge Carriers. It did so circa 1981.

It was reported as withdrawn from service by British Airways and acquired by Air Bridge Carriers circa Nov/79. It remained stored at EMA in basic British Airways colours until it was repainted and entered service with Air Bridge Carriers circa 1981.

Probably off on another race horse charter. I have flown on this aircraft from LTN when I worked for Air Bridge with horses to Beauvais and Malpensa. Delivered to BEA - British European Airways on 24 Jan 1962 and called Swiftsure. Converted from a Vanguard to a Merchantman Apr 1970. Merged into British Airways on 1 Apr 1974. Sold to Air Bridge Carriers on 25 Nov 1976. Renamed Hunting Cargo Airlines on 15 Aug 1992. WFU and stored at East Midlands Feb 1995. Later broken up, nose section preserved.

Operated by Air Bridge Carriers. Ex British Airways and still in BEA colours. Delivered new to BEA as a Vanguard G-APEJ on 17 August 1961. Converted to a Merchantman freighter in June 1971. Merged into British Airways 01 April 1974. Sold to Air Bridge Carriers on 13 December 1979. Noted as Hunting Cargo Airlines on 15 August 1992. WFU and stored at East Midlands in December 1992. Broken up and the nose section went to the Brooklands Museum in August 1995.

This is the Merchantman conversion of the Vanguard. Delivered to BEA on 13 Dec 1961 as a Vanguard 953 registration G-APEP it was converted to a Merchantman in Mar 1971. Sold to Air Bridge Carriers on 08 Nov 1979. Renamed Hunting Cargo Airlines by 15 Aug 1992. Preserved at the Brooklands Museum on 17 Oct 1996. Still there in 2023.

Not that common to have two Merch' on the ramp at EMA in the daylight. They usually spending their days parked up at Zurich, Belfast and Glasgow. The aircraft are G-APEP and G-APEK. G-APEP To British Airways on 13 Dec 1961 as a Vanguard 953 and was converted to a Merchantman in Mar 1971. Sold to Air Bridge Carriers 08 Nov 1979. Renamed Hunting Cargo Airlines by 15 Aug 1992. Preserved at the Brooklands Museum since 17 Oct 1996. G-APEK To British Airways 16 Sep 1961 as a Vanguard 953 and converted to a Merchantman Feb 1970. To Air Bridge Carriers 05 Nov 1979. WFU at EMA 1990 later broken up.

Delivered to BEA - British European Airways on 24vJan 1962 and called Swiftsure. Converted from a Vanguard to a Merchantman Apr 1970. Merged into British Airways on 1 Apr 1974. Sold to Air Bridge Carriers on 25 Nov 1976. Renamed Hunting Cargo Airlines on 15 Aug 1992. WFU and stored at East Midlands Feb 1995. Later broken up, nose section preserved.

Evening view as the aircraft is loaded for its first night sortie to one of the following points served by the Merchantman fleet at the time. Belfast, Cologne, Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester or Zurich.

slide acquired through EMCS

Photographer: Alberto Storti.