Photographer: Neil Aird.

Broken up at Redhill, England, in 1966

This aircraft was delivered to BOAC on 18th October 1949 as "Aeolus" and was used on the East African royal tour in April 1954. It was sold to the Royal Rhodesian Air Force in December 1959 as serial 179, later changed to 600-M and VP-YZM. Restored as G-ALHW to Air Links Ltd. in July 1964 ownership was transferred to Transglobe Airways Ltd. in August 1965. In October 1965 it was ferried to Redhill and then to Castle Donnington in March 1966 where it was broken up to provide spares for the British Midland Airways Canadair fleet. (Info from Larry Milberry's excellent "The Canadair North Star").

I was just about to board the plane on a flight back to London Gatwick.

Operated by BEA (ex KJ897) from 1951 to 1961. Exported to Rhodesian Air Services in October 1962 as VP-YUU and last known derelict at Rand (FAGM) in 1999.

Previously owned by a number of other civilian operators (during which it carried serial WZ838 at one time for trooping flights), it was acquired by its last operator, Air Links, on 24 October 1962. It was eventually the last Hermes 4 in service and made its final flight on 22 December 1964, when it positioned from Gatwick to Southend, where it was parked until scrapped in March 1965. It was cancelled 9 August 1965 as PWFU. Parked ahead of it in this photo are engineless Vikings G-AJFR & G-APOO, also awaiting scrapping.

A D-Day veteran having dropped paratroops near Picauville, Normandy during which it was damaged by ground fire. Ex EI-ACH of Aer Lingus and later exported to Nepal on 5 April 1964 and registered 9N-AAM.

The sound of 4 Merlins! This aircraft called in again on the 31st October en route to Gatwick which must have been it's last revenue earning service. As a matter of interest one of the "lads" managed to get a free seat on this a/c so as to get back to the UK. On returning after his "leave" he told us that as the a/c was taxiing around the perimeter track, it ran out of fuel! Whether it was a 'line shoot' or not I will never know. Or perhaps there is someone out there that can confirm this story...............!? To Castle Donington for spares use by British Midland.

Scrapping well under way on the last operational Hermes 4.

The last operational Hermes 4 being prepared for scrapping.

Withdrawn from use along with G-AJFR and 2 other Channel Airways Vikings.

At the Biggin Hill Air Fair

Ex 42-93027, EI-ACH

G-ALHI was broken up in 1966.

Operating an inclusive tour service under sub-charter a few months before this last-of-the-line airliner was withdrawn and scrapped.

The last operational Handley Page Hermes, powered by four Bristol Hercules radial engines, takes off during the 1963 Biggin Hill Air Fair.