Any idea what year?

Clearing out the loft, ready to move house in August, came across these old negs, FP3, home developed!.....

Digitised with K5 & 100mm D FA Macro & Pentax Auto Bellows M & film strip holder.

Converted to positive in Elements 11.


A view from, I think, The Monument in London.





DeHavilland Comet, from the observation balcony(!) at Heathrow.






Some latest models on the top deck of the car-park!






I think these are pre-1986, when I bought my Pentax MX, so would have been taken with my Exa IIb, a simpler Exacta Varex, otherwise known as "The Tank"!


Any ideas from anyone would be much appreciated!

Roger.

Hi Roger,

Much earlier than 1986.

I know a thing or two about Comets. I can't quite read the last two letters of its registration code, but perhaps you can in your original.

looks like it starts off G-AP..

If you can make out the last two I might be able to help date the image.
I know the fate of most BOAC comets.

Best Regards,

/Ian

It's G-APDM, Ian.

Hope this helps!

thanks for looking,

Roger.

It's for sure sixties judging by the look of those latest car models and worn sunglasses. But if someone recognizes the building from the first photograph, an on-line encyclopedia will tell the dates

Hi Roger,

G-APDM

Last BOAC Comet service 24.11.1965
Transferred to MEA, (Middle East Airlines) March 1967
Transferred to MSA, (Malaysian Airlines) January 1968
Transferred to Dan Air January 1969.

So the photo is from no later than the Mid 1960's.

Best Regards,

/Ian

I remember getting a tour of the perimeter and viewing from the balcony when I used to holiday in Woodley as a young boy.

The cars are a big clue, a Cortina, a Zephyr, an Anglia and I think that's a Hillman Hunter, can't see enough of the white one but could be a Corsair so I'll have a stab at 1968/69.

That Comet's life with BOAC was March 1959 to November 1965. (Is that a DC-3 staggering in in the distance?)

Cars are early-mid 1960s.

Great response Chaps!

Thanks to all for v.good memories!

Thinking the building could be the NatWest tower, building started 1970 (ex Wiki).

I think the 'plane behind the Comet is a BEA Vickers Viscount.
I'm looking closely to see if I can make out the reg. of the BOAC tailfin on the right, to cross-ref. the year.
The one in the distance from the car park... is it one of those car transporters where the nose divided & hinged open for loading.....?


Thanks for looking, all.

Roger.

You mean the Bristol Freighter? (This was what I thought might be a Dakota).

NatWest Tower doesn't have a square core like your pic, but three lobes, like this.

Thanks, Michael, I did mean a Bristol freighter, but don't know that that is what it was, if you see what I
I mean.....

And yes, you're quite right.
It's not the NWT!

Next!

Good here, isn't it?



Roger.

Hi Roger,

Check out this panorama taken from the top of the monument.

link

Might give a clue. I recognise the roof of the building in the foreground.

No idea what the glass tower behind is called though.
(under construction in your photo).

Cheers.

/Ian

I think your mystery building is (was) 20 Fenchurch Street. Used to be occupied by Kleinwort Benson.

Built 1963-1968 Demolished 2007-2008

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/picturedisplay.php?ref=121&idi=20+Fenchurch+Street...

http://postwarbuildings.com/buildings/20-fenchurch-street

It never fails to amaze me just how much knowledge is around here

If you ever want to know the history of a plane with a UK (G-) registration you can use the CAA website: link