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General
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Once Southend-on-Sea had a very active airport that played a major role in transporting people and cargo between the UK and continental Europe. The older aviation enthusiasts probably still remember the British Air Ferries Carvairs! However, many other airlines used to fly from Southend with types like Vickers Viscounts, Handley Page Heralds and Bristol Freighters.
Most activity nowadays is from the maintenance and painting companies, and of course the local flying clubs. Maintenance is performed by Heavylift, which specialises in older Boeing types, such as the 707, 727 and 737. Their hangars are at the south side of the airport, near the terminal. Air Livery has two painting bays next to Heavylift. They spray any aircraft types up to Boeing 757 size, being restricted by the runway length and the climb out path (there is a church rather inconveniently located southwest of the airport). Other maintenance is performed by RFS, in the Air Livery hangar, and World Aviation Support, that took over the facilities of British World Airlines in the northwest corner of the airport.
Consequently there isn't a lot of daily activity at Southend, but many interesting aircraft are stored here for a shorter or longer period. This, combined with aircraft on maintenance, always makes Southend worth a detour.
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Layout
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Terminal
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At the south side of the airport there is a small terminal building. To the right of the terminal is the General Aviation Park. Here the smaller visitors are parked and a part of the local private aircraft. Usually also some of the heavy stored jets are parked here.
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Eastern Perimeter
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Continuing past the General Aviation Park you will end up at the Willowair Flying Club and Seawing Flying Club. Also the Vulcan XL426 being restored by the Vulcan Restoration Trust is parked here. While the aircraft parked here may not be interesting to everyone, this point allows an excellent overview of the apron in front of the Heavylift and Air Livery hangars.
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Southwest Corner
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Driving or walking west from the terminal takes you behind the Heavylift and Air Livery hangars. Sometimes the gaps between the hangars allow an aircraft to be identified that was not visible from the Eastern Perimeter. At the end of the road the Southend Flying Club is located. Aircraft parked at the western end of the Heavylift apron can be photographed from here (if you're lucky enough that nothing is in the way). In addition to the Eastern Perimeter point, this is the best spot to read off the stored aircraft in the middle of the field. Note that some aircraft may disappear somewhat behind a hill.
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Northwest Corner
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This is the old British World (and thus British Air Ferries) maintenance facility. A lot of small companies are located here performing overhaul to whole aircraft or just avionics. Photography is a bit tricky here, aircraft often being parked close to the fence or equipment blocking the view. Still you wouldn't want to miss this spot, since many aircraft are not visible from the south side.
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Getting There
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Most visitor with a car will probably arrive via the A127 from London. Just follow the signs to the terminal and use the map to get to the other vantage points.
Though a train runs along the east perimeter of the airport, there is no train stop close by. Several busses from Southend Central Station and Southend Victoria Station pass the terminal. See http://www.essexcc.gov.uk/ for more information.
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Neighbourhood Airports
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London-City
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A small airport in the centre of London |
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London-Stansted
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A busy airport to the northeast of London |
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Cambridge
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A major overhaul facility. |
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More Info
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London Southend Airport
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The official website of Southend Airport. |
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Southend Index
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Site with general info about Southend Airport and a list of stored aircraft. |
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Southend Spotter
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Site with a list of residents and up-to-date movements. |
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The Vulcan Restoration Trust
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The official website of the enthusiasts restoring the Avro Vulcan XL426. |
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Preserved
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XL426
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Though the Vulcan parked at the eastern end of the airport is technically not preserved, it has been there since 1986. Hopefully it will fly or taxi again in the near future. It is officially registered G-VJET.
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G-AOHL
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This former British Air Ferries Viscount is dumped on the north side and being used by the local fire service as a practice object.
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G-AYEI
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This Piper Navajo is parked next to the Viscount and also used for fire training.
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Frequencies
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127.72
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Tower
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128.95
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Approach
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121.8
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ATIS
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Send Updates !
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Do you have updates ? Or is something not listed correctly ? Please let us know ! Fill in the form and send back to us. We appreciate your help very much. Only thanks to your input we can maintain an up to date information. And you can help other spotters with your information as well !
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