Unmarked

G-ALZO

Airspeed AS.57 Ambassador

c/n 5226 ex RJordanAF 108, G-ALZO, G-AMAD ntu

Owned by the Duxford Aviation Society, this airframe is the sole survivor of a production run of 23 Ambassadors, built specifically for BEA, who flew them under the fleet name of Elizabethan. Regd 5.4.50 (CofR No: 14986/1) to British European Airways Corporation, initially as G-AMAD, but changed to G-ALZO before build completed. CofA No: A2863 issued 25.11.52. This particular aircraft was delivered to BEA in 1952 and it remained with them, with CofA renewals at 26.2.54 and annually to 26.2.58. Fitted with a large freight door by Marshalls at Cambridge 11.59. CofA renewed 2.5.60. Cld 5.5.60 on transfer to the Royal Jordanian Air Force with serial 108. It was used for VIP flights flying from its base in Amman. Returned to the UK and Re-Regd 1.2.63 as Re-Regd G-ALZO to Handley Page Ltd., Radlett as part of a trade-in for the supply of two Dart Heralds. Cld 6.2.63 & Re-Regd 26.2.63 to Dan-Air Services Ltd., Gatwick who operated it as both a passenger and freight carrier. CofA renewed 26.4.63 and annually to 26.4.67 and then again on 15.5.68 and annually until the final renewal on 15.5.71. On 28.10.71 it flew from Jersey to Gatwick and into retirement. This was the last Dan-Air flight of an Ambassador and the airframe was taken to the Dan-Air base at Lasham for storage. CofR Cld 10.9.81 as PWFU. It remained there until roaded in from Lasham 16.10.86. Now in Hangar 5 - on rebuild.