Thanks to Adrian Balch for helping get quite an obscure airline model made! For part 1 of this blog series see: Bahamas Airways Pt 1: Money for Nothing
The new airline's priorities were to regain competitiveness by acquiring pure jets and to present for the first time a truly independent brand. The latter was unveiled almost immediately with a lovely new blue crown scheme complete with a pink flamingo whose wing took up most of the tail aside from a stylised B behind it on the rudder.
One of the major factors inhibiting Bahamas Airways from profitability was its lack of long haul routes such as a service to New York. The new fleet and livery hadn't improved profitability and the airline quickly applied for a Nassau-New York service even though it did not have any aircraft to operate the service. Both Pan Am and Eastern flew the route with 727s and for a time it appeared likely that BAL would lease a 727 for the service, probably from one of the supplemental airlines like World Airways. BAC was keen to avoid Boeing involving itself with another of its customers and instead offered a specially modified One-Eleven 500, which would have long range fuel tanks added into the forward cargo hold. BAL still had a pair of options outstanding for the One-eleven and confirmed one as an order for the 'new' type. Bahamas Airways did actually add a third One-eleven to the fleet but this was a new series 301AG, which arrived in April 1970. Although the long range 517FE was completed and painted into BAL colours it never left Bournemouth, as Bahamas Airways finally ceased operations on October 9, 1970.
References
Evanich III, J.E. Lost Schemes: #52 Bahamas Airways One-Eleven 517 (1968-1970). Airlinercafe Mexico & Caribbean One-Eleven operators. BAC1-11jet.co.uk Bahamas Airways. Aerobernie
8 Comments
DAVID SEMENTILLI
20/9/2017 01:09:27 am
Our family flew Bahamas air 737's and HS-748 aircraft.
Reply
Adrian Balch
20/9/2017 03:31:42 pm
Saw these lovely turquoise and pink One-Elevens on air test at the Bournemouth Factory before delivery, so just had to get JC to make the model on the Gemini mould and he did a great job.
Reply
John Feeny
16/10/2017 08:18:01 pm
Flew on a Flamingo BAC-111 in 1969, Nassau to Miami, returning on an Eastern 727. I was delighted when this model was produced since I only collect aircraft I have flown on. A very attractive livery!
Reply
Led Waton
20/12/2019 12:49:11 am
I was affiliated with both, leaving the Bahamas in 1978, but continued working 1-11's in the U.S.
Reply
21/3/2023 02:29:54 pm
I joined Bahamas Airways in1967 and flew their DC3s and HS748 aircraft.
Reply
Antonia Lestner
5/1/2024 01:40:08 pm
Hi John, I was wondering if you knew my dad? His name was Frank Lestner and I think he managed Freeport airport in the late 60's. Kind regards, Antonia.
Reply
John Feeny
5/1/2024 01:51:23 pm
Hi Antonia, 15/1/2024 12:42:31 am
Hello John,
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorI'm Richard Stretton: a fan of classic airliners and airlines who enjoys exploring their history through my collection of die-cast airliners. If you enjoy the site please donate whatever you can to help keep it running: Archives
January 2025
Categories
All
|