Tradewinds Airways
Encyclopedia
Tradewinds Airways was a former British all-cargo airline.
Gatwick (LGW) airport, using Canadair CL-44-D4
aircraft previously operated by Transglobe.
In January 1969 the name was changed to Tradewinds Airways but since Seaboard World Airlines
(a USA based company) had a large interest in Tradewinds, the British Government would not issue a license. By April 1969 the majority of the stock was passed on to British nationals and the company was able to start operations later in 1969.
Tradewinds flew a lot of relief flights to Nigeria
during the civil war with Biafra
and that allowed the company to expand in Africa, the Middle East and the Far East. Tradewinds also flew a lot of flights for the ministry of defense.
The company was taken over in 1977 by the Lonrho Group and began to replace the CL44's with used Boeing 707-320C
freighters. With those aircraft, flights to Chicago
and Toronto
were begun. With the new services, the company grew to be the largest British pure cargo airline during the early 80's, but the Lonrho Group ran into financial trouble and was forced to sell Tradewinds to Homac Aviation. Lack of capital did not allow the 707 aircraft to be replaced when they became subject to new noise regulations and the airline ceased operations on September 28, 1990.
Boeing 707-320C
History
Tradewinds was founded in November 1968 after the collapse of Transglobe Airways under the name BOBWOOD and flew charter flights from its base at LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
Gatwick (LGW) airport, using Canadair CL-44-D4
Canadair CL-44
The Canadair CL-44 was a Canadian turboprop airliner and cargo aircraft based on the Bristol Britannia that was developed and produced by Canadair in the late 1950s and early 1960s...
aircraft previously operated by Transglobe.
In January 1969 the name was changed to Tradewinds Airways but since Seaboard World Airlines
Seaboard World Airlines
Seaboard World Airlines was an international all-cargo airline based in the United States. Its headquarters were on the grounds of John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City.- History :...
(a USA based company) had a large interest in Tradewinds, the British Government would not issue a license. By April 1969 the majority of the stock was passed on to British nationals and the company was able to start operations later in 1969.
Tradewinds flew a lot of relief flights to Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
during the civil war with Biafra
Biafra
Biafra, officially the Republic of Biafra, was a secessionist state in south-eastern Nigeria that existed from 30 May 1967 to 15 January 1970, taking its name from the Bight of Biafra . The inhabitants were mostly the Igbo people who led the secession due to economic, ethnic, cultural and religious...
and that allowed the company to expand in Africa, the Middle East and the Far East. Tradewinds also flew a lot of flights for the ministry of defense.
The company was taken over in 1977 by the Lonrho Group and began to replace the CL44's with used Boeing 707-320C
Boeing 707
The Boeing 707 is a four-engine narrow-body commercial passenger jet airliner developed by Boeing in the early 1950s. Its name is most commonly pronounced as "Seven Oh Seven". The first airline to operate the 707 was Pan American World Airways, inaugurating the type's first commercial flight on...
freighters. With those aircraft, flights to Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
and Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
were begun. With the new services, the company grew to be the largest British pure cargo airline during the early 80's, but the Lonrho Group ran into financial trouble and was forced to sell Tradewinds to Homac Aviation. Lack of capital did not allow the 707 aircraft to be replaced when they became subject to new noise regulations and the airline ceased operations on September 28, 1990.
Fleet
Canadair CL-44Canadair CL-44
The Canadair CL-44 was a Canadian turboprop airliner and cargo aircraft based on the Bristol Britannia that was developed and produced by Canadair in the late 1950s and early 1960s...
| Registration | Model | Serial Number | Years Operated | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G-AWDK | CL44-D4-1 | 23 | 02/06/1969 - 08/01/1979 | Sold to Bayu Indonesia Air |
| G-AWGS | CL44-D4-1 | 27 | 02/06/1969 - 03/01/1980 | Sold to Westinghouse |
| G-AWGT | CL44-D4-1 | 30 | 02/06/1969 - 04/22/1978 | Sold to Cyprus Airways |
| G-AWOV | CL44-D4-1 | 32 | 07/23/1970 - 12/15/1977 | Sold to Transvalair |
| G-AWSC | CL44-D4-1 | 26 | 10/31/1970 - 12/22/1974 | written off after heavy landing in Lusaka, Zambia 12/22/1974 |
| G-BCWJ | CL44-D4-6 | 28 | 02/01/1975 - 07/06/1978 | written off after heavy landing in Nairobi, Kenya 07/06/1978 |
Boeing 707-320C
Boeing 707
The Boeing 707 is a four-engine narrow-body commercial passenger jet airliner developed by Boeing in the early 1950s. Its name is most commonly pronounced as "Seven Oh Seven". The first airline to operate the 707 was Pan American World Airways, inaugurating the type's first commercial flight on...
| Registration | Model | Serial Number | Years Operated | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G-AWHU | 707-379C | 19821/718 | 10/01/1989 - 08/02/1990 | |
| G-BFEO | 707-323C | 18691/357 | 10/14/1977 - 04/14/1986 | |
| G-BFZF | 707-321C | 18718/368 | 06/01/1985 - 01/01/1986 | Sold to Greyhound and re-registered as G-BNGH |
| G-BNGH | 707-321C | 18718/368 | 05/01/1986 - 11/05/1989 | Leased from Greyhound |
| G-SAIL | 707-323C | 18690/356 | 09/25/1978 - 04/21/1986 | |
| G-TRAD | 707-321C | 18717/366 | 01/24/1984 - 04/16/1986 | |
| G-WIND | 707-323C | 18689/354 | 03/02/1978 - 03/18/1982 | |
| N5772T | 707-331C | 19213/613 | 08/28/1977 - 03/30/1978 | Leased from TWA |
| HB-IEI | 707-328C | 19521/584 | 11/14/1989 - 03/01/1990 | Leased from Homac Aviation |