The early months of 1963 were a winter in which the snow lay until March. The viscount involved in the accident was G-ARBY operated by British United Airways. That particular day the fog lasted all day so no journalists got any pictures as far as I know. Funnily it was also the airframe which suffered fuel starvation just before landing at Exeter in 1980.
This flight brought post and freight and landed in the early hours of the morning. Ground staff were quick to overpaint the name of the airline. The snow-banks obscuring the runway edge lighting was a possible cause.
The original control tower sited north of thr runway near the mid-point.
Airport architecture was very functional in those days. The approach control is behind the windows at the left. Notice the right side corner was the fire service training tower. Just an indication that we all worked for the same objective. No private contracts to negotiate, only one organization to blame. ‘Government service’ written on every sheet of toilet paper.
Gatwick's original terminal 1963
In 1963 the snow was cleared and dumped into car-parks and was still melting well into March.
Get in touch of you think you know who it is in the picture.
The original VCR on the same day as the GARBY accident so it’s foggy outside,
Some more images from Gatwick Airport from the 60s/early 70s
