Photos of Balair Douglas DC-6B Aircraft HB IBS from 1979 to 1981

My aircraft photos taken in 1979-85 include the wonderful Balair Douglas DC-6B HB IBS, (1979-81). The highlight was a flight on 7 Aug 1981, with a few minutes in the cockpit climbing out from Norwich. I am now updating the site to widescreen 1600 x 900 format, including larger photos and some historic documentation very kindly provided by Alex Hedayat, son of the Captain of HB-IBS.

Balair Douglas DC-6B aircraft HB IBS on it's stand at London, Gatwick Airport on 25th November 1979 as a Tradewinds CL 44 turboprop aircraft taxis past the DC-6B and a Laker Airways Boeing 707. This and the next two photos are my first of HB-IBS are are from 35mm slides. Balair Douglas DC-6B aircraft HB IBS at London, Gatwick Airport, taxiing out towards runway 26L past a Dan Air Comet 4C and a British Midland Vickers Viscount on 25th November 1979. These three 35mm shots were taken in dreadfully dull weather. But they are my first of HB-IBS and include some other great aircraft, so I have kept them in this collection. Balair Douglas DC-6B aircraft HB IBS starting it's take off run on runway 26L at London, Gatwick Airport, on a very dull and murky 25th November 1979.

Balair Douglas DC-6B aircraft HB IBS over the threshold of runway 08R at London, Gatwick Airport arriving from Basle on 13th January 1980.

Balair Douglas DC-6B aircraft HB IBS turning onto runway 08R at London, Gatwick Airport prior to take off on 13th January 1980.

Balair Douglas DC-6B aircraft HB IBS turning onto runway 08R at London, Gatwick Airport prior to take off on 13th January 1980.

Balair Douglas DC-6B aircraft HB IBS turning onto runway 08R at London, Gatwick Airport prior to take off on 13th January 1980. Balair Douglas DC-6B aircraft HB IBS waiting take off clearance on runway 08R at London, Gatwick Airport on 13th January 1980. Balair Douglas DC-6B aircraft HB IBS just after take off from runway 26L at London, Gatwick Airport on 2nd March 1980. Closer view of Balair Douglas DC-6B aircraft HB IBS just after take off from runway 26L at London, Gatwick Airport on 2nd March 1980. Balair Douglas DC-6B aircraft HB IBS on final approach to runway 26L at London, Gatwick Airport on 23rd March 1980. Piston engines galore! Balair Douglas DC-6B aircraft HB IBS taxiing down to runway 08R at London, Gatwick Airport and past the DC-3, Dakotas of Eastern Airways and Air Atlantique on 23rd March 1980. Closer view of Balair Douglas DC-6B aircraft HB IBS taxiing down to runway 08R at London, Gatwick Airport and past the DC-3, Dakotas of Eastern Airways and Air Atlantique on 23rd March 1980. Balair Douglas DC-6B aircraft HB IBS just after take off from runway 08R at London, Gatwick Airport on 23rd March 1980. Balair Douglas DC-6B aircraft HB IBS taking off from runway 08L at London, Gatwick Airport on 1st May 1980. Balair Douglas DC-6B aircraft HB IBS touching down onto runway 26L at London, Gatwick Airport on 26th May 1980. Close up of Balair Douglas DC-6B aircraft HB IBS touching down onto runway 26L at London, Gatwick Airport on 26th May 1980. Balair Douglas DC-6B aircraft HB IBS in flight not long after take off from London, Gatwick Airport on 26th May 1980. Balair Douglas DC-6B aircraft HB IBS on final approach to runway 26L at London, Gatwick Airport on 19th June 1980. Balair Douglas DC-6B aircraft HB IBS just after take off from runway 26L at London, Gatwick Airport on 19th June1980. Balair Douglas DC-6B aircraft HB IBS after take off from runway 26L at London, Gatwick Airport on 20th June 1980. Balair Douglas DC-6B aircraft HB IBS after take off from runway 26L at London, Gatwick Airport on 23rd June 1980. Balair Douglas DC-6B aircraft HB IBS crossing the threshold of runway 08R at London, Gatwick Airport on 25th July 1980. Balair Douglas DC-6B aircraft HB IBS taxiing towards runway 08R at London, Gatwick Airport on 25th July 1980. Balair Douglas DC-6B aircraft HB IBS just after take off from runway 08R at London, Gatwick Airport on 25th July 1980. Balair Douglas DC-6B aircraft HB IBS just after take off from runway 08R at London, Gatwick Airport on 25th July 1980. Balair Douglas DC-6B aircraft HB IBS on final approach to runway 26L at London, Gatwick Airport 28th August 1980. Balair Douglas DC-6B aircraft HB IBS just after take off from runway 26L at London Gatwick Airport on 28th August 1980. Balair Douglas DC-6B aircraft HB IBS taking off from runway 26L at London, Gatwick Airport in 1980/81 Balair Douglas DC-6B aircraft HB IBS after take off from runway 26L at London, Gatwick Airport in 1980/81. Balair Douglas DC-6B aircraft HB IBS coming into land on runway 08R at London, Gatwick Airport in 1980/81. Photo of Balair Douglas DC-6B aircraft HB IBS coming into land on runway 08R at London, Gatwick Airport in 1980/81. Balair Douglas DC-6B aircraft HB IBS coming into land on runway 08R at London, Gatwick Airport in 1980/81. Balair Douglas DC-6B aircraft HB IBS coming into land on runway 08R at London, Gatwick Airport in 1980/81. Balair Douglas DC-6B aircraft HB IBS taking off from runway 08R at London, Gatwick Airport in 1980/81. Balair Douglas DC-6B aircraft HB IBS after take off from runway 08R at London, Gatwick Airport in 1980/81. Balair Douglas DC-6B aircraft HB IBS after take off from runway 26L at London, Gatwick Airport in 1980/81. Balair Douglas DC-6B aircraft HB IBS after take off from runway 26L at London, Gatwick Airport in 1980/81. Balair Douglas DC-6B aircraft HB IBS preparing to turn onto runway 08R for take off at London, Gatwick, Airport in 1980/81. Balair Douglas DC-6B aircraft HB IBS taking off from runway 08R at London, Gatwick Airport in 1980/81.

Now for the first of the historic documentation very kindly provided by Alex Hedayat, son of the Captain of HB-IBS. These are some of the personal notes used by his father, Captain H Hedayat, who used to Captain this wonderful aircraft. To me the contents of the notes reveal a very high level of professionalism amongst the crews of IBS and I am proud to be able to include them here.

Appropriately after seeing those notes, it's time we took a flight in HB IBS. He she is at Norwich Airport prior to operating an aviation enthusiasts flight on 7 August 1981. Balair Douglas DC-6B aircraft HB IBS at Norwich Airport prior to operating an aviation enthusiasts flight on 7 August 1981. Balair Douglas DC-6B aircraft HB IBS at Norwich Airport prior to operating an aviation enthusiasts flight on 7 August 1981. Balair Douglas DC-6B aircraft HB IBS at Norwich Airport prior to operating an aviation enthusiasts flight on 7 August 1981. Balair Douglas DC-6B aircraft HB IBS at Norwich Airport prior to operating an aviation enthusiasts flight on 7 August 1981. Balair Douglas DC-6B aircraft HB IBS at Norwich Airport prior to operating an aviation enthusiasts flight on 7 August 1981. Balair Douglas DC-6B aircraft HB IBS at Norwich Airport prior to operating an aviation enthusiasts flight on 7 August 1981. Starboard wing Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp radial engines of Balair Douglas DC-6B aircraft HB IBS on it's take off roll at Norwich Airport on an enthusiasts charter flight on 7 August 1981. Starboard wing Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp radial engines of Balair Douglas DC-6B aircraft HB IBS soon after take off from Norwich Airport on an enthusiasts charter flight on 7 August 1981. Cockpit of Balair Douglas DC-6B aircraft HB IBS climbing out from Norwich Airport on an enthusiasts charter flight on 7 August 1981. Close up photo in cockpit of Balair Douglas DC-6B aircraft HB IBS climbing out from Norwich Airport on an enthusiasts charter flight on 7 August 1981. Close up photo in cockpit of Balair Douglas DC-6B aircraft HB IBS climbing out from Norwich Airport on an enthusiasts charter flight on 7 August 1981. Cockpit of Balair Douglas DC-6B aircraft HB IBS climbing out from Norwich Airport on an enthusiasts charter flight on 7 August 1981. Port wing Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp radial engines of Balair Douglas DC-6B aircraft HB IBS as it climbs out from Norwich Airport on an enthusiasts charter flight on 7 August 1981. A closer look at those wonderful port wing Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp radial engines of Balair Douglas DC-6B aircraft HB IBS roaring away as it climbs out from Norwich Airport on an enthusiasts charter flight on 7 August 1981. The cabin inside Balair Douglas DC-6B aircraft HB IBS after take off from Norwich Airport on an enthusiasts charter flight on 7 August 1981. Another look at those lovely port wing Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp radial engines of Balair Douglas DC-6B aircraft HB IBS as it flies above Norwich on an enthusiasts charter flight on 7 August 1981. And another look at the starboard wing Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp radial engines of Balair Douglas DC-6B aircraft HB IBS as it flies above Norwich on an enthusiasts charter flight on 7 August 1981. A young and slim Bryan Benn, your webmaster, in front of Balair Douglas DC-6B aircraft HB IBS at Norwich after enjoying that wonderful avaiation enthusiasts charter flight on 7th August 1981. Balair Douglas DC-6B aircraft HB IBS taxiing towards the runway of Norwich Airport prior to taking off with the second of two aviation enthusiasts charter flights on 7th August 1981. Balair Douglas DC-6B aircraft HB IBS on final approach at Norwich Airport when landing with the second of two aviation enthusiasts charter flights on 7th August 1981. Balair Douglas DC-6B aircraft HB IBS on final approach at Norwich Airport when landing with the second of two aviation enthusiasts charter flights on 7th August 1981. Farewell HB IBS. Balair Douglas DC-6B aircraft HB IBS heading into the evening sky after take off from runway 26L at London, Gatwick Airport in 1980/81. This historic aircraft was sold to Canada as C-GIBS in around 1982 as tanker, (spray/fire) aircraft , and was last reported in service in 2008, and stored out of service in 2010.

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