G-AOVM

SERIES 310 - VARIANT 312.

Constructors No. 13421 - Production No. 048

Built at Filton - First flight 29.04.58 – C of A: 13.05.58

Ordered by BOAC she was flown to Marshall's of Cambridge for fitting out on 13 May 1958 and delivered to BOAC at London (Heathrow) Airport on 10 June 1958. G-AOVM went into service on 26 June 1958 as BA 581/130. On 27 February 1963 while at Richmond, G-AOVM was taxiing onto the apron after landing when she rolled on to soft ground approximately 15 feet from the hard standing. G-AOVM operating as BA RCH 3374 was delayed for six hours while waiting for equipment to tow her out. The last service that G-AOVM operated for BOAC was on 26 March 1964 on a flight from Salisbury to London as BA 922/086. British Eagle International Airlines leased this aircraft on a five year hire-purchase agreement and she was delivered on 29 March 1964. Later named 'Team Spirit', she was purchased by British Eagle and converted to a 312F at Speke, Liverpool in December 1967. G-AOVM operated British Eagle's last flight on 7 November 1968 whilst positioning following the demise of British Eagle International Airlines. G-AOVM was purchased by Air Spain on 6 March 1969 and re-registered EC-BSY, wearing full livery from 1 December 1969. Use by the Australian airline Southern Cross International did not take place and although the livery was applied, it was removed prior to leaving the hangar. Withdrawn from service and sold to the Ministry of Defence in November 1971 and operated in the markings of Aircraft and Armament Experimental Establishment (A&AEE Boscombe Down) retained the name 'Team Spirit', serialled XX367. Received at Boscombe Down on 3 May 1972. By the end of March 1981 this aircraft had flown 33 100.10 hours and landed 10 203 times. XX367 celebrated her 25th Anniversary when she flew back into Filton on 29 April 1983 under the command of Flight Lt. David Berry and Sqdn Ldr Ken Newman. The flight engineer was Alan Kidson. All were members on the Air Transport Flight 'B 'Sqdn. Also on board was Sqdn Ldr Clive Osborne. Withdrawn from service by the MOD, XX367 was ferried to Cranfield under the Command of Squadron Leader David Berry for storage until delivery to Katale Aero Transport registered as 9Q-CHY in March 1984, named 'Hubert'. Purchased by Business Cash Flow Aviation and retained the name 'Team Spirit'. Following a revision of BCF's livery, 9Q-CHY was repainted to match their Boeing 707 and a new name was applied to her nose section - 'Mwenye Mikebwe', the grandmother of Dr Mayani. At the end of January 1991, it was reported that 9Q-CHY was still in operation, following a heavy check 2 'Zairean style' overhaul, which possibly included the fitting of a new freight floor. This was the one and only Britannia aircraft still operating in 1991. Now broken up at Kinshasa.