G-ALZO — 1950 Airspeed AS57 Ambassador 2 Data

Operated by BEA from 1950? to 1960-05-05. Sold to Royal Jordanian Air Force. Dan Air from 1963-02-26. PWFU 1981-09-10. Now owned by The Duxford Aviation Society and located at The Imperial War Museum. Now 24 years undergoing restoration!

G-ALZO is a very, very special aircraft to me as it is the first aircraft I ever flew in (July, 1968). Aged 11, I flew in G-ALZO from Glasgow to France (Dan-Air of course). I remember it like it was yesterday. We boarded on the starboard side through the upwards-opening door. As she lined up at the end of the runway I thought she was going to shake herself to pieces as the Captain applied full throttle - and, very, very slowly, it seemed to me, we shook and rattled down the runway until, finally, we lumbered into the sky. I paid a pilgimage to see G-ALZO at Duxford some four or more years ago. I stood outside the window I had gazed through all those years before (front, starboard side - and I was sitting with my back to the nose). Sadly, I was appalled to see poor G-ALZO lying in bits - tri-tail in pieces, engines gone, no nose cone. If anyone can tell me how her restoration is going I should be very grateful - indeed, if there is any way I can assist to restore G-ALZO to the proud state in which I first saw her I should like to know. Yes, I would like to re-live a childhood thrill, but what a thrill it was. I dare say she will never fly again (or will she???), but at least she is still with us.