AIR BRIDGE CARRIERS LTD
HUNTING CARGO AIRLINES LTD
HUNTING CARGO AIRLINES LTD
Air Bridge Carriers ( Channel Islands ) Ltd was formed
originally in 1972 as Carbia Transport to acquire the
assets of the recently defunct Sagittair. Operations began
with the Armstrong Whitworth Argosies held by Field
Aircraft Services Ltd in lieu of payments owed by Sagittair
when it ceased operations on 8 September 1972.
Operations included the transport of fresh produce from
the Channel Islands to the UK, awkward loads such as
aero engines, and heavy loads to the North Sea Oil Fields.
originally in 1972 as Carbia Transport to acquire the
assets of the recently defunct Sagittair. Operations began
with the Armstrong Whitworth Argosies held by Field
Aircraft Services Ltd in lieu of payments owed by Sagittair
when it ceased operations on 8 September 1972.
Operations included the transport of fresh produce from
the Channel Islands to the UK, awkward loads such as
aero engines, and heavy loads to the North Sea Oil Fields.
Air Bridge Carriers
The first Merchantman was purchased from British Airways and delivered on 24 November,
1976 and entered service on 15 December, 1976. Five more, from the same source were
purchased in October 1979 and delivered between November 1979 and January 1980.
Air Bridge Carriers purchased another Merchantman from Europe Aero Service in July 1987,
operating it firstly in Elan Air livery and later in DHL Air livery. Several of the aircraft were
leased out to other operators for varying periods.
1976 and entered service on 15 December, 1976. Five more, from the same source were
purchased in October 1979 and delivered between November 1979 and January 1980.
Air Bridge Carriers purchased another Merchantman from Europe Aero Service in July 1987,
operating it firstly in Elan Air livery and later in DHL Air livery. Several of the aircraft were
leased out to other operators for varying periods.
710
V.953C
G-APEG
(Leased to Air Tenggara / Air Fast) ; withdrawn from use January 1983
713
V.953C
G-APEJ
(Leased to Occitan Air) ; withdrawn from use December 1992
714
V.953C
G-APEK
(Leased to Inter Cargo Service) ; withdrawn from use December 1989
716
V.953C
G-APEM
(Leased to Elan Air ; to DHL Air) ; withdrawn from use January 1994
719
V.953C
G-APEP
Withdrawn from use 30 September 1996
721
V.953C
G-APES
Withdrawn from use 4 February 1995
722
V.953C
G-APET
Withdrawn from use July 1991
The nose section of c/n 713 G-APEJ was saved from the scrap merchants attention, and was
donated to The Brooklands Museum, Weybridge, Surrey, England.
The nose section of c/n 721 G-APES was also saved, and is exhibited at the East Midlands
Airport Aeropark, Leicestershire, England.
After withdrawal from service c/n 719 G-APEP was also donated to The Brooklands
Museum, flying from East Midlands Airport to Weybridge Airfield on 17 October 1996,
where it had first taken to the air almost thirty five years before.
The nose section of c/n 721 G-
Airport Aeropark, Leicestershire, England.
After withdrawal from service c/n 719 G-
Museum, flying from East Midlands Airport to Weybridge Airfield on 17 October 1996,
where it had first taken to the air almost thirty five years before.
In August 1992 Air Bridge Carriers Ltd changed its name
to Hunting Cargo Airlines Ltd, and in the same year just
four aircraft were still in service. Only one of these,
G-APES was re-painted into Hunting Cargo Airlines livery.
The others merely had stickers placed on the Air Bridge
livery. The last of these four was withdrawn from service
on 30 September 1996.
to Hunting Cargo Airlines Ltd, and in the same year just
four aircraft were still in service. Only one of these,
G-
livery. The last of these four was withdrawn from service
on 30 September 1996.
Hunting Cargo Airlines
BASE : East Midlands Airport, Leicestershire, England
UNITED KINGDOM
