Gill Aviation

 Gill Aviation, trading as Gill Air and later as Gill Airways, were a Newcastle based operator of scheduled services, Royal Mail overnight flights, ad-hoc charters and both long and short term sub-service for other carriers.  The carrier was a victim of September 11, as well as (I suspect) management capability that couldn't keep up with the airline's growth.  I've just found a pile of Gill related photos, which I think I set aside when considering authoring a book on the airline.  There's a few captions alongside these photos to give some context.

1. The SD330

Since the mid-80s Gill operated quite a number of SD330s, usually in an all white livery with titles and dark blue tails.

G-BGNG Newcastle 7 Aug 1992

G-BGNG Newcastle 3 Apr 1996

G-BGNG at Newcastle

G-BGNG in the 07 run up bay at Newcastle in August 1992

The well travelled G-BGNB at Newcastle with '360 G-OLAH arriving behind. I don't thin 'NB was in the fleet for long.

The former G-BIFH, retaining is basic Gill Air 'colourscheme'.  1996, unknown location.

G-BHHU was the only '330 to receive the final Gill Airways livery.

G-BIFH outside the Gill hangar at Newcastle, 16 July 1994.

G-BIFH, unknown date, at Newcastle.

G-BIYG getting some spannering outside the hangar

G-BIOE 14 Jun 1997 at Newcastle.

G-BIOE at Newcastle, 1 Apr 1996

G-BIYH at Newcastle 7 Aug 1992. Not sure who's colouscheme it is in. 

G-BJUK at Newcastle.

G-BKIE was a source of spares - not sure if it ever flew for Gill.

G-OGIL retained old Connectair colours. Newcastle, 1992.

G-BJLK, which became G-OGIL

Unfortunately a ground manoeuvring accident haled G-OGIL's career. It was donated to the North East Aircraft Museum.

G-BHHU fresh from a wash, 25 Nov 1995

Flight deck of G-BHHU

2. The SD360

Gill's first 360 was G-BPCO (later G-OLAH) acquired from the collapse of Air Europe, who's Air Europe Express subsidiary had a few 'Sheds'. Quite a number passed through Gill's hands throughout the 1990s including quite a few good 'uns for us spotters!

Fleet leader in Gill's first attempt at a proper livery. G-OLAH was th only aircraft to carry these colours.

G-BKZR was the former G-OAEX and also joined from Air Europe Express.

Additional capacity in the form of this 360 leased from Labrador Airlines of Canada, who's colours it retained. Newcastle 19 Aug 1996.

The well travelled G-BLZT at Newcastle on 1 Apr 1996

G-BLZT having gained some titles. Outside the hangar, unknown date.

'ZT at Newcastle in May 1997.

G-BNFB was with Gill for a couple of years in the mid-1990s, joining from Philippine Airlines. Newcastle, 2 April 1996.

G-BNMW was another ex-Philippines machine that was in the fleet in 1994/95. Date unknown.

G-BNYF also came from the Philippines, and after a year or so went down under to join Sunstate Airlines who fly as Qantaslink. Newcastle, 17 Apr 1995.

G-BVMX joined from Cityflyer Express and was quickly put in to full colours. Landing at Newcastle, 11 July 1997.

G-BVMX on the southside at Newcastle outside the hangar, date unknown.

A nice portrait of 'MX landing at Newcastle in May 1997.

A Shed with no wings!  August 1997 in Gill's hangar at Newcastle.

After Aer Lingus Commuter bought Saab 340s and Fokker 50s, several of their Sheds made it to Gill Air, retaining quite distinctive Aer Lingus colours. G-RMCT - Royal Mail Contract? Newcastle, 23 July 1994.

By December 1996 G-RMCT had gained full Gill Airways colours.  The 360 looks good in these colours.

'CT outside the Newcastle hangar on 15 Feb 1997.

Two more ex-Aer Lingus 360s in the Gill fleet were G-SBAC and G-TBAC. Here's SBAC on 31 March 1994 longing for a lick of fresh paint.

G-BLZT outside the hangar.

G-BLGE leased from Labrador Airways landing at Newcastle on 26 August 1996.

G-OLAH undergoing heavy maintenance in August 1997.

'ZT turning it's back on us! Newcastle, May 1997.

3. ATRs

December 1993 and Gill grew up with it's first ATR42, G-ORFH, acquired brand new.  More 42s and 72s followed.

The first two 42s carried this Gill Air livery. Seen together at Newcastle on 24 Apr 1994.  That Northeast Aviation Services GPU is a well photographed piece of kit :-)

G-BVJP landing at Dublin on 30 March 1997.

As well as the Sheds, seems Gill were quite adept at taking ATRs apart too. Unknown aircraft,  unknown date.

The ATRs became daily visitors to the Channel Islands, with 9C788 double dropping at Guernsey and Jersey on weekdays, and separate flights at weekends. Here's JP arriving in to Jersey on 7 August 1994.

ATR72 engine, in flight.

G-BWDA before operating the enthusiast's charter on 27 April 1996.  Shame we never got one these to toe International Air Tattoo at Fairford, that would be a zillion times better than overnight coach travel!

G-BWDA was the first of two ATR72s Gill acquired brand new. Here's Delta Alpha arriving at Newcastle on 10 May 1997.

Delta Bravo at Newcastle in August 1997.

ATR42 G-BXBV was leased from Tuninter so another goodie for the Geordie spotters, here at Newcastle 7 June 1997.

'BV landing at Newcastle on 24 May 1997.

'BV at Newcastle in May 1997.

A brand new G-ORFH at Newcastle on 21 January 1994.

G-ORFH on 24 April 1994

'FH at Newcastle on 26 Aug 1996

To service a contract with Air France for a twice flight between Newcastle and Paris-CDG, G-ORFH was painted in Air France rather than Gill Airways colours,  January 1999, not long before she gave way to the Fokker 100s on this route.

'FH outside the hangar in August 1997.

G-BVJP landing at Newcastle on 3 May 1997.

G-ORFH landing at Newcastle on 12 May 1997

4. Fokker 100

Three Fokker 100s joined the fleet in the late nineties to operate on behalf of Air France from Paris CDG.  Here's a couple of snaps from CDG.

5. What Else.....

European Airways were also a Newcastle based carrier, acquiring two Jetstream 31s from Birmingham European (G-CBEA and G-OBEA).  They flew to Manchester and Southampton (I think!) and at some point used the Gill Airways '9C' code on their flights.  G-CBEA departing Newcastle on 1 April 1996.

On 10 September 1996 Embraer's Emb145 demonstrator PT-ZJD visited Gill and took some management on a short flight. At the time Gill's future was very much the ATR, so no Embraer jet order was forthcoming.