A320

The answers gratefully received:-

From Andrew Kitney
In June 1987 although not technically a BCAL owned and liveried A320, one of the prototypes half painted in Air France colours and half in BCAL colours did visit LGW for a formal press and company occasion. I recall it doing a fly by and landing/parking in front of Hangar 3/5. So, LGW did see half a BCAL A320!

From Tony Cocklin
Regarding the A.320, before delivery of the first aircraft was due in Spring 1988, BCAL had been taken over by BA. The aircraft were therefore painted in BA colours down in Toulouse. The first A.320 was delivered to Gatwick in March 1988 in BA livery. It was commanded by Capt. John Duncan, A320 Fleet Manager. I know, because I was on board that delivery flight.

From Phil Bowell
Re the A320 - never one in a BCAL livery. It was a shame that BCAL was the launch customer for this type yet never got to fly in the Golden Lion colours. If my memory serves me correctly, BA actually gave up the Delivery slots which I thought were I, 3, 4 and 7 as they did not initially think the aircraft would be good in the BA fleet mix which is reasonable at that time.

From Bill French
As one of the first Tuggies to be trained on the A320 I can honestly say that none arrived at Gatwick in BCAL livery. This was I am afraid the way it turned out. The fist A320 to arrive was G-BUSB at least that was the first I can remember working on.

From Jim Street Feb 11th 2009
As a Ground Engineer with BCAL I visited Toulouse just before the take over/merger with BA. There were 2 A/c G-BUSA and G-BUSB I think in the factory. Both were in yellow primer but both had complete fins in full BCAL livery, alas no photos were taken. I clearly remember the first A/C on the ramp at LGW all in BA colours, however at the right angle the Lion on the fin was clearly visible under the BA scheme

From Paul Lane April 3rd 2010
As Andrew Kitney states, the half/half (AFR/BCAL) A320 did visit Gatwick in 1987 - I was a fresh Technician working the “Bolster” 5 on 3 off shift on the Line and remember it well (couldn’t get near it for press/VIP’s and people who thought they were VIP’s!). I seem to remember it being on the centre finger (stands 14-18’ish).

I departed (did the headset bit anyway) the A320 G-BUSB on one of its first Crew Training flights in March 1988 - it had some real problems regarding power transfer on engine start - causing the flight program to be dropped from the Flight Management Computers - we had to wait on stand with the engines running whilst the crew re-inputted all the route data.

From Colin Starkey Feb 24th 2012
I was at LGW the day the A320 parked outside the hanger. It was in BCal colours but can't remember if it was on both sides. Think the captain was Gordon Corps of Airbus who had conducted some of my route training on the BCal A310 in 1984 along with BCal Capt. John Hounsfield. It was during my A310 course in Toulouse Blagnac about Feb 1984 that I first saw the 320 cockpit in mockup form and the next time I saw it was that day at LGW.

From Ken Lownds Aug 30th 2018
Dear Team, I with many BCal staff watched an A320 do a low pass at LGW. Thought it was Capt Duncan and the aircraft in BCal livery and rather thought it landed. Best Regards, Ken Lownds : BCal Ground Ops 1982-takeover, then BA Marketing Systems

Many thanks to all the respondents including Geoff King, Alan Painter, Nigel Dale, much appreciated

Airbus Test Reg	BCal Airbus A320	Type	Serial	Flew with BA as	Type
F-WWDD	G-BRSA	110	006	G-BUSB	111
F-WWDE	G-BRSB	110	008	G-BUSC	111
F-WWDF	G-BRSC	110	011	G-BUSD	111
F-WWDG	G-BRSD	110	017	G-BUSE	111
F-WWDH	G-BRSE	110	018	G-BUSF	111
F-WWDM	G-BRSF	110	039	G-BUSG	211
F-WWDT	G-BRSG	110	042	G-BUSH	211
F-WWDB	G-BRSH	110	103	G-BUSI	211
F-WWIC	G-BRSI	110	109	G-BUSJ	211
F-WWIN	G-BRSJ	110	120	G-BUSK	211