Classic Airline Fleets – BEA’s Tridents

In the 1950s the days of jet airliners were still very much in their infancy. The post-war growth in airlines was creating a rising demand for aircraft, as surplus types like the Douglas DC-3 were snapped up by new carriers.

The war had also led the way in technological advances, and the de Havilland Comet was a major step forward in bringing jet air travel to the forefront, allowing destinations to be reached much faster and still in luxury.

Rival developments from Boeing and Douglas in the United States made jet travel mainstream, and Sud Aviation in France were also soon joining the club.

Britain’s British European Airways (BEA) wanted a new jet airliner to take over their domestic and European routes from London, and de Havilland won the contract to build this new aircraft, which was given the name DH.121 Trident, owing to its three-engine layout and triplicated systems.

The Trident Aircraft

Shortly after development started, de Havilland was merged into the new Hawker Siddeley company and the Trident was redesignated the HS.121.

The Trident first flew on 9 January 1962.

This was the original, smaller Trident 1C model, which had seating for 90-100 passengers and a range of a little over 1,000 nautical miles.

While it looks very similar to the Boeing 727, the Trident actually came first and reportedly inspired Boeing as they developed their own short- to medium-haul airliner, which was ultimately more successful.

Later Trident Variants

As the Trident entered service, it was found that it did not quite meet all the requirements of the day. An export version, the 1E, was developed with more seating and aerodynamic improvements.

The Trident 2E variant was developed with the same fuselage, but a much greater range.

The Trident 3B variant was a stretch, giving it greater capacity and range. It also had a fourth, booster engine to help with performance on takeoff.

BEA and the Trident

BEA initially ordered 24 Tridents. This comprised the entire production run of the 1C variant.

They also ordered and operated most of the 2E models that were built, as well as a significant number of 3Bs.

For many enthusiasts growing up in the UK during the 1960s and 1970s, seeing Tridents was a common thing when plane spotting at London Heathrow in particular. The type therefore has a fond place in the hearts of many spotters of this era (and even into the 1980s when BEA had become British Airways).

Where did BEA fly its Tridents?

BEA ordered the Trident to fly on its European network.

All of its aircraft were based at its London Heathrow base, and flew to domestic points around the UK, as well as hubs and leisure airports throughout Europe.

Common destinations include:

• Amsterdam Schiphol
• Athens
• Basel Mulhouse
• Beirut
• Belfast
• Berlin
• Brussels
• Copenhagen
• Dusseldorf
• Frankfurt
• Geneva
• Glasgow
• Larnaca
• Madrid
• Manchester
• Milan Linate
• Palma de Mallorca
• Paris Le Bourget
• Porto
• Rome Ciampino
• Zurich

Disaster Strikes

On 18 June 1972 disaster struck when BEA Trident 1C G-ARPI crashed shortly after takeoff from London Heathrow.

The aircraft was destined for Brussels, but came down at Staines west of London, killing all 118 on board.

It has long been concluded the leading edge droops on the wings were retracted early, reducing lift and causing the aircraft to stall. However, a heated atmosphere among the crew and even the potential of a heart attack for the captain have all been cited as possible reasons the accident happened.

BEA Trident Fleet List

• G-ARPA – Trident 1C
• G-ARPB – Trident 1C
• G-ARPC – Trident 1C
• G-ARPD – Trident 1C
• G-ARPE – Trident 1C
• G-ARPF – Trident 1C
• G-ARPG – Trident 1C
• G-ARPH – Trident 1C
• G-ARPI – Trident 1C
• G-ARPJ – Trident 1C
• G-ARPK – Trident 1C
• G-ARPL – Trident 1C
• G-ARPM – Trident 1C
• G-ARPN – Trident 1C
• G-ARPO – Trident 1C
• G-ARPP – Trident 1C
• G-ARPR – Trident 1C
• G-ARPS – Trident 1C
• G-ARPT – Trident 1C
• G-ARPU – Trident 1C
• G-ARPW – Trident 1C
• G-ARPX – Trident 1C
• G-ARPY – Trident 1C
• G-ARPZ – Trident 1C
• G-AVFA – Trident 2E
• G-AVFB – Trident 2E
• G-AVFC – Trident 2E
• G-AVFD – Trident 2E
• G-AVFE – Trident 2E
• G-AVFF – Trident 2E
• G-AVFG – Trident 2E
• G-AVFH – Trident 2E
• G-AVFI – Trident 2E
• G-AVFJ – Trident 2E
• G-AVFK – Trident 2E
• G-AVFL – Trident 2E
• G-AVFM – Trident 2E
• G-AVFN – Trident 2E
• G-AVFO – Trident 2E
• G-AWYZ – Trident 3B
• G-AWZC – Trident 3B
• G-AWZD – Trident 3B
• G-AWZE – Trident 3B
• G-AWZF – Trident 3B
• G-AWZG – Trident 3B
• G-AWZH – Trident 3B
• G-AWZI – Trident 3B
• G-AWZJ – Trident 3B
• G-AWZK – Trident 3B
• G-AWZL – Trident 3B
• G-AWZM – Trident 3B
• G-AWZN – Trident 3B
• G-AWZO – Trident 3B
• G-AWZP – Trident 3B
• G-AWZR – Trident 3B
• G-AWZS – Trident 3B
• G-AWZT – Trident 3B
• G-AWZU – Trident 3B
• G-AWZV – Trident 3B
• G-AWZW – Trident 3B
• G-AWZX – Trident 3B
• G-AWZZ – Trident 3B
• G-AYVF – Trident 3B

What Happened to BEA’s Tridents?

British European Airways (BEA) and British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC), plus two smaller carriers, were merged in 1974 to create what we know today as British Airways.

The Trident fleet were painted gradually in the colours of the new carrier and carried on in regular service as before.

Gradually new types were taking over the routes of the Trident, including the BAC One-Eleven, the Boeing 737-200, and in the early 1980s the Boeing 757. With the Trident being so noisy and underpowered, its days were numbered.

Much of the Trident 1C and 2E fleets had gone by the early 1980s. The final Trident flights in the UK were operated on 31 December 1985, the day before new noise regulations came into force.

There are, however, a number of preserved Tridents (and parts of Tridents) around the UK. They include:

• G-ARPO – Trident 1C – Under restoration at the North East Land, Sea and Air Museum in Sunderland.
• G-AVFB – Trident 2E – Preserved at Duxford Imperial War Museum.
• G-AWZK – Trident 3B – Preserved at the Runway Visitor Park, Manchester Airport.
• G-AWZM – Trident 3B – Preserved at the Science Museum Store, Wroughton, Swindon.