AND FINALLY: The Queen and air travel. *

It’s not known when the Queen first flew.

The editor recalls a visit to Plymouth and her departure from Roborough City Airport in the 1980’s.  

Charles Stuart, Brymon Chief Executive, turned out in a kilt and the Queen chatted to him.  What was not so obvious she was keeping her eye on the Royal Flight BAe 146.  Once the luggage was loaded it was “goodby Mr Stuart” and away!  

All filmed by the editor in chief.

See also BTN 12 September The Kings Flight.

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OUR READERS' FINEST WORDS (All times and dates are GMT)

All comments are filtered to exclude any excesses but the Editor does not have to agree with what is being said. 100 words maximum

Malcolm Ginsberg, Edgware, London

Correct David. The Canadair Argonaut was successfully used by BOAC at the time with the same aircraft taking the couple out to Kenya a week earlier. The death of The King was a surprise and no mourning clothes were brought with, the new Queen having to hastily change on board after landing before stepping down to be greeted by PM Winston Churchill.

David Starkie, UK

To answer the question, can I suggest February 7th 1952, on a BOAC Argonaut out of Nairobi.

James Alright, Brighton

On 8 October 1951, Princess Elizabeth and the Duke Of Edinburgh were the first members of the Royal Family to cross the Atlantic ocean by air. They flew on a British Overseas Airways Corporation (“BOAC”) Stratocruiser aircraft “Canopus” G-AKGK from London airport to Montreal. Also in the same years The Queen Elizabeth and the Princess’s Elizabeth & Margaret went to Hatfield and flew on a Comet. On 2 November 1977, Queen Elizabeth II travelled for the first time aboard Concorde, Barbados Heathrow, with Prince Philip. As Princess Elizabeth she surely flew in the years just after the War probably on a Vickers Viking which formed the backbone of the Kings Flight. Can anyone sort out a date and ‘plane.