Vickers 953C Merchantman G-APES
Vickers 953C Merchantman G-APES (msn 721, of British Airways Cargo. The Merchantman freighters were converted from passenger carrying Vanguards. Delivered new to BEA British European Airways as G-APES, a Vickers V953 Vanguard, in January 1962, it only operated as a passenger aircraft for 8 years before being converted to V953C Merchantman standard in April 1970 for operation by BEA Cargo. BEA and BOAC merged in April 1974 to form British Airways and the aircraft continued in operation until it was sold to Air Bridge Carriers in November 1976. Air Bridge Carriers were renamed Hunting Cargo Airlines in August 1992. The aircraft was retired at East Midlands Airport, UK, in February 1995 after 33 years service and was broken up soon after. The nose section is preserved at the East Midlands Aeropark
