Sub-leased to Sudan Airways in January 1980, G-BFEO was returned to Tradewinds two months later and operated with the company until it was withdrawn from use in 1985 and broken up for parts for KC-135s. The remains have been in storage at Davis-Monthan, Arizona, since April 1986.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing Boeing 707/720 - СШАUSA - 1954

Boeing 707-323C G-BFEO (c/n 18691) was leased to Tradewinds in October 1977, previously having operated with Simba Air Cargo as 5X-UWM from 1975, before which it served with American Airlines as N7557A. It was in G-BFEO that the author had the unexpectedly exciting flight in March 1978 that he describes in this article.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing Boeing 707/720 - СШАUSA - 1954

Cut-price cargo operators based in the developing world and new UK regulations requiring the expensive hush-kitting of its 707s forced Tradewinds to cease trading in January 1986, when G-TRAD made the company’s last flight from Gatwick, as seen here. The company was acquired by new owners but lasted only until 1991.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing Boeing 707/720 - СШАUSA - 1954

One of Tradewinds’ 707s loads up at Gatwick. The company operated 707-300C-series aircraft, the “C” indicating "Convertible", a combined passenger/cargo variant which incorporated a 7ft x 11ft (2-1m x 3-4m) freight door in the port forward fuselage, as seen here. The Tradewinds examples had the cabin windows painted over.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing Boeing 707/720 - СШАUSA - 1954

The author in the left-hand seat of Sudan Airways 707-3J8C ST-AFB during a London-Frankfurt-Rome-Khartoum flight in November 1979, with copilot Jack Murrell.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing Boeing 707/720 - СШАUSA - 1954