were re-configured in British Airways' contemporary short-haul two-class cabin arrangement and began to replace the BAC One-Eleven 500s which British Airways had inherited from British Caledonian on the UK flag carrier's short-haul Gatwick routes. During 1995, British Airways decided to exit the short- to medium-haul package holiday market; accordingly, the airline sold Caledonian Airways to British-based tour operator Inspirations, which was then a part of the American-owned Carlson group, along with the firm's core fleet of five Tristars. Following Caledonian's sale to Inspirations, the Boeing 757s were returned to British Airways. During 1999, Inspirations became part of the Thomas Cook group when Caledonian Airways was merged with the Flying Colours airline to form JMC Air Services, which in turn became the British arm of the present day Thomas Cook Airlines. Following Inspirations' takeover by Thomas Cook, the remaining former Caledonian Airways Tristars were withdrawn from service as these had suffered increasing and widely publicised reliability problems which had resulted in a generally poor perception of Caledonian amongst the travelling public. Aircraft operated Throughout its 29-year existence the following aircraft types formed part of the BEA Airtours/British Airtours/Caledonian fleet: Airbus A320-200 (Caledonian) Boeing 707-336B/C (British Airtours)/436 (BEA Airtours/British Airtours) Boeing 737-236 Advanced (British Airtours/Caledonian) Boeing 747-236B (British Airtours) Boeing 757-236 (Caledonian) de Havilland Comet 4B (BEA Airtours) Lockheed L-1011 Tristar 1/50/100/200 (British Airtours/Caledonian) McDonnell-Douglas DC-10-30 (Caledonian). Fleet details Fleet in 1970 In March 1970, the BEA Airtours fleet comprised 9 aircraft. Fleet in 1972 In May 1972, the BEA Airtours fleet comprised 11 aircraft. Five Boeing 707-436 were on order. Fleet in 1974 In March 1974, the British Airtours fleet comprised 9 aircraft. Fleet in 1982 In April 1982, the British Airtours fleet comprised 9 aircraft. Fleet in 1984 In March 1984, the British Airtours fleet comprised 16 aircraft. Fleet in 1988 In March 1988, the British Airtours fleet comprised 10 aircraft. Incidents and accidents On 17 March 1977, a Boeing 707-436, crashed soon after takeoff, injuring the 4 crew on board. The flight was a training session for three trainees at Glasgow Prestwick Airport. The cause was a delay of the pilots doing the correct procedures for a failing engine. On 27 May 1985, a Lockheed TriStar, G-BBAI, operating Flight 101, overran the runway at Leeds Bradford Airport on landing from Palma after a rain shower. The aircraft was evacuated, with only minor injuries sustained by the 14 crew and