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 John Schmidt (dc8schmidt@twc.com) | Home > 
The Whispering Giant 2 / 2017
Ah, The Britannia! A most elegant and exotic aircraft which compared to the DC-7s and Constellations of the time truly did whisper.
The Britannia, conceived in 1950, fell victim to the malady that affected most British Airliners, a prolonged and dysfunctional development program.
The first test flight was an omen, as over sensitive controls led to wild pitching of the aircraft, the cockpit filled with smoke, and the landing gear malfunctioned, fully deploying only seconds before landing.
There were numerous engine issues, resulting in the crash of the 2nd prototype. Nevertheless, fueled by an order for 25 aircraft by BOAC, designs were finalized and production  launched.
During the first 8 months of trials, 16 in flight engine failures occurred and 49 unscheduled engine removals were required.  Sales prospects dimmed as delays continued.
But the Britannia entered service in 1957, much to the delight of passengers, and relief of BOAC management. Sadly, important orders from American trunk airlines, Capital and Northeast failed to materialize, due to their financial issues. But the Britannia flew, and led the world in speed and comfort until the arrival of the pure jets.
As production wound down in 1960 and 1961, the Canadair licensed Britannia derivative aircraft was ramping up, lasting ultimately until 1965. The CL-44 was not without its own development problems, from total electrical failures to engines shaking loose, but by 1960 it became the ideal freighter, as well as a high capacity long haul passenger airliner. The Britannia program, conceived in 1950 concluded 16 years later with the last CL-44 delivery to Loftleidir.

This is a selection of Airline issued and publisher cards, which illustrate many of the "Whispering Giant" operators.
Album by John Schmidt. 1 - 96 of 96 Total. 19982 Visits.
Start Slideshow 
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Aer Turas Britannia 307 #1
Two Britannias served Aer Turas in the mid to late 70s, before the arrival of CL-44s and DC-8s. This is EI BAA, The City Of Dublin, shown on an excellent card produced by Udo Schaeffer.
It was delivered new to Air Charter in September of 1958, and flew for British United, after they acquired Air Charter. In June of 1968 it was acquired by Lloyd International, where it served until sold to Aer Turas in May of 1974. It served with Aer Turas for 5 years , and was retired in April 1979


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AeroCaribbean Britannia 253 #2
AeroCaribbean became the 2nd airline of Cuba in 1983, supplementing Cubana international flights, and providing domestic services. Shown is CU-T120 in flight on an excellent Aviation Hobby Shop Issue.
   It was delivered originally to the RAF in 1960 and was sold to Afrek in 1976, serving until 1984. Aero Caribbean acquired it in 1984 and operated it until 1993. It finished its career with Transair Cargo from 1993-1997, and is now preserved.


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AeroCaribbean Britannia #1
A nice ramp view of CU-T120 issued by MH postcards

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Aeronaves De Mexico Britannia
Aeronaves de Mexico was one of the first Britannia 300 operators, receiving their first of 2 in 1957. XA-MEC served on long haul flights until the DC-8 arrived, and continued in service until sadly, it was written off at Tijuana in 1965. The other Britannia was sold to TransGlobe in 1966, and was retired in 1970
The card is an Airline issue I received in 1959


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Afrek Britannia 253 #1db
Afrek was formed in 1976 and operated cargo services from its base in Athens to the African Continent until 1981. The card is a Coincat issue, provided by Doug Bastin.
This is the same aircraft shown on the AeroCaribbean issue, which went to Transair cargo in 1993. It ultimately became the last airworthy Britannia in the world. It was flown back to the UK in 1997 and has been restored to its original RAF condition


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African Safari Britannia
African Safari was launched in 1967 to provide charter flights from European hubs to Mombasa in Kenya, using 2 Britannias. This one, 5Y ALT was delivered new to El Al in 1959, operated for Globe Air from 1965-1967, and was used by African Safari until May of 1975.
The card is a JJ Postcards issue.


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Air Charter (UK) Britannia #1
Air Charter, Ltd., operated by Freddy Laker, emerged as the leader of the post war independent British airlines, which depended to a large extent on "trooping " flights, moving British soldiers around the empire. The purchase of new Britannias in 1958 clearly placed Air Charter ahead of the rest.  On October 1, 1958 the Britannia flew its first flight from London to Christmas Island in the Pacific, and subsequently launched London-Entebbe Non Stop Flights. In 1959 Air Charter was sold to Airwork, which a year later became British United.
G ANCE, shown on this splendid airline issue, operated with British United until 1968, when it was sold to Lloyd International. Lloyd operated it until May of 1974, when it was sold to Aer Turas. This is the aircraft shown on the Aer Turas card above..


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Air Spain Britannia #1
Air Spain was launched in May of 1967, using 4 Britannias. Shown in this Airline Issue is EC BFK, delivered to BOAC in December 1957. It was sold to British Eagle in 1964 and operated for 2 years before delivery to Air Spain. It flew for Air Spain until 1972, when it was sold to IAS Cargo for parts. This is the aircraft shown on the British Eagle card.

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Air Spain Britannia #2
This Britannia, EC BFJ flew for Air Spain from October 1966 to April of 1973, when it was sold to IAS Cargo. Later B/U in August 1975. It was originally a BOAC aircraft, briefly leased to British Eagle from Feb 65 until sale to Air Spain.
Card is an Avimage Issue.


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Air Spain Britannia #3
This is another nice view of EC BFJ on a Birmingham Airport Collection Issue.

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B K S Britannia 102 #1
B K S, founded in 1951, grew from a small DC-3 operation to a substantial regional airline by 1964, when the Britannia was added to the fleet. G-APLL shown above on this Aviation Hobby Shop card, was a BOAC aircraft, delivered in 1956. It served BOAC, as well as Nigeria in 1959 and Malayan in 1962, both operating in basic BOAC colors. It was sold to B K S and delivered on November 16, 1965, operating for B K S until retired on Nov. 2, 1969.

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Britannia Britannia #4
This is a great card of the 1st production Britannia doing what it did best, delivering Sun starved British Citizens to the south of Europe. Britannia acquired this beauty from BOAC in 1964, and this is the aircraft shown on the BOAC Britannia 102 #7 card.
   A Gerona Airport card.


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Britannia Britannia 102 #3
Britannia, originally named Euravia thought enough of the aircraft to rename the airline. This is the 2nd Britannia issue of the Airliner, nearly identical to the first.

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Britannia Britannia 102 #2
This was the last Britannia issue of the Britannia.

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British Eagle Britannia
One of the really great Britannia cards is this splendid British Eagle Issue. G AOVE was originally a BOAC aircraft delivered in Dec. 1957. British Eagle, acquired this beauty from BOAC in 1964, operating it for only 2 years. It was then sold to the newly formed Air Spain, as EC BFK. This is the aircraft illustrated on the AI Air Spain card.

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British Overseas Britannia 102 #1
The first Britannia card was this Generic BOAC issue from the mid 1950s. Without BOAC there would be no Britannia, and this card introduced the Britannia to the travelling public.

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British Overseas Britannia 102 #7
G ANBA was the first production Britannia, introduced at the 1954 Farnborough Air Show. It finally entered service with BOAC in 1957 as Bristol continued to work out issues with the aircraft.
Leased to Nigeria from 1958-1961, it was sold to Britannia (exEuravia) in 1964 and operated charters to mostly sun destinations until retired in 1970.
  The card is a vintage AV Fry's issue


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British Overseas Britannia 102 #8
G ANBC was delivered to BOAC in December of 1955, becoming the first Britannia actually delivered. It operated mostly on African routes, serving for 5 years, before being written off on Nov. 30, 1960 at Khartoum due to landing gear failure.
The card is an outstanding vintage issue from Valentine's.


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British Overseas Britannia 102 #2
This is the 2nd BOAC issue of the Britannia 102, showing  the newer livery.

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British Overseas Britannia 102 #5
G ANBK was delivered to BOAC in  March of 1956, and operated through 1965. It was leased to BKS, and continued serving The airline and it's successor Northeast until 1972.  Broken up at Newcastle.

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British Overseas Britannia 312 #3
BOAC began receiving the 312s late in 1957, and began service between London and New York on Dec.19,1957. Shown is a BOAC Issue from 1958, featuring the 312 model.

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British Overseas Britannia 312 #6
G AOVB was (I believe)the first 312 actually delivered to BOAC, and was put in service on The Atlantic. It operated for BOAC until October of 1963, when it was purchased by British Eagle and christened "Endeavour".
It operated long distance "trooping" flights as well as charters for British Eagle until the airline shut down in 1969.
Sold to Aerotransportes Entre Rios, in Argentina in October of 1969, and was written off at Buenos Aires on July 12, 1970.
The card is a vintage A V Fry's Issue, from happier days.


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British United Britannia #2db
British United operated 4 Britannias, including the above, G APNA, originally ordered by Hunting Clan, and supposedly operated from April 1959-July 1960, when Hunting Clan was merged into British United. BUA operated it for another 7 years, until sale to Donaldson in October 1967. Operated by Donaldson until May of 1972. Scrapped in July 1973.
The card, by courtesy of Doug Bastin, was produced by Dixon for the airline.


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British United Britannia #1
This is a more common British United Issue, I received in 1961.

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British United Britannia #3TH
This beautiful Britannia was originally destined for Northeast, but due to the collapse of that order it was picked up by Air Charter in March of 1959, as G ANCD. Absorbed into British United in 1960, it operated  for BUA until January 1969 when purchased by Lloyd International. After a little over 4 years with Lloyd, it spent time with Gemini Air Cargo and Gaylan Air Cargo before WFU at Bournemouth in August 1982.
The card is from Collection Vilain, provided by Terry Hale.


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British United Britannia #2
This is a Barton and sons issue, showing a generic BUA Britannia, possibly for the airline? The image was also used for a Sierra Leone airline issue.

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C S A  Britannia #2TH
CSA was operating Britannias, leased from Cubana from 1961-1969. This aircraft, OK MBA, delivered originally to Cubana in December 1958, was leased by Cunard Eagle from 1960-1961, and is the aircraft shown on the Cunard Eagle Airline Issue. It operated for CSA from 1961-1964, and returned to Cubana operating until finally retired in 1997. It also is the aircraft shown on Cubana's cards (CU-T668)
Card is a Dexempo issue provided by Terry Hale. CSA also issued an over-length card of the Britannia, still wearing basic Cubana colors.


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C S A  Britannia #1
OK MBB was delivered to Cubana in 1959. It served Cubana until 1964, when it was delivered on a lease to CSA. It was returned to Cubana in 1969, and continued in operation until retired in 1981. The card is a CSA issue, which ironically I received with an IL-18 card.

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C S A  Britannia #3KCF
This is a splendid Czech historical card, showing Britannia OK MBB, wearing the basic Cubana livery. This card by courtesy of Kuo-Ching Fu.

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Caledonian  Britannia #1
This is the first of 2 Caledonian issues of their Britannia G AOVI

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Caledonian  Britannia #2
My favorite of 2 Caledonian issues of G AOVI. Originally a BOAC aircraft, delivered in February of 1958. It was leased to British United in 1961, and ultimately sold to Caledonian in late 1964.  Delivered to Monarch on March 29, 1968, operating until wfu on March 1, 1972

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Canadian Pacific Britannia #1
CF CVC was the 3rd Britannia delivered to Canadian Pacific in May 1958, operating long haul routes to South America, across the Pacific as well as the Atlantic. In Nov, 1965 she went to TransGlobe, as G ATLE, operating until the demise of TransGlobe in 1969. It went to IAS Cargo in December 1969, and was apparently parted out. This is also the aircraft shown on the TransGlobe card.
A Canadian Pacific Issue.


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Canadian Pacific Britannia #2
This is the Fold Over Note card issue of the Britannia, a style also used for the Comet, Argonaut and DC-6 as well as a Fleet Card.

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Canadian Pacific Britannia #3
CF CPE was, in fact, the last Britannia delivered to Canadian Pacific on 13Nov59. The Empress of Mexico City's service was short, as the airliner was sold to Cunard Eagle in May of 1961. It passed through Caledonian in the mid 1960s and Tellair  in April 1969, before retiring at Coventry in November 1969.  Broken up in October 1971.  
The card was produced by Coast Publishing of Vancouver, and posted in May of 1961


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Canadian Pacific Britannia #4
This is a later Canadian Pacific issue of the Britannia, wearing the newer "Jet Age" colors.

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Cubana Britannia #1
Cubana operated the Britannia longer than any other airline, 1959-1997. CU-T668 was delivered in 1959, and operated for Cubana for 28 years, with the exception of a 3 year lease to CSA.
The card is an excellent Cubana issue I received in 1960.


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Cubana Britannia #2
This is from a Cubana historical series, also issued as a 50th Anniversary card.

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Cunard Eagle Britannia #1
The Britannia flew for Eagle from late 1960 at least through 1966, operating long distance trooping and Charter flights. G APYY was the first Britannia, leased from Cubana in March of 1960, and returned to Cubana upon arrival of an Ex Canadian Pacific aircraft in May of 1961. Subsequently leased to CSA as OK MBA shown on the above CSA Britania #2 card. Returned to Cubana in 1964, and served until 1997.
  The card is a Cunard Eagle Issue posted in 1961. The writer praises the service and comfort of the new Britannia on a New York-London flight.


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Cunard Eagle Britannia #2
A Cunard Eagle Issue of G APYY, very similar to card #1.

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Donaldson Britannias
Donaldson International operated four Britannias, 3 of which are shown on this ramp view. The closest, named Mirado, was originally a BOAC 312, G AOVC, delivered in 1957. It flew for British Eagle from 1964-1969, and was picked up by Donaldson upon the demise of British Eagle. Operated only a year, and was retired in 1970.
  The card is a Donaldson Issue.


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Donaldson Britannia #1db
Another nice view of Donaldson Britannias on the ramp. This features "Carillon", G APNB, originally a British United aircraft, which went to Donaldson in August of 1969, and operated through 1971. Retired and B/U in 1971.
  The card is an Aviation Hobby Shop issue, by courtesy of Doug Bastin


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El Al Britannia #1
One of the first Britannia cards I received was this nice over-length card of EL Al Israel's 4X-AGA. El Al introduced the Britannia on the North Atlantic in 1958 and achieved a great deal of success until competing jets arrived. She operated with El Al until sold to Globe Air of Switzerland in 1964 as HB ITB. Sadly destroyed in a crash at Nicosia on 19 April 1967.
The card is one of 2 airline issues from El Al.


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El Al Britannia #2
The 2nd El Al issued Britannia, issued I believe in 1960.

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El Al Britannia #4
4X AGB was the second of El Al's Britannias, delivered Oct 19, 1957. It operated for EL Al until sale to Air Spain as EC BFL in March of 1967.
 The card is an Aviation Hobby Shop Issue.


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Ghana Britannia #2
Ghana Britannia services began on April 16, 1959, using BOAC Britannia 102s. The card is a Ghana issue, using the fictitious Registration G HANA.

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Ghana Britannia #1
9G AAH was the 2nd of two Britannias ordered by Ghana to replace leased BOAC Aicraft. It was delivered on Nov. 8, 1960, and put in service on the London-Lagos route. Sold to British Eagle, where it served from February 1965 until the shutdown of the airline. B/U at Coventry in 1971.
   The card is one of my favorites, received I believe in 1962 from Ghana.


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Ghana Britannia #3db
This is an earlier Airline issue, quite rare, of 9G AAH. Stamped on back by "Ghana Airways Press Office, Accra.
Card by courtesy of Doug Bastin


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Globe Air Britannia 300 #2db
HB-ITB was originally El Al's 4X AGA. Delivered to Globe Air in 1964 it perished in 1967 at Nicosia.
The card is a Valentine's Issue by courtesy of Doug Bastin


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Globe Air Britannia 300 #1w
HB-ITC was an El Al aircraft, delivered in 1959 as 4X AGD. It went to Globe Air in 1965 and operated European charters until sold to African Safari in 1967. This is the aircraft shown on the African Safari Card above. It was WFU at Stanstead in 1975.
The card is a recent issue that would be stunning if Aviation Nostalgia weren't printed on the face.


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IAS Cargo Britannia
G AOVF was delivered to BOAC in January of 1958. It was leased to British Eagle in 1964, operating until the collapse of the airline in 1970. It was sold to Monarch, but leased to Donaldson in April 1970, until sale to IAS Cargo in 1973. In April 1976 it went to Invicta, operating until 1979. Donated to Cosford Air Museum May 1984.
The image is the Bottom half of the IAS issued Fleet card.


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Invicta Britannia 300 #1db
Invicta was the final operator of SN 12922, G ANCF. Delivered new to Transcontinental, it is the same aircraft shown on the Transcontinental entry below. It operated as a cargo airliner from 1977, after a brief stint with African Cargo, until 1980. She had outlived 5 different airlines, and is being restored in British Eagle colors at Liverpool.
The card is a Flightdeck issue, by courtesy of Doug Bastin


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Lloyd International Britannia #1
Lloyd International was a successful British charter airline launched in 1961. They operated a total of 4 Britannias.  Shown is G AOVP, delivered to BOAC in 1958, and leased to Lloyd in 1965. It was converted to a freighter in 1967, and served 6 more years before sale to IAS Cargo in July of 1973. It operated for 2 years with IAS, and is the same aircraft shown on the IAS card.
This is an Airline issued postcard sized photo.


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Lloyd International Britannia #3
This is a nice Buchair issue of G AOVP from 1966

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Lloyd International Britannia #2
This is a nice ramp view of G ANCD, acquired from British United in 1969. It operated for Lloyd until 1973.
  This is the same aircraft shown on the BUA card above. A Flight Path Issue.


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Malayan Britannia 102 #1KCF
Malayan, like a number of other airlines operated Britannias leased from BOAC in the early 1960s. I'm unable to determine the specific airliners that served, but the Registration shown on this card was on a Comet 4. Nevertheless this is a very nice historical card from Malaysian, provided by courtesy of Kuo-Ching Fu.

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Monarch Britannia
A great postcard view of Monarch's Britannia G AOVI, at Luton. Monarch was the final operator of the airliner, following BOAC, British United, and Caledonian. It operated for Monarch until 1972.
The aircraft is also shown on the above Caledonian cards.
  The card is a Luton Airport issue by Valentine's


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Nigeria Britannia 312 #1
Nigeria leased a Britannia 312 in 1959 to fly the London Lagos route. The card illustrates a 312, but I have only found photos of assorted 102s.
In any case the card is a very nice Nigeria issue.


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Northeast (US) Britannia
Five Britannias were built for Northeast, but sadly, the airline couldn't take delivery.  What a treat it would have been to see these flying the east coast. They were SNs 12920-12924. They found homes with El Al Israel, Air Charter, Transcontinental, and Ghana. This is a Bristol photograph

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R A F Britannia #1KCF
In 1959 the Royal Air Force ordered a total of 23 of the 250 series Britannias to handle their worldwide logistics needs. Most found homes after their R A F service, more often as freighters. XL 636, christened Argo upon delivery in April of 1959, served until May of 1976, when bought by Young Cargo of Belgium.  There it served until the bankruptcy of the airline. Broken up in 1980
   The card is a vintage unidentified Dutch issue, provided by courtesy of Kuo-Ching Fu.


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Redcoat Britannia
Redcoat Air Cargo operated four Britannias, on routes from England to West Africa and North America. The Airline was launched in 1976 with a Britannia leased from Geminair, and flew until 1982 when financial issues grounded the company.
The card is a company issue from around 1980.


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Sierra Leone Britannia
During the early 1960s the newly formed Sierra Leone Airways shared space on British United flights to London. I can't find evidence that any Britannias were ever retitled with Sierra Leone, but the card is a Sierra Leone Issue.

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Transcontinental Britannia
This beautiful Britannia was delivered to Transcontinental on December 16, 1959, and operated from Buenos Aires to New York through 1961, when the airline was grounded. It went to British Eagle in 1964 as G ANCF. Upon the demise of British Eagle in 1968, it was delivered to Monarch  which operated it until sold to Invicta in January of 1977. Its final flight upon the death of Invicta was on 30 October 1980. This is the aircraft shown on the Invicta card.
The image is a Bristol Aeroplane photo, but was apparently never used on a postcard. It is interesting that Transglobe  adopted The T logo used by Transcontinental.


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TransGlobe Britannia #2
Transglobe operated 3 Britannias, taking delivery in 1965 and 66. This one, G ATLE, was delivered new to Candian Pacific in 1958,  arriving at Transglobe Nov. 30, 1965. Notice the Transcontinental logo adopted by Transglobe.
It operated for 4 years until sold to IAS Cargo  for parts.
The card is a Flight Deck issue.


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Aer Turas CL-44 #1
Aer Turas took delivery of EI-BGO in 1979. It was originally a Loftleidir aircraft, delivered in November of 1960. It was sold to Cargolux in 1971 and operated until purchased by Aer Turas on May 12, 1979. WFU an B/U in 1986.
  This is an airline issue, produced by Paul Duffy, I believe.


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Aer Turas CL-44 #2
EI BRP is a CL-44J model delivered to Loftleidir on April 1, 1963.  It too, went to Cargolux in 1972. By 1977, Cargolux was leasing the aircraft to various airlines before sale to Heavylift in June of 1985. Heavylift then leased the aircraft to Aer Turas in January 1986, where it operated until retired in 1989.
This is the aircraft shown on the Cargolux card below.
   The card is an Editions PI Issue.


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Andes CL-44 #1KCF
This splendid CL-44, Andes HC AZH, was delivered new to the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1961, and operated until 1971. It was leased to Andes in May of 1974 operating until retired in January 1986.  Currently derelict at Guayaquil, but planned for restoration.
The card is an excellent, but unidentfied issue by courtesy of Kuo-Ching Fu


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British Air Ferries CL-44 #1
G AZIN was delivered to Flying Tiger on July10, 1961, operating until 1970. Sold to Transmeridian Air Cargo on August 11,  1971, then leased to British Air Ferries from February 1972 to June 1973. Sold to British Air Cargo in August 1979, and finally to Bayu Indonesia on June 28, 1982. WFU in 1990.
The card is a very nice airline issue from  1972.


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British Air Ferries CL-44 #2
This is a nice over-length airline issue of the short lived British Air Ferries CL-44

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Canadian Air Force CL-44 Yukon #1KCF
An outstanding view of RCAF 15923 in flight over Niagara Falls. This was sn 3, delivered on July 19, 1960. It operated for the Air Force until 1971. It was delivered to Beaver Enterprises in November of 1971, and sold to Andes in Sept. 1973. It was WFU on January 1, 1986.
This card issued by the RCAF, and provided by courtesy of Kuo-Ching Fu


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Cargolux CL-44
TF-LLF, sn 35 was among the CL-44s that launched the air freight giant Cargolux. Still wearing its Icelandic registration, it was delivered new to Loftleidir on May 24, 1964.
     It was subsequently modified to the longer J configuration in 1966, and sold to Cargolux in September of 1972. Sold to Cargosur in1978, it then passed through a number of African operators before landing at Aer Turas in 1986.
    It's final destination was Heavylift in 1989 where it operated for a year before WFU at Southend.
     Card is an airline issue that was the first card I received from Cargolux.


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Flying Tiger CL-44 #3
Flying Tiger was the largest CL-44 operator, operating 11. Their aircraft populated many subsequent freight carriers well into the 1980s.
They issued several cards,but the rarest is this in flight card which is a blank back.


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Flying Tiger CL-44 #1
The cargo airlines seemed to like featuring the swing tail, as a number of their cards display the aircraft open.

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Flying Tiger CL-44 #2
An additional Flying Tiger Issue loading.

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Flying Tiger CL-44 #4kcf
This is an outstanding in flight view of A Flying Tiger CL-44, on a vintage publisher card.
Thanks once again to Kuo-Ching Fu for providing this image.

"Does anyone know the publish..."
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Heavylift CL-44-O #1
Heavylift's EI BND began life as a Flying Tiger Aircraft. It operated from 1961-1968 for Flying Tiger before delivery to Conroy Aircraft for conversion to the "Skymonster" configuration, and sale to Transmeridian.
It's Original purpose was to deliver RBI-211 engines.
    The aircraft was stored for a couple of years, and then was bought by Heavylift., who operated it for 11 years.
     It  passed through a number of carriers around the globe for another 12 years, but was parked for good in 2006.
    The card is a very nice Heavylift issue.


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Loftleidir CL-44 #1
Loftleidr was one of the pioneers of Trans Atlantic air services, starting with DC-4s in 1948. By 1964, when 707s and DC-8s dominated the routes, Loftleidir opted for a 189 seat version of the CL-44. The CL-44J was introduced in 1965, with Loftleidir operating 4, marketing them as Rolls Royce 400s.
     The card is a multipanel Airline issued, from 1966.


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Loftleidir CL-44 #2
The only black and white issue I have, is this in flight view over New York City.

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Loftleidir CL-44 #3
Another very nice Loftleidir issue of the Rolls Royce 400 boarding passengers at Keflavik.

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Loftleidir CL-44 #4
This is another excellent Loftleidir Issue of the CL-44J on the ramp

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Loftleidir CL-44 #5
The last of my Loftleidir issues is this take off view, somewhat reminiscent of the Transvalair Card

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Loftleidir CL-44 #6kcf
This is a really nice image from a rare Christmas card issued by Loftleidir. Kindly shared by Kuo-Ching Fu.

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Seaboard World CL-44 #2
Seaboard took delivery of N124SW on July 13, 1961, operating its first service Non stop from JFK to Frankfurt on July 24. It was leased to Flying Tiger in 1966, and appears in some Flying Tiger promotional materials. It returned to Seaboard in December 1968, and was then sold to Cargolux in 1971. There it operated until March 1976. After some leases it was sold to AECA on Nov 15, 1980, and was damaged in a landing incident in Miami Jan 19, 1982. Scrapped in Miami.
  Surprisingly, the card is the only Seaboard issue of the CL-44


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Seaboard World CL-44 #1
A nice ramp view of the CL-44 issued by Prop Card.

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Seaboard World CL-44 #3 KCF
A splendid in flight card of the Seaboard CL-44, issued by N CEWE of Germany.
Many thanks to Kuo-Ching Fu for providing this image!


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Slick CL-44 #1
Slick, as well as Seaboard and Flying Tiger joined the CL-44 operators in 1962. Shown is N 602SA, the first CL-44 delivered to Slick in January 1962. After 1967, it was leased to several airlines, but ultimately sold to Tradewinds in 1975, where it operated until written off at Nairobi in June of 1978.
  The card is an airline issue received from Slick I believe in 1964.


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Slick CL-44 #2
A vintage in flight card, blank back, airline issue?

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Slick CL-44 #4
A nice ramp view of N602SA from Aerohobby.

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Slick CL-44 #3
An excellent vintage in flight view of 602SA, believed Airline Issue.

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TransGlobe CL-44
Transglobe, originally Air Links, was created in 1959, but became Transglobe in 1962. After shamelessly adopting the Transcontinental Argentina "T" logo, the Airline operated air freight charters until it went into liquidation in 1968. It was essentially reborn as Tradewinds in 1969. Besides 3 Britannias, the airline also operated 4 ex Seaboard World CL-44s for most of 1968.
   They were thoughtful enough at the time to issue this postcard of the CL-44


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Transportes Aereos Rioplatense CL-44 #1 KCF
Several South American carriers operated CL-44s, but postcards are hard to find. This is LV JTN, CL-44 #34, which was delivered new to Slick in October of 1962. It continued in operation with Airlift until 1968, when leased to DETA Mozambique. On April 10, 1971 it was delivered to TAR and operated until July 18, 1981 when it was shot down or collided with a Soviet Fighter over Yerevan, Armenia.
The card is a Movifoto issue, provided by Kuo-Ching Fu.


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Transvalair CL-44
Transvalair, flying out of Sion Switzerland operated 2 CL-44s, one in 1974 from Transmeridian, and 1 in 1978 from Tradewinds (UK). Before 1978, much of the flying was subcontract from IAS. By May of 1980 Transvalair was gone.
The card is a Transvalair issue


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Wrangler CL-44 #3
Wrangler, the operating name for Blue Bell Aviation, operated 2 CL-44s. N100BB was the first, delivered to Wrangler on June 15, 1981. It was originally N603SA, delivered to Slick in 1962. Wrangler became Tradewinds in 1991, and the Air Freight carrier continued in operation until 1995.
  The above card as well as the three following CL-44 cards are oversized airline issue.


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Wrangler CL-44 #6KCF
"Card by courtesy of Kuo-Chin..."
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Wrangler CL-44 #4KCF
"Image by courtesy of Kuo-Chi..."
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Wrangler CL-44 #5KCF
"Image by courtesy of Kuo-Chi..."
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Wrangler CL-44 #1
Mary Jayne's Issue

   
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