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A Postcard history of Ansett. April 2024 Launched in 1936, Ansett Airways established a niche with budget fare interstate operations, avoiding direct conflict with Australian National and Trans Australia. It was in October of 1957 that Ansett acquired the struggling Australian National Airways, and became Ansett ANA.
Ansett thrived through years of competition with TAA, expanding often through acquisition of smaller airlines.
The airline prospered through the early 1980s. but Australian deregulation in the early 1990s opened the door for new growth or failure. Ultimately acquired by Air New Zealand, the airline struggled with maintenance issues and new competition. Ansett was essentially abandoned by Air New Zealand in 2001, stranding thousands, and putting 16,000 employees out of work.Following are cards from Ansett, and a number of operators incorporated into the airline through the years. |
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The SE-210 Caravelle Part 1 Air France | After the introduction of the Comet, at the request of the French Comite' du Materiel Civil a number of designs for a medium range advanced airliner were proposed. The successful offering was submitted by SNCASE, which resulted in an order for construction of two prototype aircraft in July of 1953. The significance of this order was to be realized as the twin Avon powered Caravelle was a sensation in service, followed by similar offerings by Douglas, British Aircraft and Tupolev. Following are cards featuring the prototypes, and images of the Caravelle in Air France livery. Many thanks to Kuo Ching Fu for sharing his comprehensive assembly of Air France versions. |
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Remembering the IL-62 Feb. 2024 Undoubtably the most beautiful of the Soviet airliners and perhaps most successful was the Ilyushin IL-62, which entered service in 1967.
Production ended with 292 aircraft constructed. Following are a number of postcard views of this graceful airliner. Thanks to Paul Roza for sharing a number of these images |
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The Route of The Stars Jan 2024 | National Airlines was incorporated in 1937 in St. Petersburg Florida. Although originally serving only Florida destinations, its growth was rapid, and by 1944, National inaugurated Miami-New York Non stop flights with DC-4 aircraft. Under the leadership of L. B. Maytag, National became a leader in a number of areas; 1st domestic jet flights, first all jet airline, pioneering the southern trans-continental route, and Florida to Europe non stops. The disastrous acquisition by Pan Am led to the end of this once great airline. Following is a little postcard history of National Airlines |
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Remembering Mexicana 12/ 2023 | It was in August of 1924 that Compania Mexicana de Aviacion was born, using two Lincoln Standard bi-planes to connect Mexico City with Tampico and Matamoros. By 1925, service began to Brownsville, Tx. and growth and innovation continued through various ownerships until its sad collapse in 2010. Following is a little postcard history of Mexicana |
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Postcard treasures from Japan Nov 2023 Although seldom seen in the United States, many outstanding airliner cards were issued by Japanese publishers. Kuo-Ching Fu has kindly shared a number of examples from his outstanding collection. First in the set below are cards from a lucky number promotion by Meiji Seika Kaisa Ltd. of Japan. A monthly drawing for prizes was held, which could be claimed by sending in the attached winning numbered tab. Other cards are designated as from Crown, unidentified blank back, and 2 from Tokyo International Airport.
Mario Romano DaSilva has also shared some outstanding Japanese Airport issues and NBC issues, designated with MDS suffix |
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Revisiting the Jaeger Cards. 10/23 | Four years ago Jaeger Cards from Geneva were the subject of the month. There have been a number of additions since then, shared by Kuo Ching Fu. These are the currently known Jaeger Issues. The duplicate numbers are, in fact, correct. I would very much appreciate scans of any not included, and of course would credit the sender. |
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The Golden Falcons of Gulf Air 9/23 | Gulf Aviation began as a sightseeing service by British Aviator Freddy Bosworth, operating an Avro Anson. The growth in oil company charters led to the aquisition of a DeHavilland Dove in 1951, and later scheduled services between cities with a Heron. By 1968 F-27s entered service, with a particular focus on quality cabin service. BOAC had acquired controlling interest in the company in 1951, but in 1973 the four Arab governments acquired the company. The growth was rapid based on flourishing oil economies, and a clear emphasis on premium service that continues today. Following are cards illustrating their fleet development through the years. Many thanks to Kuo-Ching Fu for sharing the beautiful recent issues. |
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The "Mystery" (Peter Black) issues 8/23 | In November 2018, I posted several unidentified (at the time) numbered cards shared by Kuo-Ching Fu. They were later identified as Peter Black issues, but they have remained incredibly elusive. I have only a single card from the series. Kuo Ching has recently shared some additional cards from the series, so we are updating the previous page. If there are fellow collectors who have some of the many missing cards, scans of those would be very much appreciated, and of course credited. In my view this set would be the most priceless of the vintage collector sets published. |
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A Look at Southwest Airlines July 2023 | Southwest Airlines took off, so to speak, in 1971, as an intra-state carrier, connecting Dallas, Houston and San Antonio. From the start, there was a focus on making flights an entertaining experience, and to say the least, the concept was well received. Deregulation opened the door to expansion beyond Texas in 1979, and the growth was phenomenal, aided by the acquisition of other airlines. Following are postcard views of Southwest's 737s, plus some of the airlines integrated into Southwest. |
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Remembering the Pocket Rocket (BAC-111) | The enormous success and passenger appeal of the early jets quickly spurred action on jet aircraft for short haul and lower capacities. By 1961 the newly consolidated British Aircraft corporation launched the BAC-111 with orders from British United, soon to be followed by Braniff and Mohawk in the US. A total of 244 One Elevens were built, serving all over the world. Following are cards illustrating many of the 111 operators. |
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Amphibious Airliners. May, 2023 Early international air travel had many obstacles to overcome, such as range limitations, and lack of airports and fueling facilities. As early as 1929, the development of "flying boats" enabled flights to be undertaken to previously inaccessible destinations. In 1931 Pan Am launched services to the Carbbean, Central and South America with the Sikorsky S-40. Larger and more capable aircraft soon followed, and prior to WWII, amphibians served much of international travel.
On the other hand lack of airport facilities and remote locations in smaller markets often required amphibious aircraft, which particularly suited the Catalina and Grumman's amphibious aircraft.
Some postcard illustrations of these transformative aircraft follow below |
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California's Airlines. April 2023 | California, a state larger than many countries, has always had a demand for rapid intra state transportation. In fact the first scheduled passenger airline in the US, Chaplin Airlines, was formed in 1919 to ferry passengers to Catalina Island. Through the years, a substantial number of airlines have evolved, unfettered by CAB regulations and requirements. Many operated briefly and disappeared, others became major airlines which escaped the confines of California. Following is a postcard view of some of these California operators. |
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The Last of the Great Douglas Airliners Douglas Airliners from the DC-2 through the DC-10 had a history of superior performance and longevity. The DC-8 and DC-9 airframes were later modified with great success extending their utility for many years. Given those previous successes, it's not surprising that an advanced and upgraded DC-10 would be contemplated. And so it was that in 1986, the advanced DC-10, redesignated as the MD-11, was launched. By the end of 1990, the first MD-11s were in service with Finnair.
But the facts were that the beautiful aircraft did not quite meet its performance goals in range and payload. Ultimately some launch orders were cancelled, and sales were relegated to some 200 units. Nevertheless, the airliner has served for more than 30 years, and is continuing to serve as a cargo airliner. Following are a number of postcard views of this beautiful aircraft. Thanks to Terry Hale, Kuo-Ching Fu and PK Chai for sharing a number of these images. |
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The Evolution of Icelandair Feb. 2023 The Island nation of Iceland, has, by necessity, had a reliance on air transportation, given the isolation of the island, and rugged terrain within. Although some air services existed in the 1920s, Icelandair was essentially launched in 1940 as Flugfelag Islands, with a Waco YKS 7. In two years Beech 18, DeHavilland Dragon, and a PBY Catalina joined the fleet, international service began in 1945 with flights to Scotland.
Loftleidir was formed as a domestic competitor in 1944, but as conditions evolved , Loftleidir focused on international services, ultimately becoming the low cost "Backpacker's Trans Atlantic Airline. Inevitably, merger occurred in 1973, and Icelandair successfully transitioned into the major international airline of today. Following are postcards illustrating that progression. |
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A look at Ethiopian Airlines 1/ 2023 Formed by Proclamation of Emperor Haile Sellassie in 1946, Ethiopian Airlines has been the most successful of the National Airlines from the African Continent. Launched with a fleet of 5 DC-3s, and navigating through some turbulant times, Ethiopian has remained the leader in service and technology to the present.
Following are postcards that illustrate the years of growth and innovation |
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The GREAT silver Fleet. Pt 1. Nov. 2022 In the course of our history no airline has been more celebrated and yet more maligned than Eastern. Born in 1930 after operating as Pitcairn Aviation for several years, Eastern began to grow to near dominance in the Eastern states under the management of Eddie Rickenbacker. Pioneering new services and aircraft Rickenbacker steered the airline through the war years and emerged as the predominant airline in the Eastern United States. In later years major competition evolved, earnings became more difficult, and labor issues continued to plague the airline until its financial decline ended in 1991 after being acquired by Frank Lorenzo's Holding Company. The sight of Eastern's Grounded fleet was heart breaking, to say the least.
Following are postcard images of this great airline in it's most prosperous days. |
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The National Airlines of Central America | The Countries of Central America each had airlines which beside their commercial necessity were an item of national pride. In years of spotting at Miami, one of the highlights was the arrival of inbound flights from the Central American countries. Some have disappeared and others have pursued bolder ambitions, but their histories and accomplishments are indelible. Some of the postcard histories are quite modest, and others rather expansive. Following are examples from those exceptional airlines |
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A Look at Aerolineas Argentinas 9/2022 | After the end of World War II, air transportation in Argentina began to develop domestically, and the need for international transportation was realized. It was in 1946 that Flota Aerea Mercante Argentina was launched which began to connect Argentina with Europe, and ultimately with the USA. Despite some political resistance to using American aircraft, post war C-54s were available and practical, ultimately numbering 12 in service. Two new Avro Yorks were added to the fleet. The plan was to add the new Avro Tudors as well, but the aircraft were never accepted. By 1949 the government merged F A M A with three domestic entities to create a national airline, that would be Aerolineas Argentinas. Though stubbornly unprofitable, Aerolineas Argentinas has been a pioneering, progressive intercontinental airline since 1950. |
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Remembering the Handley Page Herald 8/22 The long search for "the DC-3 Replacement" had a lot of candidates. Some programs were enormously successful, others, not so much. While Convair was rolling out hundreds of new twin engine airliners, Handley Page's Reading facility was, as often seen with British manufacturers, focusing on an aircraft optimized for primitive airfields. The result was the high wing Herald, equipped with four Alvis Leonides Major piston engines. Unfortunately, the reliability and economics of the Dart Turbine obsoleted the Herald by the time it first flew in August, 1955. In 1957 the piston prototypes were successfully re-equipped with Dart turbines, and the result was a rugged viable airliner, which had already been hammered by the Fokker designed F-27. Fifty of the Dart Heralds were produced, which established a very solid record of service.
Following are some postcard examples of this somewhat too late player in the DC-3 replacement contest. |
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Philippine Airlines. July 2022 In February of 1941 Philippine Airlines was formed to replace PATCO. (Philippine Air Transport Co.) Operations began on March 15, 1941, With Beech 18 aircraft operating from Manila to Baguio and return. After interruption by the war, Philippine really began to fill its mission, providing transportation to and from the remote parts of the Islands, while connecting the Philippines with the World.
Following is a brief postcard history of this great airline. |
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Taiwan's intercontinental Airline 4 /22 China Airlines was formed in December 1959 with two PBY Catalinas operating charter flights. It was October of 1962, when the airline operated its first scheduled service from Taipei to Hualien. In September of 1966 China acquired an Ex Trans International 1049H Constellation to launch international services from Taipei to Saigon.
As a government owned entity, in 1967, China was simply allowed to replace the well known and highly respected Civil Air Transport on international routes in Asia. These were facilitated with new 727 aircraft
Boeing 707s were acquired to initiate Trans Pacific Services, and despite a history of safety related issues, the airline has evolved and become a significant global airline.
Following are postcard images illustrating the evolution of China Airlines from domestic start up to Global giant. |
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The Regional Airlines of Taiwan Mar 2022 The Republic of China or Taiwan emerged from World II, and the Communist takeover of the Mainland to become a free and prosperous nation, which has spawned a number of great airlines, large and small.
Following are examples of the rich airline history of Taiwan, excluding the global airlines China and Eva, which will be addressed at a future time.
The story begins with Civil Air Transport whose mission served both security interests, and commercial travel. Following are glimpses of a number of innovative airlines that followed. |
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Aer Lingus. February 2022 | No airline is more a reflection of their homeland than Aer Lingus. Founded in 1936, with a single DeHavilland Dragon, connecting Dublin and Bristol, Aer Lingus has grown, rather conservatively into the International airline it is in 2022. Following is a little history of Aer Lingus in Postcards, preceded by some publicity items. |
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Rare and Collectible pt 5. Jan. 2022 | This month features another collection of airline issues which have proven to be elusive. Thanks once more to Kuo-Ching Fu for sharing a number of these gems. |
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Japan Air System December 2021 On April 1, 1988, TDA officially was renamed Japan Air System. A week later, the first DC-10-30 aircraft was delivered, and by July 1, the first international segment (Tokyo-Seoul) was operated. Routes soon stretched to Singapore and Hawaii, using the newly delivered DC-10s.
Japan Air System's history of excellence in technology and service continued until the ultimate merger with Japan Airlines in 2004. Following are a selection of cards illustrating the Japan Air System Fleet. |
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Toa Airways, and its descendants 11/21 Toa Airways was created in November of 1953, operating their first flight in February 1954. By November of 1956 2 Beech C18S aircraft were delivered to perform flights to off shore islands. Subsequently, in 1961, 2 De Havilland Dove and several De Havilland Herons joined the fleet, serving Ryuku, Kyushu, Honshu, Chugoku and Shikoku. In 1962, their first Convair 240s were acquired, followed in 1965 with a fleet of new YS-11s.
In 1971 Toa merged with Japan Domestic Airlines to form Toa Domestic (TDA). Japan Domestic had been created in 1964 by a merger of North Japan, Fuji, and Nitto Aviation. The newly formed TDA rapidly grew into a major airline, operating a modern jet fleet which ultimately included the A-300 in 1980.
Following are postcards of some of the aircraft leading up to Toa Domestic, and the creation of Japan Air System. |
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Remembering Alitalia October, 2021 The year was 1946 when Aerolinee Italiane Internazionali was formed, Launched with Italian built airliners, the first flights took place in 1947. By 1948, The airline spread its wings across the Atlantic, using Avro 691 Lancastrian aircraft. The 36 hour flight left Rome, stopping at Dakar, Natal, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and Buenos Aires. The airline experienced modest growth until 1957, when a merger was accomplished with L A I, Italy’s other international airline.
From that beginning Alitalia grew into one of the great intercontinental airlines covering most of the world with state of the art airliners. Sadly, that will end on October 14, and Alitalia will join Pan American, TWA, Sabena and Swissair in the graveyard of airline icons.
Following are cards illustrating Alitalia’s airliners, and those of its affiliates. They will be missed. |
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The Airlines of Pakistan Sept. 2021 The populous and rugged lands of Pakistan have from their inception relied on air transportation. At the time of partition from India, Orient Airways was operating from Calcutta to Rangoon. Afterwards it was relocated to Karachi, and provided essential services connecting centers in west and East Pakistan. In 1955 it became part of newly formed Pakistan International Airlines.
For decades, PIA has remained a successful and up to date international airline. The airline also has a legacy of high quality postcards, many of which are quite collectible.
Included below are a selection of PIA cards, plus the airline of the former East Pakistan. (Biman Bangladesh). Also included are some cards from Private Airlines that have operated in Pakistan. |
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Collecting the rare ones pt. 4 | A final group of cards, that aren't very easy to find. Most of these have drawn a fair amount of interest through the years. |
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Collecting the Rare Ones Pt. 1 May 2021 What makes a card really collectible? Certainly, scarcity is reflected in price, as we've seen card prices exceed $1000.00. Card printings have varied from multiple issues of 250,000 to 1000 or less. It seems that particularly valuable are limited printings from the major airlines, but issues from smaller obscure airlines are equally appealing to me.
There is no doubt that values and degree of collectability are subjective, and that these examples don't begin to include all of the priceless cards that have been issued over time. But following are some of my most valued, and some kindly shared by other collectors. |
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DeHavilland’s Pioneering Commuters 4/21 Near the conclusion of WWII, DeHavilland began development of a replacement for the successful pre-war Dragon Rapide. That ultimately resulted in the twin engine all metal monoplane design of the Dove. Carrying 8-11 passengers the Dove sold 544 aircraft from 1946-1967. Engine upgrades and after market aerodynamic improvements helped extend the life of the Dove.
The success of the DH-104 Dove led to the development of a larger airliner, which used many components designed for the Dove. By May of 1950 the Heron took flight, using four Gypsy Queen 30 engines for power, and , strangely a fixed undercarriage. As time passed these inadequacies were remedied, and the Heron enjoyed a long service life, most notably with the Riley Aircraft modifications, but also with a more radical turboprop upgrade by Saunders.
Finally, DeHavilland of Australia developed a three engine derivative of the Dove christened the Drover, which may have set the standard for failed aircraft programs. Following are some postcard views of these remarkable airliners. |
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Alia The Royal Jordanian Airline The present day Royal Jordanian Airlines was created in 1963 by decree of King Hussein. The initial fleet was comprised of 2 Handley Page Heralds and a DC-7. Since that time and through some turbulent periods, the airline has prospered and grown into a truly global airline.
The focus on adequate and up to date equipment has been reflected through the years in the airline's postcard history, although recent issues have at times been puzzling.
Following are selected cards illustrating the evolution of Alia, Royal Jordanian's fleet. Included are issues from subsidiary operations undertaken by the airline. |
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A Look at Corporate Airliners March 2021 Essentially beginning in the 1950s, the "company plane" became an essential piece of equipment. Without the limitations of railroad or airline schedules, a company plane sped management, operations, and sales personnel to meetings and job sites with maximum efficiency. As time went on the plane became a significant marketing tool as well, useful in transporting customers to job sites as well as recreational sites.
War surplus aircraft were an affordable early option, with ex military Beech 18s being a popular favorite.
As industries grew, the scope of aircraft operations grew as well, resulting in a range of aircraft from single engine Cessnas to 747s.
Beechcraft was early in recognizing the potential of "company planes", and quickly directed their marketing to that arena. Following are postcards featuring Corporate Airliners, including some early Manufacturer issued cards. |
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Remembering Air Afrique February 2021 Air Afrique was the creation of a great Pan African airline, supported by and serving 11 newly independent African Nations. These nations with equity and support from Air France and UAT, launched the new airline in 1961. Remarkably the early years showed growth and promise, as the airline served French West Africa, later expanding to Europe and North America.
The airline operated a diverse fleet, often relying on short term leases of various aircraft to supplement their fleet.
However, politicization and mismanagement gradually took their toll on the airline, and after 41 years this proud emblem of the African continent became history.
Following are postcards featuring some of the beautiful airliners that served Air Afrique. |
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The Ultimate STOL DHC-7 January 2021 DeHavilland of Canada had a unique history with STOL aircraft. The Beavers and Otters served inaccessible destinations primarily in Canada and Alaska, with wheels, skis and floats. By 1964, the demand existed for a larger updated aircraft, resulting in the enormously successful DHC-6 Twin Otter. The Twin Otter's role expanded far beyond the uniquely northern missions of its predecessors, and DeHavilland put nearly 1000 to work serving Commuter Airlines around the world.
A decade later, The DHC-7 was born, an actual airliner, with the exceptional STOL performance of earlier models. Though demand for such an aircraft was limited, the DHC-7 filled its role in many diverse environments, which ultimately led to the more practical and successful DHC-8 series.
Following are some postcard views of this remarkable airliner. |
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A Postcard History of Hawaiian Airlines | Created in 1929, Inter-Island Airways was an unlikely candidate to become a 21st century intercontinental airline. But, step by step, the airline prospered, and recovered from financial setbacks. Hawaiian was a leader in new aircraft implementation from the DC-3 days to the present, and once unleashed by deregulation, gradually created a huge network focused on its unique destination. Following are cards and some photos illustrating that history. |
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Remembering Sabena Pt 2. Nov. 2020 It was October of 1958 when the original 707 began service on the North Atlantic. Just 1 year
later, Sabena took delivery of their first of the new Intercontinental 707-329s, making world travel a far more practical undertaking. Sabena remained a leader in aircraft technology unti the sad end in 2001. Part 2 will feature Sabena's jet fleet in postcards. |
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Remembering Sabena pt 1 Oct. 2020 The year 1923 saw the creation of Sabena It's modest beginning with a flight from Brussels to London was soon to be amplified by a need for air service in the Belgian Congo. By 1931, Sabena was operating 43 aircraft, and by 1935, the first scheduled flights were undertaken from Belgium to the Congo. Even during WW II Sabena maintained services to Africa. The post war years saw Sabena grow into "Belgian World Airlines", a leader in both service and technology.
But the 1990s were unkind to Sabena, and proliferating competition took a toll that even a Swissair management group couldn't fix. The Sept 11, attack's effect on travel was the final blow, and Sabena was liquidated in November 2001. The airline left a legacy of excellence that can't be replaced. |
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LOT 90 years and counting Sept 2020 LOT ( Polskie Linie Lotnicze ), was created in December of 1928, executing its first flight on January 1st 1929. Initially flying Junkers and Fokker aircraft, LOT was quick to introduce new aircraft, taking delivery of the DC-2 in 1935 and the L-10 Electra in 1936. After the disruption of the war, LOT was reestablished, with a fleet of LI-2s, and DC-3s, connecting Poland with nearby European capitals. In 1947, the airline acquired a short lived Languedoc fleet, but afterwards, new aircraft acquired were the necessarily Russian built aircraft. LOT was able to acquire some Convairs and Viscounts on the used market during that time.
In the 1960s and 70s, LOT expanded across the Atlantic and as far as Bangkok to the east, but the government crackdown in the early 1980s severely inhibited the airline's growth.
After the fall of communism in Poland, LOT quickly resumed its growth and innovation, becoming the modern international airline that it is today.
LOT's postcard history is also impressive from the early DC-2s to the current 787s. Following are cards illustrating most of the 90 + years of LOT. |
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The Fairchild Turboprops August 2020 The chase for a DC-3 replacement went on for 2 decades, with manufacturers from various countries searching for the right combination of economics and performance. Fokker's efforts began in 1952 and soon produced concepts for the Friendship airliner. On November 24, 1955 the prototype Friendship took flight.
With an eye toward penetrating the US market, a licensing agreement was reached with Fairchild in 1956 for the production of the aircraft in the Americas. The first Fairchild built F-27 entered service in July of 1958 even preceding the first Fokker built aircraft, later that year.
The rest is history, so to speak, as F-27s from both manufacturers filled the air. Some 582 Fokkers were built along with 209 Fairchilds. As time passed second hand Fairchilds were acquired in countries around the world.
Following are postcards of Fairchilds displaying first the new builds, and following those, the aftermarket acquisitions for both the F-27, and the FH-227 models. |
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The Elegant Vickers VC-10 July, 2020 Universally acclaimed as the most beautiful of the early jet airliners, and clearly a passenger favorite, the VC-10 entered service from London to Lagos in April of 1964.
Unfortunately, the aircraft was another victim of the frequently disfunctional British aircraft development process, a constantly evolving proposed mission that resulted in the airliner being introduced long after competitors had captured most of the market. Like other British airliners, hot and high performance was superior, but operating economics were not. Ultimately only 55 of the model 1100 and 1150 models were assembled, with the final VC-10 1154 delivered to East African in February 1970.
Nevertheless, the airliner's impact was substantial, and popularity with passengers unmatched.
Following are a number of postcard views of the swift and silent VC-10. |
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Remembering Varig 1927-2006 In May of 1927, VARIG was established in Porto Alegre, operating it's first flight with the Dornier "Atlantico" from Porto Alegre to Rio Grande on June 22 of that year. The airline gradually expanded with Junker F-13s, A-50s and an F-52, as well as a Dehavilland Dragon Rapide. It later standardized on the more modern Lockheed L-10 Electra in the latter 1930s.
After the outbreak of WW II, the airline under the leadership of Ruben Martin Berta, began a period of continued growth and acquisition that lead to flights to the USA in 1955, the acquisition of REAL in 1961, and Panair Do Brasil in 1965.
Control of Cruzeiro was attained in 1975, and Varig was Brazil's airline to the world.
But political changes and deregulation in the 1990s started a decline in the fortunes of the once dominant Brazilian airline, which gradually led to its sad break up, sale and ultimate final demise in 2006.
The greatest of South American airlines is gone, but a very nice postcard history remains, as shared below. |
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Remembering South African Airways The year was 1929, when Union Airways was formed, much like other pioneer airlines, as a mail carrier. By 1934 passenger services had been undertaken, but the airline was in distress. The South African government took over the operation, adding Southwest Airways a year later, forming the South African Airways which operated until 1940.
Following the war, service was restarted with a fleet of Lockheed Lodestars, and soon thereafter, the Avro York was temporarily used to provide an air service to England. By 1946, DC-4s were introduced, and the airline emerged as a modern international airline.
A long history of excellence and professionalism followed, both domestically and internationally. But the political revolution that ended apartheid also gradually impacted the operations of South African, and today we most likely are about to witness the end of this great airline.
Following is a post card history of South African Airways. |
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A Selection of Korean Air Cards 4-2020 After the end of World War II, Korean National was organized, serving Seoul and Pusan with Stinson Votagers.. It was subsequently shut down during the Korean war, but emerged in 1952 with a fleet of DC-3s and DC-4s.
It was developing into an international airline when in 1962, it was acquired by the government, and reappeared as the Korean Air of today. After a somewhat turbulent history with some crashes and two airliners shot down, Korean Air has become one of the major world airlines.
For most of that time the airline has been generous with Postcards. Following is a selection of Korean airline issues. |
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The Vickers Vanguard. March, 2020 The comfortable and powerful Vickers Vanguard was the honored guest that arrived after the party was over. After the Viscount's successful production, there was interest in more powerful and larger mid range aircraft, which could be used on shorter existing runways. Lockheed's offering, tailored to the requests of Eastern and American received launching orders in 1955, and rather quickly completed 129 sales. It entered service in January 1959.
The Vanguard, matching BEA's specifications, would enter service almost 2 years later. By this time, the Electra tragedies had occurred, and the public's appetite for Propeller driven aircraft was waning. Only 44 Vanguards were sold to BEA and Trans Canada.
Unfortunate, as the Vanguard performed very well, and operated through the mid 1990s.
Following are some postcard views of this airliner that arrived a little too late. |
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Post Deregulation startups The controversial Airline Deregulation Act of 1978, forever altered the landscape of American aviation. The legacy airlines, often rather bloated, had to deal with emerging new competition, inevitably at lower costs. New airlines emerged and often disappeared just as quickly under the pressure of powerful frequent flyer programs and mega hubs. As is usually the case, the better conceived and managed survived. Unfortunately, most did not. But the new opportunities brought innovation and lower prices to the marketplace, as the legislation intended.
Following are some of the airlines that were launched into the post de-regulation arena. |
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Celebrating the Super 80 jan. 2020 Douglas built tough airliners. From DC-3s to DC-8s, the Douglas airliners were rugged and reliable. The DC-9, introduced in 1965 was no exception, with original models from 1966 still operating today.
By 1979 the little DC-9 had been stretched and updated 3 times, but then Douglas launched an extraordinary stretch equipped with Pratt & Whitney JT8D-217s. This was to become the DC-9 "Super 80", the most successful and popular of all DC-9s. Almost 1200 of the sleek Super 80s found homes with airlines from Start ups to the Giants.
But, as we enter the year 2020, the Super 80 has become a relic, as emphasized by the final flight of American's once huge MD 80 fleet.
The time seems appropriate for a postcard review of the many operators of this extraordinary airliner. |
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Remembering Northeast December 2019 Northeast Airlines was actually created by two railroads, expanding into the airline business. Boston & Maine Airways, founded in 1931, and Central Vermont Airways, formed in 1933, served New England routes which were operated under contract by National Airways, a company which, incidentally, was created by a group including Amelia Earhart.
The combined airlines were renamed Northeast in November 1940, operating DC-3s and L-10 Electras through New England as well as Montreal, Halifax and Charlottetown in Canada.
Northeast actually originated the Air Shuttle between Boston and New York in 1946 using DC-4s on the hour.
The year 1956 saw the inauguration of their first flights to Washington DC and Florida using newly acquired DC-6s, but despite its success, Northeast had to struggle to keep that authority for a number of years. Later route strengthening efforts failed, even including a short lived southern trans continental route in 1969.
A brief fling with Howard Hughes in control from 1962 to 1964 bore little fruit, and by 1965 the airline was acquired by Storer Broadcasting. It was then that the airline launched its bold and appealing "Yellowbirds", which really elevated the airline's perception in the marketplace, but couldn't fully cure Northeast's chronic lack of profitability. The airline, however, was a perfect fit for Delta, which was essentially absent from the Northeast.
In 1972 the successful merger with Delta brought an end to the Yellowbirds, but those bright yellow and white airliners will always be a pleasant memory.
Following are some postcard views of Northeast's aircraft from 1940 through 1972. |
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Boeing's mighty mini, The 747 SP 11/2019 After the successful introduction of the Boeing 747, and the consequent growth in international traffic, there evolved a demand for a longer range aircraft, to some degree a political demand for an aircraft to fly non stop to more distant capitals, ie. new York to Tehran.
Simultaneously, Douglas and Lockheed were exploiting the huge gap in capacity between the 707s and 747s, a market that Boeing was forfeiting.
Ultimately, a judgement was made that a reduced size 747 could fill both of those roles. With some refinements to vertical and horizontal stabilizers, plus a modified shorter fuselage, the SP was born with launch orders from Pan Am and Iran Air.
Boeing's engineers were correct in that the SP opened new horizons of non stop flight, but they were completely wrong that such an aircraft could compete with the tri engine competitors.
By the early 1980s longer range 747 200Bs could match the range of the SP, thus the small niche occupied by the SP was eliminated.
Only 45 SPs were built,but for a few short years the SP was the crown Jewell of the industry.
Following are some postcard views of the ground breaking 747SP. |
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