Photographs I've gleaned from flea markets, junk shops and sometimes ebay. The cheaper the better. Anything with a story that can be extracted from hand written notes, location research, local histories, census records......anything. A small band of fellow enthusiasts worldwide have helped me with many of these. Of course there are always mysteries that defy research, but there's even a story inside these. All images can be viewed at super-size on Flickr.

Friday, 24 June 2011

BEA airliner "RMA James Cook"

BEA airliner. Vickers Viscount "RMA James Cook"

My contribution to this week's Sepia Saturday theme. Air travel in a more glamorous age. You can dimly make out the name of this aircraft. British European Airways G-AMNZ "RMA James Cook". A Vickers Viscount built in 1953. See other photos of the same plane here.

13 comments:

  1. That photo is a classic. I'm learning a lot about airplanes and travel today.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lovely shot and nice composition.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great photo. There was something a lot more romantic about BEA and BOAC, compared to today's airlines.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I've flown in a Viscount but can't remember where from. Dan-Air was the airline I will never forget, especially the pilot 'Basher' Bates who always wanted to touch down 1 foot lower than the actual runway.
    I wonder what James Cook would thought of a plane?

    ReplyDelete
  5. This is a gem! I love these old airline photos. This is especially nice, because it shows the stewardess uniform and the plane.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I wonder if this was a press photo? The format looks slightly different from the usual snapshot.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Wonderful with how they're lined up. Clever promotional shot to make it look so casual.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I do enjoy how people dressed nicely for a flight - going somewhere used to be such an occasion!

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a setting for a fashion parade! LOL

    ReplyDelete
  10. That brings back so many memories! I have flown on BEA a good many times in the past, and in Viscounts from other airlines too.

    ReplyDelete
  11. A great black and white photo of a time when people did dress up to fly and deplainign was making a grand entrance. I had not heard of this airline, but suspect it is English and or European.

    ReplyDelete
  12. In 50 years the photos of our time will not be anywhere as glamorous. The women will be in sweatpants, ear-buds dangling, struggling with armloads of carry-on luggage. Oh what we have lost.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Lovely picture. I remember flying with BEA when I was a child.

    ReplyDelete