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.

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  2. Lovely shot and nice composition.

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

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  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?

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

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

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

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

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  9. What a setting for a fashion parade! LOL

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  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.

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  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.

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  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.

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

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