Pics from my era

Ansett-ANA VH-RME Adelaide 69

To show my true hypocritical colours:

Does anyone know if Inter Air South Africa still fly from JNB to Ndola using the B727-100?

I am due to fly that route next month, and if I can take the 721 then I will do so over the ERJ-145 which South African use on that route.

The particular aircraft I was on was a Cyprus Airways B720, from somewhere in the middle east to Larnaca in the mid 1980s. I don’t know if it was a “B” model, so it may have been powered by either turbojets or early turbofans, I’m not sure.

The interior was yellowed with age/cigarette smoke and the seats were torn. But the main thing, was the noise. It was too much for me to take – when you’re tired, your pain threshold is reduced.

I’m sure these things were fine when they were new, but there is definitely a point when an aircraft simply needs to be replaced. Airlines which continue to fly these things after that point simply point out the deficiencies of old aeroplanes. Which in some respects is a crime.

Ironic how Essendon and Tullamarine are literally right next to each other. Do they actually use the same runway/s? What was wrong with the 707, Mongu? Were the engines just so loud (moreso on the early turbojets, to my understanding) that the noise penetrated the cabin, or was it not lined like today’s airliners?

I agree guys, but in their day the Viscounts and Electras and so on were state of the art,nobody knew any differant

And yes that is Essendon Airport, it mainly used by small private aircraft these days.

You only have to take a trip to one of the preserved steam railways to appreciate that. Bumpy and smelly ride and your hair stinks at the end, if any windows were open on a hot day.

I somehow don’t think the chaps riding a Viscount in the 50s got all gooey eyed about a Vickers Vimy!

Yes nostalgia is a wonderful thing, but many forget how comfortable flying is nowadays compared to airliners of old.

Would that be the old Essendon airport in Melbourne? I think it is a 146 graveyard now.

Not directly relevant, but on Radio 4 they had a brief interview with Raymond Baxter. He talked about a flight he had in the early 50’s from London to Christchurch. It took 44 hours on a Vickers Viscount (!!). I only ever flew on a Viscount a few times in their last days, but they were horrible – so very loud, they gave me a headache. Actually whenever I’ve flown an a golden oldie, I’ve hated it – tatty, dirty and usually ridiculously loud. I found the same with the Boeing 707.

lovely pics guys!

Nice pics there, good to see some retro stuff from time to time.

My introduction to aviation came some 22 years ago when the pilot of one of these came to my primary school to give us a classroom talk about life in the skies…

Lockheed Connie La Guardia 1958

TAA Boeing 727-76 VH-TJC Melbourne 1966

TAA Vickers Viscount VH-TVN Melbourne 1966