Paris Airport.
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 1999
Location: Back in the UK from the Sunshine Island for the last 8 years.
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Paris Airport.
Can someone who is older and more knowledgable than I confirm that Gay Paree's original international airport before the days of CDG was ORY and was 3-letter designated as such? Fact required for historic accuracy research.
Thanks in anticipation!
Thanks in anticipation!
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 1,797
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Le Bourget
A leading airport up until the 70s, Le Bourget started life in 1914 as a fortified camp providing Paris with safety against the Zeppelins. In 1937 Le Bourget was capable of handling 131,000 passengers and more than 18,000 tons of freight per year.
Here are a few moments in the life of Le Bourget, from its beginnings as an immense field on the edge of the route nationale 2, to its present status of a world-scale airport of over 500 hectares (1,235 acres).
1918, shortly after the armistice, the aerodrome was bounded to the west by Le Bourget and the Flanders road; to the north by the Iblon Bridge and the River Morée; to the east by Le Blanc Mesnil; and to the south by the Northern railway line. A long, straight runway of 5.2 km was laid and 200 hangars were constructed.
"The new air terminal at Le Bourget. Part of the work for the new civil airport close to Paris is now finished.
A Douglas DC 2 in front of the new terminal and its control tower.
The terrace has been set out to allow access for the curious." New York Times, 20th August 1937.
In 1920, the passenger transit arrangements were simple: one gate for departures, one for arrivals.
1920: a piece of chalk was all that was needed to keep passengers informed, and a charming chalet housed the air navigation staff.
The forerunner of today's air terminal buildings.
ORLY as an airport was built in 1961 by Charles de Gaulle, however it to had an airship history dating back to the twenties. Most of the above C&P from the Paris Aeroports website.
A leading airport up until the 70s, Le Bourget started life in 1914 as a fortified camp providing Paris with safety against the Zeppelins. In 1937 Le Bourget was capable of handling 131,000 passengers and more than 18,000 tons of freight per year.
Here are a few moments in the life of Le Bourget, from its beginnings as an immense field on the edge of the route nationale 2, to its present status of a world-scale airport of over 500 hectares (1,235 acres).
1918, shortly after the armistice, the aerodrome was bounded to the west by Le Bourget and the Flanders road; to the north by the Iblon Bridge and the River Morée; to the east by Le Blanc Mesnil; and to the south by the Northern railway line. A long, straight runway of 5.2 km was laid and 200 hangars were constructed.
"The new air terminal at Le Bourget. Part of the work for the new civil airport close to Paris is now finished.
A Douglas DC 2 in front of the new terminal and its control tower.
The terrace has been set out to allow access for the curious." New York Times, 20th August 1937.
In 1920, the passenger transit arrangements were simple: one gate for departures, one for arrivals.
1920: a piece of chalk was all that was needed to keep passengers informed, and a charming chalet housed the air navigation staff.
The forerunner of today's air terminal buildings.
ORLY as an airport was built in 1961 by Charles de Gaulle, however it to had an airship history dating back to the twenties. Most of the above C&P from the Paris Aeroports website.
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Bali H'ai
Posts: 427
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sailor
As one who is probably older but not more knowledgeable, just happened to be there when they dug it up, I can confirm that Orly was the main airport of Paris prior to the introduction of Roissy-Charles de Gaulle Airport.
My first flight to Paris was on an Air France Vickers Viscount in 1955, at a later date probably 1959 I did the same sector in a Lockheed Constellation L-1049A.
25 years later I flew Orly to Johannesburg in a South African Airways 747.
You may be interested in this Air France related website.
Tiger_mate
You have just lost a couple of stripes
As one who is probably older but not more knowledgeable, just happened to be there when they dug it up, I can confirm that Orly was the main airport of Paris prior to the introduction of Roissy-Charles de Gaulle Airport.
My first flight to Paris was on an Air France Vickers Viscount in 1955, at a later date probably 1959 I did the same sector in a Lockheed Constellation L-1049A.
25 years later I flew Orly to Johannesburg in a South African Airways 747.
You may be interested in this Air France related website.
Tiger_mate
You have just lost a couple of stripes
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 1,797
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You have just lost a couple of stripes
I wish you were right, but sadly the stripes are still there and will remain for the forseeable. Those who know me will know what I mean.
I did my research on the Paris Airports website. There is no doubt that Orly and Le Bucket date back to the birth of aviation regarding balloons and airships. The websites visited hinted heavily that Le bucket was the place for air travel and that Orly did not follow suit for some time. In recent years CDG has been the Intl and Orly the regional airport (with minor exception).
Orly was were Princess Di flew from on her final flight I believe.
I did my research on the Paris Airports website. There is no doubt that Orly and Le Bucket date back to the birth of aviation regarding balloons and airships. The websites visited hinted heavily that Le bucket was the place for air travel and that Orly did not follow suit for some time. In recent years CDG has been the Intl and Orly the regional airport (with minor exception).
Orly was were Princess Di flew from on her final flight I believe.
