Request for elderly Imperial Airways /BOAC flying boat passenger to interview
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Request for elderly Imperial Airways /BOAC flying boat passenger to interview
I have been asked by a radio producer to take part in a radio programme about the old days of the empire flying boats (they know I crewed Catalina Z CAT through Africa in the early 1990s).
The producers are specifically looking for a woman who flew as a passenger on the 1930s- 1940s Imperial or early BOAC flying boats as a passenger- which would have been as a child.
It's a respectable and long standing radio programme - no silly scare stories - if anyone knows of such a person (they want a woman as there are too many of us chaps on board already) please post here and we can exchange emails.
Thanks
The producers are specifically looking for a woman who flew as a passenger on the 1930s- 1940s Imperial or early BOAC flying boats as a passenger- which would have been as a child.
It's a respectable and long standing radio programme - no silly scare stories - if anyone knows of such a person (they want a woman as there are too many of us chaps on board already) please post here and we can exchange emails.
Thanks
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I am currently in contact with a very nice old lady in Durban, whose husband flew back at the end of the war, in January 1946, on the 35 Sqn SAAF, Cairo-Durban 'shuttle'.
The aircraft was Sunderland 'K-RB', I have an original photo of it, taken on its arrival in Durban harbour, at the end of the above flight.
Mrs. Pearce has herself, flown from the Vaal Dam to Durban on a flying boat after the war, but I don't know if this was a civilian aircraft or not.
The aircraft was Sunderland 'K-RB', I have an original photo of it, taken on its arrival in Durban harbour, at the end of the above flight.
Mrs. Pearce has herself, flown from the Vaal Dam to Durban on a flying boat after the war, but I don't know if this was a civilian aircraft or not.
Reading past accounts and looking at passenger photos, about 90%-plus of the pax on the long-haul boats seem to have been men. And don't forget the crews too.
And not necessary to have been a child. BOAC gave up the long-haul boats in 1949. An adult aged 20 then would be 78 now.
And not necessary to have been a child. BOAC gave up the long-haul boats in 1949. An adult aged 20 then would be 78 now.
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I did not mean 'elderly' to sound pejorative. It is just that they would be.
Apologies if offence caused where none meant
If one flew on these boats in the 1930s, one would have been a child - or in the 1940s, a late teens -ager.
And yes, most crews and pax were male- military, diplomatic, wealthy- but many family members travelled too.
Here's hoping...
Apologies if offence caused where none meant
If one flew on these boats in the 1930s, one would have been a child - or in the 1940s, a late teens -ager.
And yes, most crews and pax were male- military, diplomatic, wealthy- but many family members travelled too.
Here's hoping...
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A good number of colonial government employees' children would have flown on the Solents between Southampton and East, Central and South Africa up to the end of flying boat services in 1950. That's when the short lived but very comfortable Hermes took over for its brief BOAC life which ended for most in 1952 and for a small number at the end of 1954 (it was revived on East African routes April - December 1954 to cover for the withdrawn Comet 1s) . Assuming that their memories would have been up and running by the age of 6 the youngest flying boat travellers would now be around 64, so less of the " elderly " please!
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To Slats One "elderly" is anyone over the age of 45. 
The point he fails to grasp is that anyone wanting to contribute to the radio program wouldn't want to be described as "elderly".
I don't remember Neville Duke as being "elderly". Even at 85 he was still sharper than most radio producers I've met.
The point he fails to grasp is that anyone wanting to contribute to the radio program wouldn't want to be described as "elderly".
I don't remember Neville Duke as being "elderly". Even at 85 he was still sharper than most radio producers I've met.
Last edited by Albert Driver; 25th Oct 2007 at 10:16. Reason: Sp.
I'm almost elderly...
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At the age of 90 my mother still regales me with vivid memories of travelling from UK to China by flying boat just after WW2. I think she'd accept being qualified as elderly!
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All,
Slats one here- and I am 45 Ok!
Elderly never used to be an offensive term- just as young or youthful is not rude- so why is elderly deemed so rude!
No do not answer that- just accept humble apologies and forget I psoted in the first place...
Social science PC re-education camp for me then.
Oh for a Super VC 10 to escape on!
Slats one here- and I am 45 Ok!
Elderly never used to be an offensive term- just as young or youthful is not rude- so why is elderly deemed so rude!
No do not answer that- just accept humble apologies and forget I psoted in the first place...
Social science PC re-education camp for me then.
Oh for a Super VC 10 to escape on!
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Slats,
Forget the re-education.
Elderly is neither offensive or rude. If you are elderly you are elderly end of. This PC nonense is ridiculous and anyone who was flying with Imperial Airways/BOAC in those years ARE elderly. I remember that IA stopped flying in 1938 - IIRC in December. I also remember that too because my dad used to take me to Croydon. I am elderly too, with the recognition of a bus pass, Senior RailCard etc., Saves a lot of dosh.
And........I still enjoy a good life.
PPP
Forget the re-education.
Elderly is neither offensive or rude. If you are elderly you are elderly end of. This PC nonense is ridiculous and anyone who was flying with Imperial Airways/BOAC in those years ARE elderly. I remember that IA stopped flying in 1938 - IIRC in December. I also remember that too because my dad used to take me to Croydon. I am elderly too, with the recognition of a bus pass, Senior RailCard etc., Saves a lot of dosh.
And........I still enjoy a good life.
PPP
For PPRUNE pop,
BOAC officially took over from Imperial on 1 april 1940
For Bills,
BOAC's Caledonia was in service until March 1947 and Golden Hind until Sept 47.
QANTAS's Coriolanus last flight from Noumea to Sydney 20Dec47.
Adventurous Empires by Phillip Sims covers the whole story of the Empire boats and is a good read.
BOAC officially took over from Imperial on 1 april 1940
For Bills,
BOAC's Caledonia was in service until March 1947 and Golden Hind until Sept 47.
QANTAS's Coriolanus last flight from Noumea to Sydney 20Dec47.
Adventurous Empires by Phillip Sims covers the whole story of the Empire boats and is a good read.
Slats One,
Not exactly what you are looking for, but you might like to click here to read the recollections of one our regulars. I found it very enjoyable, and it may provide you with some useful background information.
Not exactly what you are looking for, but you might like to click here to read the recollections of one our regulars. I found it very enjoyable, and it may provide you with some useful background information.
I think folks it would be good to move on from the "elderly" banter here. I for one will be very interested to listen to all the recollections on the programme when it is broadcast (including I hope Seloco's mother - see above).
Alexander Frater, who wrote the book "Beyond the Blue Horizon", an absolute must for flying boat/old airliner buffs like many of us here are, may have some contacts who remember being in the aircraft.
My own recollections only go back as far as the Sandringham coming over my house in the late 1980s (I still remember the sudden roar overhead) prior to alighting on the Thames when it visited London, and seeing (and walking through) selfsame aircraft once again a couple of weeks ago in Kermit Weeks' museum in Florida. But Adventurous Empires and a number of other books about the golden days are regularly to be found scattered on my coffee table at home. Do post when the programme details are known.
Alexander Frater, who wrote the book "Beyond the Blue Horizon", an absolute must for flying boat/old airliner buffs like many of us here are, may have some contacts who remember being in the aircraft.
My own recollections only go back as far as the Sandringham coming over my house in the late 1980s (I still remember the sudden roar overhead) prior to alighting on the Thames when it visited London, and seeing (and walking through) selfsame aircraft once again a couple of weeks ago in Kermit Weeks' museum in Florida. But Adventurous Empires and a number of other books about the golden days are regularly to be found scattered on my coffee table at home. Do post when the programme details are known.
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I suggest that the Muthaiga Club in Nairobi would be a good place to look for an interviewee. If you emailed the Secretary ( [email protected]) he might be able to assist by advertising the possibility of an interview on the Club's notice boards.
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Thanks everyone for your help. Most kind. All very evocative.
Alex Frater - he of Beyond the Blue Horizon, also made a BAFTA award winning fim of the Catalina Z CAT thru Africa for the BBC- The Last African Flying Boat. I know this as I was there and flew the thing at one stage.
I also spoke with Phillip Simms about his book- sadly he died shortly after publication - so I am told (?). Tragic. Damn fine book.
I think we have now found a suitably wise, slightly mature, personage to interview!
I will post on PP as soon as the broadcast time is known. It's on 'proper' radio don't you know...
Once again sincere thanks.
Alex Frater - he of Beyond the Blue Horizon, also made a BAFTA award winning fim of the Catalina Z CAT thru Africa for the BBC- The Last African Flying Boat. I know this as I was there and flew the thing at one stage.
I also spoke with Phillip Simms about his book- sadly he died shortly after publication - so I am told (?). Tragic. Damn fine book.
I think we have now found a suitably wise, slightly mature, personage to interview!
I will post on PP as soon as the broadcast time is known. It's on 'proper' radio don't you know...
Once again sincere thanks.
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renfrew.
My typing was in error! It was 1939 in December that the British Overseas Airways Corporation was formed to takeover IA. But in September IA was told, along with all civvy aircraft to move as war had been declared. Most were moved to Whitchurch.
The RAF then moved in.
My typing was in error! It was 1939 in December that the British Overseas Airways Corporation was formed to takeover IA. But in September IA was told, along with all civvy aircraft to move as war had been declared. Most were moved to Whitchurch.
The RAF then moved in.
