Memories of holiday-making in the 1960s
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The above was of course frivolous. My earliest memories of holidays consisted of going across Europe in a couchette train, sometimes with the car on the train too, to a resort near Venice, and to the south of France, Bandol I think. As my father was a keen sailor we spent some holidays at St. Mawes and St. Ives in Cornwall (Devon?) and we used to go skiing in Switzerland. I don't think I got on a 'plane until I was in my teens, it was considered quite a thing then.
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As far as flown holidays are concerned, most British airports had cervices to Jersey and the Isle of Man, and quite a few had Ostend links too. The package-tour business really took off in the mid-1960s and initially most of it seemed to travel on non-UK airlines using DC6s.
My own local airport - Newcastle - had a fortnightly Euravia Constellation to Palma in 1964, two years later there were numerous weekly DC6s of TASSA, Aviaco and Adria. Gatwick at the time was 'DC6 City'.
My own local airport - Newcastle - had a fortnightly Euravia Constellation to Palma in 1964, two years later there were numerous weekly DC6s of TASSA, Aviaco and Adria. Gatwick at the time was 'DC6 City'.
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I, and my wife to be, went on a day trip from Southampton to Rotterdam and on to Keukonhof (forgive the spelling) Gardens for the Tulip Festival on 6th May 1966, all inclusive with meals for the princely sum of £8. This was aboard an Airspeed Ambassador of Dan-Air. Fantastic day with only cheap snacks but did include all transfers and entrance to the gardens. I was working at BAC Hurn at the time on the 1-11 production line having left the RAF in November 1965. Little did I know that just over 4 years later I would be joining Dan-Air at Lasham on heavy maintenance. In 1971 the last Ambassador did its last flight for Dan-Air and flew into Lasham. That night a 1-11 "lost" an engine on take-off from Zagreb, it burnt off fuel and landed back at Zagreb. Next day I flew on the Ambassador with a gang of guys with a spey engine attached to the floor of the aircraft. That then became another story of what was 45 years in the industry and I loved every minute of it.
Last edited by lakerman; 7th Jul 2012 at 20:27. Reason: Correction
This was one of what became quite an operation in the Spring, visiting the "Dutch Bulbfields" and other attractions, for day return trips, or just a couple of days, using aircraft marginal time just before the main Mediterranean season got into gear. The major tour operator doing these was Clarksons, and the airlines they used were principally Dan-Air and Channel. Once Clarksons went out of business in 1974 they rather faded away. They operated from a wide variety of local airports, out morning, back evening, and the aircraft often then positioned on to the following days' departure point. There was a secondary operator of these based in Bristol, who I knew, whose day trip from Bristol to Basle, extensively marketed to women's social groups in Somerset country villages, used an Invicta Vanguard, which sadly ended up as the Basle crash of 1973.
Package holidays started to grow in popularity in the mid 60s, often using old, second-hand piston or turbo-prop aircraft. June 1967 changed all that when two UK-registered charter aircraft crashed at Stockport and Perpignan within 24 hours of eachother.
Due to press comment, the old aircraft were quickly replaced by jets such as One-Elevens, 737s and Comets. Brochures featured pictures of jet aircraft, and it took some years for the term 'charter airline' to return to respectability.
Due to press comment, the old aircraft were quickly replaced by jets such as One-Elevens, 737s and Comets. Brochures featured pictures of jet aircraft, and it took some years for the term 'charter airline' to return to respectability.
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Must've been 1960-3, but flying was just within the grasp of our working class family.
Mum and Dad took the lot of us to Jersey from Manchester for a week.
For a lad in short-pants, plonked onto the front row seat (less foot room) of a Jersey Airlines De Havilland Heron, with full view of the tiny cockpit, it was the catalyst you'll all be familiar with.
The holiday was wonderful, but the trips there and back were the highlight.
As soon as I got home I made my own cockpit dashboard from a Formica washing machine top, fitted with every dial and switch I could rummage from our garden shed.
I was about to teach myself to fly!
I recall, all of us were stone deaf for at least two hour after we disembarked. We could only observe each other's lips move and attempt to lip-read.
Those Gypsy Queens were NOISY!
Here's what I saw, but I recall it as much more cramped when the pilots were included...
The only in-flight service, was a boiled sweet to suck on the descent!
Mum and Dad took the lot of us to Jersey from Manchester for a week.
For a lad in short-pants, plonked onto the front row seat (less foot room) of a Jersey Airlines De Havilland Heron, with full view of the tiny cockpit, it was the catalyst you'll all be familiar with.
The holiday was wonderful, but the trips there and back were the highlight.
As soon as I got home I made my own cockpit dashboard from a Formica washing machine top, fitted with every dial and switch I could rummage from our garden shed.
I was about to teach myself to fly!
I recall, all of us were stone deaf for at least two hour after we disembarked. We could only observe each other's lips move and attempt to lip-read.
Those Gypsy Queens were NOISY!
Here's what I saw, but I recall it as much more cramped when the pilots were included...
The only in-flight service, was a boiled sweet to suck on the descent!
Last edited by Hasel Checks; 8th Jul 2012 at 03:46.
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If you'd flown to Jersey from Southend in the early sixties, Channel Airways were still operating de Havilland Dragon Rapides, small and very noisy too, but those wicker seats really left an impression on me 
Last edited by SincoTC; 8th Jul 2012 at 04:37.
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Wot no parachute to sit on?!
I peered into a Rapide's cockpit once, and it struck me immediately, you had to be very careful where you placed your feet. What was it like in Cattle Class? Longerons as floor-boards?
I peered into a Rapide's cockpit once, and it struck me immediately, you had to be very careful where you placed your feet. What was it like in Cattle Class? Longerons as floor-boards?
Last edited by Hasel Checks; 8th Jul 2012 at 07:09.
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Well, I was one of the privileged people who went on quite a lot of foreign holidays in the 1960s, as my father was a succesful solicitor, so he could afford these holidays. As far as I can remember tho, all our foreign holidays in those days were via scheduled flights, not charters.
The first trip abroad of which I have some fragmentary memories was a holiday in La Baule, France, in Aug/Sept 1962: sadly I don't remember the flights (I was only four at the time), but I have worked out that we must have flown on a BEA Vanguard from Manchester to London (because they were the type being used on that service then); then on to La Baule in an Air France Super Connie!
I know it was an AF L1049G because, by amazing good fortune, my father shot a thirty second sequence on his cine-camera, of me, my mother and one of my sisters getting on the L1049G, then of the aircraft taxiing for takeoff and then taking off! It's a long story why he wasn't flying with us. I put the film on You Tube some years ago and here is a link to it:
Then it was back to Manchester from LHR, presumably on another BEA Vanguard.
I do remember several more flights from Manchester to and from London on BEA Vanguards-a lovely aircraft. I don't think we made any international flights from M/C in the 1960s-it always seemed to be down to LHR first, then on from there.
I also flew in a BEA Viscount 800 from LHR to Biarritz, via Bordeaux, in August 1964 and I do have reasonably clear memories of that, including a visit to the cockpit.
There was also a Swissair Coronado from LHR to Zurich in Feb 1969, followed by a Balair Friendship to Innsbruck. That was for a skiing holiday in Obergurgl. Then back to ZH on the Friendship a week later, but then we went home via Belgium (to visit some relatives), giving me my one and only flight on a 707 (of Sabena), to Brussels, followed, I would guess, by a Sabena Caravelle or perhaps a 727, back to Manchester.
I think I also flew on a BEA Comet to Nice and back from LHR in 1965, for a holiday there. I also flew on quite a few BEA Tridents, but when we missed our BEA flight back from Milan Linate in June 1968, we were re-routed via Amsterdam on a KLM Electra! Then back to Manchester on a BEA Trident. We had been staying in Lugano, Switzerland.
We also had quite a few holidays in the UK-Abersoch, Llandudno, Saunton Sands and we always drove to these.
Great days! And even allowing for the fact that I was a child then, flying was a great adventure. Nowadays, security is an annoying, but necessary and often tedious chore and I find flying little different to catching a bus, what with walking down a metal tube into an all but invisible aircraft and modern airliners nearly all being practically identical. And the way that airports the world over are so mad keen for you to buy overpriced fashion items, that it is in your face all the time, I just find annoying.
I'm very glad I was lucky enough to fly to and from holidays in the 1960s.
The first trip abroad of which I have some fragmentary memories was a holiday in La Baule, France, in Aug/Sept 1962: sadly I don't remember the flights (I was only four at the time), but I have worked out that we must have flown on a BEA Vanguard from Manchester to London (because they were the type being used on that service then); then on to La Baule in an Air France Super Connie!
I know it was an AF L1049G because, by amazing good fortune, my father shot a thirty second sequence on his cine-camera, of me, my mother and one of my sisters getting on the L1049G, then of the aircraft taxiing for takeoff and then taking off! It's a long story why he wasn't flying with us. I put the film on You Tube some years ago and here is a link to it:
Then it was back to Manchester from LHR, presumably on another BEA Vanguard.
I do remember several more flights from Manchester to and from London on BEA Vanguards-a lovely aircraft. I don't think we made any international flights from M/C in the 1960s-it always seemed to be down to LHR first, then on from there.
I also flew in a BEA Viscount 800 from LHR to Biarritz, via Bordeaux, in August 1964 and I do have reasonably clear memories of that, including a visit to the cockpit.
There was also a Swissair Coronado from LHR to Zurich in Feb 1969, followed by a Balair Friendship to Innsbruck. That was for a skiing holiday in Obergurgl. Then back to ZH on the Friendship a week later, but then we went home via Belgium (to visit some relatives), giving me my one and only flight on a 707 (of Sabena), to Brussels, followed, I would guess, by a Sabena Caravelle or perhaps a 727, back to Manchester.
I think I also flew on a BEA Comet to Nice and back from LHR in 1965, for a holiday there. I also flew on quite a few BEA Tridents, but when we missed our BEA flight back from Milan Linate in June 1968, we were re-routed via Amsterdam on a KLM Electra! Then back to Manchester on a BEA Trident. We had been staying in Lugano, Switzerland.
We also had quite a few holidays in the UK-Abersoch, Llandudno, Saunton Sands and we always drove to these.
Great days! And even allowing for the fact that I was a child then, flying was a great adventure. Nowadays, security is an annoying, but necessary and often tedious chore and I find flying little different to catching a bus, what with walking down a metal tube into an all but invisible aircraft and modern airliners nearly all being practically identical. And the way that airports the world over are so mad keen for you to buy overpriced fashion items, that it is in your face all the time, I just find annoying.
I'm very glad I was lucky enough to fly to and from holidays in the 1960s.
Last edited by Proplinerman; 8th Jul 2012 at 14:43.
Up until 1957, holidays were in Cornwall - and the sun always shone! Into the family Zephyr, then down the A30 via Exeter and across Dartmoor to Mullion. In later years, traffic was so bad that we would drive down through the night - a great adventure that was!
Then we went to 'The Continent' in 1958 - France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Denmark - and a day trip to Sweden. Even then, the ravages of war could still be seen. Every country had a frontier and you queued up for currency exchange and passports. Crossing the Channel was an interesting experience; no ro-ro ferries and loading took ages. We went to Expo 58 in Brussels on the way home via Oostende - Sputnik replica in the Russian pavilion and colour TV in the American pavilion were of note!
1959 was a holiday in Brittany. We were initially snubbed by some snobbish people at the hotel (which was very like the one in 'Darling Buds of May'!) when the saw the family Anglia - until my father let it slip that it was actually our second car. Then they treated us like royalty, the shallow graspers.
1960 was a holiday in Sweden - Tilbury to Gothernburg in an ancient 1929 ship, then down to Båstad. The Swedish Air Force still flew the J-29 from nearby Angelholm.
1961 we went to the Norfolk Broads. The cruiser was rammed and sank, so we came home early!
1962 we went to Ireland - the last time I ever went there. Friendly people, but it seemed very old-fashioned.
In 1963 we went by train to Spain. Or rather to Cerbére, then a wild taxi ride in an old Citröen traction avant across the border to Port Bou, then a prehistoric Spanish train to Llansa, where we were met by the agent who drove us to Puerto de la Selva. Quite an adventure!
The first time we flew was a couple of years later. Mid-week Tourist Class in a BEA Vanguard to Gibraltar, ferry to La Linea, bus to Malaga, then on to a holiday villa in Almuńécar. It was much cheaper to fly to Gib in those days, then to Malaga - something to do with the 'Sterling area'.
After that came the package holiday era. Usually a BAC 1-11 from Hurn to Palma, then a taxi to the hotel. The earlier holidays had been rather more adventurous, but quite a few operators and airlines let customers down in the late '60s and early '70s. Invicta Airways folded, Clarkson Hoidays collapased..... But we'd discovered the 'flight only' method and often flew with Dan Dare on a Marshall Sutton holiday to Menorca, before my father eventually moved there.
Passengers travelling on holiday charters back then were treated pretty well, on the whole. The seat pitch was reasonable and in-flight catering was pretty good. And as for the lovely 'Caledonian Girls'.....
People still 'dressed up' to fly, rather than wearing some inappropriate track suit or the like. But society was rather more 'correct' in those days, I guess?
UK customs was still an utter pain though!
When I was first in the RAF, to go home I'd usually take the train to London, stay overnight in the RAF Club, then off to the BrompWest London Air Terminal and the bus to the airport. Until, that is, I found it easier either to drive or to take the train to Gatwick.
Despite having to be frisked by some bottom-fondling failed wheelclamper and generally treated like a criminal at UK airports these days, travel is an awful lot simpler now than it was in the 1970s! Although the ridiculous situation whereby it is cheaper to fly with some LoCo than it is to park in the airport car park probably won't last for ever.
Then we went to 'The Continent' in 1958 - France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Denmark - and a day trip to Sweden. Even then, the ravages of war could still be seen. Every country had a frontier and you queued up for currency exchange and passports. Crossing the Channel was an interesting experience; no ro-ro ferries and loading took ages. We went to Expo 58 in Brussels on the way home via Oostende - Sputnik replica in the Russian pavilion and colour TV in the American pavilion were of note!
1959 was a holiday in Brittany. We were initially snubbed by some snobbish people at the hotel (which was very like the one in 'Darling Buds of May'!) when the saw the family Anglia - until my father let it slip that it was actually our second car. Then they treated us like royalty, the shallow graspers.
1960 was a holiday in Sweden - Tilbury to Gothernburg in an ancient 1929 ship, then down to Båstad. The Swedish Air Force still flew the J-29 from nearby Angelholm.
1961 we went to the Norfolk Broads. The cruiser was rammed and sank, so we came home early!
1962 we went to Ireland - the last time I ever went there. Friendly people, but it seemed very old-fashioned.
In 1963 we went by train to Spain. Or rather to Cerbére, then a wild taxi ride in an old Citröen traction avant across the border to Port Bou, then a prehistoric Spanish train to Llansa, where we were met by the agent who drove us to Puerto de la Selva. Quite an adventure!
The first time we flew was a couple of years later. Mid-week Tourist Class in a BEA Vanguard to Gibraltar, ferry to La Linea, bus to Malaga, then on to a holiday villa in Almuńécar. It was much cheaper to fly to Gib in those days, then to Malaga - something to do with the 'Sterling area'.
After that came the package holiday era. Usually a BAC 1-11 from Hurn to Palma, then a taxi to the hotel. The earlier holidays had been rather more adventurous, but quite a few operators and airlines let customers down in the late '60s and early '70s. Invicta Airways folded, Clarkson Hoidays collapased..... But we'd discovered the 'flight only' method and often flew with Dan Dare on a Marshall Sutton holiday to Menorca, before my father eventually moved there.
Passengers travelling on holiday charters back then were treated pretty well, on the whole. The seat pitch was reasonable and in-flight catering was pretty good. And as for the lovely 'Caledonian Girls'.....
People still 'dressed up' to fly, rather than wearing some inappropriate track suit or the like. But society was rather more 'correct' in those days, I guess?UK customs was still an utter pain though!
When I was first in the RAF, to go home I'd usually take the train to London, stay overnight in the RAF Club, then off to the BrompWest London Air Terminal and the bus to the airport. Until, that is, I found it easier either to drive or to take the train to Gatwick.
Despite having to be frisked by some bottom-fondling failed wheelclamper and generally treated like a criminal at UK airports these days, travel is an awful lot simpler now than it was in the 1970s! Although the ridiculous situation whereby it is cheaper to fly with some LoCo than it is to park in the airport car park probably won't last for ever.
Last edited by BEagle; 8th Jul 2012 at 08:13.
My first ever flight, must have been about 1960, was in a Silver City DC3 from Lydd to Le Touquet and back - a day trip my Dad organised. I can remember being in the cockpit and the Decca moving map fascinated me - I also distinctly recall a large spider's web above the co-pilot's head ...
June 1967 changed all that when two UK-registered charter aircraft crashed at Stockport and Perpignan within 24 hours of eachother.
Due to press comment, the old aircraft were quickly replaced by jets such as One-Elevens, 737s and Comets.
Due to press comment, the old aircraft were quickly replaced by jets such as One-Elevens, 737s and Comets.
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First ever flight around 1970 Morton Air Services Heron from Jersey to Southampton; single pilot if I recall!
Then we started venturing further afield to the Balearics: I remember Britannia & Monarch Bristol Britannias, Dan Air Comets, and Courtline 1-11's painted in pastel shades, all names 'Halcyon.....' Requests for a flight deck visit were often granted, and I looked agog at the huge banks of instruments.. the crews were invariable friendly, and I remember a Dan Air Comet capt. with a huge handlebar moustache!
Then when our children were young, Dan Air 727's, Britannia 737's then 757's. I remember standing in a Britannia 757 flight deck with my plane-mad 5 year old son, just enjoying the expression on his face. He is now 21, a qualified pilot, and just embarking on his CPL.
So sad those opportunities are now long gone
Then we started venturing further afield to the Balearics: I remember Britannia & Monarch Bristol Britannias, Dan Air Comets, and Courtline 1-11's painted in pastel shades, all names 'Halcyon.....' Requests for a flight deck visit were often granted, and I looked agog at the huge banks of instruments.. the crews were invariable friendly, and I remember a Dan Air Comet capt. with a huge handlebar moustache!
Then when our children were young, Dan Air 727's, Britannia 737's then 757's. I remember standing in a Britannia 757 flight deck with my plane-mad 5 year old son, just enjoying the expression on his face. He is now 21, a qualified pilot, and just embarking on his CPL.
So sad those opportunities are now long gone
first flight 1964 British eagle Britannia to Barcelona for our first our package holiday, followed by PMI RMI and AGP until b/eagle went bust in 1968
seats often all faced backwards... always went from LAP (LHR)
my first jet was Caledonian 707-320C G-AWWD summer 1969 LGW to PMI
goodness! this was a cracker, it was huge for me..(age 12)
rolling take off after turning fast onto runway at LGW and a flying time of 1hour 35 mins!
back on G-AVKD flagship Bonnie Scotland
PMI airport on the way home saw so many new charter jets from all over.
1970 Caledonian 1-11 500 G-AWWZ to PMI. (G-AXYD home i think)
seats often all faced backwards... always went from LAP (LHR)
my first jet was Caledonian 707-320C G-AWWD summer 1969 LGW to PMI
goodness! this was a cracker, it was huge for me..(age 12)
rolling take off after turning fast onto runway at LGW and a flying time of 1hour 35 mins!
back on G-AVKD flagship Bonnie Scotland
PMI airport on the way home saw so many new charter jets from all over.
1970 Caledonian 1-11 500 G-AWWZ to PMI. (G-AXYD home i think)
As I wrote earlier, UK customs could still be an utter pain.
On one occasion we were delayed for some reason at (I think) Gatwick after going through to the departure area. As were most adults in those days, my mother was a smoker and had bought 200 fags in the duty free shop. She opened one packet and started smoking.....whereupon some little worm from Customs and Excise fronted up, demanded the duty on the opened packet and insisted that the carton should be sealed with some sticker he produced....
I think the duty came to about 1/5d. I bet he felt pleased with his work that day....
On one occasion we were delayed for some reason at (I think) Gatwick after going through to the departure area. As were most adults in those days, my mother was a smoker and had bought 200 fags in the duty free shop. She opened one packet and started smoking.....whereupon some little worm from Customs and Excise fronted up, demanded the duty on the opened packet and insisted that the carton should be sealed with some sticker he produced....
I think the duty came to about 1/5d. I bet he felt pleased with his work that day....
Last edited by BEagle; 9th Jul 2012 at 21:18.
My first holiday flight was in 1960, flying from BHX to GLA in an BEA Elizabethan, followed by a BEA DC-3 flight from GLA to EDI. I was only 10 at the time and s**t scared. So much so that the return flight was cancelled and we came home on a sleeper train from Edinburgh Princes Street. Never did I think 12 years later I would be flying for BOAC!
After that in 1968, I took Britannia's new 737 from LTN to GRO and had a week with some mates for a week in Lloret De Mar. Again scared to death flying through a thunderstorm.
These days I'm still scared of getting onboard an aircraft, not because of flying, but because of the service I might not get!
After that in 1968, I took Britannia's new 737 from LTN to GRO and had a week with some mates for a week in Lloret De Mar. Again scared to death flying through a thunderstorm.
These days I'm still scared of getting onboard an aircraft, not because of flying, but because of the service I might not get!
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Club 18-30s Holidays
Hi there,
Im developing a documentary about Club 18-30s and looking for some original fun seekers from the late 1960s.
If you fit the bill please do get in touch with me at
[email protected]
Many thanks,
Im developing a documentary about Club 18-30s and looking for some original fun seekers from the late 1960s.
If you fit the bill please do get in touch with me at
[email protected]
Many thanks,
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Dear forum members,
I am doing some research for a documentary about British holidays in the 1960s and would like to talk to anyone who worked in the industry during this time. It's meant to be a lively and intelligent look at how our holiday patterns changed during this decade and I'd like to find out what it was like to be on the other side of the holiday experience.
I look forward to hearing from anyone who would be interested in sharing their knowledge! And I would also really appreciate any links to other associations or groups who you think would be good to contact.
Feel free to contact on [email protected].
Thanks for your time and for this interesting site.
I am doing some research for a documentary about British holidays in the 1960s and would like to talk to anyone who worked in the industry during this time. It's meant to be a lively and intelligent look at how our holiday patterns changed during this decade and I'd like to find out what it was like to be on the other side of the holiday experience.
I look forward to hearing from anyone who would be interested in sharing their knowledge! And I would also really appreciate any links to other associations or groups who you think would be good to contact.
Feel free to contact on [email protected].
Thanks for your time and for this interesting site.
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As I wrote earlier, UK customs could still be an utter pain.
On one occasion we were delayed for some reason at (I think) Gatwick after going through to the departure area. As were most adults in those days, my mother was a smoker and had bought 200 fags in the duty free shop. She opened one packet and started smoking.....whereupon some little worm from Customs and Excise fronted up, demanded the duty on the opened packet and insisted that the carton should be sealed with some sticker he produced....
I think the duty came to about 1/5d. I bet he felt pleased with his work that day....
On one occasion we were delayed for some reason at (I think) Gatwick after going through to the departure area. As were most adults in those days, my mother was a smoker and had bought 200 fags in the duty free shop. She opened one packet and started smoking.....whereupon some little worm from Customs and Excise fronted up, demanded the duty on the opened packet and insisted that the carton should be sealed with some sticker he produced....
I think the duty came to about 1/5d. I bet he felt pleased with his work that day....
What-O! I was one of those horrid 'little worms' engaged by Her Maj to be a Customs Officer in the 60's and could write scrolls about the foolishness and deviousness of the good old British public when exposed to the temptations of duty-free for the first time. In those days your duty-free was sealed up in a bag before departure but most people smoked and some couldn't resist the temptation of an illegal puff, and you'd be surprised how many punters thought they could slip their duty-frees to their relatives who'd come to see them off. But the real game for us was on their return. You could hear the clink of bottles in their cases even as they claimed just to have the pemitted half-bottle of paint-stripper. And fags, they'd stuff 'em everywhere, down their trousers and in their knickers and bras. It was all a bit of sport, really, but it was our job to catch them, and we did our best to do so. We got a little bonus if we succeeded, but not very much. Good old days.
One way of getting around the Revenue's 'bottle and 200' regs when flying back from Menorca was to obtain a litre of 'gin doble' from the Beltran distillery in Mahon harbour. This was like rocket fuel and around 80% ABV, rather than the normal 38-40%, but would be supplied in the normal bottle. You had to speak nicely to Miguel Beltran's chaps, but they would usually oblige...
When safely home, the gin was diluted with a litre of distilled water - otherwise it wouldn't mix properly with tonic.
Happy days!
When safely home, the gin was diluted with a litre of distilled water - otherwise it wouldn't mix properly with tonic.
Happy days!