Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Qantas' golden year


(As suggested by two on my Facebook friends' list -- here is something I popped up there)

At the moment, I'm doing a bit of a declutter in part of my house (I hope and intend for the project to continue to other parts of the house as well. I need the room) Anyway -- this week, out of a pile of old magazines, I found this: a 1970 Qantas Pacific routes flight guide. This would have come to here via one of my half-brothers who visited New Zealand around that time (when I was 6). Can't say this is familiar to me at all before now, and probably has been lost among magazines and what-have-you all this time. 





"You have only to ask the Steward for anything you need. Drinks and cigarettes can be purchased in flight in accordance with Customs and Excise limitations ... Complimentary toiletry items are available ... We carry standard baby foods, a bassinette, safety pins, disposable diapers, feeding bottle, comforter and talc. Ask the Flight Hostess or Flight Steward for chess, playing cards, draughts, crossword puzzles, a selection of children's games, and airmail writing paper. The flight library contains a variety of good books and current magazines, also books suitable for children of all ages.

"Qantas personnel may not accept gratuities of any kind. Offering a tip will only cause embarrassment. Their reward is knowing they helped make your flight more enjoyable."




Maps are included, so you can "follow your flight path" from Europe or anywhere Qantas flew, down to Australia and New Zealand. There's a description of the flight staff uniforms, their cadet schools, and info on the Qantas V-Jet.


At the time, Qantas were celebrating their 50th anniversary, so provided passengers with three gold-coloured postcards showing views from their history. Also, a remnant of the days when smoking was allowed on commercial planes -- and flammable liquids allowed in the cabin. 




"T Model Ford driven by Hudson Fysh. He surveyed Qantas' original air route in a similar vehicle."


"DH50J, 1928. 4 passengers. 105 mph. Three of these 'workhorses' were built by Qantas at Longreach, Queensland."


"AVRO 504K, 1921. Pilot and 2 passengers. 65 mph. Intrepid passengers flew in this, Qantas' first aircraft, on taxi trips and joy-rides."

2 comments:

  1. Just an illusion, but at first glance Hudson Fysh's car appears to be sagging in the centre.

    ReplyDelete