Heavy Haulers

Every boy had a thing for big trucks, even if they were just Tonka toys. Here are a few postcards of big trucks and machinery as well as some original shots picked up on my travels, mainly in Australia.

Superyacht Spotting

Once upon a time, I worked for a superyacht magazine, and I still retain a lingering fascination for these emblems of opulence and extravagance. Here is a collection of original images taken while travelling the world and imagining I'm somehow in this other world of indulgence.

The story of P&O Iberia

The P&O Iberia was a British ocean liner built by Harland and Wolff in Belfast, Northern Ireland, for the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company. Completed in 1954, Iberia was one of four ships commissioned by P&O to replace vessels lost during World War II. She was launched on January 21, 1954, by Lady McGrigor, wife of First Sea Lord Rhoderick McGrigor, and began her maiden voyage on September 28, 1954, from London to Sydney via the Suez Canal.

The story of RMS Aquitania

RMS Aquitania, known as the "Ship Beautiful," was a British ocean liner built by John Brown and Company at the Clydebank shipyard in Scotland. Launched on April 21, 1913, and christened by Alice Stanley, the Countess of Derby, Aquitania was designed by Leonard Peskett and took over a year to complete. The ship measured 901 feet in length, 97 feet in beam, and had a gross tonnage of 45,647.

English Electric Canberra jet bomber

Development: When W. E. W. "Teddy" Petter joined English Electric at Preston as chief engineer he already had a scheme for a jet bomber. To meet specification B.3/45 he eventually planned a straightforward unswept aircraft with a broad wing for good behaviour at great heights, with two of the new axial jet engines centred on each wing giving a total of 15,000lb thrust. Like the Mosquito, the A.1 bomber was to be fast enough to escape interception, whilst carrying a 6.000lb bomb load over a radius of 750 nautical miles. It was to have a crew of two and a radar bomb sight for blind attacks in all conditions. 

Wanted: a godparent for SWISS’s first Airbus A350

The name Lausanne already stands proudly on the side of SWISS’s first Airbus A350-900. But the twinjet’s formal ‘baptism’ is still to be performed. SWISS will take delivery of its latest fleet member this fall. And the company is now looking for a ‘godparent’ from the Swiss populace to help name the new addition. The sole criteria for the role: creative flair and a passion for travel.

Defunct and extinct airlines

 Most of us can think of several airlines from the past that no longer exist. Perhaps it was the airline you took your first flight all those years ago. 

I've dug into my postcard box and photo library to find images of famous - and not-so-famous - airlines which are no longer with us. What are your memories of these forgotten airlines?

Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand was once one of the better airlines for official postcards. I managed to pick up a few myself on my travels, and a few were sent by thoughtful pals. 

Here are just a few postcards, along with a couple of public relations images and my own original photographs.

Curtiss Hawk III (BF2C-1) Goshawk at the Royal Thai Airforce Museum

Among the many fascinating aircraft on display at the Royal Thai Air Force Museum is the Curtiss Hawk III (BF2C-1) Goshawk.

The history of John Travolta's Boeing 707

John Travolta's Boeing 707, registered as N707JT, is a Boeing 707-138B with a rich history that spans multiple owners and significant aviation milestones. This aircraft, originally delivered to Qantas in 1964 as VH-EBM, has served in commercial and private capacities, reflecting the evolution of jet travel. Below is a detailed examination of its history, ownership, and notable events, providing a comprehensive overview for aviation enthusiasts and historians.

New livery for SWISS A350

 SWISS to fly Freddie Mercury, Helvetia and a marmot all over the world

What do a rock legend, Switzerland personified reclining on a lounger and a cute alpine rodent have in common? They’re all featured in the new special livery that SWISS will be applying to its first Airbus A350 aircraft. The livery, named ‘SWISS Wanderlust’, spotlights the close ties between the airline and its home country and cities. And its striking design elements are more than just images: they’re also a gateway to an interactive viewer experience.