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Monthly Archives: March 2016

McGhee-Tyson Airport

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A Standard News Agency, Knoxville, Tenn. issue, K-51 “Municipal Airport, Knoxville, Tenn.” (plate #OB-H2467)  It shows an American Airlines DC-3 sitting in front of the terminal building.  This is just eight years after McGhee-Tyson moved to this location in Blount County from a much smaller operation a little west of Knoxville. The boarding ramp is in place but, look, there’s not a soul in sight, except for, maybe, a bit of a person showing beyond the ramp.

It was mailed from Knoxville on March 30, 1943.
On the back in the upper left description paragraph (unusually wordy): “Municipal Airport, Knoxville, Tenn.  One of 36 of the best airports in the United States – on the main Southern Transcontinental Air Route.  Served by American Airlines and Pennsylvania Central Airlines.  Complete with U.S. Weather Bureau and Civil Aeronautics Radio and Communication Station – service night and day.  Cost over one million dollars – paved runways – main runway 5000 ft. long.  All facilities.  Complete lighting for night flying; mail and transport and private operations.”

The written message: “Hello, Mother.  Well, we have gotten this far and our tickets were messed up so we are waiting for a call from Rogersville  Don’t worry about us.  We will leave out in a few minutes  love to all will write you from camp. Boy.

Mailed to Mrs. N.D. Ewings, 122 Hasson St. Rogersville, Tenn.

The post mark says “Buy War Savings Bonds and Stamps”

Jesse & Irwinna

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Let’s just say that Irwinna was not happy about something today.  Jessee, however, manages a twist of a smile.

The stories you could come up with…

Honker Post Card!

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Yep, this is a Giant Post Card, 7″ x 11″.

The image is of a standard 1940s post card of downtown Asheville (J11) by Asheville Post Card Company.  However, the image was scaled up for this linen-finish card printed by Standard Souvenirs & Novelties, Inc., Knoxville, Tenn.  This may still have been issued in the late 40s.

TCRA – in 1968

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TCRA in the 1968 Shell Airport Directory.  Any pilots viewing this will be able to read it immediately.  Everyone else goes, “Big whoops…”

Flagship

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This is one of those post cards that I know something about, but only can suggest other things.
First, it is an American Airlines DC-2, Flagship Line.  It’s at Tri-Cities airport (then McKellar Field).  The first DC-2 flew into the airport in September, 1937.  Judging by the way the photo was taken, I think the photographer was more interested in the news aspect of the occasion than with any person on the flight.  I think the original photo (there’s no attribution) was taken to record that inaugural event.  Piece of history, that.  Two months later, the airport was officially recognized as McKellar Field.
I know it was published by Lisanby’s Gifts in Bristol VA.  It apparently is D-6 of a series.  I do not think the card dates to the time the picture was taken.  I can find no reference on the web to “Lisanby’s Gifts” in Bristol.
There were a number of these for a buck or so each at Abingdon Antique Mall, as of 3/12/16.
If anyone knows anything about this card, I’d appreciate a comment on it.

Piedmont Tea

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Starting in 1987 or so, Piedmont Airlines acquired some Boeing 767-200ERs and began service from Charlotte NC to Gatwick in London.  This tea container (it still has the original tea bags in it) measures about 4.75″ long, 2.75 deep and about 4″ tall.  It was made in England.  I would expect this to have been distributed around the time of the origination of the service.  Speedbird seen!