Aviation Memorabilia Newsletter

Jet Clipper 'Beatles'

SimpleFlying.com recently posted a story commemorating the 57th anniversary of the Beatles arrival in New York City on February 7, 1964.  The aircraft that carried them over the Atlantic was a four year old Pan American Airways Boeing 707-331 named 'Jet Clipper Defiance'. 

Pan Am had a tradition of naming their intercontinental fleet of aircraft after 'clipper' ships that crossed the oceans in the 19th century.  

It was temporarily renamed 'Jet Clipper Beatles' for the return trip to London on February 22.

Contrasted against the image of another B-707 a few months earlier, this was another moment when we remember where we were when the images played out on television. This has always been one of my most pleasant childhood memories.

Surprisingly, this aircraft had a relatively short lifespan. Jet Clipper Defiance was originally registered to Trans World Airlines as N771TW, but never delivered. It was then sold to Pan Am, delivered March 23, 1960 and registered N704PA. Late in its career, it was leased to several smaller airlines including Vietnam Airlines from 1973 to 1975. It was scrapped at Long Beach, California, June 1977. 

Additional references:

Simple Flying.com article
Aerotime Hub History Tour
This Day in Aviation.com

The image below is a screen capture from a documentary produced by Albert and David Maysles capturing the Beatles first American tour.

It is posted on YouTube on the DIY Guitar Talk channel. Click the image to view the video.

Our Featured Video comes from the Just Planes YouTube channel.

Viewers have a flight deck view on a short flight from Vancouver (YVR) to Victoria (YYJ) in British Columbia.

Air Canada's first A319.

Air Canada launched a new offensive in the North American marketplace with the arrival of its first Airbus A319 on December 12, 1996.

The airline also became the first to operate the state-of-the-art, twin engine jet in North America. Airbus Industries hosted 25 Air Canada employees for three days of sightseeing in Paris and Toulouse prior to the A319 delivery ceremony.

Also included in the trip was a visit to the European aircraft manufacturer's Toulouse facilities where Air Canada's next A340 was getting the final touches.

London England -

Customer Sales and Service Coordinators Kathy Feeney and Ann Mellor received gifts and best wishes at their retirement party.

Based at the Customer Sales Office in London's West End, Kathy and Ann completed 25 years and 32 years of service, respectively.

From left to right: Caroline Tjia, Inside Sales Executive; Kathy Feeney; Robert Atkinson, General Passenger Sales Manager, UK & Ireland; and Ann Mellor.

Fredericton, New Brunswick -

Donna Price, Vice President - Airports (left) and Kevin Gleeson, General Manager, Customer Service - Atlantic Canada (right) presented anniversary pins to Harry Sulley, Station Agent (30 years), Bertha Bergin, Customer Service Coordinator (25 years) and Sterling Carpenter, Station Agent (30 years).

Editor's Note: Ms. Price contributed photos to the 'Submitted Photos' section of NetLetter #1457.

Mirabel (YMX) -

Gathered with his coworkers, Station Attendant Guy Leger accepts his 25-year pin from Guy Poirier, Customer Service Manager.

Back row, left to right: M.Thibert, N. Benard, Guy Poirier, Guy Leger, R. Laflamme, C. Brown, N. Dostie, R. Séguin and N. Lemay.

Front row (seated), left to right: D. Lacroix, P. Caron and R. L. Barette.

Ottawa employees celebrated their 25, 30 and 35 year anniversaries at a gala held in Montreal.

In this photo, front row, left to right: Sue Welscheid, General Manager, Customer Service - Eastern Canada; Customer Sales and Service Agents Helen Wiens, Jeanette Taylor, Sharon Quinn, Trudy Bausenhart, Odette Dompierre and Carole Martel.

Back row, left to right: Customer Sales and Service Agents Lesley Mansell and Paul Decaire; Jim Duncan, Lead Station Attendant; Adèle Gosbee, Customer Sales and Service Agent; John Chaput, Station Attendant; Ron Burnett, Lead Cargo Customer Service Agent; Donna Price, Vice President, Airports; Bruce Wanamaker, Retired Customer Sales and Service Agent;
Will Hobbs, Customer Sales and Service Agent - Training Instructor; Garry Smith, Customer Sales and Service Agent; Bob Knox, Lead Station Attendant; Dave Macdonald, Manager. Customer Service and Joan Alexander, Customer Sales and Service Agent.

From the CP Air Employees Facebook page

Posted by Lisa Rogers on February 11, 2021.

February 1, 1966, 55 years ago, Reesa Greenberg, Ginny Phillips and Anette Towle arrived to start stewardess school with CP with several new friends. 

Nordair published the final edition of its internal magazine 'Expressions' in December 1986 while it was being acquired by Canadian Pacific Air Lines.

Below is a message from former CEO Roland LaFrancois reflecting on his career and the future.

When I first became a member of the Board of Directors of Boreal Airways in 1949, nothing could have led me to believe that this small airline from Lac St-Jean would one day be the Corporation that it has grown to become.

Nordair's rise to prominence has been the result of the concerted efforts of a multitude of men and women whose dedication was equal only to their dedication and hard work.

Indeed, the real strength of Nordair throughout its 39-year history has been its employees - pilots, mechanics, flight attendants, administrators and support staff - many of whom I have had the privilege to know personally.

They have witnessed the numerous changes and events that have fashioned the airline. A new page in our history is about to be turned. Our association With Canadian Pacific Air Lines heralds a new era in the context of the Canadian airline industry. I am confident that Nordair's spirit will live on through the majority of you who will be joining CPAL and I am convinced that you will continue to give your very best.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my deep appreciation to all of you for your loyal support over the years and to wish you all a very bright future