Thursday, January 22, 2015

AMERICAN AIRLINES BOEING 707 INAUGURAL FLIGHT JANUARY 25, 1959



Soon!  We will celebrate the Boeing 707 Inaugural Flight of January 25, 1959. I ask myself over and over, "Has it really been 56 years?"  Yes, the years slip by and the memories of that historical flight for American Airlines are as real as the yesterday years. The excitement was stepping from the Propeller powered aircraft to the Jet powered aircraft.  I remind myself that the most of you out there do not know how it was to fly on those wonderful aircraft before the Jet age.
Photo by Jon  Proctor DC-7B
Photo by Bill Proctor Convair 240


Photo by Jon Proctor   DC-6


Yes, there was time to learn our guests names, hang 
coats, have a pillow in hand along with a blanket, 
pass out magazines, hug babies, and welcome them 
again and again with the same hospitality.

Then came the beautiful Boeing 707 for us to learn 
a new way of life. 

This photo was taken by Jon Proctor  
Boeing 707


                               


Captain Macatee













This was the day January 25, 1959



Jane put on my 
flight topper 
and helped me
serve the meal. 
So fun!
She was the 
actress in the 
movie:  Three
Guys named
Mike. 
She played the
AA stewardess.


Peaceful and Happy Landings
from Argie Hoskins

Flagship California design Phillip Nicholson
Gratefully for all who read this history







5 comments:

Cyndi Upthegrove said...

I fly many times in the early '60s with a captain Bill Proctor. Is this the same person that supplied some of your photos here? Do you know him? Is he still living?

Cyndi Casey Upthegrove said...

correction: I flew many times.....

argie hoskins shumway said...

Hi Cyndi, Bill has passed. His brother Jon has permission to use his photos. Google Jon Proctor for history and a wonderful site for photos. Jon has the historical photographer for TWA. It is my understanding that Bill was also with TWA. Cyndi who did you fly with? Thanks for the contact.

Unknown said...

And now Jon Proctor has passed as well on April 22, 2020 in Sandpoint, Idaho. His gigantic collection of vintage aviation images is a treasure!

https://www.coffeltfuneral.com/obituary/jonathan-proctor

Walter Parsons said...

Hello mate nice bloog