Get-Ahead BOAC Speedbird Adverts from the Flight Magazine – 1940 – 1970

Tim to ditch the flying boat and hop onboard the Speedbird

Speedbird

 

In 1946, long distance flights on lumbering old flying boats were commonplace. They lasted for several days and involved night stops in exotic places. By 1960, British Overseas Airway Corporation’s (BOAC) Rolls Royce-powered 707s, carrying over 130 passengers. could perform the same journeys in a matter of hours. Later, those 707s were joined by the elegant Vickers VC10.

That’s the story this collection of BOAC advertisements tells. A story of innovation, progress and service. The BOAC Speedbird Adverts are a collection of rarely seen adverts that were published between the years of 1940 -1970 in the “Airline Magazine” aimed at the British market.

 

Speedbird BOAC

The Speedbird logo was designed in 1932 by English artist Theyre Lee-Elliott (28 May 1903 – 24 December 1988) as the corporate logo for Imperial Airways. It was used by the British Overseas Airways Corporation and British Airways for 52 years. The term “Speedbird” is still the call sign for British Airways international flights.

 

 

Speedbird BOAC

Speedbird BOAC
BOAC
Speedbird BOAC Speedbird BOAC
BOAC adverts

 

You can buy the book by Sean Naghibi at Speedbird.

Would you like to support Flashbak?

Please consider making a donation to our site. We don't want to rely on ads to bring you the best of visual culture. You can also support us by signing up to our Mailing List. And you can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. For great art and culture delivered to your door, visit our shop.