It was an 8 year effort that JetFlix founder Henry Tenby invested into the research and production of what is most certainly the most comprehensive documentary on the 1960s Canadian airline history ever produced. At JetFlix, we are pleased to present this exclusive presentation specially for our members.
JetFlix members have a viewing choice: they can stream this 1960s Canadian airline documentary as either as a single 69 minute feature length presentation, or as a three part mini series. Without doubt, the footage is so interesting and unique many viewers will want to watch it over and over again as there is so much to be absorbed, and it is not possible to fully appreciate all the fine details of the film on a first viewing.
The part 1 of the show takes us back to the very early 1960s, when the first Douglas DC-8s were delivered Trans-Canada Air Lines nearly one year ahead of the first Vickers Vanguard, due to frustrating production delays on the Vanguard primarily due to Rolls Royce Tyne engine performance. Our film opens at Montreal’s Dorval Airport where we spend much of the time witnessing the arrival, ground servicing, grooming, and departures of TCA’s first DC-8s. But we also travel to Weybridge, Surrey in England to witness the delivery of one of the last Vickers Vanguards to TCA, which includes the obligatory hand shaking during the formal aircraft hand over ceremony.
This film was entirely shot on 16mm kodachrome cine film, but the first part was shot at a slow film rate. So we had to digitally increase the speed to proper levels, which resulted in a slight stutter in some of the footage. But we feel this is a minor inconvenience given the rarity of the footage, and we hope you will agree. The source film for this documentary came from a number of sources including Air Canada’s own archives, which we digitized some years ago after the cine films were donated to the Government of Canada Archives in Ottawa, as well as from the NFB, and our special friend and correspondent in the UK, the famous aviation book publisher Scott Henderson of ScovalPublishing.com.
Presented below is a fascinating selection of screen shots of images from the very film.
TCA Vickers Vanguard CF-TKA inflight circa 1961 pre delivery air-to-air over the UK.
Passengers at the Montreal Dorval Check-in counter, preview from the film “Airlines in Canada 1960s” streaming at JetFlix TV
Trans-Canada Air Lines Vickers Vanguard CF-TKW pre delivery at Webridge, Surrey, England, preview from the film “Airlines in Canada 1960s” which streams at JetFlix TV.
Interior view of passenger cabin of Trans-Canada Air Lines Douglas DC-8 at Dorval Airport circa 1961, preview from the film “Airlines in Canada 1960s” which streams at JetFlix TV.
Trans-Canada Air Lines Douglas DC-8 at Dorval Airport circa 1961, preview from the film “Airlines in Canada 1960s” which streams at JetFlix TV.
Trans-Canada Air Lines Douglas DC-8 being ground serviced at Dorval Airport circa 1961, preview from the film “Airlines in Canada 1960s” which streams at JetFlix TV.
Lovely view of a Trans-Canada Air Lines Vickers Vanguard being ground serviced at Montreal Dorval Airport circa 1962, preview from the film “Airlines in Canada 1960s” which streams at JetFlix TV.
V1 Rotate! A Trans-Canada Air Lines Douglas DC-8-40 gets airborne at Montreal Dorval Airport circa 1962, preview from the film “Airlines in Canada 1960s” which streams at JetFlix TV.
Front office view with Captain of a Trans-Canada Air Lines Douglas DC-8-40 at Montreal Dorval Airport circa 1962, preview from the film “Airlines in Canada 1960s” which streams at JetFlix TV.
A Trans-Canada Air Lines groomer prepares the passenger cabin of a Douglas DC-8-40 for passenger boarding at Dorval Airport circa 1962, preview from the film “Airlines in Canada 1960s” which streams at JetFlix TV.
A Trans-Canada Air Lines Vickers Vanguard taxiing in front of the main terminal building at Dorval Airport circa 1962, preview from the film “Airlines in Canada 1960s” which streams at JetFlix TV.
Passengers boarding rear stairs to a Trans-Canada Air Lines Douglas DC-8 at Dorval Airport circa 1962, preview from the film “Airlines in Canada 1960s” which streams at JetFlix TV.
Executives from Vickers hand over delivery of Trans Canada Air Lines Vickers Vanguard CF-TKW at Weybridge Surrey to TCA executives, preview from the film “Airlines in Canada 1960s” which streams at JetFlix TV.
Fabulous ramp view of Trans-Canada Air Lines Douglas DC-8-40 being ground serviced at Montreal Dorval Airport circa 1961, preview from the film “Airlines in Canada 1960s” which streams at JetFlix TV.
