Railway Air Services

Ref: 4699

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{detailed description}In 1931 there was just one regular air service within the UK, and this only operated during the summer months. For a return fare of £1 passengers could fly between Skegness and Hunstanton, a distance of 19 miles, in a de Havilland Puss Moth operated by Michael Scott.
From the first half of the 1930s, economic light transport aeroplanes such as the de Havilland Dragon and Spartan Cruiser became available, and as a result sustained UK domestic air services began to be established.
Although many private companies operated for varying periods, the survivors mainly became part of the system of a few more powerful groups. One of these groups was that established by the British main line railways and Imperial Airways. This book traces the history of Railway Air Services (RAS) and also provides a glimpse of the postwar plans which were frustrated by political events.
It was RAS which developed the main trunk air routes linking London with the Midlands, Northern Ireland and Scotland. The foundations were well laid, for today these routes are served by up to three operators in competition, and on the London-Glasgow route alone there are about one million passengers a year.
Railway Air Services, lavishly illustrated with over 100 carefully chosen photographs depicting the formative years of UK domestic air services, has been written by respected air transport writer John Stroud. Supported by a comprehensive set of appendices, Railway Air Services is destined to become the definitive work on the subject.
{Author / Publisher / Date}by John Stroud
published by Ian Allan 1987 1st edn. 144pp profusely illustrated, appendices. 18x24
{condition}near mint, including d/j
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