AIRWAYS HISTORY

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Story MAURICE J . WICKSTEAD Photos AS NOTED

PROMINENT AMONG BRITAIN ’ S early postwar independent airlines was British Eagle ( EG ). Over the course of 20 years , the company evolved from a single airplane operation into a dynamic and innovative international carrier .

Founded by the visionary Harold Bamberg , the outfit began life in April 1948 as Eagle Aviation . Bamberg had gained early commercial aviation experience working for American Overseas Airlines ( AOA ) after wartime service in the Royal Air Force .

Along with more than 20 other British airlines , Eagle was soon pressed into service for the Berlin Airlift . From late August 1948 , Eagle flew its single Handley Page Halifax from Wunstorf , near Hannover , Germany . Joined by three more aircraft , Eagle ’ s operations were switched to Hamburg ’ s Fuhlsbüttel airfield in November and continued uninterrupted until mid-August 1949 . By then , Eagle had completed 1,054 flights , hauling 7,308 tons ( 66,298 kg ) of cargo over 2,471 flying hours .

48 AIRWAYS MAGAZINE JULY 2024 www . airwaysmag . com