AVIATION POSTCARD CLUB INTERNATIONAL

NEWSLETTER NO. 56

SEPTEMBER 2006

THE BIGGER THEY COME….

Editorial impressions by Doug Bastin

Not only is the A380 going to be alarmingly late into service but this September edition will not be out until October. At least I know the reason for the latter, priority having been given to daughters wedding, but it seems likely that Airbus, pioneers of fly-by-wire have now been grounded by wire. There seems a danger that the A380 may join some of the other  “giants” in being either too big, or  too soon or too late. In fact the only giant that went on to commercial success remains the 747, as on the cover issue by Condor of Germany – the site looks like Mojave – ironically now a site for breaking up these early Jumbos.

One consequence of late running is that I have used some non – postcard pictures to illustrate the main article on “giant” aircraft. Cards do exist, but not in my collection or spares and I thought it best to get the issue out rather than try and find card images. Other than the main article we have the usual WASG, WDYK and Colin Cohen.

As soon as this one is finished it will be almost time to start on December in order to get it out before the mail havoc descends. Arctic/Antarctic related contributions will be welcome from early balloonists through airships to current activities.