The first Concorde prototype takes to the air in this British newsreel clip from 1969. The first flight with passengers took place seven years later in 1976. It flew successfully over the globe until it met its fate in 2003.

However, there are plans to take it up in the air again for the 2012 London Olympics. Until that happens – here’s the trailer for the less-than-good movie The Concorde: Airport ’79. Although the first two movies in the series should not be dismissed that fast if you are a fan of 1970s drama movies. (Via)

Read the full post >

Isabel Rose, comedienne and performer salutes 1960s aviation among many things in her first ever music video. If you are a fan of Ann-Margret, Doris Day or movies such as Catch Me If You Can you will surely be entertained and impressed with both Isabel and her music. Her album “Swingin’ From the Hip” blends big-band, jazz, cabaret and pop and can be purchased through iTunes. [Thanks Jeffrey]

Ultra Swank – Your one stop blog for retro living, style and design

Ultra Swank takes you back in time into the kitsch, chic and swank living of the 50s, 60s and the 70s. We mainly focus on the design, architecture and the lifestyle of the happy-go-lucky and space-age-living mentality of that era – but also on the music and movies that takes you back to happier times. Ultra Swank is run by Chris, a Swede born in the wrong decade that currently resides in Barcelona. Read more

Subscribe and follow Ultra Swank

A somewhat kitschy promotion video from Pan American airways, made in the early 1970s that takes us around the world and back again in less than 25 minutes. The video was most likely produced to showcase how easy it was to travel around the world with Pan Am, take in the sights and then be back again in the afternoon to enjoy tea at the Ritz. If you recognize some of the music cues that are played in the background, they are sourced from several KPM records. The same kind of library music that can be found on many of my music compilations here. Footage provided by the lovely people at The Travel Film Archive.

Eero Saarinens JFK Terminal

The JFK Trans World Airlines (TWA) terminal was designed by the great Eero Saarinen. Built in a very modernist and expressionistic style it was finished in 1962 and set the standard for how modern jet travel was perceived back in its glory days. The Museum of the City of New York had a exhibition about Mr. Saarinens works back in November and December 2009, which I was not aware of. Maybe someone reading this experienced it though? How was it? Do tell. (Via)

Our latest adventures in space and time