What's on this picture?

[Jan2002]

In a box full of old photographs of my parents, I found the attached picture. I think it must have been taken sometime in the fifties, possibly at Schiphol. Can anybody tell me what aircraft this is, and what airline, and possibly date the picture more exactly?

[Hans van Herk]

Indian Airlines Corporation DC-4.

regards, Hans van Herk

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[Jan2002]

Thanks Hans. Any idea which year this was taken? Was this a regular service to Schiphol?

[Hans van Herk]

Hello,
Info on the wikipedia site of Indian Airlines reveales:
The airline was set up under the Air Corporations Act, 1953 with an initial capital of 32 million and started operations on 1 August 1953. It was established after legislation came into force to nationalise the entire airline industry in India. Two new national airlines were to be formed along the same lines as happened in the United Kingdom with British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) and British European Airways (BEA). Air India took over international routes and Indian Airlines Corporation (IAC) took over the domestic and regional routes.

According to this information, they "only" handled the domestic and regional routes.
Was this photo taken at Amsterdam-Schiphol?

I cannot find any information of Indian Airlines Corporation DC-4s coming to Europe. It might have been on a single promotional flight, but I do not see Indian people on the picture.

Maybe somebody else has a clue?

Regards,
Hans

[Jan2002]

According to this information, they "only" handled the domestic and regional routes.
Was this photo taken at Amsterdam-Schiphol?

That's exactly what puzzled me when I looked up IAC. I'm not sure this picture was taken at Schiphol, but I can guarantee it was NOT taken in India or the Indian region, as I'm 100% sure my parents and grandparents who are in the picture never travelled further than Belgium or Germany. In fact the entire group of people are all from the same village (where I was born too), a small village in the south of Holland, and I'm pretty sure none of them had the money to afford a flight to Asia back in the 50's. So, it could be taken at Brussels, Düsseldorf and such places, but any other country is highly unlikely. Maybe, as you suggest, it was a promotional flight, ferry flight, delivery flight or whatever, and just a (from a spotters point of view) extremely lucky coincidence.

[Glidepath]

perhaps you have not yet tried to search via photograph ID as seen in the picture. maybe... just maybe

[Jan2002]

perhaps you have not yet tried to search via photograph ID as seen in the picture. maybe... just maybe

You refer to the 'A2393' sign in front of the people? I did consider this, but simply entering it in Google has no results. You'd have to know who took the picture or where it was taken in order to check the ID.

[frank kramer]

If you could enlarge the part with the sign, you might be able to make out more clearly the logo on the sign. I would not be surprised if you find that it's the logo of the NV Luchthaven Schiphol.

[cHabu]

Perhaps there's a historic archieve in the village you where born, who can tell you more about this ?

[Jan2002]

@cHabu,

I checked with the historic society, but unfortunately no result. Most people in the picture are dead.

@Frank Kramer,
Great idea! I enlarged part of the picture; although it's not very clear, can anyone confirm this is the old Schiphol logo? That would in any case solve the where-question. Remains the when-question.

[frank kramer]

I've been doing some research, and found a connection between Indian Airlines DC-4's and Schiphol. According to this link

http://rzjets.net/aircraft/?typeid=276 with the keys being used "VT-" and "C-54",

three of IAC's DC-4's (C-54's, to be correct) used to be operated by the Netherlands Government Air Transport and KLM:

VT-DIA was ex 41-37303, NL300 (NGAT), PH-TAB (KLM), G-AJPO , F-BELQ, F-VNAN
VT-DIB was ex 42-72270, NL310, PH-TAL, G-AJPN, F-BELR, del to IAC 1953
VT-DIC was ex 42-72271, NL314, PH-TBS, G-AJPM, F-BELS

suggesting the aircraft in the picture is one of these being readied at SPL for a new career in India.

Also, I've found similar pictures with similar signs that were definitely taken at SPL, such as:

http://www.google.nl/imgres?imgurl=http ... sch&itbs=1

[Hans van Herk]

Frank,
That's good research and also explains how it was possible that the photo was taken at Amsterdam-Schiphol.

Regards,
Hans

[Jan2002]

Well done Frank, that's enough proof the picture was taken at Schiphol indeed.