Please excuse me if any of my recollection is wrong. This trip was 50 years ago.
None of my own photographs available unfortunately.
I remember it was foggy on the way to the airport but clear on arrival. Prestwick is usually clear of fog which is why it takes so many diverted flights.
The British Overseas Air Corporation VC 10 was extremely comfortable and due to the positioning of the engines on the rear body relatively quiet. I remember listening to the audio on headphones which I had to buy.
I remember Maria Muldaur singing midnight at the oasis as the tape repeated about every 90 minutes. They showed a movie but I cannot remember which one. I remember being served Scotch salmon for dinner. Very good food for a standard ticket.
We arrived at JFK Airport and being new to all this I approached the BOAC desk to ask how I could get to Newark to fly on to Charleston. The lady looked at my ticket and announced ‘You are on the helicopter’. I hadn’t understood the code on the ticket so it was quite a shock.
The helicopter flew over 5th Avenue and we could see the St Patrick’s Day Parade.
To South Carolina, can’t remember which airline. I was surprised to hear God Save the Queen on the carillon. I was later told that in the USA they use the tune with different words. America, My Country ‘Tis of Thee. Strange for an Englishman to see ‘whites only’ signs on drinking fountains and the confederate flag on display.
I must have owned a camera as I remember entering the shop in my hotel to buy a film. The assistant asked me for ID. I asked why and he told me I needed ID to buy a gun.
Welcome to America, indeed.
