A Blast From The Past: Rare Black and White Photos Capture Washington Airport in 1941 _ OldUS

   

These striking monochrome snapshots offer a rare glimpse into the bygone world of Washington D.C. Municipal Airport in its prime during the momentous month of July 1941. Captured through the expert lens of photographer Jack Delano, the pictures chronicle the airport's bustling operations for the Farm Security Administration on the eve of America's entry into World War II.

The images transport us back in time to the aviation heyday, brimming with sharp-dressed travelers, glamorous flight attendants and diligent ground crew. Delano's keen eye for detail deftly captures the intricacies of airport life in that era. His vintage collection stands as an invaluable visual record of aviation's golden age in America

 
Skylark: An airliner on the field seen through the window of the waiting room, municipal airport, Washington, D.C., July 1941
At the entrance to the municipal airport in Washington, D.C., July 1941

 

Beehive: In the ticket reservations department of one of the airliners, Washington, D.C. municipal airport, July 1941

 

Cool in Summer: Keeping the airliner air-conditioned while it is on the ground, municipal airport, Washington, D.C., July 1941

 

Fill er Up: An airliner refueling, Washington, D.C. municipal airport, July 1941

 

Fueling Up: In the cafe at the municipal airport in Washington, D.C., July 1941

 

Globetrotters: Decoration on the floor of the waiting room in the municipal airport in Washington, D.C., July 1941

 

Into the Blue: Airliners lined upon the field, municipal airport, Washington, D.C., July 1941

 

Last Call: Waiting for instructions to take off, Washington D.C. municipal airport, July 1941

 

Panorama: In the main waiting room at the municipal airport in Washington, D.C., July 1941

 

Pre-fight: Oil for the engine of an airliner preparatory to takeoff, municipal airport, Washington, D.C. July 1941

 

Silver Fleet: In the main waiting room of the municipal airport in Washington, D.C., July 1941

 

Spare a Dime: Passenger waiting for his plane in the lobby of the municipal airport, Washington, D.C., July 1941

 

Tarmac Roost: A group of Airliners on the field at the municipal airport, Washington, D.C., July 1941

 

The Watchers: Looking out over the field from the south concourse, municipal airport, Washington, D.C., July 1941

 

Three's a Crowd: Passengers in the waiting room at the municipal airport in Washington, D.C., July 1941

 

Ticket Please: From behind one of the ticket counters in the waiting room, Washington, D.C. municipal airport, July 1941

 

Traffic Control: Plane coming in at the municipal airport, seen from the control tower, Washington, D.C., July 1941

 

Wait Here: Entrance to the waiting room at the municipal airport, in Washington, D.C, 1941

 

Weather Man: In the teletype room, where weather data and other information is constantly being received, municipal airport, Washington, D.C., July 1941


(Photo © Jack Delano)