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
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| Skylark: An airliner on the field seen through the window of the waiting room, municipal airport, Washington, D.C., July 1941 |
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| At the entrance to the municipal airport in Washington, D.C., July 1941 |
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| Beehive: In the ticket reservations department of one of the airliners, Washington, D.C. municipal airport, July 1941 |
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| Cool in Summer: Keeping the airliner air-conditioned while it is on the ground, municipal airport, Washington, D.C., July 1941 |
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| Fill er Up: An airliner refueling, Washington, D.C. municipal airport, July 1941 |
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| Fueling Up: In the cafe at the municipal airport in Washington, D.C., July 1941 |
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| Globetrotters: Decoration on the floor of the waiting room in the municipal airport in Washington, D.C., July 1941 |
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| Into the Blue: Airliners lined upon the field, municipal airport, Washington, D.C., July 1941 |
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| Last Call: Waiting for instructions to take off, Washington D.C. municipal airport, July 1941 |
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| Panorama: In the main waiting room at the municipal airport in Washington, D.C., July 1941 |
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| Pre-fight: Oil for the engine of an airliner preparatory to takeoff, municipal airport, Washington, D.C. July 1941 |
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| Silver Fleet: In the main waiting room of the municipal airport in Washington, D.C., July 1941 |
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| Spare a Dime: Passenger waiting for his plane in the lobby of the municipal airport, Washington, D.C., July 1941 |
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| Tarmac Roost: A group of Airliners on the field at the municipal airport, Washington, D.C., July 1941 |
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| The Watchers: Looking out over the field from the south concourse, municipal airport, Washington, D.C., July 1941 |
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| Three's a Crowd: Passengers in the waiting room at the municipal airport in Washington, D.C., July 1941 |
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| Ticket Please: From behind one of the ticket counters in the waiting room, Washington, D.C. municipal airport, July 1941 |
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| Traffic Control: Plane coming in at the municipal airport, seen from the control tower, Washington, D.C., July 1941 |
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| Wait Here: Entrance to the waiting room at the municipal airport, in Washington, D.C, 1941 |
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| 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)