Propliner Aviation Magazine was first launched in January 1979 as a journal devoted to piston-engined and turboprop aircraft. The magazine concentrated upon those classic airliners of a bygone age, the magnificent Constellations, Britannias, Stratocruisers, Convairliners, Viscounts and Douglas piston types that once dominated the world’s air routes. Long since relegated to less glorious work, many of these fine aircraft still fly today, and our magazine rekindled memories of the golden era, whilst spotlighting the activities of contemporary piston and turboprop operators. Published quarterly, each issue contained over one hundred good quality photographs reproduced in black and white and colour, illustrating articles from all over the world. Regular features included ‘Prop News’ and ‘The Independents’, which kept readers abreast of developments both within the UK and elsewhere from around the globe. Produced purely as a hobby by a group of enthusiasts until March 2015, when publication ceased, back issues of “Propliner” remain available and can be bought through our Online Shop.

The ninth edition of the “Propliner” Annual will be published in late April 2024, and will once again extend to 172 glorious pages filled with all your favourite ‘propliners’. Two news sections – covering North America and the Rest of the World – can be found among more than twenty major feature articles, and with over three hundred colour and black & white photographs this is another pictorial bonanza. There is a tribute to Stephen Piercey, the founder of “Propliner”, forty years after his tragic loss at the 1984 Hannover Air Show illustrated with a selection of his favourite pictures. Maurice Wickstead concludes his series devoted to the Post-War French Independent Airlines, spotlighting Rousseau Aviation, Air Alpes, Trans-Union, Touraine Air Transport and many lesser known carriers. Fred Barnes takes a trip aboard a British Airways Viscount from London to the Outer Hebrides. Ugo Vicenzi chronicles the history of two Italian airlines – Linee Aeree Italiane and its eventual merger with Alitalia, and the short-lived Societa Avio Trasporti Torino which briefly flew one Douglas DC-7B and a Bristol Freighter. Greg Smith describes the operations performed by the small fleet of Lockheed L-1049G Super Constellations flown by Northwest Orient at a time when the airline was under great pressure, and as a real treat Greg has also scanned some magnificent Curtiss Commando images from the collection of renowned aviation photographer Harold G Martin. Phil lo Bao recalls happy times spent in the control tower at Southampton Airport in between his university studies, and we continue to uncover the remarkable flying career of Captain Gerry Parkinson, with the Avro York now dominating his log book. Graham Robson has contributed two remarkable accounts set in the United States, one recognising his friendship with Dave Kunz and his flying exploits, and the second tracking the fascinating and somewhat unorthodox life of an On Mark Marksman. Roger McDonald chronicles the long association between East-West Airlines and the Douglas DC-3, and Brian Souter provides an entertaining account of his early flying days in the cockpit of the NZNAC DC-3. Another feature article connected with this part of the world sees Peter Marson detailing the operations of the Super Constellations flown by QANTAS through London Airport. Some more stories surrounding Great Northern Airways and its competitors have flowed from the eloquent pen of Keith Simpson, and Michael Magnusson looks back to his early days as an enthusiast watching the activities at Aeroparque Airport, Buenos Aires. In its day the Short Calcutta allowed Imperial Airways passengers to relish a flight across the Mediterranean in comfort, and Karl Hayes returns us to this golden era of aviation with a description of the type’s long service. We report on the impressive ongoing recovery and restoration of Vickers Viking G-AGRW by the Blackbushe Heritage Trust, while both Vikings and Dakotas are featured in a short story about Kuwait National Airways and the Kuwait Oil Company. Chris Buckley chased a gaggle of An-2s during a recent trip to Romania, while Roger Syratt and Howard Lee provide a pictorial record of AirVenture 2023 at Oshkosh, and there is an update on Ukraine’s enduring Antonov An-12 operation, which flies on despite the challenges facing this brave country.

Copies of the 2024 Annual can be ordered from the website, simply by going to the Online Shop and selecting the '2024 Annual'. Please note that copies will not be despatched until publication on 29th April 2024, and please ensure that you select the correct delivery destination, as otherwise you might be charged the incorrect amount.

For anyone wishing to supplement their “Propliner” reading, why not order a back issue or two, or even last year’s annual?

WARNING NOTICE TO ALL EUROPEAN READERS!

Due to a change in trading arrangements between the UK and Europe effective in July 2021, customers are liable to a customs handling charge, sales tax and other duties imposed by their own jurisdictions. Since January 2024 these rules have been vigorously applied, and we ask all potential European readers to consider very carefully their options before placing an order. It would be possible for “Propliner” to register for IOSS, and thereby pay the customs handling charge and VAT due for our European customers. However, the administration and registration costs of this would add at least £10-12 to the cost of each copy sold in Europe, and we would need to maintain the current level of sales in order to spread the burden of the overheads. Given the current trading environment, this seems extremely unlikely, and regrettably means that all European customers brave enough to place an order will have to shoulder these costs themselves. All copies will carry appropriate customs documentation.

This is a particularly sad situation as many of our European readers have been buying “Propliner” for over forty years, and have become good friends of the editor. Thanks to their generous contributions of news items, feature articles and photographs, the title has continued to thrive, and it is disheartening that modern day bureaucracy is threatening the future enjoyment of “Propliner” by our European friends.

To view the back issue contents you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader, please use the link on the left to download this.

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The International review of
classic piston-engined and
turboprop transport aircraft