The memory of David Livingstone was honoured yet again in February 1979 when British Caledonian Airways named their latest plane “David Livingstone”.
Two of David Livingstone’s great grandchildren conducted the launching ceremony at Gatwick Airport of the DC10, the latest addition to the fleet.
Dr David Livingstone Wilson and his sister Elspeth Murdoch are pictured beside 2 of the hostesses to serve on the plane. Mrs Murdoch commented, “Since my earliest days, David Livingstone has been an inspiration to me. I have attended ceremonies, laid wreaths at statues and been to Zambia in his honour, but this experience of naming a plane, is a new one for me!”
She went on to compare the hardships of long, ship voyages travelling in Livingstone’s era compared to the quick, easy flights to global destinations of today. [1979].
The new plane cost even then a whopping 40 million dollars and was capable of carrying 280 passengers from the UK to America and to Africa. It was one of the very first planes to work on a 3 cabin concept of first class, executive class and thrift class, depending on the budget of the customer!
From the book, “Blantyre Explained” by Paul Veverka (c) 2018