THE POST WAR BOOM
The years immediately following the end of World War II were a time of unprecedented expansion for the airlines. As wartime restrictions were lifted and surplus military aircraft were released, available seat capacity more than doubled between 1945 and 1946. Much of this growth was made possible by the introduction of the big 4-engine Douglas DC-4 in 1946. The DC-4 could carry more than twice the load of a DC-3 and was 50% faster. By the end of 1946, Eastern was operating 19 of the type and Delta was flying 7 of them.
Delta inaugurated Douglas DC-4 service in March 1946. The 40-passenger airliner was considered enormous at the time and its arrival in Atlanta attracted a large crowd.
Delta inaugurated Douglas DC-4 service in March 1946. The 40-passenger airliner was considered enormous at the time and its arrival in Atlanta attracted a large crowd.
Delta DC-4 being loaded on the Atlanta ramp.
A gorgeous Delta Air Lines route map from 1946 showing 3 routes from Atlanta and expansion into Florida and Chicago. Eastern's routes from Atlanta are shown in blue-gray. From the David Rumsey Map Collection.
Delta DC-3 NC28344 (msn 3281) and DC-4 NC37477 (msn 18333) at the terminal, circa 1946. An Eastern DC-3 is off to the right.
Two Delta DC-3s, a Delta DC-4 and an Eastern DC-3 are on the ramp in this 1946 aerial view. Delta's corporate headquarters and hangar are at the center of the photo with two new DC-4s parked off to the right. An addition to the passenger terminal can be seen between the control tower and Eastern building at bottom right. The skyline of Atlanta is at top center.
Delta's 1946 Annual Report shows an artist's concept of the planned expansion of their headquarters. A new hangar is shown as "A", additional offices are labeled "B" and new test cells are marked "C". The new hangar shown here now houses the Spirit of Delta 767 at the Delta Flight Museum. From the Delta Flight Museum Digital Archives.
A circa 1947 view of the airport shows the completed Delta hangar at center and the passenger terminal at far right. The hangar at left with Shell painted on the roof was the Doug Davis hangar built in 1926, shown here in its 3rd location. The building to the right of that is the former Pitcairn hangar built in 1927 (seen in late 1920s photos with "Atlanta Airport" painted on the roof) which originally stood on the site of the 1932 terminal (to the left of the control tower in this photo). Credit: Delta Flight Museum
A Douglas DC-4 parked outside of Delta's brand new Hangar 2. This photo appeared in their 1947 Annual Report. Credit: Delta Flight Museum Digital Archives.
Eastern Air Lines' domination of Atlanta began to erode following World War II as the Civil Aeronautics Board awarded several competitive routes to smaller companies such as Delta, a situation that obviously incensed Eastern President Eddie Rickenbacker as evidenced by this rant found in Eastern's 1947 Annual Report.
A classic shot of a Delta DC-3 in front of the Atlanta control tower in 1948. After the war it was apparent that this facility was quickly becoming obsolete. The terminal was closed in May 1948 although the control tower remained in service until 1961.
An Eastern DC-3 and a pair of DC-4s on the ramp at Atlanta Municipal on April 12, 1948, less than a month before the terminal closed. Courtesy of Georgia State University's Digital Collections.
Another photo dated April 12, 1948. In less than a month, Atlanta would open what was known as the "Temporary Terminal". Courtesy of Georgia State University's Digital Collections.