Since Lensmen began in 1952, we have stored and catalogued every image or negative taken. Our archive has over 4 million negatives, with a wide variety of subjects photographed. Some of our libraries can be viewed online, and we also have a very active Facebook page showing the archive imagery. Last week Ian Jackson spotted a photo of his father on our website in 1965. Eric Jackson was the Assistant Chief Pilot on Dublin Airport’s First Aer Lingus One-Eleven Flight. The aircraft flew from Dublin to Cork Airport. We are delighted to have such great photos of Irish history that families can share.
Background on Eric Jackson from his son Ian –
Born in Drumcondra in 1923, Dad went to the UK on an engineering apprenticeship to the RAF in 1938. War broke out the following year, and he spent the next four years fixing aeroplanes. In 1943, he was sent to Phoenix, Arizona, to learn to fly. Through 1944 and 1945, he flew Lancaster bombers out over Germany. He was the flight navigator responsible for safely getting the plane to the targets and back. He joined Aer Lingus after the war with just the skills that the fledgeling airline needed. He flew over 40 different types of planes in his flying career. He finished his career with Aer Lingus as Flight Operations Manager. He died in Moreton in the Marsh, in the UK, at 79. He was a wonderful man!
