In the early days of overseas civil aviation you were weighed before you boarded the plane. An indignity only tempered I'm sure by the fact if you were flying anywhere in 1930s Britain, you were very rich indeed, and ate only cucumber and money sandwiches.
Fat, affluent, embarrassed and on your way to Singapore by air. It's not terrible really...
I couldn't find any pictures of this discourteous but hilarious act of bureaucracy. So enjoy a man in a hat instead.
Fun fact:
An Imperial Airways ticket from London to Singapore in today's prices would be around £11000. And involve about eight pit-stops.
Fun fact 2:
Low flying altitudes meant insanity turbulence, which often lead to passengers following that sicky-burp right through to its epilogue and ensuing sequel. The best way to off-set the vom smells aboard your average Armstrong Whitworth? Open a window of course.
Man, I love the past.
