Bruce Hales-Dutton charts the rise and fall of one of the most flamboyant airlines to grace the skies of 1970s Britain.

Court Line’s first Lockheed L-1011 TriStar, G-BAAA (c/n 1024) takes to the skies above Washington State.
MARK R STRZESIEWSKI

Marketing materials showcased the brand’s colourful personality.
MARK R STRZESIEWSKI
In August 1974 a Department of Trade press officer, on holiday with his family, was surprised to receive a postcard from his office-bound colleagues. On one side was an advertisement for an airline which had just failed in the most spectacular fashion. On the other was just four words: “wish you were here.”