If you had money in the 1920s, the world was your oyster. 

You could own a car, a telephone, a fridge, a washing machine and even a radio to listen to the new BBC. 

And as if that weren’t enough, the really well-heeled could take to the air. 

By the start of the 1930s there were several airports in operation on the Island.

Flights to Portsmouth took just 7½ minutes and for £1.40 you could take off from Cowes Airport at Somerton, on the site of today’s BAE Systems, and touch down in London just 40 minutes later (really!). 

Isle of Wight County Press: This is Heston Airport, just outside London, in 1934, just 30 years after the first powered flight. Five years later, Spitfires were travelling at speeds of over 450mph.This is Heston Airport, just outside London, in 1934, just 30 years after the first powered flight. Five years later, Spitfires were travelling at speeds of over 450mph. (Image: County Press)

As the County Press reported on May 13th, 1933: “The latest evidence of local aviation progress can be found in our advertisement columns. 

“Spartan Air Lines are introducing a daily air service between the Island and London from May 12. 

“A six-seater Spartan cruiser will leave the Island (Cowes and Ryde aerodromes) for London Victoria airway terminus and Heston Aerodrome morning and late afternoon. 

“The trip takes 40 minutes over beautiful country. 

“The single fare to London is 28 shillings and the return 55 shillings, passengers leaving Cowes at 8.30 and Ryde at 8.40am, arriving at Heston airport at 9.20 and at Victoria at 10.10am.”

Isle of Wight County Press: A Spartan Airlines six-seater cruiser flying somewhere over the Island, possibly Bembridge, in the 1930s.A Spartan Airlines six-seater cruiser flying somewhere over the Island, possibly Bembridge, in the 1930s. (Image: County Press)

Forty minutes to London! No wonder the service was a hit. 

The County Press, reporting in August 1934, said: “The record of passengers carried by Spartan Airways between Croydon and Bembridge Aerodrome this season shows how remarkably popular air travel has become. 

“From July 1 until last Saturday, just over 2000 passengers were carried. 

“The busiest day was Saturday, August 4, when 164 passengers were carried. 

“The traffic has necessitated as many as four machines flying on the service at a time.

Isle of Wight County Press: Staff of the Southern Counties Aviation Company, who operated commercial flights from Cowes Airport at Somerton throughout the 1920s, seen here in around 1925.Staff of the Southern Counties Aviation Company, who operated commercial flights from Cowes Airport at Somerton throughout the 1920s, seen here in around 1925. (Image: Steve Berden/County Press)

“It is interesting to note that about 60 per cent of the passengers are from Sandown and district, 20 per cent from Bembridge, and 20 per cent from Seaview.

By 1947, those with deep pockets could even fly to New York. 

One such traveller was Mrs Dixon, wife of J. Arthur Dixon of postcard fame, with printing works along Forest Road.

On February 22, 1947, under the headline Local Lady's Air Trip to America, the County Press reported: “Mrs J. A. Dixon of Shanklin has arrived in New York after her Atlantic flight on a business tour. 

“She left Prestwick Airport on Friday in a four-engined Skymaster plane and arrived at Gander Airport, Newfoundland, 12 hours later. 

“Speaking to her husband on the transatlantic telephone on Saturday after her arrival in New York, Mrs Dixon said that shortly after taking off from Gander, trouble developed in one of the starboard engines, which finally stopped, and the plane was obliged to return for repairs causing two hours' delay. 

“Mrs Dixon said that the crossing was fairly smooth, but she had been unable to sleep owing to the noise of the engines, and she was extremely tired. 

“Although she would not have missed the experience, she would not care to make such a long trip by air again unless it was absolutely necessary. 

“New York, she said, had got everything that we have not - marvellous food, clothes, and shops. She returns by the Queen Elizabeth on April 9.”

Two years later, wealthy Londoners could enjoy a day trip to the Island by air. 

Under the headline Travel To The Island, the County Press of June 18, 1949, reported: “In the Sunday Times this week, Elizabeth Nicholas, the travel correspondent wrote: “Last week-end I booked a seat on a plane leaving Croydon and flew to the Isle of Wight in 30 minutes.

“The return fare cost 78 shillings.

“I had, I must confess, never visited the Isle of Wight before, and I was most agreeably impressed by its charms. 

“The Island has been but lightly touched by the brutish hand of progress, and the coastal towns have the authentic atmosphere of the old-fashioned seaside resort which depends on sun and smooth sand and a safe sea for its living.

“There was a most pleasing tranquillity about it all, and an excellent lunch at a small inn was some compensation for the shrimp tea which I was unable to obtain.

“I think there is much to be said for a location which can provide cold meats, garden-fresh lettuce and cucumber and tomatoes, home-pickled onions, crusty bread and butter, and a glass of bitter all for three shillings.“

What a lovely day out – but whether Elizabeth would say today that the Island has escaped the “brutish hand of progress” is another matter.