PLATINUM: The 70th anniversary is traditionally platinum, but in this case, we’re calling it an “air” anniversary.

That’s because Sept. 8, 1948 was the first passenger, mail and express service from Bradford airport.

United Air Lines debuted the DC-3 Mainliner Bradford-McKean seventy years ago. In true Bradford fashion, it wasn’t a bottle of champagne that was used to christen the plane — it was a test tube of Bradford oil.

At the ceremonies, airline executive Russell Ahrens predicted a new growth of Bradford and McKean County commercially and culturally, saying no community can move along with the times unless “contacts are made with the outside world and air travel plays an important role in this development.”

Ahrens praised the countywide spirit which made air service possible, including the Airport Juniors who in 1945 removed 150 tons of stones from the field to make way for the paving of runways.

“A dramatic moment came during the christening when the first flight of a DC-3 Mainliner soared over the field at 2:50 p.m. At 3:30 p.m. Sept. 7, the two Mainliners took off from the airport with their ultimate destination of Newark,” read the story in the Sept. 9, 1948 Era.

“Thus was launched airline service in Bradford. The regular flight was bound for Newark via Philadelphia while the Bradford-McKean Mainliner was scheduled to make a nonstop hop to Newark with prominent local, county, state and airline officials onboard.

“The two planes rendezvoused over the Bradford hills, dipped their wings in salute to the city and headed for their destinations.”

The reporter listed the crew of the first flight, as well, and seemed rather charmed by the flight attendants.

“The crew of the United Airlines plane “Mainliner Bradford” was First Officer Bill Sloss of Duquesne, stewardess Elizabeth Ann Dagit of Philadelphia, stewardess Agnes Fagan of Pittsburgh and Capt. Robert Bosler, formerly of Olean, who had learned to fly at Harri Emery Airport in Bradford.”

The stewardesses were described in further detail, with the reporter saying the two “added a Hollywood touch to the scene both at the civic dinner at The Emery and at the airport. They are perfect examples of the attractive and trim young ladies who fly the nation’s skyways today.”

How politically incorrect of the reporter to notice. We’ll bring you some more of his observations on Monday.