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China Clipper




The ''China Clipper'' was a Flying Boat used by Pan American Airways for its San Francisco to Manila route. It was built by the Glenn L. Martin Company .

On November 22 , 1935 it took-off from Alameda, California in an attempt to deliver the first Airmail cargo across the Pacific Ocean . On November 29 , the airplane reached its destination, Manila, after traveling via Honolulu , Midway Island , Wake Island , and Guam , and delivered over 110,000 pieces of Mail . The crew for this flight consisted of:
  • Edwin C. Musick - Pilot

  • R. O. D. Sullivan - First Officer

  • V. A. Wright - Flight Engineer

  • Fred Noonan - Navigator

  • W. T. Jarboe - First Radio Officer

  • George King - Second Officer

  • C. D. Wright - Second Radio Officer


The inauguration of ocean Airmail service and commercial air flight across the Pacific was a significant event for both California and the world. Its departure point is California Historical Landmark #968 and can be found in Naval Air Station Alameda .

Interestingly, just prior to the ''China Clippers'' maiden flight, two Japanese nationals were caught aboard the aircraft as they were attempting to sabotage the plane's radio direction finder. The incident was kept quiet in an effort to avoid publicity.

The ''China Clipper'' remained in Pan-Am service until early 1945 when it was destroyed in a crash in Trinidad .


TRIVA



REFERENCES

  • 1

  • ''Wings to the Orient, Pan-Am Clipper Planes 1935-1945''. Author: Stan Cohen. Publisher: Pictorial Histories.



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