Pan Am and the evolution of flying boats

[BC12D-4-85]

I've started streaming this fine show - https://www.acrossthepacific.net/. Characterizes Pan Am and Juan Trippe plus his cohorts in building an industry. Easer than reading plus lots of side notes on equipment. They had to develop communications and nav to make it work.

Gary

 

[skywagon8a]

Chuck Bassett used to attend the Greenville seaplane flyin and Speculator with his Seabee. He told me that a group of Pan Am boat pilots considered buying one of the Clippers, landing it on a lake in upstate NY, running it up on the shore and using it for a cabin.
https://clipperpioneers.com/chuck-bassett/ It was a pleasure knowing him.

 

[BC12D-4-85]

My other favorite read about oceanic flight> https://www.amazon.com/Sky-Beyond-Air-Space/dp/055323949X.

Gary

 

[skywagon8a]

Here's a good one:

Through the Back Doors of the World in a Ship That Had Wings​

https://www.amazon.com/Through-Back-Doors-World-Wings/dp/053305818X

 

[Richgj3]

I’ve read quite a bit about the early days of Pan Am. A favorite anecdote was about the CFO who worked for Juan being on a Clipper that had just arrived in Guam or someplace equally far away. As passengers were deplaning, the CFO who was German as I recall, noticed someone had left a newspaper on a seat. The CFO said to the Steward “Pick up that paper.” The Steward said “That’s not my job.” The CFO said “You have no job.” The author did not reveal how the Steward got home but I’ll bet he had to buy a ticket.

Reading about the early days of Eastern with “Captain Eddie “ at the helm reveals some equally amusing anecdotes.

 

[BC12D-4-85]

Here's a good one:

Through the Back Doors of the World in a Ship That Had Wings​

https://www.amazon.com/Through-Back-Doors-World-Wings/dp/053305818X

Thanks Pete I ordered myself an Easter gift from Amazon. It was either that or reread something else, like Aerodynamics for Naval Aviators . Dad flew PBY's in the SW Pacific so I'm drawn to that and floats. It was -5F here this AM and still lots of snow.

Gary

 

[Farmer Hank]

There is an iconic photo of one of PanAm’s Clippers flying over the uncompleted Golden Gate Bridge. People have forgotten that PanAm pioneered navigation across the Pacific. This turned out to be crucial for the Navy to deliver planes to Australia and the Solomons to prosecute the war against the Japanese. Juan Trippe was vilified because he was successful, particularly in negotiating mail contracts to South America. I hesitate to be political, but the vilification of successful businessmen continues today.

 

[Skywalker]

When Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, a 314 was caught on the far side of the Pacific in NZ. Rather than risk a direct flight back the Captain was ordered to take the long way back across the Indian and Atlantic Oceans. They save the high octane for takeoffs and cruise on whatever rotgut they could find. Hucked it straight across Africa, landing at Leopoldville. Taking off downriver over the falls, they discover the ailerons locked up. Blew exhaust stacks on the autogas. Written by the radioman.

Ed Dover - AbeBooks

The Long Way Home Revised Edi by Ed Dover and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at AbeBooks.com.

www.abebooks.com

 

[RaisedByWolves]

When Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, a 314 was caught on the far side of the Pacific in NZ. Rather than risk a direct flight back the Captain was ordered to take the long way back across the Indian and Atlantic Oceans. They save the high octane for takeoffs and cruise on whatever rotgut they could find. Hucked it straight across Africa, landing at Leopoldville. Taking off downriver over the falls, they discover the ailerons locked up. Blew exhaust stacks on the autogas. Written by the radioman.

Ed Dover - AbeBooks

The Long Way Home Revised Edi by Ed Dover and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at AbeBooks.com.

www.abebooks.com

Covered up all the registration and flags, except some of the American flag on top of the wing

 

[mvivion]

Pacific Clipper - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[BC12D-4-85]

When Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, a 314 was caught on the far side of the Pacific in NZ. Rather than risk a direct flight back the Captain was ordered to take the long way back across the Indian and Atlantic Oceans. They save the high octane for takeoffs and cruise on whatever rotgut they could find. Hucked it straight across Africa, landing at Leopoldville. Taking off downriver over the falls, they discover the ailerons locked up. Blew exhaust stacks on the autogas. Written by the radioman.

Ed Dover - AbeBooks

The Long Way Home Revised Edi by Ed Dover and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at AbeBooks.com.

www.abebooks.com

Great read! It's a well told story so far.

Gary

 

[JimC]

Nevil Shute's last novel, unfinished, was about a long way around flight at the beginning of WWII. From memory, he got about 42 pages into it.