Fri, Apr 11, 2008
2010 Marks 75th Anniversary Of China Clipper Trip
The San Francisco Aeronautical Society, in conjunction with the
Pan Am Historical Foundation, told ANN recently of a major event
commemorating what is generally regarded as the greatest milestone
in commercial aviation history.
November 2010 will mark the 75th anniversary of the famous China
Clipper flight which opened the Pacific to the world's first
regular transoceanic commercial air service. Today, people cross
oceans in airplanes without even a second thought... but in 1935
that very first commercial transoceanic flight was a mammoth
undertaking that presaged modern international travel.
Imagine: the year is 1935. As Pan American Airways plans its
historic attempt to conquer the Pacific, the world is in a deep
economic depression. Franklin Roosevelt has just been elected
President of the United States -- and will remain so for an
unprecedented four terms. There are only 48 states in the Union.
Alaska and Hawaii will not be added for almost 30 years.
Prohibition has been repealed and thanks to Hollywood, New York's
Empire State building will forever have King Kong associated with
it.
The establishment of the trans-Pacific route by Pan American
Airways, a mere 32 years after the Wright Brothers' Kitty Hawk
success, overcame the greatest technological, geographical and
navigational challenges of the day. Their fleet of flying boats
captured the world's imagination as they ushered in the age of
global air travel.
The China Clipper 75th Anniversary Flight will retrace the
Pacific Route that departed San Francisco to reach Hong Kong via
Honolulu, Midway, Wake, Guam, and Manila -- albeit with a modern
aircraft. VIP functions will be held at each port of call.
A web site, available at the FMI link below, has been created to
provide information on the history of the Clippers and the
commemorative flight.
The San Francisco Aeronautical Society is a not-for-profit
volunteer organization dedicated to preserving the history of
aviation.
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