[Flick Lives]

This is just a tiny except from a very long but excellent 3-part essay on Pan Am flight 18602. It's the story of one of the big Pan Am clipper ships and its uncharted flight back to America from New Zealand going "the long way round" by flying west back to New York. The clipper was in New Zealand when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor and the crew had to return the aircraft to America by flying west.

[Attention Surplus Disorder]

A completely remarkable story. Not much to add to that statement.

[heshtesh]

I will definitely take the time to read the story. Good post

[DuncanWaring]

Bkmk.

[nevergore]

BTTP

[HartleyMBaldwin]

bfl

[Billthedrill]

Fantastic story, and thanks for posting. A Bump To The Top!

[wjcsux]

Bookmark

[BBell]

Cool story. Cool cockpit.

The cockpit of a Boeing 314

[daniel1212]

Astounding story of the providential grace of God., even if He is not mentioned, and with a manner of men and equipment that seems rare today. Thanks for positing the account.

[Lurkina.n.Learnin]

Thanks. Riveting story.

[BBell]

This done, the rest of the crew were filled in on events, and all lights were extinguished. Finally, Ford unlocked his flight case and pulled out his .38 revolver. He strapped it to his hip.

Did he put on his cowboy hat?

[SunTzuWu]

Bookmark.

[nicepaco]

Wow great story. Thank you for posting.

[publius911]

The Long Way Round: The Plane that Accidentally Circumnavigated the World

Almost incredible story. I read it on line nonstop, and ordered the kindle version from Amazon.

I have been a rabid aviation buff since I was a kid. I do not remember even the slightest hint of this epic flight.
The first round the world flight by a commercial airliner!
In 1942.

There so many things not answered; too numerous to mention.
To begin with, were the wings on that monster thick enough to service the plane during flight?

And we can go from there.

One incredible point I had never even thought about, although I am effectively a STEM educated engineer, and even obtained my student license in Super Cub, the ground effect and surface tension forces on the biggest commercial flying boat ever, must be humongous.

[DUMBGRUNT]

WOW!

As I have found with other aircrews of the era, they seemed fully aware of what they had done, but disbelieving of the idea that any of their peers would have done anything different. I disagree. They were normal men, true, but what they achieved was far from normal.

[BBell]

I don’t know the aviation ping list but I have seen you on it.

[HANG THE EXPENSE]

Very good read.I love the 314.shame none exist.

[Red Badger]

Would make a great movie!.....................

[1Old Pro]

It had begun with a simple government contract to run mail to Cuba,

Thus Pam Am Corporate headquarters in....Key West.

[GreyFriar]

A good article from the beginning of WWII

“excellent 3-part essay on Pan Am flight 18602. It’s the story of one of the big Pan Am clipper ships and its uncharted flight back to America from New Zealand going “the long way round” by flying west back to New York. The clipper was in New Zealand when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor and the crew had to return the aircraft to America by flying west.”