The China Clipper did its first trans-Pacific airmail flight on November 22, 1935 flying from the Alameda Seaplane Base before a crowd of 25,000.
The China Clipper's first flight was unforgettable both for its historical significance and because of its highly unusual take off from Alameda. The crew had practiced heavy weight take-offs in the days before flight, but despite these preparatory runs, the heavy burden of fuel on the actual flight prevented the plane from gaining altitude at a normal rate. It quickly became evident to the captain Ed Musick that the plane would not make it over the San Francisco Bay Bridge, still under construction. Barreling toward the bridge, Musick forced the plane's nose down guiding it between the girders and cables. The planes escorting the China Clipper as well as the crowd of on lookers thought that the maneuver was planned. A few of the small planes even followed the China Clipper through. In spite of an astonishing take-off, the remainder of the flight to Manila was uneventful.
The China Clipper arrived in Manila to a cheering crowd of 100,000. The airmail route to the East was open. Another aviation feat had been achieved.
The China Clipper's first flight was unforgettable both for its historical significance and because of its highly unusual take off from Alameda. The crew had practiced heavy weight take-offs in the days before flight, but despite these preparatory runs, the heavy burden of fuel on the actual flight prevented the plane from gaining altitude at a normal rate. It quickly became evident to the captain Ed Musick that the plane would not make it over the San Francisco Bay Bridge, still under construction. Barreling toward the bridge, Musick forced the plane's nose down guiding it between the girders and cables. The planes escorting the China Clipper as well as the crowd of on lookers thought that the maneuver was planned. A few of the small planes even followed the China Clipper through. In spite of an astonishing take-off, the remainder of the flight to Manila was uneventful.
The China Clipper arrived in Manila to a cheering crowd of 100,000. The airmail route to the East was open. Another aviation feat had been achieved.
Dad was in the crowd of 25,000 people watching the China Clipper take off. He was eleven years old. This is what he remembered about that day.
When I was in grade school, there was a special airplane boat that was tied up to the pier where the ferry boats came in. The flying boat was called the China Clipper. The plan was for the flying boat to fly over the huge ocean from Alameda to China. This was its first flight. School was let out early that day so that we could watch it take off.
Did you know that the Bible says the Disciples went around in a Honda? Well, not really. It says they were all in one Accord.
Dad
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