PACIFIC AIR SERVICE

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22790, 16 August 1939, Page 8

PACIFIC AIR SERVICE

. * Early Resumption Indicated CLIPPER DUE NEXT WEEK Plans of Pan American Airways (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) AUCKLAND, August 15. Reintroducing the trans-Pacific service of Pan American Airways, a huge Boeing flying-boat is expected to leave San Francisco next Tuesday on a preliminary flight to New Zealand. It is expected that the machine will land at Auckland on Saturday, August 26, almost coinciding with the arrival of the transTasman flying-boat Ao-tea-roa, which is scheduled to end her delivery flight from Southampton at Auckland on the following day. The New Zealand representative of Pan American Airways (Mr Harold Gatty) announced that August 22 had been fixed as the tentative date for the clipper’s departure from San Francisco to Auckland. The route, he added, would be via Honolulu, Canton Island, and Noumea. The weather and other factors make it difficult to fix any precise schedule for the clipper, more particularly as it is making a survey flight. However, no doubt the first leg of the journey—San Francisco to Honolulu —will be undertaken as a night flight. Leaving San Francisco at 5 p.m. on Monday, August 21 (New Zealand time, 1.30 p.m. on Tuesday) the clipper will cover 2440 miles in approximately 15 hours, arriving at Honolulu at the lopal time of 7.30 a.m. on Tuesday. It is customary for this flight to be undertaken at night by the company’s machines, one reason being the highly accurate weather forecasting which is possible through the cooperation of shipping in the area. New Base to be Used Qn the second stage of the flight the clipper is expected to take off from Honolulu on Wednesday morning for Canton Island, where the company’s new base is now available. The distance is 1903 miles, and it is likely that the island will be reached early in the evening of the same day. A journey of 1974 miles is involved in the third day’s flight from Canton Island to the newlyestablished base at Noumea, New Caledonia. A start from Canton Island is likely to be made on Thursday morning, and through crossing the international date line, 'and losing a day, the local time at Noumea when the Boeing arrives will be the late afternoon of Friday. The flight to Auckland, a distance ' of 1117 miles, will be undertaken On Saturday, and if the probable plans are maintained, the clipper should land on Waitemata harbour during the afternoon. She will moor alongside the landing stage at the Pan American base in Mechanics Bay, where she will be cleared by the port health authorities. Later in the day she will be transferred further out in the bay to her overnight moorings. Short Stay at Auckland No details have been received as to the personnel which will man the clipper on the flight to New Zealand. However, it is considered that the crew will consist of at least eight men, comprising a captain, first officer, second officer, third officer, two radio operators, an engineer, and a steward. As the flying-boat is undertaking what is essentially a survey flight, over the changed route, no passengers or mails will be carried. The clipper’s stay in Auckland is likely to be limited- to one or two days, and she will then return to San Francisco. Although regarded as a survey of the route, the flight next week is of considerably greater significance, as it marks the introduction of a regular fortnightly service by the company across the South Pacific. Final work is being performed at the base in readiness for the clipper’s arrival. Actual service routine is now being carried out by the company’s meteorologist at Auckland, Mr E. B. Buxton, who is preparing flight forecasts and analyses, and compiling weather maps. Complete weather information covering conditions In the South Pacific area is sent by radio to Honolulu, and to the bases at Canton Island and Noumea to enable them to prepare similar maps. A considerable quantity of equipment has been removed from store and prepared for immediate use. A spare double row Cyclone aero engine, four of which power the clipper, has been mounted. Rated at 1500 horsepower, this 14-cylihder radial motor is available for prompt service, should it be at any time required for replacement. One of six sister ships specially built for the company by the Boeing factory at- Seattle, the South Seas clipper is one of the largest aircraft in the world, being approximately twice .the size of the Samoa clipper and the Empire flying-boat Centaurus. Its immense size enables it to carry more than 70 passengers on short journeys, and 30 persons, apart from the crew, and two and a half tons of freight and mail on long ocean stages. Every conceivable safety device Is incorporated in the design, and the hull is built on the two-deck principle. With a maximum speed of 200 ifliles an hour, it has a range in excess of 5000 miles.