Air Enthusiast 2001-11
E.Davies - 'Super Clipper' (1)
NX18601 at Matthews Beach on Lake Washington. Twin rudders have replaced the original single design, but the third vertical stabiliser has yet to be added.
Shown off the coast of California during her delivery flight, the second Clipper, 'No.18', was later christened 'California Clipper’.
Prior to delivery, a striking view of the Boeing 314's bow photographed at night.
The centre section, which was assembled 'upside down', has been righted and is being moved into position in one of the two main hull assembly jigs. Here it will be joined to the fore and aft sections that are already in situ.
The first of the Boeing 314s on the dock at Plant 1. The outer wing panels and engine mounts have been fitted, and the engines will be installed next. Note the single vertical stabiliser.
Plant 1, the original Boeing factory on the Duwamish River in Seattle, where the Clippers were built. This aerial photograph shows the first of the 12 flying-boats on the dock, outside the main assembly building. The wings and empennage have been built but are still supported by wooden scaffolding.
Two Clipper hulls in the 115ft (35m) long final assembly jigs at Plant 1. The wooden scaffolding enclosed a total of half a mile (0.8km) of walkways that gave working access to the various levels round the two hulls.
'Control Room' of Clipper No.2, with test pilot Edmund T Allen at the controls in the first pilot's position.
LONG-RANGE SPACIOUSNESS: The photograph give a good idea of the amount of room which is available for the operating crew on the type which will be used for America’s contribution to this year’s Atlantic mail-carrying experiments. Here is a view looking forward towards the pilots’ section of the control compartment with, from left to right: Mr. E. T. Allen, the Boeing test pilot, Mr. J. E. Boudwin, of the Civil Aeronautice Authority, Capt. R. O. D. Sullivan, of Pan American Airways’ Atlantic division, and Mr. Earl Ferguson, one of the Boeing engineers - the latter at the radio operator’s “station.” On the left is ths seven-foot chart table which will be used by the navigator.
Model A-314 pilot's instrument panel. The radio station was immediately aft of the second pilot on the starboard side, and the side facing flight engineer's panel was on the same side, aft of the radio operator.
Pan American Airways System postcard of 'Yankee Clippers Sail Again', from the original painting by Gordon Grant.
Cut-away showing the interior configuration of Boeing's proposed 314 flying-boat. Note the single tail and the mechanic servicing the No.1 engine, in flight.
Cut-away showing the interior configuration of the A-314.
General arrangement drawings from the Boeing 314 maintenance manual.
Boeing's proposed Type 326 'Mega Clipper'. The design gross weight was 260,000lbs, with a wingspan of 250ft (76m) and an overall length of 195ft (59.4m). Powered by six liquid cooled engines, each rated at 2,500hp (1,865kW) for take-off, the aircraft was designed to carry up to 100 passengers and have a maximum range of 5,000 miles.