PAA's inaugurial fortnightly airmail service from San Francisco to Auckland, New Zealand started on July 12, 1940 with intermediate stops at Honolulu, Cantan Island and Noumea, New Caledonia. The Honolulu Clipper is seen here after landing at San Pedro at Cabrillo Beach at 1500hr with 14 passengers on the fifth flight since the service began. On August 28, 1939 PAA announced that it was having the American flag painted on the bows and undersides of the Clippers in order to identify them as neutral in Europe.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing Boeing 314 Clipper - СШАUSA - 1938

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing Boeing 314 Clipper - СШАUSA - 1938

The seventh Boeing 314 built, NC18606, was christened American Clipper at Reeves Field, Los Angeles Harbor, near San Pedro, on July 6, 1939. The 41-ton 314 arrived with a 12-man crew and was christened by Mrs Mark T. McKee, the wife of Pan Americans director. Afterwards the 'boat made five flights around the harbour carrying 45 guests on each flight.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing Boeing 314 Clipper - СШАUSA - 1938

Los Angeles mayor Frank Shaw reading a proclamation to the 'boat's crew. In addition to Capt Musick the crew included Fred J. Noonan as navigation officer. He disappeared in the Pacific with Amelia Earhart during her attempted round-the-world flight in a Lockheed Electra in 1937.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Sikorsky S-42 Clipper - СШАUSA - 1934

Capt Musick steps into the cockpit of the S-42 shortly before casting off for the flight to Alameda.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Sikorsky S-42 Clipper - СШАUSA - 1934

In 1942 Pan Am issued a specification for a flying-boat to replace its fleet of three Sikorsky S-40s. Two years later, on March 30, 1934 the first S-42 made its first flight after making a brief hop the previous day. Pan Am was now reaching out into the Pacific and new route surveys were in order. One of the new S-42s was modified and outfitted for the Pacific surveys. One year later the modified S-42 was on its way to Alameda on a ferry from Bridgeport, Connecticut, via Acapulco, Mexico with a stop at San Pedro, California, when these photographs were taken on March 30, 1935. The captain of the flight was Edwin C. Musick, a Pan Am veteran who, on January 11, 1938 was in command of Pan Am’s S-42B Samoan Clipper NC16734 which disappeared on a survey flight of the South Pacific area flying out of Pango Pango with a crew of six. Not even an oil slick was found.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Sikorsky S-42 Clipper - СШАUSA - 1934

The picture shows the S-42 NR823M taking off from Los Angeles Harbor with San Pedro in the background.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Sikorsky S-42 Clipper - СШАUSA - 1934

The picture shows the S-42 arriving at San Pedro, California on March 30,1935.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Sikorsky S-42 Clipper - СШАUSA - 1934