"Clipper"
by Marc Stewart

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A Boeing 314 Clipper departs from an unknown location in the Pacific (Manila perhaps?), while the crew of a junk look on in amazement.

As airplane travel became popular during the mid-1930s, passengers wanted to fly across the ocean, so Pan American Airlines asked for a long-range, four-engine flying boat. In response, Boeing developed the Model 314, nicknamed the "Clipper" after the great ocean-going sailing ships.  It was one of the largest aircraft of the era. Twelve were eventually built for Pan American World Airways for flights across the Atlantic Ocean and Pacific Ocean.

The first Clipper flight took place in June, 1938, but directional stability was a problem.  Thus, two additional vertical fins and rudders were added.  All six 314's were delivered by 1939, and the Dixie Clipper opened the first regular non-stop North Atlantic service on June 28, 1939, with the Yankee and American Clippers following soon behind.  The other three 314's were used in the Pacific, on the long route via Honolulu and Guam on the way to Manila.  In 1940 six improved B314A's followed, but three were turned over to BOAC under the Lend-Lease Act (named Bristol, Berwick, and Bangor).  The Pan American B314A's were requisitioned by the USAAF as C-98's in 1942, piloted by Pan Am crews.  Most were scrapped by the early 50's due to the rapid improvement of land-based transports during the war.

Pan American's Clippers were built for luxury, a necessity given the long duration of transoceanic flights. The seats could be converted into 40 bunks for overnight travel. The aircraft had a lounge/dining area, and galleys were staffed with chefs from four-star hotels. Men and women were provided with separate dressing rooms. Their standard of luxury has arguably not been matched by heavier-than-air transport since.
 

2002 Wings Publishing