August 1934
“The Most Modern Aircraft "
Compilation: “New Clipper In Record Run to South American” (Front page, Pan American Air Ways, July-August 1934 ), Douglas DC-2 over the Andes (left) and Douglas Dolphin over Shanghai (PAHF Collection).
August 1934 was a busy month for Pan American Airways. The company added new state-of-the-art aircraft to their fleet and to the operations of their affiliates.
New Planes
On the 10th, the company ordered two Douglas Dolphin seaplanes for flights on the coast and rivers of China. The aircraft were quickly delivered to Pan Am by the 30th of the month, and sent to China National Aviation Corporation.
That same month, the most modern airliner to date was added to operations — Pan Am’s very first Douglas DC-2. This plane could carry 14 passengers with more speed and in more comfort than had ever existed before in any airplane.
The DC-2 was so popular and the demand so great, that Douglas became the first manufacturer to adopt mass production techniques at its Santa Monica, California facility.
Pan Am DC-2s flew for Panagra, and Mexicana in the Western Hemisphere, and served for many years to help CNAC defenses in China. In total, Pan Am acquired 27 DC-2s, including four military C-39s purchased after World War Two.
S-42 Brazilian Clipper Celebration
On August 22, 1934, with great fanfare, the Brazilian Clipper, Pan Am’s very first Sikorsky S-42 (NC822M) was formally christened in Rio by Mrs. Getúlio Vargas, wife of the President of Brazil. The S-42 clipper set new world records and shaved off two days of travel on the New York - Buenos Aires run. Historian R.E.G. Davies called the Brazilian Clipper “an airliner before its time.”
Sources:
Gerry Lister, "Pan Am Epic Events" (PAHF Collection).
“Pan American Air Ways,” Vol. 5, No. 5, July-August 1934 (PAHF collection & UM Special Collections).
“Pan Am An Airline and Its Aircraft.” R.E. G. Davies, Orion, 1987.
Compilation: “New Clipper In Record Run to South American” (Front page, Pan American Air Ways, July-August 1934 ), Douglas DC-2 over the Andes (left) and Douglas Dolphin over Shanghai (PAHF Collection).
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