Lanphier's scheduled round-the-world record flight 1949
Apr 15, 2021 11:01:32 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2021 11:01:32 GMT -5
Thomas George Lanphier Jr. was a colonel and fighter pilot during World War Two. He was first given sole credit, then later partial credit, for shooting down the plane carrying Admiral Yamamoto, the commander in chief of the Imperial Japanese Navy in April 1943. But most modern historians discount his version entirely, giving his wingman Rex T. Barber credit for the kill.
However, in December 1949, to promote the AFA's "airability program", an aviation awareness campaign, Lanphier made a round-the-world flight using scheduled airlines, making the 22,140 mile trip in under five days. He used five different US commercial aircraft, and his round-the-world ticket cost $1,548.75.
I created the flight as well as possible and with the explicit reservation, that I got reliable informations. Especially what concerns airline timetables, as there are no 1949 issues available. All I could found is this list:
Departed LaGuardia Airport, New York City NY on 12/02/49
Pan American Constellation "Paul Jones"
Gander, Newfoundland
London, England
Brussels, Belgium
Damascus, Syria
Basra, Iraq
Karachi, Pakistan
New Delhi, India
Bangkok, Thailand
Hong Kong
Pan American DC-4
Okinawa
Tokyo, Japan
Pan American Stratocruiser
Midway Island
Honolulu, HI
United DC-6
Los Angeles, CA
Chicago, IL
American DC-6
Arrived LaGuardia Airport, New York City NY 0n 12/07/49
Nevertheless, here a couple of screenshots relating the flight:
Constellation L-049 Pan American Airlines at La Guardia
and taking off.
Some hours later approaching Gander.
After a night flight over the North Atlantic, the Constellation reaches Great Britain - good morning Europe!
On final at London Airport it passes Northolt Airport in the backround
The passengers are boarding.
After take off the L-049 flies over Buckingham Palace and Palace of Westminster,
the Royal Navy College at Greenwich,
Gravesend,
and Manston.
Next stop at Brussels Melsbroek.
On the way to Near East it flies over Rhine River at Remagen (known for its bridge hardly disputed in World War Two),
and Vienna.
After stopovers during night at Damascus and Basra, the aircraft approaches Karachi
ยจ
At Karachi Jinnah Intl
and Delhi Palam.
The flight continues to Bangkok and Hong Kong, which is already in sight.
Landing at the old Kai Tak Airport, without curved approach!
The DC-4 Pan American Airlines is already there, waiting to keep Lanphier on board for his flight to Tokyo.
Due to the surrending hills at Kowloon, the DC-4 has to take off from the other runway. To allow this, the AI uses a separate Afcad. Even then, the aircraft overflies the hills extremely close!
On the way to Tokyo the aircraft reaches Taiwan,
approaches Okinawa
and lands at Naha.
Next stop for Lanphier during the night at Tokyo Haneda and boarding on B-377 Pan American Airlines to Honolulu.
The B-377 leaving Tokyo.
After the night flight over the Pacific Ocean, the B-377 reaches Midway Island and flies over Eastern Island on approach.
Further hours later the aircraft arrives at Hawaii,
passing Pearl Harbor.
At Honolulu the DC-4 United Air Lines taking Lanphier to the continent is waiting in the backround
to taxi out at night
and leaving Hawaii.
While reaching Californian coast, the aircraft flies over Long Beach
and lands at Los Angeles Intl.
Travelling eastwards it overflies the snowy Grand Canyon,
the vincinity of Denver
and Missouri River near Nebraska City.
At Chicago Midway Airport Lanphier takes the DC-6B American Airlines flight to New York City,
where it arrives early morning.
A last aerial view of Manhattan during approach at LaGuardia Airport
Lanphier finally accomplishes his round-the-world flight and cuts the previous record made by Edward Eagan in 1948
As already said above, its done 'to the best of my knowledge and belief'. Everything I do here is for pleasure and fun. Forthermore it enriches knowledge of classic and vintage aviation. And we are privileged to share it together. Nowhere else are we given the same chance and opportunity to live out these fascinating interests.
Bernard
