Preflight preparations for the Pacific

crossing in Japan.

Clyde Pangborn torques the prop

while Hugh Herndon and an unknown

helper hold tight.

Although under house arrest the

determined Americans were allowed to

work on there aircraft to prepare for

the longest flight ever attempted.

Clyde left and Hugh right pose for a

picture. Notice the newly installed

Chin fuel tank added for the Pacific

attempt.

A new set of 18 Champion spark

plugs are installed as well two per

cylinder.

Hugh pulls the prop threw winding the

starting system. There was no electric

start they would wind it up and pull a

lever from the cock pit to engage. The

down side of this system was no

re-start once airborne unless enough

speed to windmill the prop was

accomplished.

Clyde gives the Miss Veedol a run up

to check systems while Hugh takes a

break.

Miss Veedol rests on her ramp built by

the Japanese on Sabishiro beach. The

wood ramp will help get her started

down the 8,000 foot beach for take off.

A cover is protecting the engine from

sand, as men look for any small debre

that could compromise the attempt.

The general public in Japan

thought highly of the fliers. The

government however was a little

less receptive.

A view from a previous stop during the

around the World trip shows a

noticeable difference prior to the chin

fuel tank being installed in Japan.

Preparations on Sabishiro beach

before the Trans-Pacific flight.

Moments before take off on Sabishiro

beach. The ramp was built to carry the

plane over the soft sand before finding

smooth water soaked sand which was

firm and 8,000 feet long.

A close up view of the system used to drop the

landing gear in flight. The idea engineered by the

fliers was to gain range with less drag. The wheels

did drop as planned but Clyde had to climb out on

the wing struts to jar loose and drop the landing

gear struts at 14,000 feet over the Pacific.

People look in awe at the plane that

was in Japan two days earlier now sits

in East Wenatchee Washington U.S.A.

A promotional picture before the round

the world trip.

Landing site Fancher Field in

East Wenatchee Washington.

County police and Highway patrolman

stand guard as evening sets the day of

the landing in Wenatchee. Fear of

souvenir hunters that could destroy

the plane was very real.