Routine Record

In January 1934, Navy flyers made the longest non-stop formation flight in aviation history. Patrol Squadron VP-10, consisting of six big Wright Cyclone-powered Consolidated Navy patrol flying boats and 30 officers and men, flew 2,399 mi. over the Pacific Ocean from San Fran cisco to Honolulu's Pearl Harbor in 24 hr.

45 min. (TIME, Jan. 22, 1934). The Navy's high command modestly waved aside the acclaim that followed this remarkable flight, said it was merely a rou tine transfer of men and equipment. Last week the Navy effected another "routine transfer of men and equipment," sur passed Squadron VP-10's mass-flight record.

One morning Lieut. Commander Wil liam McDade and 80 officers and men of Patrol Plane Squadron VP6 climbed into twelve huge low-slung flying boats in San Diego Harbor, roared off without cere mony in trim formation toward Pearl Har bor, 2,553 mi. away. Next morning, 21 hr. 48 min. later, Patrol Squadron VP6 completed its routine task without mishap at Pearl Harbor.

Patrol Squadron VP-6's new flying boats are called PBY-1 patrol bombers. With 1,100-h. p. Twin Row Wasp engines, retractable wing pontoons and clipper lines, they are the first twelve of 176 such ships ordered by the Navy from Consolidated Aircraft Corp.

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.