The longest over water flight to date, accomplished by the U.S. Army Air Service in 1927. Chief of Army Air Service, Major General Patrick, standing between Pilot, Lt. Lester J. Maitland, and Navigator, Lt. Albert F. Hegenberger in front of their Fokker C-2-3 trimotor airplane, named the Bird of Paradise. General Patrick is wishing them farewell as they are about to depart on their transoceanic flight from Oakland California to Honolulu, Hawaii. Animation of aircraft leaving Oakland Airport. Fokker C-2-3 in flight. Animation of the longest over water flight ever attempted, 2400 miles, Oakland to Honolulu.
Fliers in the Dole Derby air race take off for Hawaii. The "City of Oakland," a Travel Air 5000 aircraft is seen being readied for flight. Pilot Ernie Smith and navigator Emory Bronte pose at the front of the aircraft, inspecting the engine and propeller. Closeup of the two. Next, a mechanic hand-cranks the engine to start it. Pilot, Smith climbs into the cockpit and closes its door. On July 14th, the aircraft is seen on takeoff roll toward and past the camera, which continues to track it through the takeoff. (The aircraft ran out of fuel and crash landed on the island of Molokai, in Hawaii on July 15th. Smith and Bronte were flown by Army aircraft to Wheeler field, the same day, where they were feted as the first civilians to fly across the Pacific.)
Chief of U.S. Army Air Service, Major General Patrick, stands between Navigator, Lt. Albert F. Hegenberger and Pilot, Lt. Lester J. Maitland as they are about to depart on their record-setting transpacific flight from California to Hawaii. Animation illustrates their route of flight from Oakland Airport to Honolulu,Hawaii, the longest flight ever attempted (2400 miles). Several views of their Fokker C-2 Trimotor aircraft called "Bird of Paradise,"in flight.