Trip 229
Juan Trippe
The Hawaii Clipper was a significant technological achievement in the world of commercial aviation. It was such an achievement that elements within the Japanese Empire were concerned for what was perceived as United States expansion aims into the South Pacific and Asia. They weren’t that far off.
Although Juan Trippe was well aware of Japans own expansion throughout Asia, his plans to bring passengers and mail to Hong Kong and other asian destinations was unstoppable (by either his competitors, stock holders or the Japanese). However, with the loss of his star chief pilot “Eddie” C. Musick in a catastrophic fuel tank explosion or a bomb placed within the fuselage, the end of the line was closer than anyone would admit. The explosion of the Samoan Clipper (a Sikorsky S-42B flying boat) and then the loss of the Hawaii Clipper to alleged espionage gave some doubt as to the sustainability of the commercial enterprise.
The NC 14714 Hawaiian Clipper, later renamed Hawaii Clipper, was built by the Glenn L. Martin Company of Baltimore Maryland in the early 1930′s. The M-130 aircraft known to the company as Martin Ocean Transports first flew on December 30, 1934 and became the Concords of their day. Built for safety, luxury and all metal ruggedness, they became a benchmark for similar aircraft in the years to follow. Only three M-130′s were built and were christened Hawaii Clipper (NC-14714), Philippines Clipper (NC-14715) and China Clipper (NC-14716).
The Hawaii Clipper had the honor of being the first transpacific passenger service of an airline that actually generated revenue on October 21st, 1936 between Alameda California and Manila Philippines. The flying boat went on to have a remarkably incident free time in the sky s of the Pacific but it was cut short on July 29, 1938. Although flight 229 (they called them trips back then) started off normal enough in Alameda on July 23, the closer the ship got to Japanese held territories the greater the danger the passengers and crew could experience.
From California, trip # 229 took the Hawaii Clipper and its twelve passengers to Honolulu. Among the well to do passengers were nine highly experienced crew members with very impressive credentials. When it came to the creme of the crop, Pan Am Airways had a reputation of hiring the best. Whether they be a steward or pilot, mechanic or navigator, they were the best tops of their trade in the
most advanced passenger aircraft in the world.
Having left San Francisco harbor a little after 3:00pm Pacific time, the clipper arrived in Perl City Hawaii a little
after 8:00 in the morning of the 24th. They had flown 2,410 miles non stop and it was always the most dreaded as it was the longest and most lonesome of all the legs from the US to China. After a nights stay in Honolulu, the trip continued but only for six passengers. These six passengers, along with the remaining seven man crew, would press on to Midway Island and eventually, Hong Kong.
Nick-named “The Tom Toms of Hades,” the engines would drone on for seemingly countless hours and echo above conversation within the plush fuselage. The sleeping chambers were often secured during these shorter flights (only used for overnight slumber on the longest leg between California and Hawaii). However if passenger was experiencing some discomfort from air sickness, they would “quietly” be allowed to take a nap. This experience certainly set a level of prestige few in the world could only dream of.
Flying aboard the Hawaii Clipper on trip (not flight) #229 were
no comment
September 18, 2011 at 7:33 PM
Waiting to hear more…
September 19, 2011 at 3:17 PM
Thanks for visiting! Please feel free to ask any specific questions you may have.
September 29, 2011 at 10:41 AM
Any chance the Federal Gov would ever attempt to negotiate a return of these mia’s like they did the Vietnam mia’s? If they were on a government mission, they would technically be Federal agents, yes?
September 29, 2011 at 4:52 PM
Hi Elisa,
Unfortunately, there is no one to negotiate with any longer. The island is free for tourism and the local authorities are very cooperative. The only real issue is 100% identifying the location of the remains and then forming a team of construction laborers and heavy equipment along with forensic scientists to ensure the rermains are handled with proper care. It is essentually a seventy year old crime scene.
September 29, 2011 at 5:47 PM
I see. So what is needed now is a forensic team like the Smithsonian Forensics Lab. They work with law enforcement agencies to solve crimes, even very old crimes. Way, to interesting, Guy. I guess it would have to involve national security for the state department or a national law enforcement agency to get involved in a seventy year old unsolved crime and bring in the Smithsonian? Well, Guy this is without a doubt very intriguing and has me on the edge of my seat. Thanks for the ride.
September 30, 2011 at 5:43 PM
Is it true that the Jap mig fighters were equipped with similar technology as the clipper?
September 29, 2011 at 4:56 PM
Well, sort of. The Mig was actually a Soviet era jet fighter, so no comparison there. However, there is a case that the clipper was stolen to inspect and copy the latest American powerhouse, the Pratt & Whitney R1830 Twin Wasp (950HP) radial engine. The Japanese engine in which you are thinking of is the Mitsubishi Kinsei 金星 (Venus) which was based on the Pratt & Whitney R-1689 Hornet engine. Also the Nakajima Sakae 栄 (Prosperity) engine has also been mentioned as gaining some influence into later modification from the P&W Twin Wasp engine. So to answer your question; yes, there are some indications that the engines were influenced by American engine technology used by the Hawaii Clipper however, nothing yet has been discovered to say the influence came DIRECTLY from the vanished Martin M-130 flying boat.
September 29, 2011 at 5:58 PM
Thanks Guy, very informative. Makes me even more curious.
September 30, 2011 at 4:53 PM
Waiting curiously to hear more……Very exciting reading all this mistery into the disapperence of the Clipper and my Uncle Jose Maria….
February 20, 2012 at 10:25 AM
Waiting curiously to hear more……
February 20, 2012 at 10:29 AM