The first flight around the world was flown
by United States Army Air Service pilots in specially-built Douglas
World Cruisers, DWCs, between 6 April and 28 September 1924. The flight began with a shake-down cruise from Santa Monica, California on March 17th and the world flight
officially started from Seattle's then-municipal airport at Sand Point on the shores of Lake Washington.
The late Peter M. Bowers, eminent aviation historian and author noted, in his
award-winning article written for the world flight's 50th anniversary:
"The magnitude of that flight, in terms of preliminary study, engineering,
and world-wide logistic support, crew training, inter service cooperation,
diplomatic clearances, and personal skill and determination is almost
directly comparable to a moon landing today."
Major General Mason M. Patrick, Chief of the United States Army Air
Service, ended his announcement of the project, by saying,
"The flight would secure for the United States, the birthplace of aeronautics,
the honor of being the first country to encircle the world entirely
by air."
In 1923, the Air Service approached Donald Douglas for a bid, based
on his first design, the Davis-Douglas Cloudster, for the world flight
aircraft. To expedite this project, Douglas and his young engineer,
Jack Northrup, redesigned a then-current, successful aircraft, the Douglas
DT-2, Navy torpedo plane. Forty-five days later, the DT-2 had evolved
into a trimmer, more field-serviceable design, capable of carrying much
more fuel and oil on both wheels and floats.
With Air Service acceptance, the prototype was built and tested. This
became the trainer for the world flight crews and four additional DWCs
(Douglas World Cruisers, as they became known,) were built in Santa
Monica. These were flown by two-man, pilot and mechanic, crews to Sand
Point, Washington, for the official start. The flight up the coast was
the group's first cross-country formation flight together. Much was
learned about the aircraft, each other, and some hint of what lay ahead.
In Seattle, with the committed help of The Boeing Company, final outfitting
took place. The DWCs were mounted on floats and underwent many last
minute adjustments and repairs.
The four Douglas World Cruisers were christened at Sand Point, in a
grand, jubilant celebration. Due to Prohibition, however, water was
substituted for champagne, but it was water special to each aircraft's
name. The lead aircraft, Number One, was christened The Seattle, with
water from Lake Washington. Number Two, The Chicago, was applied with
Lake Michigan water; Number Three, The Boston, received water from Boston
Harbor; and finally, Number Four, The New Orleans, was christened with
Mississippi River water.
After some delays, both weather and mechanical, the DWCs departed Sand
Point on 6 April 1924. The weather played havoc with the large, open
cockpit biplanes and crews. Engine trouble and landing accidents ensued.
The Alaska-Aleutian weather, worst in ten years, continued to challenge
man, machine, and luck. Major Martin and Crew Chief, Sergeant Harvey,
in the Number One lead ship, Seattle, got lost in a snow storm and crashed.
Their flight was over, but their luck held. Ten days later, they walked
out, joyous news for a relieved world. The remaining three DWCs were
ordered on, with The Chicago and Lieutenant Smith now taking the lead.
In Japan, tremendous ovation greeted the first crossing of the Pacific
by aircraft, but the huge Japanese celebrations had to be cut short
as the pilots were ever mindful of a long trip ahead, and a slipping
schedule. With monsoons coming on, they hurriedly changed engines and
floats, and were off.
The tropical climate was a great relief from the freezing Arctic, but
it only brought on new mechanical delays. Engine overheating and failure
in conjunction with poor performance caused their schedule to slip more
and more. In Calcutta, at last, floats were exchanged for wheels, new
engines and wings installed. In the sweltering heat, they continued
to agonize over thoughts that an early winter would halt their North
Atlantic crossing. They pressed on, across India, continually battling
the elements and engine problems with skill, grit, and luck. The three
World Cruisers flew on to Karachi, Baghdad, Turkey, Vienna, and finally,
arrived in Paris on Bastille Day. The French citizens and dignitaries,
both public and military, showered the aviators with flowers, honors,
gifts, and many banquets. At the next stop, the Londoners were ecstatic
with the world flyers, and especially applauded the great sportsmanship
they had shown in giving assistance to the English world flight crew,
who had troubles in the Far East.
The crews had made good time and were almost back on schedule, but winter
was coming on. Before the crossing was made, much work had to be done.
In Hull, England, floats replaced wheels, new engines were installed,
and extensive overhaul inspections quickly placed all the parties, medals,
and awards recently enjoyed in Paris and London, far behind them.
The most dangerous leg lay ahead: home across the great, stormy North
Atlantic. Engine failure brought the Boston down between the Faeroe
Islands and Iceland. The crew was rescued, but the aircraft, lost. It
was an early winter and challenged the remaining two aircraft, The Chicago
and The New Orleans. Ice-blocked harbors, fog to the water, icebergs
and head winds, with still more mechanical problems, almost ended the
flight. But the flyers, feeling their goal so close, strove on, as the
whole world held its breath.
On 31 August, a collective sigh of relief was heard around the world,
as the two remaining DWCs landed at Icy Tickle, Labrador. They were
soon joined by The Boston's crew, in the prototype DWC, newly-named
Boston II, as a tribute to the crew's tenacity and bravery. At Boston,
they landed to change, for the last time, floats to wheels. The crews
were overwhelmed by the tumultuous turnout of well-wishers and celebrations.
They were home, and on the final leg; it was amazing.
Next: Washington DC, to meet with President Coolidge and his Cabinet,
who waited hours in the rain, refusing to miss this great event. The
U.S. tour was a triumph; everyone wanted to see them. The response was,
that they were rare human beings, as if they had been to other worlds,
and, indeed, they had.
Aviation was born, in that it could accomplish new, great, and exciting
feats. The world was conquered. Man had wrapped his wings around the
globe and it was now, for the first time, really his world. The first
flight ended in Seattle on 28 September 1924, but a great event never
really ends. For a First is a celebration for all time. History had
been made and the world was full of new possibilities.
