World’s only 1930s Boeing 314 Clipper flying boat | Season 1 - Episode 38

👋 Hey friends! In this video, we are featuring the Boeing 314 Clipper, an American long-range flying boat produced by the company from 1938 to 1941. It provided the ultimate in luxury airplane travel in its day, un-matched even today in sheer elegance. One of the largest aircraft of its time, it had the range to cross the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. While long range it still had to refuel when crossing the Atlantic.
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In 1933 the world's most famous aviator, Charles Lindbergh, was engaged as consultant to advise Pan American about prospective routes across the Atlantic. Trial flights were attempted before the final decision was made to use Foynes on the River Shannon estuary in western Ireland as the terminal for transatlantic air services. Foynes was chosen because it has a deep water harbour, it is sheltered by Foynes Island and it had the infrastructure in place.
The first arrivals and departures of seaplanes on the Shannon estuary occurred in July 1937. As a result Foynes became one of the centres of the aviation world in the 1930s and ‘40s. Foynes Flying Boat & Maritime Museum now is the only place in the world you can see, get on board and view some of the luxurious facilities passengers enjoyed back then. Foynes Flying Boat & Maritime Museum is located in the original Airport Terminal Building at the original transatlantic flying-boat terminus.
Pan American World Airways commonly known as Pan Am, was the driving force behind the development of the Boeing 314. As there were few large airports in operation around the world Pan Am had requested a flying boat with unprecedented range. Boeing's bid was successful and on July 21, 1936, Pan American signed a contract for six at a cost of $4.8 million. As well as Pan Am there were two other airlines which used Foynes and they were:
1. American Expert Airlines
2. British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) - it purchased three 314’s in 1941 for $1 million each.
On board Boeing 314 Clipper 70 passengers were accommodated in armchair-style seating, with tables in a series of separate compartments (six standard compartments and one deluxe). Night-time use was limited to 40 passengers with the compartments converted to provide full-length sleeping berths. There was a 14-seat dining room with linen tablecloths, crystal glasses, and full waiter service. Bathrooms offered plenty of space, stools and makeup areas in the ladies’ bathroom. For all of this passengers paid the large sum of $375 one-way equal to about $7,000 in today's money or $675 return.
The Boeing 314 Clipper’s flight deck, aka the ‘Bridge’, design was ground-breaking, taking new steps to address the serious problem of crew fatigue on nonstop ocean flights. At the back of the bridge was the navigation and radio room and a cargo hold, which usually contained mail.
The Second World War brought changes that quickly saw the demise of the flying boats. Many new airfields with infrastructure and long runways had been built around the world to serve the needs of the military. This made many longer routes possible without a water landing. Because they were no longer competitive with high-performance, long-range land-planes, Pan American terminated operation of the Boeing 314 flying boats in 1946.
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Credit: askaboutireland.ie, Business Insider, Foynes Flying Boat & Maritime Museum, Historylink.org, history.nasa.gov, Irish America, Irish Times, Simpleflying.com
Video: Worldreach Comms
#Boeing314Clipper #vintageboeing #clipper #planerestoration #limerickmade #irelandmade

[@allgood6760]

Thanks for this 👍🇳🇿✈️

[@IrelandMade]

You are most welcome. Check out all our other Irish transport videos

[@IrelandMade]

The glory days of luxury air travel

[@Gregnoxy]

It still exists for those with money. Yknow. Aka. Luxury lol

[@largol33t1]

Makes me wonder how far they could fly with MODERN turboprop engines. I still love the boxy shape of the old 314.

[@PDZ1122]

Turboprops are not known for their fuel efficiency.

[@wes11bravo]

It's oddly beautiful, isn't it?

[@IrelandMade]

It is a classy looking machine!

[@MarcusAurelius7777]

Nice thanks for posting this!

[@anthonyvallillo422]

A pretty good replica. Of course, not a single 314 survived to be preserved, more's the pity. But this re-creation would give one a good idea of what it must have been like if one had actually survived.

[@IrelandMade]

It is an incredible replica - you can walk throughout the cabin

[@connclark2154]

Two 314 clippers still exist. Sadly they are at the bottom of the ocean

[@hush6149]

Sadly that also applies to almost every flying boat :'(

[@IrelandMade]

It’s a great replica and well worth the visit

[@RANDassociatesinc]

When I am back in Ireland, I am coming for a visit!!!

[@IrelandMade]

We look forward to welcoming you!

[@alannewman85]

Well done with the Museum!

[@nephi5059]

I thought that Boeing Clipper was under cold water in Ireland, still in good condition. Was it finally raised. Boy, there's lottsa room. The cockpit is huge , seemingly comfortable, passenger area ...wow. I worked for charter airlines afterwards, even did service for Air Linguis , as FA. I worked at PAA was there day it closed...no one knew, it was quite shocking . I received my last paycheck that day. All these years later remembered. Mark M., Miami.

[@IrelandMade]

Hi Mark, this is a recreation of the Boeing Clipper.

[@DetroitMicroSound]

If a family owned one, they could visit more places on Earth than 90% of humanity.

[@jetsons101]

What a way to travel, that's a replica that looks like it was built by Boeing. Thanks for your time and work in posting your videos.....

[@IrelandMade]

Glad you liked our video. Lots more to come.....

[@glennoropeza3545]

This was when international air travel was for the rich! The rest of the world traveled by slow boat!

[@IrelandMade]

Many thanks all of our supporters, we just passed 4,000 followers on Facebook. Tell us what you think of Ireland Made by answering 5 short questions on our poll - form.jotform.com/222862628610355...

[@luisvega666]

Ken follet book brought me here

[@IrelandMade]

A great book and gives a good account of the Boeing 314.

[@IrelandMade]

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[@susanbutler2498]

Check out our 'Short Brothers, "Empire" Class flying boat at M.O.T.A.T. 2 Auckland NZ!!!

[@IrelandMade]

Sounds like a great story. We will check it out. Many thanks 🙏