United States Army Around the World Flight (1924) Collection
The documents on the microfilm are only arranged by Record Groups and not chronologically. The material covers correspondence, memos, newspaper articles, logbooks, descriptions of the Douglas World Cruiser (DWC) aircraft, memos dealing with permission to overfly and photograph foreign countries, the flight route, pilot selection, aircraft selection, equipment and weather forecasts. The decision was made during the processing to arrange the photocopied documents by subject and then chronologically.
This collection consists of 5 reels of 35-mm microfilm and photocopied documents from the microfilm concerning the U.S. Army Around the World Flight in 1924. The microfilm documents are from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), Record Groups 18, 22, 24, 26, 59 and 72. After reviewing the 5 reels of microfilm the processing archivist found that 4 out of the 5 reels have been photocopied to paper. The fifth reel entitled Final Report, Record Group 18 contains material that has not been printed to hard copy, therefore, the researcher may want to review this reel. In addition, there is no reel of microfilm for Record Group 72, only photocopied pages.
This collection consists of correspondence, memos, newspaper articles and logbooks concerning the flight.
In 1924, the U.S. Army Air Service decided to attempt an around the world flight to prove that the airplane was a valuable and viable method of transportation and could therefore have a great impact on the world's future. The Douglas Aircraft Company was commissioned by the Army Air Service to build an aircraft for the flight. The result was the Douglas O-5 Observation Seaplane, which was referred to in 1924 as the Douglas World Cruiser (DWC). The O-5 grew out of the 1923 Douglas Observation Seaplane (DOS).
On April 6, 1924, four Army Air Service DWC Seaplanes departed from Seattle, Washington in an attempt to fly around the world. They were the: "Seattle", "Chicago", "Boston" and "New Orleans". The "Seattle" was delayed by a forced landing caused by engine trouble early on and was trying to catch up to the others when bad weather forced it off course. It crashed near Chignik, Alaska. The "Boston" suddenly lost oil pressure and had to land at sea between Orkney and Faroe Islands. Although the landing was successful, the "Boston" was damaged beyond repair during an attempt to hoist it on board the USS Richmond. At Pictou Harbor, Nova Scotia, the prototype aircraft arrived to join the remaining two and became the "Boston II". From there the planes flew on across the United States and landed at Sand Point Field in Seattle, Washington on September 28, 1924 having accomplished the 27,553-mile flight around the world.
Two of the World Cruisers still survive. The "New Orleans" (#4) is in the Air Force Museum at Dayton, Ohio. The "Chicago" (#2) is in the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.
No restrictions on access
National Archives, Purchase, 1971, XXXX-0152, unknown
Processed by Hank Brown, 1999.
Encoded by Rena Schergen, February 2012.
United States Army Around the World Flight (1924) Collection, Acc. XXXX-0152, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
There is no reel of microfilm for this Record Group.
Correspondence Relating to the U.S. Army Around the World Flight
Correspondence Relating to the U.S. Army Around the World Flight
Correspondence Relating to the U.S. Army Around the World Flight
Decimal File 811.2300/1-239 (NNM 71-123). Documents found on microfilm reel.
Diplomatic Arrangements
Diplomatic Arrangements
Diplomatic Arrangements
Diplomatic Arrangements
Diplomatic Arrangements
Diplomatic Arrangements
Diplomatic Arrangements
Diplomatic Arrangements and Correspondence, U.S. Navy Ships
Funds
Personnel Applications to go on the Flight Around the World
World Flight 1924 Final Report (NNM 71-242). Documents found on microfilm reel.
Preliminary Reports, Training and Plans
Supplies and Equipment for Flight
Supplies and Equipment for Flight
Supplies and Equipment for Flight
Supplies and Equipment for Flight
Selected documents (NNM 71-215). Documents found on microfilm reel.
Bureau of Fisheries, Correspondence and Articles and Logbooks of the Algonquin and Haida on the crash of the "Seattle"
Logbook for the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Haida
Cruise Reports and Ships Logs
Selected pages from deck logs of U.S. Navy vessels (NNM 71-61). Documents found on microfilm reel.
Logbooks: USS McFarland, USS Charles Ausburne, USS Colhlan, USS Barry, USS Detroit and USS Brazos
Logbooks: USS Raleigh, USS Milwaukee and USS Lawrence
Logbooks: USS Richmond
Logbooks: USS Reid and USS Billingsley
Logbooks: USS Sicard , USS Noa, USS Riza and USS Hart
Logbooks: USS Barker, USS Whipple, USS Smith Thompson, USS Preble, USS Pruilt, USS Hulbert and USS Preston
Logbooks: USS Barker, USS Whipple, USS Smith Thompson, USS Preble, USS Pruilt, USS Hulbert and USS Preston
Logbooks: USS Hull, USS Corry, USS John D. Ford, USS Pope, USS Peary, USS Pillsbury, USS Paul Jones and USS Truxton
Selected documents (NNM 71-50). Documents found on microfilm reel.
Post Flight Congratulations
Post Flight Congratulations and Tour
Post Flight Plans for Aircraft and Awards