![]() (National Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress)Īgain, NC-4 was forced to remain in harbor waiting for favorable weather. NC-4 departing Ponta Delgada, Ilha de São Miguel, Azores, for Lisbon, Portugal. on the 20th, it took off and flew to Ponta Delgado, landing there just two hours later. Weather kept NC-4 at Horta for the next few days, until at 8:45 a.m. NC-4 deviated from its planned course and landed at Horta, on Faial Island, at 1:23 p.m., 17 May. NC-3 off Ponta Delgada, Ilha de São Miguel, Azores. NC-3 drifted for two days on surface of the Atlantic, and coming within sight of land, two engines were started and the airplane taxied into the harbor at Ponta Delgada, Ilha de São Miguel. The crew was rescued by a Greek freighter and the airplane taken in tow, but it sank several days later. NC-1 and NC-3 were both forced down by rain, heavy clouds and thick fog about 200 miles short of their destination. on the evening of 16 May and headed across the Atlantic Ocean to the Azores. The three Curtiss flying boats took off from Trepassey Bay at 6:00 p.m. NC-4 departs Trepassey Bay, Newfoundland. The temporary 300 horsepower Liberty engine which had been installed on NC-4 was replaced with a correct 400 horsepower engine. (Library of Congress)Īll three airplanes were serviced from the tender. The white-hulled ship at the center is the aircraft tender USS Aroostook (CM-3). ![]() NC-1 and NC-3 had arrived two days earlier. NC-4 took off from the waters of Halifax the following morning at 11:47 a.m., and arrived at Trepassey Bay, Newfoundland, at 5:41 p.m., rendezvousing with the aircraft tender USS Aroostook (CM-3). Continuing on to Newfoundland that day would have had them arriving after dark. The leaking engine was repaired.ĭelayed several days by weather, NC-4 departed NAS Chatham at 9:15 a.m., 14 May, and flew to Halifax, Nova Scotia, in the Canadian Maritimes, landing there at 1:07 p.m. (New Bedford Whaling Museum)Īt the air station, the failed engine was replaced with a 300 horsepower Liberty L12, the only spare engine available. The sea was calm and the flying boat taxied the remaining distance on the water. With only two engines operating, NC-4 was forced down at sea, approximately 80 miles (129 kilometers) from Chatham. In mid-afternoon, however, the center tractor engine suffered a failed connecting rod. This slowed the airplane but it was still able to continue. Three Curtiss flying boats, NC-1 (A2291), NC-3 (A2293) and NC-4 (A2294), under the command of Commander Towers in NC-3, departed Naval Air Station Rockaway, New York City, New York, United States of America, at 10:00 a.m.,, and flew to NAS Chatham, Massachusetts.ĭuring the flight, NC-4 developed an oil leak from the center pusher engine, so it was shut down. Bellinger commanded Patrol Wing 2 at Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941, and would go on to command Naval Air Forces, Atlantic Fleet. ![]() ![]() Mitscher commanded the Fast Carrier Task Force during World War II, and later commanded the Atlantic Fleet. Lieutenant Patrick N.L. Rodd, USN, was the radio operator.Īboard the other aircraft were several officers who would rise to high rank in the Navy: Commander John Henry Towers would later command the Pacific Fleet Lieutenant Marc A. Rhoads, USN, were the engineers. Ensign Herbert C. Breese, USN and Chief Machinist Mate Eugene S. ![]() The pilots were First Lieutenant Elmer Fowler Stone, United States Coast Guard, and Lieutenant (j.g.) Walter T. NC-4 was under the command of Lieutenant Commander Albert Cushing Read, United States Navy, who also served as navigator. (National Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress) Lieutenant Commander Albert Cushing Read, United States Navy, Aircraft Commander, NC-4. : NC-4, designating number A2294, one of three United States Navy Curtiss NC flying boats, arrived at the harbor of Lisbon, Portugal, becoming the first airplane to cross the Atlantic Ocean. Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company NC A2294, NC-4. ![]()
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