3 boeing clippers in raf service during ww 2??

[tom d. friedman]

i'm reading a book (a real thicky) entitled "the game of the foxes" which is about german espionage activities in the u.s. & u.k., the book mentions that at the onset of the war before the u.s. got officially involved that the raf purchased 3 boeing clipper flying boats to return american ferry pilots home that delivered american aircraft that were either purchased or obtained through lend lease by the u.k.. any pics of those raf clippers floating around?? this is the 1st i've ever heard of this!!

[bilwor]

No phootos but found info.below

From 'flyingclippers.com" site:
NC-18607(A), NC-18608(A) April 1941 Ordered by Pan Am. Both were sold to the British Purchasing Commission and used by BOAC. 18607 became G-AGBZ Bristol and 18608 became G-AGCA Berwick After the War they were sold to World Airways - 1948.

NC-18610(A) April 1941 Ordered by Pan Am. Sold to the British Purchasing Commission and used by BOAC; became G-AGCB Bangor After the War it was sold to World Airways - 1948.

[bilwor]

Here are photos of G-AGCA and G-AGCB

[tom d. friedman]

thanks guys!!

[Mike]

Just to be clear, they were operated by BOAC, not the RAF.

[The Inspector]

Whats the reasoning behind the guy standing in the open bollard hatch in the bow of AGCA during takeoff? He certainly wouldn't have time to indicate an obstruction in the water to the flight crew, so was it some 'I'll betcha a fiver' deal or what? Really can't see someone dumb enough to do that in the Atlantic in Winter --but, I've been proven wrong before (and have the ex wives to prove it)

[bilwor]

Just a guess, but I think the plane is landing not taking off. So he is probably looking for obstructions.
bill word

[Jack Cook]

I'd just do it because I could

[The Inspector]

Like the footage of the navigator climbing out of the forward turret on a PBY to do celestials over the chain? Bet that breeze woke up everyone in the cabin
BRRRRRRRRRR

[jet1]

visit this museum...
http://www.ruudleeuw.com/foynes06.htm
http://www.flyingboatmuseum.com/
there wasn't much there when I first found it but it does have a lot of info about the 'flying boats' and their WW II service in that area. They were just in the process of expanding the last time I was over there so I'm sure they have a lot more than they did then.

[hairy]

Here's a couple of shots that I have................

Here is G-AGCA at Baltimore, 6th August 1945.


Here is the third BOAC clipper G-AGBZ.

[Tom Moungovan]

If anyone is interested, Pan American operated this aircraft with an 11 person crew: captain, and a first officer plus second (navigator); third, and fourth officers, first and second flight engineers, first and second radiomen; plus a purser and a steward.
The Martin Clippers; Hawaii, Phillipine, and China took about 18 hours still air between SFO and Honolulu. The B-314 was faster with a still air time of about 16 hours. The DC-4 reduced that to about 12 hours.

[hairy]

On the subject of Boeing Clippers, here is a couple of shots you might like of Pan American Airways NC18606, "American Clipper" taking off on the Waitemata Harbour, Auckland, New Zealand in November 1940.