First Pacific Crossing?

[Dave Homewood]

Most people know that the first pilots to cross the Tasman Sea to and from New Zealand were Sir Charles Kingsford Smith and Charles Ulm, with their crew.

However I was just wondering, who was the first person to fly from New Zealand to cross the Pacific? I don't think i have ever heard.

So - who was the first to fly from New Zealand to Fiji? Or other nearby Pacific islands?

And who was the first to fly all the way to North or South America from New Zealand? Would that have been the Boeing Clipper in 1938?

And who flew the first non-stop NZ to USA flight?

[gtw]

Hi Dave, Read The Sky Beyond by Sir Gordon Taylor, available on Amazon Kindle. He flew and mapped the Pacific before WW2 Also China Clipper.

[Dave Homewood]

Did he fly from New Zealand?

[gtw]

It is over 12 months since I read the book. He flew Assie to Chile so I think N Z woud be a stop.

[gtw]

www.northernstar.com.au/news/pioneer-aviator-inspired-a-generation-of-young-pil/2803059/ He did fly from Acapulco to N Z.

[gtw]

Hi Dave, I have been rereading Bill Taylor's book on flying the Pacific and I think Pan America flew too N Z just before Peal Harbour.I am only half way thru the book, more info tomorrow.

[Dave Homewood]

The first Pan American Clipper arrived here in 1938. I guess that has to be the first crossing of the Pacific to and from NZ.

[errolmartyn]

Jan 6, 2019 21:46:19 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

The first Pan American Clipper arrived here in 1938. I guess that has to be the first crossing of the Pacific to and from NZ.

The first to arrive from the USA was one of Pan American's Sikorsky S.42, which alighted at Auckland on 30 March 1937.

Errol

[Dave Homewood]

Ah of course, thanks Errol.