wrighttwincyclone

B-25H-5-NA, s/n 43-4550. Assigned 1333rd AAFBU, Chabua, India 1944.

This data plate belongs to the first Boeing Model 314 Clipper, NC18601 (fmr NX18601), c/n 1988, named "Honolulu Clipper." See: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honolulu_Clipper

Honolulu Clipper was the prototype Boeing 314 flying boat designed for Pan American Airways. It entered service in 1939 flying trans-Pacific routes. Like other long range Clipper aircraft in Pan-Am it aided US military during World War II. In service with the US Navy it made a forced landing 650 miles east of Oahu on 3 November 1945[1] and when the subsequent salvage attempt was abandoned, the Honolulu Clipper was deliberately sunk by gunfire. Passengers flying aboard the aircraft over its service life of 18,000 flying hours included Clare Boothe Luce, Eddie Rickenbacker, Thomas Kinkaid, Chester Nimitz, and Peter Fraser.

Reading the sources I have says the accident to NC18601 happened on the 3rd and it was sunk on the 4th (the towing failed). The interesting thing is not the date however, but how was the plaque saved to the afterworld? Did someone "take care of it" before its last flight? Since I cannot believe someone was cool enough to pry it loose after the accident and before the aircraft was sunk all that remains is that a diver of some sort "fixed" it for posterity. One odd thing with this plaque is that instead of ACT 704 it says ACTC 704. Mistake by Boeing or is there a possibility we are dealing with a copy? How did it get into your possession Alan, and do you have any knowledge about its past? Stig

B-25H-1-NA, s/n 43-4134.