The Yankee Clipper
This image shows the flying boat, the Yankee Clipper. This was used in transatlantic flights between Ireland and the United States from 1939 to 1945. The plane is now on display at the Flying Boat Museum, Foynes, Co. Limerick.
© Limerick County Library, Limerick Studies Collection.The Yankee Clipper
© Limerick County Library, Limerick Studies Collection.
© Limerick County Library, Limerick Studies Collection.
The Yankee Clipper
This image shows the flying boat, the Yankee Clipper. This was used in transatlantic flights between Ireland and the United States from 1939 to 1945. The plane is now on display at the Flying Boat Museum, Foynes, Co. Limerick.
© Limerick County Library, Limerick Studies Collection.All the Frills
On 9 July 1939, the Pan American World Airways luxury, long-range flying boat, the Yankee Clipper, landed at Foynes.
The Yankee Clipper was made by the Boeing Airplane Company. It was one of the largest aircrafts in the world at the time.
Cockpit of the Yankee Clipper
This image shows the controls and pilots' seats in the cockpit of the flying boat the Yankee Clipper. This seaplane was used in transatlantic flights between Ireland and the United States from 1939 to 1945.
© Limerick County Library, Limerick Studies Collection.Cockpit of the Yankee Clipper
© Limerick County Library, Limerick Studies Collection.
© Limerick County Library, Limerick Studies Collection.
Cockpit of the Yankee Clipper
This image shows the controls and pilots' seats in the cockpit of the flying boat the Yankee Clipper. This seaplane was used in transatlantic flights between Ireland and the United States from 1939 to 1945.
© Limerick County Library, Limerick Studies Collection.Twelve Clippers were built for Pan American World Airways.
They provided the first direct commercial passenger flights between the US and Europe. Pan American's Clippers were built for luxury.
Given the long duration of transatlantic flights at that time, it was desirable that the passengers flew in comfort.
Yankee Clipper Sleeping Area
This image shows the sleeping area inside the flying boat, the Yankee Clipper. This seaplane was used for transatlantic flights between Ireland and the United States from 1939 to 1945. The aim was to make the flight as comfortable as possible for the small number of passengers on board.
© Limerick County Library, Limerick Studies Collection.Yankee Clipper Sleeping Area
© Limerick County Library, Limerick Studies Collection.
© Limerick County Library, Limerick Studies Collection.
Yankee Clipper Sleeping Area
This image shows the sleeping area inside the flying boat, the Yankee Clipper. This seaplane was used for transatlantic flights between Ireland and the United States from 1939 to 1945. The aim was to make the flight as comfortable as possible for the small number of passengers on board.
© Limerick County Library, Limerick Studies Collection.The seats on the Yankee Clipper could be converted into thirty-six bunks for overnight accommodation.
With a cruise speed of only 188 miles per hour - or 300 kilometres per hour - the flight time from Foynes to New York took over twenty-five hours.
The aircraft had a lounge and dining area, and the galleys were crewed by top chefs.
The Restroom on the Yankee Clipper
This image shows the restroom inside the flying boat, the Yankee Clipper. The plane was used in transatlantic flights between Ireland and the United States from 1939 to 1945. Note how spacious it was compared to the planes of today.
© Limerick County Library, Limerick Studies Collection.The Restroom on the Yankee Clipper
© Limerick County Library, Limerick Studies Collection.
© Limerick County Library, Limerick Studies Collection.
The Restroom on the Yankee Clipper
This image shows the restroom inside the flying boat, the Yankee Clipper. The plane was used in transatlantic flights between Ireland and the United States from 1939 to 1945. Note how spacious it was compared to the planes of today.
© Limerick County Library, Limerick Studies Collection.Men and women were provided with separate dressing rooms and there was a deck for stretching and exercising.
At $675 return from New York to Southampton, which amounts to about $9,590 in year 2006 dollars, only the super-rich could afford to fly.
It is doubtful whether there has ever been a more luxurious aircraft.
Bring a Brolly
Transatlantic flying was glamorous and unusual in the 1940s. The Pan American service was used by a variety of people, including film stars, politicians, businessmen and wartime refugees.
Every attempt was made to make the journey comfortable for the plane's important passengers. However, there was nothing luxurious about the take-off.
The Yankee Clipper Landing
A photo of the Yankee Clipper landing.
Courtesy of www.flyingboatfestival.ca.The Yankee Clipper Landing
Courtesy of www.flyingboatfestival.ca.
Courtesy of www.flyingboatfestival.ca.
The Yankee Clipper Landing
A photo of the Yankee Clipper landing.
Courtesy of www.flyingboatfestival.ca.Often, one of the plane's wings would dip into the sea at take-off, pouring water in on the passengers as the plane levelled out.