Round the World Flights - Revision history

WikiSysop: /* Odom's Solo Flight */

2019-09-21T22:39:10Z

Odom's Solo Flight

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:39, 21 September 2019
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	Odom was dissatisfied with the unofficial status of this flight and with his recent experience wanted to try it again. He was determined to make a solo around-the-world flight without a co-pilot, navigator, or mechanic. Milton Reynolds, who had vowed he would never make another around-the-world flight, saw another marketing opportunity and endorsed Odom's plan and lent him the "Bombshell" for his flight.		Odom was dissatisfied with the unofficial status of this flight and with his recent experience wanted to try it again. He was determined to make a solo around-the-world flight without a co-pilot, navigator, or mechanic. Milton Reynolds, who had vowed he would never make another around-the-world flight, saw another marketing opportunity and endorsed Odom's plan and lent him the "Bombshell" for his flight.

	After an aborted first start, Odom began his solo ~~RTW~~ flight on August 7, 1947. The first half of his flight was on auto-pilot (he called it "Little Willie"). As he progressed he was plagued by bad weather. He lost his auto-pilot over Burma and flew hands-on to Tokyo. He fell asleep out of Anchorage and wasted fuel as he wandered off course. He re-fueled in Fargo, ND and landed at Chicago's Douglas Airport on August 11, 1947. He posted a flight time of ~~73H~~ 5M 11S having flown 19,645 miles and broke all existing records for around-the-world solo flights.		After an aborted first start, Odom began his solo around-the-world flight on August 7, 1947. The first half of his flight was on auto-pilot (he called it "Little Willie"). As he progressed he was plagued by bad weather. He lost his auto-pilot over Burma and flew hands-on to Tokyo. He fell asleep out of Anchorage and wasted fuel as he wandered off course. He re-fueled in Fargo, ND and landed at Chicago's Douglas Airport on August 11, 1947. He posted a flight time of 75H 5M 11S having flown 19,645 miles and broke all existing records for around-the-world solo flights.

	===Details===		===Details===

WikiSysop: /* Odom's Solo Flight */

2019-09-21T22:15:32Z

Odom's Solo Flight

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:15, 21 September 2019
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	Odom was dissatisfied with the unofficial status of this flight and with his recent experience wanted to try it again. He was determined to make a solo around-the-world flight without a co-pilot, navigator, or mechanic. Milton Reynolds, who had vowed he would never make another around-the-world flight, saw another marketing opportunity and endorsed Odom's plan and lent him the "Bombshell" for his flight.		Odom was dissatisfied with the unofficial status of this flight and with his recent experience wanted to try it again. He was determined to make a solo around-the-world flight without a co-pilot, navigator, or mechanic. Milton Reynolds, who had vowed he would never make another around-the-world flight, saw another marketing opportunity and endorsed Odom's plan and lent him the "Bombshell" for his flight.

	After an aborted first start, Odom began his solo RTW flight on August 7, 1947. The first half of his flight was on auto-pilot (he called it "Little Willie"). As he progressed he was plagued by bad weather. He lost his auto-pilot over Burma and flew hands-on to Tokyo. He fell asleep out of Anchorage and wasted fuel as he wandered off course. He re-fueled in Fargo, ND and landed at Chicago's Douglas Airport on August 11, 1947. He posted a flight time of 73H 5M 11S having flown 19,645 miles.		After an aborted first start, Odom began his solo RTW flight on August 7, 1947. The first half of his flight was on auto-pilot (he called it "Little Willie"). As he progressed he was plagued by bad weather. He lost his auto-pilot over Burma and flew hands-on to Tokyo. He fell asleep out of Anchorage and wasted fuel as he wandered off course. He re-fueled in Fargo, ND and landed at Chicago's Douglas Airport on August 11, 1947. He posted a flight time of 73H 5M 11S having flown 19,645 miles and broke all existing records for around-the-world solo flights.

	===Details===		===Details===

WikiSysop: /* Odom's Solo Flight */

2019-09-21T22:09:42Z

Odom's Solo Flight

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:09, 21 September 2019
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	===Itinerary===		===Itinerary===
			*Chicago, IL - Departed 7 Aug, 1947
			*(unknown number of stops)
			*Tokyo, JP
			*Anchorage, AK
			*Fargo, ND
			*Chicago, IL - Arrived 11 Aug, 1947

WikiSysop at 21:34, 21 September 2019

2019-09-21T21:34:53Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:34, 21 September 2019
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	*Edmonton, Canada		*Edmonton, Canada
	*New York City - Arrived on 4/16/47		*New York City - Arrived on 4/16/47


			==Odom's Solo Flight==
			William "Bill" Odom's earlier around-the-world flight in April 1947 with Tex Sallee and Milton Reynolds was not official as they did not apply to the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI) before starting their flight.

			Odom was dissatisfied with the unofficial status of this flight and with his recent experience wanted to try it again. He was determined to make a solo around-the-world flight without a co-pilot, navigator, or mechanic. Milton Reynolds, who had vowed he would never make another around-the-world flight, saw another marketing opportunity and endorsed Odom's plan and lent him the "Bombshell" for his flight.

			After an aborted first start, Odom began his solo RTW flight on August 7, 1947. The first half of his flight was on auto-pilot (he called it "Little Willie"). As he progressed he was plagued by bad weather. He lost his auto-pilot over Burma and flew hands-on to Tokyo. He fell asleep out of Anchorage and wasted fuel as he wandered off course. He re-fueled in Fargo, ND and landed at Chicago's Douglas Airport on August 11, 1947. He posted a flight time of 73H 5M 11S having flown 19,645 miles.

			===Details===
			Miles Flown: 19,645 miles <br/>
			Flying Time: 75H 5M 11S <br/>
			Average Speed: 261.632<br/>
			Plane Type: Douglas A-26B Invader<br/>

			Pilot: William "Bill" Odom<br/>
			Co-Pilot/Navigator: N/A<br/>
			Radio: N/A

			===Itinerary===

WikiSysop at 06:34, 21 September 2019

2019-09-21T06:34:17Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:34, 21 September 2019
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	Miles Flown: 24,859 miles<br/>		Miles Flown: 24,859 miles<br/>
	Duration Time: 96H 50M<br/>		Duration Time: 96H 50M<br/>
			Average speed: 256.7194<br/>
	Plane Type: Douglas A-26B Invader<br/>		Plane Type: Douglas A-26B Invader<br/>

			Pilot: Colonel Joseph Randall Holzapple<br/>
			Co-pilot: Lt. Col. Charles R. Meyers<br/>
			Navigator: Lt. Otto H. Schumacher<br/>
			Radio: Cpl. Howard J. Walden

	===Itinerary===		===Itinerary===
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	The trio departed from LaGuardia Airport in New York City on April 12, 1947 headed for Gander, Newfoundland to refuel for their Atlantic crossing. Minor mechanical difficulties were overcome on route. Because of the lack of accurate weather information, some legs of their flight were extremely hazardous. They were on oxygen most of the flight as they flew at altitudes from 19,000 to 23,000 feet. Odom landed at LaGuardia on April 16, 1947 having traveled 20,020 miles in 3D 6H 55M 56S. Because they did not apply to the Federal Aeronautique Internationale (FAI) before their flight, their arount-the-world mark was declared unofficial.		The trio departed from LaGuardia Airport in New York City on April 12, 1947 headed for Gander, Newfoundland to refuel for their Atlantic crossing. Minor mechanical difficulties were overcome on route. Because of the lack of accurate weather information, some legs of their flight were extremely hazardous. They were on oxygen most of the flight as they flew at altitudes from 19,000 to 23,000 feet. Odom landed at LaGuardia on April 16, 1947 having traveled 20,020 miles in 3D 6H 55M 56S. Because they did not apply to the Federal Aeronautique Internationale (FAI) before their flight, their arount-the-world mark was declared unofficial.

			What I find interesting about this trip is that despite Reynolds' modifications to lighten the plane, his plane flew roughly 3 miles per hour slower, on average, that Holzapple's flight. Where the modifications came in handy was in course planning. The extra fuel tanks allowed Reynolds' to stay airborne longer and fly further, thus allowing him to complete the journey in only 10 stops (as compared to Holzapple's 19), and that difference saved him more than 4,000 miles and almost 20 hours of flight time.

	===Details===		===Details===
	Miles Flown: 20,000 miles <br/>		Miles Flown: 20,000 miles <br/>
	Flying Time: 78H 55M 56S <br/>		Flying Time: 78H 55M 56S <br/>
			Average Speed: 253.382<br/>
	Plane Type: Douglas A-26B Invader<br/>		Plane Type: Douglas A-26B Invader<br/>

WikiSysop: /* Reynold's Bombshell */

2019-09-21T06:22:58Z

Reynold's Bombshell

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:22, 21 September 2019
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	==Reynold's Bombshell==		==Reynold's Bombshell==
			Milton Reynolds was impressed with the reliability and speed of the Douglas A-26 Invader. As a millionaire pen manufacturer, he purchased a surplus A-26 ([[44-34759]]) from the government to be used as a company plane. He envisioned that if he beat Howard Hughes' around-the-world flight record, it would give his company world-wide publicity in what amounted to a very expensive publicity stunt.

			Milton named the plane "Reynolds Bombshell" and set off on his mission. He started by having the plane stripped of all non-essential military gear and installed extra fuel tanks. He hired William Odom to be his pilot and T. Carroll Sallee as navigator. Reynolds wanted publicity for his company and setting a new around-the-world speed record would provide this exposure, especially since he tagged along as part of the crew.

			The trio departed from LaGuardia Airport in New York City on April 12, 1947 headed for Gander, Newfoundland to refuel for their Atlantic crossing. Minor mechanical difficulties were overcome on route. Because of the lack of accurate weather information, some legs of their flight were extremely hazardous. They were on oxygen most of the flight as they flew at altitudes from 19,000 to 23,000 feet. Odom landed at LaGuardia on April 16, 1947 having traveled 20,020 miles in 3D 6H 55M 56S. Because they did not apply to the Federal Aeronautique Internationale (FAI) before their flight, their arount-the-world mark was declared unofficial.

			===Details===
			Miles Flown: 20,000 miles <br/>
			Flying Time: 78H 55M 56S <br/>
			Plane Type: Douglas A-26B Invader<br/>

			Pilot: William "Bill" Odom<br/>
			Co-Pilot/Navigator: T. "Tex" Carroll Sallee<br/>
			Radio: Milton Reynolds

			===Itinerary===
			*New York City - Departed on 04/12/47
			*Gander, Newfoundland
			*Paris, France
			*Cairo, Egypt
			*Karachi, Pakistan
			*Calcutta, India
			*Shanghai, China
			*Tokyo, Japan
			*Adak Island, Aleutians
			*Edmonton, Canada
			*New York City - Arrived on 4/16/47

WikiSysop at 06:08, 21 September 2019

2019-09-21T06:08:52Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:08, 21 September 2019
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	After World War II A-6 Invaders made two separate around-the-world flights, one by the US Military, and another by a wealthy ~~civilian a few years later~~.		After World War II A-26 Invaders made two separate around-the-world flights, one by the US Military, and another by the wealthy billionaire pen-manufacturer, Milton Reynolds.

	==Colonel Holzapple's Flight==		==Colonel Holzapple's Flight==

WikiSysop: /* Details */

2019-09-21T06:07:03Z

Details

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:07, 21 September 2019
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	Miles Flown: 24,859 miles<br/>		Miles Flown: 24,859 miles<br/>
	Duration Time: 96H 50M<br/>		Duration Time: 96H 50M<br/>
	Plane Type: Douglas A-26 Invader<br/>		Plane Type: Douglas A-26B Invader<br/>

	===Itinerary===		===Itinerary===
	*Savannah, GA - Departure on 11/25/45		*Savannah, GA - Departure on 11/25/45

WikiSysop at 06:05, 21 September 2019

2019-09-21T06:05:58Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:05, 21 September 2019
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	On November 25, 1945 they departed Savannah GA heading westward on their flight round-the-world. Four days later they returned to Washington DC having successfully circumnavigated the earth. They demonstrated to the world that US light bombers could be dispatched to any point in the world on quick notice. They circumnavigated the globe in 4 days.		On November 25, 1945 they departed Savannah GA heading westward on their flight round-the-world. Four days later they returned to Washington DC having successfully circumnavigated the earth. They demonstrated to the world that US light bombers could be dispatched to any point in the world on quick notice. They circumnavigated the globe in 4 days.

			===Details===
			Miles Flown: 24,859 miles<br/>
			Duration Time: 96H 50M<br/>
			Plane Type: Douglas A-26 Invader<br/>

	===Itinerary===		===Itinerary===

WikiSysop: /* Colonel Holzapple's Flight */

2019-09-21T06:03:15Z

Colonel Holzapple's Flight

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:03, 21 September 2019
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	Colonel Joseph Randall "Randy" Holzapple, Commander of the 319th Bombardment Group was, by all accounts, a good commander. He made a career out of the Air Force and retired as a full General. He got his start with the Air Force during WWII and commanded his bomb group from one end of the Earth to the other, literally. But after the war was over he wanted to mark his place in history before the dissolution of the wartime Army Air Forces. He wanted to be remembered as something more than a good commander. He obtained Pentagon permission to demonstrate the capabilities of the Douglas A-26 Invader on a flight round-the-world. He selected Lt Col Charles R Meyers as his co-pilot and Lt Otto H Schumacher as navigator. Corporal Howard J Walden joined the crew as radio operator.		Colonel Joseph Randall "Randy" Holzapple, Commander of the 319th Bombardment Group was, by all accounts, a good commander. He made a career out of the Air Force and retired as a full General. He got his start with the Air Force during WWII and commanded his bomb group from one end of the Earth to the other, literally. But after the war was over he wanted to mark his place in history before the dissolution of the wartime Army Air Forces. He wanted to be remembered as something more than a good commander. He obtained Pentagon permission to demonstrate the capabilities of the Douglas A-26 Invader on a flight round-the-world. He selected Lt Col Charles R Meyers as his co-pilot and Lt Otto H Schumacher as navigator. Corporal Howard J Walden joined the crew as radio operator.

	On November 25, 1945 they departed Savannah GA heading westward on their flight round-the-world. Four days later they returned to Washington DC having successfully circumnavigated the earth. They demonstrated to the world that US light bombers could be dispatched to any point in the world on quick notice.		On November 25, 1945 they departed Savannah GA heading westward on their flight round-the-world. Four days later they returned to Washington DC having successfully circumnavigated the earth. They demonstrated to the world that US light bombers could be dispatched to any point in the world on quick notice. They circumnavigated the globe in 4 days.

	===Itinerary===		===Itinerary===