NINETY YEARS AGO, THE HUNTER BROTHERS SPENT 23 DAYS IN FLIGHT WITHOUT LANDING

NINETY YEARS AGO, THE HUNTER BROTHERS SPENT 23 DAYS IN FLIGHT WITHOUT LANDING.



Ninety years ago today, the four Hunter brothers began their journey to break the world record for Duration in an airplane with a flight that was to last an incredible 23 days!

The roles of the brothers were defined as follows: John and Kenneth were the pilots of record plane the City of Chicago, while Albert and Walter worked as the refuelling crew in the Big Ben. Together, they remained airborne for 553h 41m 30s, on a distance equivalent to one and a half times around the world.


             John and Kenneth Hunter

Taking off from Sky Harbour Airport, USA, on 11 June, the City of Chicago, a Stinson-Detroiter aircraft, landed on 4 July 1930 at the same location, eventually forced to land because of technical issues.

The Stinson-Detroiter during an in-flight technical check.


The flight itself was anything but smooth. Many repairs had to be undertaken, from the oiling of engine parts to the replacement of aircraft pieces. Foreseeing the difficulties that might arise inflight, the brothers had attached an external catwalk on both sides of the plane. This special equipment allowed Kenneth, the youngest brother, to get out of the cabin and access – at great personal risk – both the engine or the tail, in order to perform checks and repairs.

Time, engine revolutions, oil pressure, oil temperature, speed and altitude log written down by the pilots on 4 July 1930, the last day of the flight

A considerable crowd was present to welcome the courageous pilots back to the ground, while media from all over the country reported the achievement. The flight and all the proceedings were checked by the National Aeronautic Association of the USA, allowing the record to be subsequently ratified by FAI.


Letter to the National Aeronautic Association of USA confirming the ratification of the record by the FAI

Photo credit: FAI; Top picture: the Hunter brothers, Albert, Kenneth, John and Walter



We hope that you have enjoyed reading our blog on the world history and facts. If you enjoy this blog please let us know in the comments below. If you are interested in history, we recommend you check out our other blogs here on the world history and facts. Thank you for reading.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

The Death Of Tightrope Walker Karl Wallenda (video).

The capture of brave Russian officer Rosinski

Rudolf Hoess, the commandant of the Auschwitz concentration camp, is hanged next to the crematorium at the camp, 1947–world history and facts

“The experience I learned was that … if you leave decision to the public, you can be killed…

The terror of the execution wheel

80 years ago today is when World War II: Rostov-on-Don, Russia is liberated.

Skull wearing a medieval chainmail from a mass grave on the Island of Gotland, Sweden.

Bluetooth technology was named after a Viking king by the name of Harald Bluetooth who died over 1,000 years ago.

Nanking Massacre and raped victim

Hannah Halley - for infanticide.