“AROUND THE WORLD“ 1924 FLIGHT OF THE DOUGLAS WORLD CRUISERS 1st AERIAL CIRCUMNAVIGATION 84324

Want to support this channel and help us preserve old films? Visit Visit our website “Around the World Newsreel” () is a silent, black-and-white newsreel film chronicling the first circumnavigation of the globe by air, which was achieved in 1924 by a team of aviators from the U.S. Army Air Service. The trip began April 6th, 1924 in Seattle, Washington, lasted 175 days, covered approximately 27,000 miles, and included landings in 22 different countries. The United States Army Air Service commissioned the Douglas Aircraft Company to design and build its Douglas World Cruiser (DWC) for the first flight around the world. Because the flight would take place over land and water, the aircraft featured interchangeable floats and wheels. The Boeing Co. modified the aircraft for the attempt. Four aircraft, each named after a city in the U.S.—Seattle, Chicago, Boston and New Orleans, began the record attempt. Of the original four, only two completed the 27,553-mile journey back to the starting point. (The “Seattle“ was destroyed in a crash, and “Boston“ sank after being forced down in the sea by a mechanical failure.) Aerial view of three DWC aircrafts flying over land (0:12). Crowds gather on piers at marina and look upwards towards the sky (0:15). General Patrick hands final orders to Major Frederick L. Martin, who piloted “Seattle” (0:37). Army airplanes start first leg of 30,000 mile trip around the globe from Clover Field in Santa Monica, California - crowds gathered along Santa Monica Pier (0:44). Mrs. Martin christens Plane No.1 “Seattle” before take off by hitting white cloth against propeller engine (0:59). Major Martin and other crew members place luggage on plane; Last minute inspections and adjustments (1:15). Flight crew and families picnic lunch beside plane; Major Martin and wife playfully break wishbone of turkey (1:46). Crew service plane, pour fuel into engine (2:51). Map of West Coast of America charting flight path highlighting Sitka, Seattle, San Francisco, Santa Monica, Los Angeles (3:09). Aerial footage from escort plane as it accompanies DWC flyers to Sacramento (3:16). Naval Officers arrive in Yetorufu, Kuril Islands, Japan to prepare for flyers coming from America; Women, children in kimonos line up along path and wave white flags as officers arrive (3:42). Various generations of local community put on celebratory dance to welcome visitors; Naval officers’ uniforms contrast colorful, patterned kimonos of locals (4:18). DWC flyers arrive in Japan; Lieutenant Lowell Smith takes over as first command after Major Martin crashes in Alaska (4:51). Junk ships gather in harbor off island as welcome gesture to flyers; Brass band plays music (5:21). Chinese aviation officers greet Lieutenants Nelson and Wade (5:55). DWC flyers arrive in Calcutta, India - locals swarm to shores wearing white tunics, cheering on arrival (6:02). DWC flyers land in Le Bourget Flying Field just outside Paris on Bastille Day; Local media gather at air field and point perhaps 35mm newsreel cameras up at sky; Crowds swarm plane (6:58). Laurent Eynac of French Air Ministry congratulates flyers (8:06). Planes take off for journey to London (8:37). View from sky as English planes escort flyers to Croydon Aerodrome, London over English Channel; Planes land (9:03). Wife of British Airman Archibald Stuart-MacLaren greets flyers (9:32). Map charting flightpath highlighting Kirkwall, Ivigtut (Greenland), New York (10:03). Lieutenant Smith landing DWC in small town of Scottish Archipelago Orkney Islands; Naval officers meet flyers in boats and bring them ashore (10:39). Crowds, boats line Boston Harbor as they await arrival of flyers; Planes land in harbor (11:29). Reception at Boston Common: Major General Patrick, Mayor Curley present Lieutenants Smith and Nelson with watches (13:28). Planes prepared for overland journey - pontoons replaced with wheels; Major General Patrick inspects planes (14:05). Flyers arrive in San Francisco and are greeted by cheering crowds (14:28). Flyers arrive in Seattle, Washington ending World Flight: Footage of planes in sky (15:58). They completed the journey after 175 days, arriving on September 28, after making 74 stops and covering about 27,550 miles. Arrival of airmen in Washington D.C. for decoration ceremony - greeted by President Coolidge and Secretary of War John W. Weeks (17:20). Film ends (17:38). This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit