China National Aviation Corporation Collection, 1929-1949

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Summary

Abstract:
China National Aviation Corporation (CNAC) was founded as a partnership between Curtiss Aircraft and the Chinese Nationalist Government in 1929. This Collection contains a Pass Down Log from CNAC. The pass down log in this collection is a written communication between various individuals such as Hugh Woods, a manager, and pilots such as Donald Wong, Moon Chin, Jay Thom, and others.
Extent:
0.21 Cubic feet 10” X 15” X 2.5” box containing a Pass-Down Log
Language:
Preferred citation:

[Item], [Filing Unit], [Series Title], [Subgroups], [Record Group Title and Number], [Repository “San Diego Air & Space Museum Library & Archives”]

Background

Scope and content:

This collection consists of a 10” X 15” X 2.5” box containing a Pass-Down Log from the China National Aviation Corporation base in Dinjan, India. This pass-down log extends from August to October, 1945. It involves day-to-day operations of China National Aviation Corporation (CNAC). In addition to the log pages, there are within the book various memorandums and communiques loosely pressed into the book.

Biographical / historical:

China National Aviation Corporation (CNAC) was founded as a partnership between Curtiss Aircraft and the Chinese Nationalist Government in 1929. The manager was an American named Clement Keys. After accidents and disagreements with Chiang Kai-Shek, the Chinese Nationalist president, Keys sold his interest to Pan American Airways in 1933. The airline used the Douglas DC-3 (military C-47) Skytrain and the Curtiss C-46 Commando to haul passengers and cargo from India “over the Hump” (“the hump” being the name given by Allied pilots in World War II to the eastern end of the Himalayan Mountains) from Dinjan, India to cities in central China. Military airlifts began in 1942 and continued until 1949 when the Communist government created a new airline called Central Air Transportation Corporation. This company took over all operations from CNAC.

The pass down log in this collection is a written communication between various individuals such as Hugh Woods, a manager, and pilots such as Donald Wong, Moon Chin, Jay Thom, and others.

Acquisition information:
The materials in this Collection were donated to the San Diego Air and Space Museum.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open to researchers by appointment.

Terms of access:

Some copyright may be reserved. Consult with the library director for more information.

Preferred citation:

[Item], [Filing Unit], [Series Title], [Subgroups], [Record Group Title and Number], [Repository “San Diego Air & Space Museum Library & Archives”]

Location of this collection:
2001 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park
San Diego, CA 92101, US
Contact:
(619) 234-8291
archives@sdasm.org
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