The Descriptive Finding Guide for the China National Aviation Corporation Collection SDASM.SC.10025

Finding aid prepared by Alan Renga

San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives

2001 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park

San Diego, CA, 92101

(619) 234-8291

11/10/14

Title: China National Aviation Corporation Collection

Identifier/Call Number: SDASM.SC.10025

Contributing Institution: San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives

Language of Material: English

Physical Description: 0.21 Cubic feet 10” X 15” X 2.5” box containing a Pass-Down Log

Date (inclusive): 1929-1949

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.

Conditions Governing Access note

The collection is open to researchers by appointment.

Conditions Governing Use note

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

Immediate Source of Acquisition note

The materials in this Collection were donated to the San Diego Air and Space Museum.

Preferred Citation note

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

Biographical/Historical note

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.

Scope and Contents note

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.

Other Finding Aids note

The log book contains abbreviations, some of which are included here: NKG - Nanking SCG - Sichang CKG - Chunking KMG - Kunming TMW - Tomorrow PL - Plane WX - Weather COP - Co-Pilot (first officer) DJN - Dinjan, India HKW - Hankow, China SHA - Shanghai China CATC Central Air Transport Corporation

Also note that dates and times are listed in the log together. Example: 230015 means 11:00 P.M. on the fifteenth.

Related Archival Materials note

Crouch, Gregory. China’s Wings: War, intrigue, Romance, and Adventure in the Middle Kingdom during the golden age of flight. New York: Bantam Books,2012. http://207.67.203.79/S92006Staff/OPAC/TitleView/CompleteDisplay.aspx?FromOPAC=true&DbCode=0&PatronCode=0&Language=english&RwSearchCode=0&WordHits=&BibCodes=4200074

Willit, Robert L. An Airline at War: Pan Am’s China National Aviation Corporation and its men. Booksurge Publishing, 2008. http://207.67.203.79/S92006Staff/OPAC/TitleView/CompleteDisplay.aspx?FromOPAC=true&DbCode=0&PatronCode=0&Language=english&RwSearchCode=0&WordHits=&BibCodes=4229587

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Chiang, Kai-shek, 1887-1975

China National Aviation Corporation.

Mcdonald, William C.

Central Air Transport Corporation

China

China Burma India Theater (CBI)

China National Aviation Corporation (CNAC)

Curtiss C-47 Commando

Curtiss-Wright Aircraft

Douglas DC-3 Family

Pan American World Airways, Inc.

Box 01

Folder 01 – Collection Information

Physical Description: 1. Letter from Donor.

Folder 02 – Pass Down Log

Physical Description: 1. CNAC pass down log from August through October 1945. Notes that had been left loose in the log were removed and placed in Folder 03.

Folder 03 – Notes

Physical Description: The following were tucked into page with “Bivens Makes Last Trip 9/15” entry. 1. Sept. 20 note, McDonald cy ZMW Cal Woods, OD Djn, Sharp Shai. 2. CNAC Memorandum. “I hereby release SNAC_ and its employees from any Responsibility in connection with my trip into China…” Cpl. Richard B. Ratcliffe. 3. Note on Pan American stationary, 3/3 to Chuck Sharp, from Jack. 4. Page torn out, undated, “Haupt says only needs one PL for Bonnie and THAT NOT UNTIL TONIGHT!!” The following were tucked into page with “Ray, Oct 6, a Mr. Micklown from the Red Cross…” 5. Note, “OD Djn, Sept. 26 Captain copilot assignments.” 6. CNAC note, “Advise pilots use caution with altimeter settings…”