Pan American Clippers: The Golden Age of Flying Boats

This book was a nice change from the normal Pan Am storytelling format where they gloss over the early years and get to the jets. This author defined his time period and then took the time to flesh out lots of information about the boats, their accidents and mishaps. Some of the claims represented in this book don't quite line up with what I've read in other recountings, but they were on smaller details that were not significant. The author spent a great deal of time researching the records to get a good recounting of the flying boats, and even goes so far as to list them all and their disposition. It's a nice thorough job of presenting the story and is accompanied by lots of photos. I'm very glad I bought this and am happy to have it in my collection of Pan Am books.

Beautiful coffee table book. Seller did a great job getting it to me before Christmas.

This book is, first of all, a real bargain. For a comparitively modest price, you get a large book full of pictures and history. I don't know how they did it for the price.The book has fabulous photos of the Pan Am Clippers. It must have been something to cross the Pacific on a clipper, flying in great luxury andstyle. Those who flew on the clippers dressed up for the occasion, andand showed a considerable amount of class. How far removed fromt the cattle car elements of today's air travel.Only one thing would have made the book better. Photos of the cockpits and crew spaces of the various clippers would have been a great addition.I have seen the photos in other books on the subject, so I know they are out there.Still, this book is terrific. I recommend it very highly.

I own an aviation company that restores military surplus aircraft so I purchase a lot of books on vintage aircraft. Ahhh...if ONLY there was a Clipper out there to restore!Simply put, this book is AMAZING. I was absolutely ENTHRALLED with it and have given several as gifts. At almost 300 pages, PAN AMERICAN CLIPPERS has a gajillion pictures of planes, posters, interior shots, pilots....it is so historically accurate and interesting. The point is that you won't find the same ol' same ol' photos inside.The Clipper truly belong to another era. An era where a man's word was his bond; where men took pride in their work; where "the elite" wanted to travel in style.We own an Albatross with hydraulic jet skis attached to the pods. It has a "James Bondesque" LOL sort of feel. But truthfully? While it comes CLOSE, the Clipper is the kind of aircraft that belongs to a different time.

First rate story of the Pan Am clipper flying boats in the 1930s and early 1940s. The book also tells the use of the flying boats during World War II as they were purchased or chartered by the US Navy. The fate of every flying boat is also described. Specifications (dimensions, engine horsepower, weights, ranges, cargo and passenger capacity and so forth) are given in an Appendix. The only minor disappointment is that there are few color photos -- probably because color photography was rare in the 1930s. But there are plenty of period black and white photos.

James Trautman takes up back to the early years of transoceanic airline travel with historical photos and interesting details of Pan American Airways.From the front cover that is a famous poster ad to the historical chronology of Juan Tripp and his quest for airline innovation, this book will entertain not only the aviation enthusiast, but also the history buff interested in the first half of the twentieth century.The next time you travel through LaGuardia Airport, look for the Marine Air Terminal and let you mind travel back to the wonderful era so thoroughly chronicled in the delightful book.

The photos are the best part of this book, but the text provides meaningful commentary about one of the world's great companies. Every bit as pioneering as some of the great companies in history, Pan American World Airways established modern trade routes in the air and made modern air travel possible. This is a great book and one that I got for a friend too.

This book covers the history and romance of Pan American Clippers. It's a "coffee table" size, but keep it out in view or you'll forget it's on your bookshelf. Not the kind of book to read in one sitting, but you'll go through a section here and a section there over time, and on a winter's day, the romance of travel via clipper will have you looking up and thinking about how fun it would be to visit faraway places in this gone forever mode of travel.

A large and excellent illustrated chronicle of the old flying boats and delicious versed promptly. Just what I was after - thanks.

Evocative of a lost age of air travel. In truth probably not as comfortable or as safe as today but oh so stylish. Not a trainer or t shirt in sight!A book to read or just dip into from time to time. Perfect and good value too.

Fascinating glimpse of a past age, well written and well illustrated. Highly recommended.

A wonderful book full of cool pictures. Paper is top quality, articles very interesting. This book certainly it worth it's price, which isn't much by the way.

Les clippers, ces hydravions qui traversaient le Pacifique, l'océan indien ou l'Atlantique dns les années 1920 et 1930 m'ont toujours fait rêver. Voyager à bord de ces bateaux volants devaient être un moment unique, réservé à quelques privilégiés. Cette part de rêve est bien présente dans le livre avec de belles photos et de jolies affiches. C'est réussi sur le plan visuel. Par contre, le texte n'apporte pas grand-chose et surtout il existe des erreurs dans les légendes des images. Dommage.