Round-the-World Flights

Lanphier Round-the-World Flight

Page 3o (rev: 1000)

Cover	Cachet	Lanphier Autograph	Lanphier(L)Barber(R)	Yamamoto Mission

	In 1949 the Air Force Association promoted an "AVIAbility" program to dramatize the 
progress of aviation.  To publicize this program, the Air Force selected Thomas G. Lanphier Jr 
to make a promotional round-the-world trip on regularly scheduled US commercial aircraft.  He 
carried a letter from President Truman commemorating the 46th Anniversary of powered flight 
which was stamped and post-marked in each of the twelve countries he visited. 

	Lanphier was in the air 3D 11H 43M over 4D 23H 47M on five different US commercial 
aircraft.  His round-the-world ticket cost $1,548.75.

	He cut 27H 28M off the previous record made by Edward Eagan in 1948.  Lanphier's RTW 
record stood until 1953 when it was beaten by Horace Boren.

Itinerary:
Departed LaGuardia Airport, New York City NY 			12/02/49
	Pan American Constellation "Paul Jones" 
		Gander, Newfoundland
		London, England
		Brussels, Belgium
		Basra, Iraq
		Karachi, Pakistan
		New Delhi, India
		Bangkok, Thailand
		Hong Kong
	Pan American DC-4
		Okinawa
		Tokyo, Japan
	Pan American Stratocruiser
		Midway Island
		Honolulu, HI
	United DC-6
		Los Angeles, CA
		Chicago, IL
	American DC-6
Arrived LaGuardia Airport, New York City NY			12/07/49

Question: Who really shot down the Japanese aircraft carrying Admiral Yamamoto?

Time:               Sunday, April 18, 1943
Place:              Near Bougainville Island 300 miles NW of Guadacanal.
Japan:              2 Mitsubishi Betty Bombers & 6 Mitsubishi Zero Fighters
United States:      16 Lockheed P-38 Lightnings
Note:               Yamamoto was the mastermind of the Pearl Harbor attack.

Official Account:   Thomas G. Lanphier Jr shot down Yamamoto. 
Unofficial Account: Either Rex T. Barber or Thomas G. Lanphier Jr shot down Yamamoto.

Epilogue:           The controversy has thrived for 60 years & may well continue forever.

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