China National Aviation Corporation Collection
Scope and Contents
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.
Dates
- 1929 - 1949
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open to researchers by appointment.
Conditions Governing Use
Some copyright may be reserved. Consult with the library director for more information.
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.
Extent
0.21 Cubic Feet (10” X 15” X 2.5” box containing a Pass-Down Log )
Language of Materials
English
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.
Other Finding Aids
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.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The materials in this Collection were donated to the San Diego Air and Space Museum.
- Title
- The Descriptive Finding Guide for the China National Aviation Corporation Collection
- Author
- Alan Renga
- Date
- 11/10/14
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives Repository
2001 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park
San Diego 92101 USA US
(619) 234-8291
(619) 233-4525 (Fax)