Welcome to Warbird Wednesday! Today, we are looking at a “flying boat” known as the Boeing 314 Clipper. Introduced in 1939 and retired in 1948, this aircraft left a mark on aviation history. Out of the 12 built, nine served Pan American Airways. Offering opulent amenities such as sleeping berths, the Clipper provided a luxurious travel experience. Its success was owed to the highly skilled PanAm crews, adept at mastering water landings and open ocean operations. During World War II, the military acquired and leased back these flying boats, utilizing their long-range capabilities. Eventually, they made way for newer aircraft like the Lockheed Constellation and DC-4.