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THE FIRST WORLD FLIGHT

April 6, 1924 - September 28, 1924

In 1924, a flight of four U.S. Army Air Service aircraft attempted to complete the first circumnavigation of the globe by air. The World Flight that officially began in Seattle, Washington on April 6, 1924 ended 175 days later on September 28. The flight made 74 stops and covered over 27,553 miles. Of the original four aircraft to start the trip, only two completed the circuit. The aircraft over flew the all of the world's oceans and encountered climatic extremes from the Arctic to the tropics.

Presented to the commander of the world flight, Lt. Lowell Smith, by the Explorers Club.

Display Status

This object is on display in Barron Hilton Pioneers of Flight at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC.

Barron Hilton Pioneers of Flight

Object Details

Date

1925

Country of Origin

United States of America

Type

AWARDS-Medals & Ribbons

Physical Description

Bronze Explorers Club medal presented to Lt. Lowell Smith; Obverse: relief of an Explorer figure depicted with sailing ship in the background, embossed text "THE EXPLORERS CLUB"; Reverse: inscribed text "LIEUTENANT LOWELL H. SMITH CIRCUMNAVIGATOR PATHFINDER OF THE AIR 1925"

Dimensions

3-D: 5.3 × 0.3 × 7.9cm (2 1/16 × 1/8 × 3 1/8 in.)

Materials

Overall: Bronze

Inventory Number

A19840683000

Credit Line

Donated by Mrs. Lowell H. Smith

Data Source

National Air and Space Museum

Restrictions & Rights

Usage conditions apply
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