From August 9 to December 10, 1947, Clifford Evans and George Truman circled the globe in their Piper Super Cruisers, covering 35,897 kilometers (22,436 miles), the first time light personal aircraft accomplished such a feat. Evans flew the City of Washington while Truman flew the City of The Angels, now at the Piper Aviation Museum in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania.

The PA-12 was a more powerful J-5 Cruiser, with an electric starter, navigation lights, and a cabin heater. For the flight, Piper Aircraft arranged for second-hand planes and extra fuel tanks while radio and navigation equipment were also donated. Evans built a drift meter for each aircraft. Flags of each nation they visited were hand-painted on the fuselages' left sides and 53 of 55 city stops on the right sides.

Display Status

This object is on display in Sport Aviation at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA.

Sport Aviation

Object Details

Date

1946

Country of Origin

United States of America

Type

CRAFT-Aircraft

Pilot

Clifford Evans

Manufacturer

Piper Aircraft Corp.

Physical Description

Single engine, two seat, high wing, monoplane, yellow and red, first light aircraft to fly around the world

Dimensions

Wingspan: 10.8 m (35 ft 5 in)
Length: 6.86 m (22 ft 6 in)
Height: 2.08 m (6 ft 10 in)
Weight, empty: 454 kg (1,000 lb)
Weight, gross: 793 kg (1,750 lb)
Top Speed: 184 km/h (115 mph)
Engine: Lycoming O-235-C, 100 hp

Materials

Fuselage: steel tube with fabric cover

Inventory Number

A19500101000

Credit Line

Gift of Piper Aircraft Company

Data Source

National Air and Space Museum

Restrictions & Rights

Open Access (CCO)
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