Pan American's Stratocruisers plied the route to Australia until replaced by the Boeing 707s. And a little beyond. For a short time Stratocruisers continued to operate to Sydney via Auckland due to airport limitations in New Zealand. The Auckland-Sydney leg was dropped and DC-7Cs replaced the Strats until a new Auckland airport was completed. N1023V was written off at Manila on June 2, 1958. Photo from: State Library of New South Wales

"Clipper America" was the second Sratocruiser for PAWA, first flying on 17 April 1948. Seen on a photo sortie, it was delivered on 19 March 1949. It was wrecked at Manila on 2 June 1958 when the pilot made a heavy landing which forced both main landing gears back up into their respective bays causing extensive structural damage. During the belly slide one #3 blade broke off and penetrated the cabin, plus the nose gear sheared off. Obtained from PAWA 60 years ago.