China Clipper - Popular Culture

Popular Culture

• The China Clipper is the craft that was used as the initial primary transport for the heroes of the 1937 children's radio serial Speed Gibson of the International Secret Police.
• The China Clipper was referred to as "Sweet Sixteen" by Pan American personnel. The "Sixteen" is a reference to the aircraft's registration number NC14716.
• First National Pictures released a movie called China Clipper in 1936. It made use of much stock footage of the airplane and was one of Humphrey Bogart's early roles.
• Both the United States and Philippine Islands issued stamps for Air Mail carried on the first flights in each direction of PAA's Transpacific "China Clipper" service between San Francisco, CA, and Manila, PI. (November 22 – December 6, 1935)

• In the Monkees spoken word song, 'Zilch' (found on their album Headquarters), Davy Jones contributed to the cacophony by repeating the phrase 'China Clipper calling Alameda'.