The ATC, The World’s Air Bridge during World War II

During the Early days of World War II, the US Air Corps Ferrying Command  did its best to keep the planes and supplies needed by the Allies all over the world.  There were several routes encompassing the North Atlantic, the mid Atlantic through the Azores, the southern Atlantic via  Brazil – Africa – India and Australia and beyond, the North Pacific via the Aleutians in Russia, the mid-Pacific through Hawaii and the southern Pacific across the islands to Australia.  As the war picked up in early 1942 after Pearl Harbor on December 7 of the preceding year, the Air Corps Ferrying Command was taxed far beyond its limits and had reached critical mass. General Happ Arnold immediately set to remedy the situation.

On June 29, 1942 General Orders #8 was signed and the Ferrying Command became the Air Transport Command and the    I Troop Carrier Command became official as the transportation specialists for Airborne and Glider Units.   The Air Transport Command served honorably and far above and beyond expectations throughout the war.   Lter on in my blog you will see a grouping of Thomas K Hampton who eventually served as a commander in the ATC reaching the rank of Colonel and helping orchestrate and execute the Berlin Airlift in 1948 and 49.

For your enjoyment, below is and Air Transport Command  Captain’s Wing with  the Captain’s Star brazed to the top instead of being continuous with the shield as many of the post 1940  Senior Pilot wings were in the Army Air Corps and the Army Air Force.    These wings are actually quite rare and difficult to find.

The findings (pin assembly ) on the back of the wings are actually made of bronze just like the wing is and soldered right into the wing itself which is unique and very attractive.  The pilot using these wings discarded the pin lock in the catch because it was fully unnecessary as the pin is situated in a way where the leverage of the pin as it was attached to the wing at the hinge, made a very snug and secure fit into the clasp.

My email eph2@morrisbb.net if anyone likes to rap about wings!