The Boeing B-314 has become the "quintessential" Clipper Flying Boat - the one people think of when they recall the era during which Foynes flourished as the hub of aviation activity between North America and Europe. In all, there were twelve of the aircraft built, eleven of which actually flew into Foynes at some time or another, but sadly none remain intact today to see. Indeed, we were shocked when visiting the prestigious Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. to find only a miniature version of the aircraft in a small glass case. It is for this reason that our Manager and Curator, Margaret O`Shaughnessy, decided that we need to offer our visitors the experience of how it must have actually been to be a passenger on one of these wonderful aircraft. Here is how she put it:

"We had the original idea to build just one compartment of the aircraft, to show the luxury of traveling in those days. Boeing had given us copies a long time ago, and we showed them to John Harrison, our Historical Interpreter and Designer in Co. Galway. John is steeped in Flying Boat History from listening to me carry on all these years, and he loved the idea! He engaged Bill Fallover from Wicklow, who came over to discuss the building of this one cabin.
     "I showed Bill what we had in drawings and information from Boeing, along with lots of black & white photographs and any other information we had in our archives. Bill took all this away and then returned saying we should build a full scale model!!!! We thought he must be mad, but he was convinced that he could do it. Bill works in the film set building business and also does some TV adverts, so he was familiar with what it would take. He is an extremely imaginative and gifted craftsman, and working with his two sons Harry & Joe, they have created some amazing sets.
     "So now we had the idea and the physical means to get the project underway, but of course it all needed money to get started. We sincerely felt this would be a world class exhibit - the only one like it in the world, and one that Ireland would be proud of for years to come. So, we went to Minister John O'Donoghue, Minister for Arts Sport & Tourism, and asked him for more funding to try and build this aircraft. Minister O'Donoghue immediately saw the potential for the project, and he agreed to give us more funding so that the project could begin. It sounds easier than it was, of course, but Minister O'Donoghue was eventually able to secure the funds, and we owe him a great debt of thanks.
     "It took Bill and his Team approximately 10 months to build our replica at their base in Co Wicklow, and during the process we had several trips there to see the progress. Eventually it was transported in sections by night in big wide loads to Foynes, lifted in on site by large cranes and assembled there on site, where it sits today."

The entire process was filmed from the very beginning, and along with other materials we are now in the process of finalising a documentary on the project. The documentary will be the history of the Boeing 314 and will feature some of the crew that flew them.

Most recently (August 2007) we have traveled to Atlanta to film an interview with Captain Chuck Martin (Retired), formerly of World Airways and Delta Air Lines, who was the Captain of the B314 "Bermuda Sky Queen" that was forced to land in the mid-Atlantic in 1947. We were also fortunate to interview Lt. Mike Hall, USCG (Retired), former Gunnery Officer of the rescue ship, USCGC Bibb. Fortunately all 62 passengers and 7 crew were saved, but the aircraft had to be sunk by gunfire to prevent it's becoming a hazard to navigation. There is an interesting account of the rescue written by Richard Dolman, son of Michael W. Dolman, a Merchant Seaman who was a passenger on the ill-fated flight.

Here are some photos of our own Boeing 314 "Yankee Clipper". And, here are some pictures taken during the Martin-Hall interview.

We hope you have enjoyed this brief history or our replica aircraft. It is very much a work in progress, as we hope to add more interesting information about our replica and the original Boeing 314's over time.