Landmark #775 | Orange County | Visited: November 12, 2012 | Plaque? YES! 🙂 |
What is it? | A small plaque overlooking a parking lot and the beach! |
What makes it historical? | THE GUIDE SAYS: On May 10, 1912, Glenn L. Martin flew his own plane, built in Santa Ana, from the waters of the Pacific Ocean at Balboa to Catalina Island. This was the first water-to-water flight, and the longest and fastest overwater flight, to that date. On his return to the mainland, Martin carried the day’s mail from Catalina-another first.
OTHER TIDBITS: Glenn Martin was a pioneering airplane manufacturer, who started flying in 1909 and claimed to be the first person to take his mom flying and to shoot video from a plane! What we know for sure is that he built the Army’s first tractor-type trainer, the first multi-passenger seaplane, the first twin-engine American bomber (the MB-1), and a new type of pack parachute! His Glenn L. Martin Company was also responsible for creating the B-10 bomber, the B-26 Marauder, and the China Clipper, the first trans-Pacific mail plane! |
How can I Help the Helpers? | HERE’S HOW:
|
Where is this place? | LISTED DIRECTIONS: S end of Main St at Ocean Front (Balboa) Newport Beach, CA 92661 ANNOTATIONS: From Los Angeles: ~44mi (71km) — 0.8hrs |
When should I go? | Whenever the mood strikes you! |