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China National Aviation Corporation, 1929–1949

From its uncertain beginnings to its remarkable successes as Asia’s first sustained commercial airline, the China National Aviation Corporation blazed a trail unlike any other in the history of commercial air transport. For two decades, CNAC pioneered air operations over much of the world’s most challenging terrain. These included the route system over the Himalaya, an area between India and China known as "the Hump." Daring to fly at extreme altitudes through all types of harsh weather conditions, the skilled and adventurous pilots of CNAC established an aerial lifeline to China.

The company's achievements occurred in the midst of—and were dramatically influenced by— a period of continuous political upheaval and wartime conditions throughout the region. CNAC's personnel continuously operated and adapted its air services during civil war, invasion, occupation, world war, and revolution. In opening the skies over China and beyond as a carrier of passengers, airmail, and cargo, CNAC became an important strategic asset during a time of great conflict.

The Aircraft of CNAC

CNAC used a wide variety of aircraft from 1929 to 1949. All the known data on CNAC Aircraft can be found on the CNAC Aircraft page listed in a table. If you are searching for one particular aircraft type, you may click any of the aircraft shown below to view all the details about the plane and its uses by CNAC.

1929 Started Service - C.N.A.C.
Loening C-2H Air Yacht
1930 Started Service - C.N.A.C.
Stinson SM-1F Detroiter
1933 Started Service - C.N.A.C.
Sikorsky S-38
1934 Started Service - C.N.A.C.
Douglas Dolphin 129
1935 Started Service - C.N.A.C.
Stearman (Boeing) Trainer
1935 Started Service - C.N.A.C.
Douglas DC-2
1935 Started Service - C.N.A.C.
Ford 5-AT-D Trimotor
1937 Started Service - C.N.A.C.
Sikorsky S-43
1938 Started Service - C.N.A.C.
Consolidated Commodore Model 16-1
1939 Started Service - C.N.A.C.
Beech D17R
1939 Started Service - C.N.A.C.
Douglas DC-3
1939 Started Service - C.N.A.C.
de Havilland D.H.89A Dragon Rapide
1940 Started Service - C.N.A.C.
Vultee V-1A
1940 Started Service - C.N.A.C.
Curtiss T-32 Condor II
1942 Started Service - C.N.A.C.
Douglas DC-53
1942 Started Service - C.N.A.C.
Douglas C-47

Books About CNAC

Do you want to learn more about CNAC? Who were the courageous American Pilots flying for CNAC? How did Pan Am fit in? Why was conquering "The Hump" so important in World War II? There are many books about the men and women, the places, the adversities and the extraordinary accomplishments of CNAC during its two decades existence.