California Clipper picture in Archer's quarters, 2151
The California Clipper (NC-18602) was an American Boeing 314 long-range flying boat. This plane was in service with the Pan American Airways (PAA), and sported an American flag on its nose. In 1939, this plane, newly commissioned, was photographed over the San Francisco Bay by Clyde Sunderland. In the photo, the California Clipper was approaching the bay from the west, and had just passed over San Francisco. In the distance, the Golden Gate Bridge could be seen linking the Presidio to the Marin Headlands.
In 2151, this classic photo was displayed in Captain Jonathan Archer's quarters on the starship Enterprise NX-01. (ENT: "Broken Bow", "Fortunate Son")
Background information[]
This photo was likely in homage to Gene Roddenberry, who was a pilot for Pan Am during his early career. In 1946, the California Clipper, after logging more than a million flight miles, was retired from service. This plane was scrapped in 1950. The plane was named after California.
The photography was sold off at Christie's 40 Years of Star Trek: The Collection auction. [1]