Flight of Lituanica

Ambition for trans-Atlantic flight was born in 1927, when Steponas Darius returned to USA and started working on civil aviation. But it not much was done to fulfill that ambition until 1932, when he with another ambitious pilot, Stasys Girenas purchased Bellanca CH-300 Pacemaker aircraft from Pal-Waukee Company for 3200 US dollars for the purpose.It was a single-engine, six-seat, high-wing monoplane. The fuselage was welded chrome-moly steel tubing covered with fabric. The cabin interior was covered with a sound-absorbing material. The fuselage had side and top windows, with doors on both sides. The wings were of wooden construction, with two spars, also fabric covered. The spars and ribs were made of spruce strips and plywood. The wings had two gasoline tanks with a total capacity of 333 L. Wing struts were 2/3 wood, 1/3 steel (at the wings) with aero-dynamic steel ribs, fabric covered, giving an additional 4.4 m² lifting surface. Tail surfaces were made of welded steel tubing. The horizontal stabilizer was of spruce strips and plywood, with the trim-angle adjustable in flight. The landing gear was a curved steel bar with rubber rope suspension. Wheels (762 by 127 mm). The engine was a Wright J6, radial, air cooled, 9 cylinders, 300 hp (225 kW). Funds for the plane was raised from numerous Lithuanian clubs and organizations.
On January 20, 1933, the aircraft was moved to E.M. Laird workshops in the Clearing Industrial District, Chicago, where she was rebuilt and made suitable for the transatlantic flight. New elongated wings were built, with two additional gasoline tanks installed in the fuselage, having 830 and 700 liter capacity, each equipped with emergency dump valves. Beneath the pilot's seat a 95 liter oil tank was outfitted with 12 cooling tubes. A longer horizontal stabilizer was built. Aero-dynamic wheel pants were installed, and the fuselage received a new fabric covering. A new, higher compression engine, 365 hp (272 kW) Wright Whirlwind J6-9E, serial No. 12733, had a "speed ring". On March 29, 1933, the rebuild was complete, and the registration number was changed to NR-688E, and the aircraft was painted orange. On both sides of the fuselage scrolls with the names of the sponsors were painted. The aircraft was dubbed "Lituanica" (Lithuania in Latin).

Even today an ordinary, unprepared plane of this size cannot cover such a distance. The flight was also important from the scientific point of view, exploring the air flows and possibilities of this type of the aircraft.
Flight began on 15 July. They taken off from Floyd Bennett Field in New York, carrying 3668 kg package.
Flight was divided into three parts- New York- Newfoundland (2129.8 km), Atlantic ocean (3513,2 km), Ireland-Kaunas,Lithuania (1543 km).
New about the flight of Lituanica were quickly sent to everyone by telegram agencies. In July 16 Lithuanians began preparing to welcome Darius and Girenas. About 25000 people were waiting for them in Aleksotas airport.
Due to bad air conditions, they had to change course. They went more northward and after crossing Scotland and North sea and reached Germany.While flying over Berlinchen, they probably were shot down because nazis considered that they were spies. They crashed near Soldin (Now Pszczelnik).
Germans respected the pilots. Bodies were put into caskets, surrounded by funeral wreaths. Caskets were
covered by German an Lithuanian flags. They were loaded to a plane and brought to Aleksotas airport. More than 50000 were waiting for their heroes.

Bodies of Steponas Darius and Stasys Girenas were embalmed. In 1937 they were moved to mausoleum, which was demolished in 1958. Afterwards they were moved to High Sanciai cemetery.
Numerous memorials were built to honor their will, including memorials in Kaunas, Chicago, Kuhdamm, New York and Beverly Shore.