[Hugh Herndon and Clyde Pangborn working on "Miss Veedol"]

Photograph of Hugh Herndon (right) and Clyde Pangborn (left, standing on airplane) working on "Miss Veedol," a Bellanca Skyrocket CH-400 aircraft (tail number NR796W), in a hangar in Japan, circa 1931.

Inscription on verso: "No 1. Upper – Pangborn. Lower – Herndon. For Opal Pangborn."

Stamped on verso: "[Japanese and English text] Attention of the Editor - Kindly see that 'RENGO' is given credit as the source of this photo when it is published. All legitimate distributors, in contractual relations with us, are also cordially requested when sending out pictures, to notify publishers to give 'RENGO' the due credit by printing our name with the published photograph. The Shimbun Rengo. [address in Tokyo, Japan]."

Accompanying materials: "Pictures – Air mailed to Seattle, FX, CX, and NY, by SS. Heian Mar[illegible] Sept. 17, 1931. 'Chin' tank to aid trans Pacific fliers. No. I. 2. – Hugh Herndon, Jr. and Clyde Pangborn, New Yorkers, who got into a 'traffic' jam with the Japanese authorities after giving up their attempt to best the time of Post and Gatty, and were delayed more than a month in Tokyo, conceived the idea of an additional fuel tank which they hoped would give them enough gasoline to reach Seattle. When the aviators left New York in July, hoping to encircle the world in less than 8 days, their plane had a gasoline capacity of but 875 gallons -- not quite enough for the 4,450 mile hop from Japan to Puget Sound. The aluminum 'chin' tank of irregular shape is behind the propeller and just under the motor. It holds fifty gallons. Further back on the plane is the 'belly' tank, with a capacity of 136 gallons. The new 'chin' tank, prior to receiving a coat of paint, shows plainly in photo."