[Douglas C-54 Skymaster aircraft of U.S. Army Air Forces Tropical Science Mission]

Photograph of a Douglas C-54 Skymaster aircraft (tail number 5559) of the U.S. Army Air Forces Tropical Science Mission parked at Kiangwan Airfield, China, circa 1940s.

Typed on verso: "Giant C-54, Douglas Skymaster, the Flying Laboratory of the U.S. Army Air Forces Tropical Science Mission shown at Kiangwan Airfield. The mission composed of 23 persons includes military, naval and civilian scientific experts and research specialists. The Scientific Mission which is studying the effects of tropical climatic conditions on Air Force equipment, has visited the Hawaiian Islands, Canton Island, the Fiji Islands, New Zealand, Australia, New Guinea, Biak, Manila, Guam, Saipan, Iwo Jima and the islands of Japan. On leaving Shanghai the 'Flying Laboratory' will visit India, the Middle East, North Africa and then will fly the Atlantic for stops in South America and the Panama Canal zone before returning to its home base at Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio, U.S.A. The entire trip will cover more than 40,000 miles around the equator. (Official USAAF Photo)."