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AIRCRAFT |
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Dornier
Do J Wal "Atlântico"
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With businessman and
politicians help, Otto Meyer (VARIG’s owner) went to Germany, in November
1926, to acquire aircraft, materials and personnel to operate the
aircraft. He made a deal with Condor Syndikat German airline,
where Condor acquired 21% of VARIG in exchange for Dornier Wal
aircraft. In Brazil the Dornier Wal was named “Atlântico”. On
February 3, 1927 “Atlântico” made Brazil’s first commercial flight,
operating the “Lagoon Line”, linking Porto Alegre, Pelotas and Rio
Grande. Initially the flight was operated by Condor Syndikat with
German crew. On June 15, the aircraft and route were transferred
to VARIG. The airplane was registered as P-BAAA, the number 01 of Brazilian Aeronautical Registry Book.
Boarding was somewhat primitive, with
the involvement of VARIG's owner which personally carried passengers
on a boat to the aircraft. The passengers were transported to Ilha
Grande dos Marinheiros (Big Sailors Island), where tickets were
conferred. The passenger was weighed with its own baggage and if its
was heavier than 75 kilos, the passenger was charged excess baggage.
VARIG's first passenger was Mr.
Guilherme Gastal in the
first flight, experimental yet, between Porto Alegre and Rio Grande.
Besides pilot Von Clausbruch, Atlântico had a mechanic-pilot who
could repairs Roll Royce engines in flight. They stayed outside of
the aircraft throughout the flight and needed to use heavy coats and
leather helmets, goggles, scarves, gloves and boots. In September
1927 VARIG built a ramp and workshops on the island to serve as
basis for operations and maintenance. The takeoff took dramatic,
when Mr. Oswaldo Muller was called to use a speedboat with the
intention of making waves and with "that essential little jump" help
Atlântico to rise up. The flight was made from 20 to 50 meters
above the water at a speed of 160 km/h . The flight time between
Porto Alegre and Pelotas was about two hours and between Pelotas and
Rio Grande about 20 minutes.
The Dornier Wal “Atlântico” was a seaplane with two four-shaft
propellers, type "Heine" and flew for VARIG until July 2nd, 1930,
when it was then transferred to Syndicato Condor (Brazil). In 1933
it was disassembled in Rio de Janeiro and its parts were sold as
scrap iron.
Atlântico on Ilha Grande dos Marinheiros (Big Sailors Island) /
Atlântico flying over Rio de Janeiro
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