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The Diesel Trail to the Orient (1935)

1935 · Short film · 10 min

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Synopsis

(1935) is a black and white promotional film for Caterpillar Tractor Co - “the world’s largest manufacturer of diesel engines, track-type tractors, and road machinery.” The film follows the journey of some Caterpillar tractors and diesel generators chartered by Pan American Airways to help complete five air bases for a new plane service to the “orient” that passes by Far Away, Midway, and Wake Islands. The film highlights the journey of Pan Am’s China Clipper servicing tourists in Honolulu before stopping by air bases in Midway and Wake Island before completing the journey in Manila. Opening credits: Caterpillar Tractor Co. logo (0:08). Cargo ship the North Haven parked at San Francisco wharf; men on dock loading a Caterpillar tractor and other machinery onto cargo freighter (0:41). Aerial view of two tractors, four electric generators loaded into holding area of freighter (0:59). New Haven crossing San Francisco Bay under the Golden Gate Bridge (1:16). Map of route across the Pacific Ocean - stops at Honolulu, Midway Island, Guam, Manila (1:23). Launch and tugboats and their crews lowered from freight ship into the Pacific headed for Midway Island, diesel tractor and two generator sets placed on ships (1:54). Tugboat tows barges with delivery towards the shore (2:17). Man operates tractor and pulls generators from barge onto shore to delivery location, tractor then uses attachment to level the sand (2:18). Workers campsite at Wake Island or Midway Island, tarps hangover…

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Details

Running time
10 minutes
Collection
Ephemeral Films

Subjects on the Internet Archive

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