Pan American Grace Airways, Inc., celebrates its 20th Anniversary of service. To mark the event, Panagra issues a special commemorative commercial advertisement announcing the company’s 20th year via distribution to all stations and all local newspapers. A news release and photographs were also distributed and placed in various publications throughout South America. In addition, silkscreened posters and displays were also sent to all stations and placed on display throughout the celebration period.
A commemorative cachet was stamped on all outgoing company and commercial airmail from September 13th and until the end of the month and radio programs announcing the event were broadcasted in South American countries. A special mailing is made from Lima, Peru, on September 13th to travel editors, travel agents and friends of Panagra throughout the United States.
Also, a special menu card containing a brief history of Panagra’s 20 years of progress was prepared at Lima in both English and Spanish and then distributed to Miami, Florida; Balboa City, Panama; Santiago, Chile, and Buenos Aires, for it to be placed on all flight departing on September 13, 1948.
An anniversary party was held by the company on Saturday afternoon, September 11, 1948 at the Club Internacional Revolver in Lima, with all local employees and obreros invited to attend. Twenty-year service pins were awarded by Panagra Captain Mr. J. W. Walker to William H. Howell, Lloyd R. Moore, Augusto Borgo, Albino Peebes, Jack C. Brown, Miguel Abao, Felix Delgado Rojes, Luis Alboronoz, William Rhoads and Santiago Haybo.
Panagra’s first passenger, Sr. Benjamin Romero, is presented with a parchment paper with the company seal emblazoned with the signature of Captain Walker. Sr. Romero departed aboard Panagra El Interamericano for a round trip from Lima to Buenos Aires. He was honored by the company at Santiago, Chile and Buenos Aires. Upon his return, Sr. Romero authored several articles about his Panagra adventure. The stories were published in the Lima newspaper El Comecio, where he was a staff reporter.
Panagra’s Gourmet Galley at the Limatambo Airport Base prepared beautiful birthday cakes designed by Mike Claverino that were placed aboard flights departing on September 13. The cakes were molded in the form of a Douglas DC-6 and the original Fairchild P-1 airliner standing in front of the Panagra hangar and 20 candles were placed on the cake and then lit during flight just before serving to the passengers.
Panagra’s first aircraft, the Fairchild P-1, was placed on permanent display at the CORPAC Building at Limatambo Airport. Panagra produced a 20th Anniversary film along with a letter that was sent to the theaters in Lima, and one copy was sent to New York City for a tv presentation.
Photo: A Panagra DC-6 El Inter Americano™ and the Airline’s first airliner, a Fairchild FC-2 registered as NC6853 were united on the ramp of the new terminal building at Limatambo Airport on September 13, 1948, to celebrate Panagra’s 20th Anniversary. Copyright, Braniff Airways, Incorporated