Aircraft such as this Kawanishi H6K (Japan) represent the desire of the world powers in the 1930s to showcase their political, economic, and technological prowess with transoceanic airline service. Much like the capability to launch satellites today, successful demonstrations of overseas airline service provided nations with considerable domestic and international prestige.
Caption:
Japan's airline routes were closely tied to military goals, as were the aircraft they selected, such as the H6K, which became a patrol bomber in World War II.
Type: Photograph
Credit: National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
Origin: National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
Japan's airline routes were closely tied to military goals, as were the aircraft they selected, such as the H6K, which became a patrol bomber in World War II.
