Also used for a fast trans-USA flight - see other photos - NR13770 made the fastest Atlantic crossing to date on 2 September 1936 between New York and Llandeilo, Wales. Pilot Dick Merrill and entertainer Harry Richman stuffed the plane with 41,000 ping pong balls, hoping to keep afloat in an emergency. For the return flight, oddly, no runway in Britain was long enough and Ainsdale Beach near Southport was used. The return flight nearly put the ping pong balls to the test, apparently due to Richman dumping fuel, but they made it to Newfoundland. Merill made another transatlantic return flight in L-10 Electra NR16059, in May 1937, again using Ainsdale Beach. Photo from: Hagley Museum and Library

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