The Plus Ultra: Palos-Buenos Aires / 1926
The great dream of being the first to reach Buenos Aires, bringing honor and prestige to Spain.
Commander Ramón Franco Bahamonde
The Dornier Wal Hydroplane
The Dornier Wal hydroplane was reinforced to carry up to 4,000 l of fuel and a takeoff weight of 7,100 kg, 1,500 kg above the maximum. The increased power came from two 450 hp Napier Lyon engines.
Seeking optimal weather to avoid storms and headwinds, the crew chose the full moon of January 26th for departure. The need for a long range imposed the longest leg between the islands of Cape Verde and Fernando de Noronha.
To honor Columbus’s first voyage, the route began in Palos de la Frontera (Huelva), then proceeded to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. The Atlantic crossing was completed from Cape Verde to Noronha. Subsequent stops included Recife, Rio de Janeiro, Montevideo, and Buenos Aires. For navigation, an electronic device, the Gino Radio Compass, was used for the first time.
The Crew and the Flight
The flight had been extensively prepared by Mariano Barberán and Ramón Franco. Although initially appointed as the mission chief, an illness led Franco to name Captain Ruiz de Alda as navigator and Lieutenant Juan Manuel Durán as second pilot. Englo, with experience in African flights, joined as the mechanic.
The raid was completed in 20 days with no engine or propeller failure until arrival on the continent. Upon arrival, the crew was surprised that the press knew accurate details of the flight, which had been kept confidential by the crew.
The receptions were sensational. Rio, Montevideo, and Buenos Aires exploded with joy, cheering and embracing the airmen.
The Spanish airmen received the immense affection of these lands for the Motherland.
Historical Details
«…in the search for a name that wasn’t boastful, that signified hope and determination for success, that didn’t bring bad luck, that would help us recover our energy… we christened it: Plus Ultra, with no religious or pagan ceremony»
— R. Franco
…Ramón looks like a bird happy to feel in its element, forming a single body with the Plus Ultra»
— Lieutenant Ruiz de Alda, navigator.
- January 22 – February 10, 1926
- 10,270 km, 59 hours, 39 minutes.