EXTREMELY RARE WWII CHINA NATIONAL AVIATION CORPORATION CNAC CHOP SEAL CBI HUMP

Description

EXTREMELY RARE WWII CHINA NATIONAL AVIATION CORPORATION CNAC CHOP SEAL CBI HUMP
EXTREMELY RARE WWII CHINA NATIONAL AVIATION CORPORATION CNAC CHOP SEAL CBI HUMP
Description
Presented for your consideration is this rare memento from the China Burma India theater of operations in the form of a carved chop bearing the insignia of the China National Aviation Corporation (CNAC). This chop is in untouched, uncleaned, as-found condition. I was able to acquire this single item from a group of CBI Air Corps material a friend of mine lucked into. Apparently, this fellow flew the infamous "Hump" and survived the war to retire in the Washington DC area. His name was Robert B. Frank O-420381 and I think he donated his blood chit to the Smithsonian. A short history of the CNAC drawn from another site is as follows:
"The China National Aviation Corporation (CNAC) played a significant role in the history of modern China. Originally a corporation formed, in 1929, by the Chinese government and the Curtiss-Wright Corporation, by 1933 the airline was owned by the Chinese Government and Pan American Airways.
Shortly before America's entry into the Pacific war, CNAC pioneered the famous routes over the Himalaya Mountains "the Hump" between India and China. When the Burma Road was cut off by the Japanese Army during WWII, these routes became the only source of outside supply for China. As part of the Army Air Force Air Transport Command, CNAC's operation of a military air-lift over the Hump became one of the more glorious chapters in WWII history. It was the world's first major airlift, and it was a pilot's nightmare. The 500+ mile routes traversed some of the most treacherous terrain and violent weather in the world with none of the modern navigational aids we rely on today.
In the early days of WWII, CNAC provided airlift for the Flying Tigers, transporting personnel and supplies to and from various Flying Tiger bases. After July 4, 1942, when the Flying Tigers were disbanded, many of the Tiger Pilots joined CNAC. Flying as much as 150 hours a month, in unarmed C-47 transports, these pilots had to fly the Hump seeking cloudy weather or at night to avoid the marauding Japanese fighters.
From April 1942, when the Burma Road was lost, to August 1945, CNAC crews, who were adventurous pilots from many countries, made more than 38,000 trips over the Hump, transporting approximately 114,500 tons of vital personnel and materials to the Chinese and American forces in China, Burma and India.
CNAC also played an important role in the Burma campaign by dropping supplies to Chinese and American ground forces, evacuating beleaguered Chinese and British troops and supplying the Ledo Road project with men and equipment.
It was a cruel and demanding operation, from which many CNAC planes and their crews never returned."
The chop itself is carved of what I believe to be green soapstone and measures 1 1/4 inches square on the face by 1 3/4 inches in height. There is remnant cinnabar ink staining on the face. The overall condition is excellent with only a couple of small chips on the edge. The seal face is undamaged. This chop would have been used to sign or endorse CNAC documents or logs and most certainly originated with CNAC as the Army Air Corps would not have used anything like this. The pilot who acquired this likely flew "the Hump" and obtained this at some point through direct involvement or association with the CNAC. I've encountered CNAC wings before, but I've NEVER seen one of these. Rare material from Brother Rabbit's hutch!
Payment
Please tender payment within 24 hours of the close of the auction or contact me for other arrangements.
Shipping
Shipping will be accomplished via USPS Priority Mail.  I will combine shipping on multiple purchases.
Terms of Sale
Please tender payment within 24 hours of the close of the auction.  Once you have won the item I will consider it yours.  Once payment is received your package will be shipped the next business day.  Please ask any questions or explore any concerns BEFORE the auction ends and within an appropriate timeframe to place a bid if you so choose.  I endeavor to describe items accurately and provide accurate photos.  Condition assessments are subjective; thus, I would invite you to study the photos and ask any questions you may have in order to make your own assessment of condition before bidding.  Thank you.
About Us
I take pride in offering a diverse assemblage of material from estates and old collections in addition to conducting all of my auctions in a NO RESERVE format with a low opening bid.  Thus, everyone has an opportunity to participate and win in an unbiased setting.
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