The Consolidated Commodore was originally designed as an naval patrol flying boat. But Ralph O'Neil realized that it was a good plane for carrying mail and passsengers down to South America. Pan Am bought N.Y.R.B.A. Air Lines and the Commodores were an important asset for the new owner. Pan Am had 14 of theese very comforable airplanes. The last went out of service on September 19th, 1946 after 16 years of service.