sedona legend helen frye

Private Executive Planes of

Jack Frye

Longtime President and founder of Transcontinental and Western Air

Sedona Legend Profile Series

Northrop Gamma 2D

(X) NR13757 NX NR NC13758

Frye executive planes from 1934-1939

In the mid-1930's in regard to Transcontinental and Western Air becoming a major nation-wide operation, the need for an executive transport was apparent. Several planes were utilized for this purpose by Jack Frye, the first a Lockheed Vega, in early 1930's. Interestingly, this Vega was somewhat well-known as were Jack's other planes. It is thought to have been the NC-624-E, TWA fleet number 251, per a former Frye associate. This TWA Lockheed possibly was also used for scheduled passenger service. Two Northrop Gammas followed in about 1934. Starting in 1940, two other more suitable executive transports were drafted, the Lockheed Electra, and Lodestar in 1944. Two of the Gammas and both Lockheeds were designated: "Flight Research Laboratory" planes. These planes were regularly utilized in the program by both Jack Frye and TWA research test pilot Tommy Tomlinson. Both Gammas and the Lockheeds were designated as the private executive planes of Jack Frye and always reserved for his use. The Electra 12, and Lodestar 18, were designed specifically by Lockheed as airline feeder transports and executive airliners. These planes were the "Cadillac" of planes- the most advanced and fastest transports of their day. It was no coincidence that Howard Hughes chose the Super-Electra 14, and Amelia Earhart the Electra 10E, for their 'round-the-world flights!

From Lockheed Vega NC624E to Northrop Gamma 2-D
(X) NR13757 and (NX) NR13758

TWA Northrop Gamma (NX) NR13757

Jack Frye shows off his new Northrop Gamma NR-13757

National Air Races- Cleveland Ohio- August 31-September 3 '34

The remarkable photo above was submitted by Patrick Chateau of the TWA CDG Website and is likely available no where else in the world. Captured at the 1934 National Air Races, in Cleveland Ohio, we see Jack Frye representing Transcontinental and Western Air, with his new (NX) NR-13757, TWA fleet #16, S/N #8. Even though the pilot is not identified, we can be reasonably sure the man in the cockpit is Frye, as the plane was delivered to him personally. He is the only TWA pilot connected with the plane and the only TWA pilot often sporting a fedora. The 1934 Northrop Gamma 2-D was a formidable rocket-like plane, akin to the Howard Hughes H-1 Racer. It appears that Jack's TWA co-founder and good friend, Walt Hamilton, an early Standard Air Lines and T.W.A. mechanical genius is seen with fire extinguisher on the right front foreground. It is no surprise that Walt was the man chosen to maintain Jack's plane for this event, being one of the foremost airplane mechanics in the country and a real marvel with air-engines. This Gamma was not an official entry in '34. It is with deep gratitude I thank Patrick Chateau for sending me this original vintage photograph. This Canon scan is of that image from Paris, which judging by the condition appears to be an original print from the 1930's, not a reproduction.

Jack's vision of over-weather flight resulted in his partial credit for the development of the Northrop Delta, Gamma, Douglas Commercial series, and pressurized high altitude, above-the-weather airliners like the Boeing Stratoliner, and the Lockheed Constellation. TWA's involvement with the Northrop Alpha, Orion, and Vega as in the "Winnie Mae," can be traced back to the "Frye Vision" as well. One of TWA's crack test pilots was Tommy Tomlinson, who served as special assistant to Jack Frye. This fearless man goes down in history as one of the very best and first commercial-airplane-test-pilots. Captain Tomlinson was responsible for many major breakthroughs in regard to the atomospheric effects of airplanes and passengers. Tomlinson also at one time worked under the direction of TWA executive vice-president, Paul E. Richter. Richter and Frye both, at times, tested TWA's experimental planes personally. Jack, as head of the TWA Flight Research Program insisted on a "hands on" involvement, this kept him abreast of many fine new aircraft innovations of which he actively promoted and implemented into the TWA fleet. Some innovations Jack developed personally. Jack is documented with a variety of aviation records, as well. As a testament to this record is his induction into Harvard Business Schools: "Greatest American Business Leaders of America." This honor according to Harvard, is in part due to Jack's contribution to "high-altitude-flying." Jack also has been inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame. Listing displayed under "Jet Age." Yet another recognition that truly establishes his standing as an aviation giant. However, even with these accolades I still read the same statement repeated in books and publications, "Jack Frye has never received adequate credit for the majority of his contributions to the aviation world." Sadly, this is true and hopefully it is slowly being rectified with work found on this webpage, and various historical publications. Jack on the other hand, was the last one to seek honor and posterity for himself. Rather he just did what came naturally to him- develop the world of aviation. His recognition came from those who felt lucky and honored to have known him and of those who were touched by his accomplishments, achievements, and stellar leadership! For more information see this website.

TWA Northrop Gamma Triplets
Two Served As Executive Planes For Jack Frye

Often Jack was seen in the Northrop Gamma 2-D (X-13757, NR-13757) serial number 8, TWA fleet #16. This plane was delivered personally to Frye in spring of 1934. It served as his personal executive plane. This plane was also used for Transcontinental and Western Air Express mail service. See this page. During this time period TWA was able to draft the new Douglas Commercials for mail and passenger service, thus freeing up the Gammas for a variety of uses. Jack as pilot of the Northrop Gamma NR-13757, flew coast to coast to business meetings at an unheard of (225 mph, per Frye) always with a cargo of U.S. mail. Jack carried out TWA atomospheric research experiments in the NR 13757 and the Gamma NX-13758. See articles following on this page. The Gamma was basically one big engine with wings, 31 feet, 2 inches in length, with massive wings of 47 feet, 10 inches. The power plant was a monster Wright "Cyclone" Whirlwind, 710 H.P. engine, truly a handful! For more information click on this following page: Jack Frye, TWA Legend, Northrop Gamma 2D.

The very first TWA Northrop Gamma
Overweather Experimental Laboratory was Jack Frye's
NX13757- although not as well-known as the NX13758

Captured in flight Jack roars off in his Northrop Gamma 2-D, NR-13757. This plane, with a massive Wright "Cyclone"
710 H. P. engine was a phenomenal racer for its time with unbelievable performance. Few men were qualified to fly it. Courtesy Northrop Corp-
Aero Files.

"Contact" by Reginald M. Cleveland May 14, 1934

A new chapter was written in commercial aviation last week. Jack Frye, veteran test pilot and vice president in charge of operations for TWA, shot his Cyclone-powered Northrop Gamma from Los Angeles to Newark in 11 hours, 31 minutes, including a stop of ten minutes at Kansas City for fuel, he brought to pass a reality toward which operators have long been striving. His flight with thru-mail, the first under the line's temporary contract, demonstrated that overnight deliveries between the Atlantic and Pacific coasts--and therefore, between any two points in the continental United States--are now possible.
Naturally such a service is costly. It cannot be flown on a basis of payment by the Post Office of 24 cents a mile--the rate at which the "Lindbergh Line" is operating under its temporary contract. But for the banker, the insurance man, the merchant, it is an eminently worthwhile service, since it means the cheapest long-haul type of communication possible without the loss of any business time. More than a year ago the Post Office Department asked the airline to prepare such a service. Frye's great flight in the Gamma was the answer. It would be decidedly forward-looking on the part of the administration if some method should now be provided to make possible such super-speed mail flying as a routine matter.

Jack Frye

Speeds as high as 275 m.p.h.

@ 14,000 feet

Frye�s plane was the first of a fleet of single-motored machines being constructed for fast mail and express service. Designed and built by John Northrop in Santa Monica, the plane is called a Northrop Gamma. It is an all metal monoplane with full cantilever internally braced wings set low on the cylindrical fuselage. It is equipped with a 700-horsepower Cyclone air-cooled engine and combines high speed and great lifting power.

Jack Frye 1934
"Born in Texas, Frye at 33 is the youngest chief executive of any operating airline in the country. He has flown more miles than any of his executive brothers."
Time Magazine

The well circulated news photos above show Jack Frye after he broke a transcontinental speed record with a load of U.S. Air Mail. The plane is his super-fast Northrop Gamma racer, NR13757. Date: May 14, 1934. To read the documentation of this event in detail please see this webpage: "Jack Frye TWA Legend- Northrop Gamma 2-D, NR NX13757."

New T. W.A. Record
by operation head- Frye

Roaring through snowstorms and thunderstorms in a new Northrop Gamma plane at the rate of 227 miles per hour. Jack Frye set a new transcontinental record for cargo-plane flights when, as shown here, he arrived in Newark N.J., 11 hours and 31 minutes after taking off in Los Angeles, with 355 pounds of mail and (85 pounds of express.) Frye who made the trip alone is shown being interviewed on his arrival.

Transcontinental & Western Air, Inc.

Northrop Gamma- "the little plane that could"

The adjoining comic strip illustrations were part of a series called "The Hall of Fame of the Air" which appeared in Sunday newspapers from 1935 to 1940. The text was written by Jack's good friend Eddie Rickenbacker, the drawings were by noted artist Clayton Knight. Please see this page for more information on Jack and Eddie.

These two panels appear courtesy of Stephen at the AcePilots.Com Web Site. Please click on the photos for larger files!

Jack Frye 1936

"During his climb he has piloted some 90 different types of planes and logged over 5000 hours in the air."

The Northrop Gamma NX-13757 was the second such Overweather Experimental Laboratory for Transcontinental and Western Air. Flown exclusively by Jack Frye as an executive plane he also used the plane to conduct high altitude flight experiments which in time revolutionized the airline industry. The first such official TWA aircraft utilized for similar experiments was the Douglas Commercial (DC-1) envisioned and developed by Jack Frye, TWA, and Douglas Aircraft. The DC-1 (also a TWA Experimental Laboratory) started its flight experiments in the last half of 1933. Jack's Gamma, as shown here was soon replaced by the more publized TWA flight laboratory, NX-13758. When the NR/NX-13758 was not being used for research, it served as Jack Frye's personal executive plane from 1935-1940. In late 1940, Jack obtained the Lockheed Electra 12A, NC-18137 which became his executive plane and a third TWA experimental flight laboratory.

The photo to the right, shows pilot Jack Frye unloading Transcontinental and Western Air, U.S. Air Mail sacks. Jack was as equally comfortable in the pilot's seat as he was the TWA board room. This president of TWA was "hands-on" regularly flying TWA scheduled flights and experimental research flights. Press file photo- likely taken May 14, 1934.

Jack Frye And His Northrop Gamma Lost In Arizona Blizzard

T.W.A. PRESIDENT GROUNDED BY SNOW
January 13, 1935
Jack Frye, president of the TWA was reported grounded last night by snow on the emergency landing field at Deep Lake, Ariz., 18 miles south of Navajo, Ariz. Reports reaching Gallup said Frye and his plane were uninjured. Frye was able to notify TWA officials in Albuquerque of his plight by radio, but later the plane radio was reported "weak" and communication ceased. A TWA plane this morning was dispatched to Deep Lake to land if possible and take Frye to Albuquerque. Frye was east-bound Los Angeles when grounded.

January 18, 1935
JACK FRYE ESCAPES INJURY WHEN PLANE FORCED DOWN BY ICE
Lost for more than 12 hours when his plane was forced down Friday by ice near Deep Lake on the New Mexico-Arizona border, 100 miles east of here. Jack Frye, vice-president of the TWA was located from the air by Major A.D. Smith, division superintendent, early Saturday afternoon. Frye later was brought out by truck and continued his journey to Los Angeles in a passenger plane. In making a forced landing Friday night the veteran pilot smashed his plane's under-rigging, but escaped uninjured. He kept in touch with the local airport until his battery went dead, but it was not until past noon that airplanes discovered his grounded ship on the snow-covered ground. Because of the soft ground, neither Major Smith's tri-motored plane nor the damaged single motored ship can be brought out until a freeze occurs. Both ships probably will be dismantled and carried out by truck. (please note: Jack Frye was President of TWA at this time, not Vice-President)

January 12, 1935
JACK FRYE LANDS UNINJURED IN SNOW STORM
Albuquerque, New Mexico
A regular westbound mail plane sought today to contact Jack Frye, president of Transcontinental Western Air, who made a forced landing in a snowstorm west of here on a solo experimental flight to Los Angeles, and spent last night with his plane. Frye, who was unhurt, communicated by radio with the airport here after his descent about 11:15 p.m., due to the weak radio battery of Frye's plane, however, he was heard from only briefly. TWA officials here said they believed Frye was 145 air miles west of Albuquerque, and that he landed 10 miles from the Deep Lake emergency field. Frye was not lost when he was forced down, airport officials said. He had told the Albuquerque airport radio operator he could see the air beacons, but that he did not know his exact position on the air lane. The mail plane en route to contact Frye and render any aid necessary, the officials said, does not have a radio and they have had no further communication concerning the airline president. No fear for the safety of the stranded official was felt, however. The lowest temperature reported last night in the vicinity of the stranded ship was 20 degrees above zero. Frye, local officials said, might have taken off this morning if his plane was undamaged and be en route to the local port. He was flying a single motor ship from Kansas City.

January 14, 1935
AIRPLANE AWAITS FREEZE- Tri-Motor Lands on Zuni Reservation Frye Rescue
Unprecedented "spring-like" weather today held grounded, on the Zuni reservation, the tri-motored rescue ship of Maj. A.D. Smith of Albuquerque and prevented salvaging of the wrecked plane of Jack Frye, president of T.W.A. Frye's plane was located after a 16-hour search at 3:30 p.m. Saturday on the Arizona-New Mexico border north of the Zuni to St. Johns Road after being forced down by "an iced over carburetor" during a storm at 11 p.m. Friday. Frye was uninjured in the forced landing, but the under rigging and right wing of the ship were damaged in "mowing" thru several Pinons, according to J. R. Lynn, chief clerk at Zuni, but will be completely salvageable.
Signal Fire Unseen-
Lynn with F.E. Frost, irrigation foreman, formed a truck rescue party from the Indian service which reached the grounded plane shortly after Maj. Smith located the wreckage and landed the big tri-motored plane 200 ft. from Frye. Frye's plane also was sought by a Department of Commerce plane which, however, failed to locate it. The search was particularly difficult because the aluminum mail plane was almost invisible against the snow. Frye had built a fire with which to signal planes of his location, but the wood, Lynn said, was too dry to make a smoke visible from the air.
Flies to 'Angeles-
A truck from the Winslow, Ariz., Airport which also was searching for Frye, reached the plane and took him and some freight, and two of Smith's companions to Winslow. Frye boarded a plane for Los Angeles. The plane carried no mail. Maj. Smith remained with the two ships and is awaiting a freeze to make the ground hard enough to get the tri-motored plane off the ground and carry in the dismantled mail-ship on trucks.

January 14, 1935
FRYE CONTINUES TRIP AFTER FORCED LANDING
Winslow, Arizona
Jack Frye, president of TWA, Inc., yesterday continued his air journey to Los Angeles which was interrupted by a forced landing in timbered country about 100 miles east of here Friday night. Frye, who was found late Saturday afternoon after he had spent 17 hours in the open, snow covered country, resumed his trip westward at 7:30 a.m. aboard a regular passenger plane. He was uninjured when ice forming on the carburetor of his special experimental ship forced him down. Meanwhile arrangements were being made to bring out the ship, which was virtually undamaged despite the fact it was brought down among trees. Major A.D. Smith, Albuquerque Division Superintendent for TWA, who found Frye from the air at 4 o'clock Saturday afternoon, is with the ship. It will have to be dismantled before it can be removed. Two attendants here said it probably will be at least three or four days before the plane can be removed because the ground is too soft from rain and snow to permit trucks to operate. A cargo of express carried by the plane was removed last night. Frye was not carrying mail.

February 1, 1935
WYLIE POST PASSES THROUGH AIRPORT
Within the last four days the Winslow Airport has been visited by Wylie Post, the round the world flyer and record holder; the president of the T.W.A., Mr. Jack Frye and wife; and Mr. Henry B. Du Pont, an official of General Motors, and wife. Newspaper service, as an added convenience is now available. The morning edition of the Los Angeles Examiner arrives on the night plane and is available to passengers on the seven o'clock morning plane.

Interesting coincidence:
It must be notated that Jack Frye was married at the time of this accident, as documented by the above article. He and his wife flew through the accident area just 15 days after the crash. However this wife was Regina LaCoste, the wife before Helen Vanderbilt Frye.

It always intrigues me to note the parallels in people's lives....

At the time Jack Frye landed his Northrop Gamma on the frozen wasteland of the Zuni Reservation in Arizona, the woman he passionately would come to love had just been in the very same remote region herself within the month. Rather an odd coincidence indeed. Helen Varner had just married Cornelius Vanderbilt Jr., in Albuquerque New Mexico. Helen and Cornelius Vanderbilt the IV, had passed through this same crash site area on the train en-route to Williams- Grand Canyon- Boulder City- and Reno, Nevada. Jack and Helen were so close yet so far away, like two ships passing in the night. Their love and destiny with each other was yet to be realized.

Frye Gamma forced down in blizzard, identified

It WAS the NR-13757 that Jack Frye was flying that snowy night! Records have been located which show the plane was involved in an accident on 1-12-1935. This is the ONLY plane mishap Jack Frye was ever known to have been in. Even so it was not really a "crash" as Jack was able to bring the plane down with little damage or personal injury. When Jack Frye died he had logged over 7000 flight hours as a pilot. This is a testament to his expert aviation abilities whereas he never had an accident with loss of life. This is even more poignant when one realizes that many of the TWA and Standard Airlines commercial flights Jack Frye flew on he many times would pilot himself. Howard Hughes on the other hand was a different sort of pilot, hardly as responsible as Frye, he was notorious for "cracking up" planes. Makes one a little nervous when it is noted Howard Hughes piloted several TWA commercial flights. Hughes was a maverick with many irons in the fire, but in my opinion not a stellar pilot although I do admire his accomplishments even if many were executed on "a wing and a prayer."

Jack Frye's Sedona Ranch foreman, Al Nuanez was once heard to say, "the only accident Jack Frye ever had was when Howard Hughes wrecked his plane. That was when Howard Hughes went underground, he didn't want to be seen- he was all disfigured." This is the only person who has ever stated this and I have never been able to document what incident he was referring to? Only one such accident comes to mind: Beverly Hills- July 7, 1946. It's obvious Jack Frye was not on board that day. But he did fly out to the L.A. hospital and stood by Howard for 24 hours (along with other Hughes intimates). Jack could have been with Howard during another less public crack-up. I will continue to comb the many accidents Howard had for clues, although many were not publicized and kept quiet by the Hughes publicity machine and TWA. One can only assume that the late ranch foreman misinterpreted what Jack meant. Thus the Northrop Gamma incident will remain the ONLY verifiable emergency landing the famous aviation legend, Jack Frye ever had. You will not find the information documented on any other website. Please see this page for more Northrop Gamma 2-D information.

The photo to the right, TWA Northrop Gamma, NR-13757. TWA fleet #16, Serial #8, pictured with the mighty Cyclone engine at idle. Likely the pilot shown is Jack Frye, as he was the only pilot ever linked to this TWA Gamma.

Lettering on the nose spells out "Air Express." In the mid-1930's, at 225 to 275 mph, few men rocketed regularly back and forth across the United States to board meetings as fast as Jack Frye. TWA File Photo

After all these years Jack's Northrop Gamma appears to the right, as a 1997, child's toy bank. The detail is remarkable, save for the elevated flaps on each wing, and small rectangular window below the cockpit. The unusual flaps did appear on Frank Hawk's Northrop Gamma 2A, X-12-265 (NR12265) as shown below, the "Texas Sky Chief" which was owned by the Texas Company. However I have never seen this feature on Jack's Northrop Gamma 2-D, NR13757. The window was also a feature of the TWA NX13758. We must assume someone got carried away with the toy and mixed the two designs.

TWA's famous "Overweather Laboratory Research," program was founded by Jack Frye. Even today TWA is credited with major scientific breakthroughs in the aviation industry. This research was just one of the many passions of Frye. Jack often flew the Northrop Gamma, famous TWA flight research plane, NX13758 for TWA experimental flight tests. Jack was always "hands on" with TWA research.

Ownership History of TWA NR13757

On September 10, 1935, Jack transferred the plane's ownership to airplane prominent United States broker, Charles H. Babb, of Babb International Aircraft Brokerage, 1140 Airway, Glendale, California. Transcontinental and Western Air took a loss of $16,208.48 on the plane rather than have it repaired. From this point, it is documented that Jack regularly flew the NX13758 for TWA business, when it wasn't being used for flight research experiments by Tommy Tomlinson. This Gamma was also considered Jack Frye's personal executive plane. Jack himself frequently conducted many flight research tests in the plane solo. In the photo below, we see Jack in a Gamma on July 3, 1937, likely it is the NX13758. In 1942, the ownership is traced to the Army Corp of Engineers and supposedly crashed in Africa with no recovery. A shame, and yet another short life of a Northrop Gamma 2D! Partial research for this documentation obtained from the book, "The Northrop Story, 1929-1939." By Richard Sanders Allen. This is one of the most in depth Northrop "journals" I have ever seen and is a wealth of information on the (3) TWA Northrop Gammas!

TWA Northrop Gamma 2D (NX) NR13758

Full side view of the TWA NX-13758 S/N 9

TWA File Photo

The NR13758 was utilized more by Frye and as an executive plane (flying office)
than any other TWA Northrop Gamma

Photo to the left, and signed copy above, shows TWA president Jack Frye in a Northrop Gamma, 2-D, at Caldwell, N.J., July 3, 1937. This photo is likely NX13758 which Jack utilized often. This Frye family photo ran in the "Wheeler Times" newspaper in '89. At this time Jack's body was moved from Tucson AZ., and reinterred in the family plot at Wheeler, TX.

Wall drawing of Jack in the same plane as above, can be seen here. The subject for the pastel was a lost photo of Jack with the NX-13758 conducting flight research tests. Behind him is seen the Kansas City TWA hangars. Courtesy: Jack's sister, Sunny Frye Thomas.

Jack Frye, completed many test-research flights in the Northrop Gamma 2-D, NX13758 with the special designation on the side, "Overweather Experimental Laboratory." TWA's high altitude test program was titled and pioneered by Jack Frye. It served as the foundation for his dream and goal of developing above-the-weather, safer, high-speed TWA passenger and cargo transports.

High Flight Test Plane For Regular �Overweather� Service

TWA Plans Active Research
September 27 1936
The Ins and Outs Of TWA Flight Reseach-

Research in high altitude for the benefit of its coming fleet of huge transport airplanes is to be started probably within thirty days, by Transcontinental and Western Air, Inc. This quest for greater knowledge to be utilized in connection with its aircraft of the near future is to be sought through the new experimental overweather laboratory plane. As applied by the airline company, the term �overweather� which is copyrighted, means flight at those altitudes which are above the reach of storms, where turbulence is unknown.

This proving ground will be flown at altitude far above the earth. The research work will be directed primarily toward the goal of maintaining constant, sea-level efficiency of engines at altitudes near the stratosphere. Special devices have been applied to an experimental laboratory plane, a Northrop Gamma.

Jack Frye, president of the line, said last week that the high altitude flight undoubtedly offered the greatest potentialities for maintaining schedules; for smooth flight, and for the desirable factors of travel through the air. These factors have been disclosed, he added, by those individuals who have ascended into the stratosphere in balloons and the many recordings of weather instruments sent to great heights on smaller balloons.

Aircraft of fifty-passenger capacity, and with wing-spreads of 150-feet, will be in service within two years. It is for such aircraft that the research work of the overweather laboratory is intended. The work of the laboratory plane is directed toward engine research. Supercharging equipment will be tested under all conditions; fuel consumption must be determined; speed differentials must be known. These and many other factors of high altitude flight are to be worked out and recorded through the work of the Gamma and those aboard it.

The test flights are to be flown by Lieut. Commander D. W. Tomlinson, assistant to Paul E. Richter, vice-president of the line in charge of operations. In the observers compartment will be James Heistand, development engineer for the company. It was Mr. Tomlinson, who, as pilot of TWA�s former laboratory, Douglas DC-1, established therein a record which long stood for transport plane crossing of the United States, a flight which he made in 11-hours and 5-minutes. Many national and international records were established subsequently by the same pilot and plane in categories of speed, weight and distance.

As arranged for its new purposes, a special set of instruments has been installed in the observer�s compartment of the Gamma in which Mr. Frye also set coast-to-coast records. For permanent record, a photograph of the entire panel is taken as the machine ascends to each additional 1,000 feet of altitude. A camera, suspended at the rear of the compartment on a fixed mounting, makes the picture as special lights are turned on by the observer to illuminate the instruments.

The observer�s instruments- thirty-six in all- tell the story of the engine�s functioning. In several flights already made for the purpose testing the equipment for the plane, altitudes of 35,000 feet, easily have been reached by Tomlinson and Heistand.

Oxygen for the pilot and observer are of course essential to the welfare of both, and so, for that matter is heat. On one of the test trips to the 35,000-foot mark, the plane�s thermometer reading was at the scale�s lowest mark- 30 degrees below zero Fahrenheit. On the ground at the moment, the temperature was in the vicinity of 100 degrees above zero.

Heat is generated from the exhaust of the plane�s engine. Although pilot and observer wear light summer clothing, each is comfortable because of the adequate heat supply.

The oxygen used by Tomlinson and Hestand also is heated before it is taken into their lungs. Its temperature may be regulated separately by pilot and observer so that each may suit his individual preference.

Throughout each flight the plane is in touch by radio with one or more of the line�s ground stations with which its route is dotted. In order that Tomlinson may have both hands free to manipulate the many controlling devices in his compartment, a special microphone frame has been devised which also holds the oxygen tube in one corner of his mouth. Thus he is able to inhale oxygen or talk to the ground without the necessity of using his hands to hold the tube or microphone.

Through its new aircraft and its contemplated new levels of scheduled flight, TWA expects to revolutionize completely the present conceptions of air travel. Non-stop flights well beyond the distance from New York to Los Angeles are considered possible.

The famous NX13758 used by Tomlinson and Frye for TWA research experiments. Plane also served as Jack Frye's executive plane from about 1935 to 1940. Courtesy of Patrick Chateau, TWA Roissy CDG Website.

TWA publicity photo of Jack after a overweather research flight in a TWA Northrop Gamma 2D.

Airline Executive Flys Gamma to Work-

From drugstore soda jerk to the most famous airline executive in the country-

To the left is a refreshing re-telling of the story of the airline (T.W.A.) that "Jack" built. Don't let anyone fool you, Transcontinental & Western Air, Inc., was Jack Frye's airline from top to bottom. The article further describes the method in which Jack managed his baby, flying from port to port in his Northrop Gamma 2D. (This was the NR13758. Please click on the articles to read the larger file. Article appeared nationwide on 1-10-1937.

"His speedy, silver Northrop mail plane is known to airport mechanics all over the country. He flies into town, makes a call, and is on his way in an hour or so."

Northrop Gamma
NR/NX 13758
January 10, 1937

Tommy Tomlinson is seen in these images with the Gamma- NX13758, TWA fleet #17, S/N 9.

A terrific Time magazine article available on the internet called "ON TOP" chronicles the TWA overweather research program thoroughly. Tomlinson and Frye are both mentioned several times over. The photo seen above, signed by Frye was captured in the Gamma NX13758 within a month of the article possibly when Frye tested the plane after an overhaul as mentioned by Time Magazine reporter. The plane had been wrecked by Tomlinson (assistant to Jack Frye.) Please read Time Magazine "On Top" TWA article here.

After the Aviation Show (January 1937) the "overweather" plane was retired for an overhaul. Quote- "Last week, with a radical new fuel injection system made by Eclipse Corportion that eliminates the carburetor, it was given it's first tests by President Frye in person preparatory to more visits to the substratosphere."
(Time Magazine- On Top.)

Just a few Frye air records-

Jack Frye in his aviation career set many official air records. In addition to the record noted above on this page (May 14, 1934) he set yet another on February 18, 1936. This one was a "Transport Airplane" speed record. The National Aeronautics Association issued an official certificate. The route was Chicago Illinois-Washington D.C., elasped time 2 hours, 22 minutes. Monoplane: Northrop Gamma 2-D, NR13758, Wright "Cyclone" 710 HP engine, 597 air miles @ 268.91 average m.p.h. (Chicago, Illinois to Washington Airport, South Washington, Virginia.) Most interestingly the incident included both Jack Frye and his wife, Regina (Jean) LaCoste. TWA had installed a seat/cargo area with small window below the pilot for TWA flight engineer, (James Heistand) to help Tomlinson perform overweather flight experiments. This is where Mrs. Frye rode, a brave woman to be sure! To read more about Jack's life with his wife Regina, please see here also see The Man the Legend biography of Jack Frye.

Jack Frye breaks Inter-City Speed Record
in TWA Northrop Gamma 2-D NX13758

Frye, T.W.A. Chief, Riding Before Gale, Makes Inter-City Trip In Two Hours, 22 Minutes, Pairing Previous Mark 26 Minutes

Mr. and Mrs. Jack Frye Arrive In A TWA Gamma

As reported in Washington D.C.
February 19, 1936

Riding in front of a 50-mile-an-hour gale, in the substratosphere, Jack Frye, president of Transcontinental and Western Air dropped a Northrop monoplane on Washington Airport, just two hours and 22 minutes after he left Chicago some 600-odd miles away.

Frye, accompanied by his wife, was flying here to attend the hearing of the Copeland committee of the senate, investigating air safety, and had no intention of making a speed mark. But his flight smashed the previous record by 26 minutes.

The airline executive who went to the Carlton Hotel on his arrival here, said his average speed on the flight was 253 miles an hour. The single-motor ship he was flying is a type used for mail transportation, he said.

After leaving Chicago, Frye, a former professional pilot, said he climbed to 14,000 feet and stayed at that altitude until he started to descend at the Washington Airport. The eventfulness of the trip was its brevity, he said.

The previous mark between the two cities, 2 hours and 48 minutes, was established by L. A. (Slim) Payne, and American Airlines pilot, flying a single-engined Vultee. With him were several company officials, including C. R. Smith, president of the line, and L. B. Manning. Payne's record was made in January of 1934, and included a stop at Cincinnati. His total elapsed time was 2 hours and 56 minutes, with 8 minutes on the ground at Cincinnati.

Aircraft Yearbook 1953 (Aviation Records)

Chicago Ill., to Washington D.C. (Transport Aircraft) February 18, 1936
Jack Frye, TWA, Northrop Gamma, 2-D Monoplane, NR-13758, Wright Cyclone, 710 H.P.. engine, from Chicago Municiple Airport to Washington-Hoover Airport, S. Washington, February 18, 1936. Elasped Time, 2 hr. 22 min., distance 599 miles, average speed 253.098 mph.
National Aeronautic Association awarded record to Mr. and Mrs. Frye.

Aeronautic Association Convention
November 30 thru December 1st 1936
(honoring winners of air records and other recipients of honors for 1936)
Mr. and Mrs. Jack Frye, record holders, in attendance--

Please note: Jack conducted experimental flights in the TWA Northrop Gamma- NR/NX-13758 frequently. Jack's wife at the time was Regina LaCoste. Quite an adventure for her considering she had to sit in the forward fuselage, below Jack and endure speeds of over 250 mph! Just one of 100's of official meetings Jack attended around the country after arriving in his personal Vega, Gamma, Electra, or Lodestar. This particular meeting was a result of the TWA airliner crash in New Mexico, on May 6, 1935, as seen below.

May 7, 1935
TWA SKY CHIEF AIRLINER CRASHES
New Mexico Senator Bronson Cutting among fatalities

Douglas Commercials have flown nearly 5,000,000 miles for TWA to date. Yesterday's airplane crash in Missouri was the first in scheduled air transport in the United States in which any passenger fatalities have occurred since January 1. It was also the first in America in which pilots or passengers have been killed in a Douglas Commercial Transport.

Please see the conclusion of the investigation of the TWA Sky Chief here.

Most Comprehensive Gamma Article Available Online

Want to read all about this remarkable plane? The PDF file to the left is the most comprehensive magazine article I have read outside of Northrop publications on the Gamma ships. Please click on the image to read this remarkable 16 page article written by expert Peter W. Westburg, it is a real treasure! Unfortunately I am not aware of the magazine the article was originally published in as I received this copy in the mail from Paris, France. Generous thanks for this presentation to PatrickChateau of TWA CDG Website.

Nationwide Newspaper Column- New York Day by Day

By O. O. McIntyre October 17, 1935

Quote- "Jack Frye, once an air mail pilot, now an airline president,
flies his own plane over his company's entire route once a month!"

Jack, shown below in his Northrop Gamma "racer." Date is likely May 14, 1934. The photo is one of only a few captured from the starboard side of the Gamma and displays a "ridge" in the fuselage, (as shown above). Likely the ridge houses a throttle lever or something similar. The photo at the top of this page clearly shows the same ridge. The plane is almost certainly the NR13757, Northrop Gamma 2D. Jack flew this and the NR13758 Gamma- extensively.

TWA President Is Amarillo Visitor (NR13758)

Monday November 15, 1937

Jack Frye, president of Transcontinental and Western Air, spent last night in Amarillo after flying at an average speed of 241 miles per hour the 800 miles between Boulder City, Nev., and Amarillo.

Mr. Frye, flying his private Northrop Gamma plane covered the 800 miles in three hours and 22 minutes. He was flying alone. He left early this morning for Kansas City.

The TWA president went to Boulder City to discuss the matter of making that summer and winter mountain resort a regular stop on the TWA trips which stop at Amarillo.

Although burning the breeze in his plane, Mr. Frye managed to pilot the ship and take photographs at the same time. He said he got several good shots from an altitude of 15,000 feet.

Planes Rush Food To Flooded Pennsylvania

Frye Loans Private Plane For Rush of Supplies
March 21 1936
In Part-

T.W.A., the �Lindbergh Line,� has assembled in this are every bit of available equipment on it�s transcontinental system. It flew eight extra sections to Pittsburgh, fourteen-passenger Douglas craft, loaded to capacity, in addition to seven regular schedules. In late afternoon two of these big ships were flown from the City-County Airport at Pittsburgh to Camden and there took on 8,000 pounds of emergency supplies, which were rushed back to the stricken city.

From Camden a shuttle service was maintained with the Northrop Gamma mail plane belonging to Jack Frye, president of the line., carrying emergency freight to Pittsburgh. Six rout-trips were made up evening and it was planned to operate all night. The shipments included 150 pounds of drinking water, presumably for a hospital,; 1,500 pounds of lanterns for hospitals use; rubber boots, slickers, electric torches, serum, medicine, batteries, and telephone equipment.

Tons Of Supplies Are Sped By Plane By TWA

March 22, 1936
In Part-
Three big TWA Douglas planes were used to carry supplies-
-Jack Frye, president of the line, bound for Kansas City in his own Northrop Gamma, carried a full load of express to Pittsburgh en route.

Frye Visitor Here (as reported in Amarillo Texas)

February 27, 1938

Jack Frye, president of Transcontinental & Western Air was a brief visitor in Amarillo yesterday. He stopped off a few hours here for a rest enroute to Boulder City, Nevada, where TWA will inaugurate scenic service next month. Frye was flying his private Northrop Gamma plane.

Northop Gamma NR13758 flown by Frye over Fresno
wilderness in search of lost TWA airliner

Yosemite Crash- San Francisco- (OAK) to Winslow (then WIN)
Frye Personally Combs The Mountain Passes By Air
Missing TWA Passengers- (6) And Crew- (3) March 1 1938

Fresno- March 4, 1938
TWA President Arrives Takes Charge Of Hunt
....Frye flew 400 miles from Boulder City, Nev., to Fresno in less than three hours. His fast sub-stratosphere experimental plane immediately was refueled and he took off for the Auberry and Tollhouse districts. Frye quote: �I feel the men here have mapped out a logical area for the search and it seems almost certain, that given a few hours of clear weather, we would find the plane in the area of Fresno.�

Planes piloted by Jack Frye, president of transcontinental and Western Air Inc., operators of the line, and Frank Fuller, holder of several air speed records, were the last to end the hunt tonight.

Fresno- March 6, 1938
....A sub-stratosphere plane piloted by Jack Frye, TWA president, led the aerial searching party. A TWA transport, carrying other company officials and Bureau of Air Commerce Inspectors and a United Air Lines transport, both with radio equipment, joined the hunt.

Fresno- Second Edition March 6, 1938
Rescue planes which have been circling over a wide area of the rugged Sierras, east and north of here, in a desperate search for trace of a lost T.W.A. transport, were forced back to Fresno Airport tonight by threat of a new snowstorm. Last out of the air was Jack Frye, flying president of T.W.A., who said hope had not yet been abandoned for the plane with its six passengers and crew of three, missing since Tuesday night. Frye�s words. however, were the only optimistic note sounded by searchers as fears increased that the giant airliner had crashed and been buried in the snow.
Please note- Unfortunately the plane and victims were not discovered until June 12, 1938.

March 8, 1938 - TWA Head Speeds To Albuquerque
In Four Hours From Fresno

Jack rockets across the country in his Northrop Gamma "speedster-rocket." These trips by Frye, who always maintained an executive plane, earned him the famous nickname nation-wide �The Flying President.� He was the only airplane president at the time who literally managed his airline from the air!

Jack Frye, president of TWA, took off from Albuquerque Airport at 12:17 A.M. today after landing his sub stratosphere plane for refueling on a hop from Fresno to Washington via Kansas City. He put the plane down at 11:25 P.M. (M.S.T.) but his takeoff was delayed nearly and hour. He had been in Fresno aiding in the search for his company�s missing airliner.

He said his flying time from Fresno was 4 hours and 20 minutes, an average of about 200 miles an hour. He kept the plane at an altitude of 11,000 feet. Frye said he intended to spend today in Kansas City on business before continuing to Washington (D.C.) Flying conditions east were reported fair.

The above article is a good example of why Jack was called "the Flying President" as evidenced on this page. It all started with the TWA Northrop Gammas.

TWA Northrop Gamma 2-D NC13759

This Gamma, (TWA fleet #18, S/N 10) was the last of only three Northrop Gamma 2-D's ever manufactured, all owned by TWA. I have included it on this page for this significant reason. I have found no connection between the plane and Jack Frye at this time.

However he possibly did fly the plane during TWA's ownership. While Jack was associated with TWA, he piloted nearly every plane they owned, at least once. The plane is said to have also been utilized for a short time in the TWA flight research program, but documentation is lacking. As with the other TWA Gammas, the historical information is sketchy and records for these planes are elusive. The NC13759 was owned by TWA for a very short time, from July of 1934 to October of 1935. Sadly this beautiful machine disappeared completely some time after December of 1937, while serving as a bomber and coastal-surveillance plane with the Spanish Republican Forces as XA-ABJ.

Vintage FAA Airplane Registration Codes- NC (National Standard) NR (National Restricted)
NL (National Limited) NX (National Experimental)
N- meaning United States Registry.

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