sedona legend helen frye

Burdett Airport
School of Aviation

Western Avenue and 104th Street Los Angeles, California

a Burdett Fuller - Jack Frye Ownership and Operation

Said to be the FIRST private airport in the Western United States

The "Glory Days" of West Coast Aviation

Home of the 13 Black Cats
early Hollywood aerial stunt team

Sedona Legend Historical Profile

The following pages are dedicated to Joseph "June" (Junior) S. Smith Jr.

Jack Frye and June Smith at Burdett Airport 1924

This historic web display would not be possible but for the generous contributions of Denis Smith who desired to share with this electronic portal his rich archive of historic memorabilia. The vintage aviation images on the following pages are remnants of his Uncle June's aviation career, displayed on the Sedona Legend Website with historic captions. Smith was one of the earliest California - Arizona aviators and a flying associate of Jack Frye and the early aviators of Burdett Airfield.

The beginning of Los Angeles Air History!

On this page you will find a unique window into the Burdett Airport operation, found no where else in the world. Photos and clippings- most previously lost, having never been seen by the public up until now. Displayed for the sole purpose of bringing to life the glorious beginnings of west coast aviation. Often I am offered such historic materials, however, many times these materials are offered with uncomfortable strings. Refreshingly the Smith archive has been offered just to get it "out there" with no shading or agenda. The pages are oriented around Jack Frye's association with Burdett Airport, as before he came on the scene in 1923, Burdett Field was just another dusty Los Angeles landing strip. Although Burdett Fuller founded the airfield, I daresay, he himself would feel Jack Frye was the one who launched it to stellar heights. Burdett brought Jack on board as a partner because he recognized an aviation power-house. Their close friendship is legendary, their aviation school was the best on the west coast! With great men there often comes great change, men with vision charisma and perseverance are the ones that alter our world. Burdett Airport is remembered as a shining example of all things great about the west coast's immersion into an exciting new world of aviation. Because of this association the memory of this flight operation has reached great historic heights in the collective aviation memory. Jack Frye was the hub at which this wheel of accomplishment spun. Not only did the experience enable him to branch into numerous related ventures and associations, but in time he became the most valuable founding force of Transcontinental and Western Air. Great men gravitated toward him and monumental milestones were accomplished. With the essence of a true visionary and entrepreneur, Jack Frye affected the lives of millions of people. Yet in barely 50 years, he was gone from our planet. Thankfully though his legacy will continue for an eternity. June Smith was a close friend of Jack Frye and Burdett Fuller.

W-F-W Aircraft Company

a Woolsey- Frye- Whittier- Enterprise

Thunderbird Aircraft Company

The adjoining photo was likely taken in about 1927-1928 after a record flight. The plane is a Thunderbird, with "Warren School of Aeronautics" logo on it. The pilot, on the (right) is probably Bowers as indicated on the plane. The person second from the right appears to be Ted Woolsey, although it is possible he is on the far left. Other people are not identified. Location likely Burdett Field, Los Angles. The Thunderbird planes in the end were being assembled at Burbank.

Thunderbird was a company which built a plane by the same name designed by aircraft pilot-engineer Theodore A. Woolsey. Jack Frye was the vision behind this plane it was he who commissioned Woolsey to design the aircraft to his (Frye's) specifications. The company was launched with ownership of William John (Jack) Frye, Nelson (Paul) Whittier, and Theodore (Ted) Woolsey. Jack served as chief test pilot and aviator Paul Whittier (Whittier Oil) served as the main investor. All three gifted associates had much to offer the new venture. Eventually the company spun off into "Thunderbird Aircraft." The ensuing Great Depression was a difficult time for new airplane ventures and Thunderbird unfortunately disappeared by 1930. This was no reflection on this advanced plane.

Most Comprehensive Documentation Available Below-

My information in regard to Thunderbird Aircraft is sketchy at best. But I have tried to compile a page as associated with Jack Frye. The most comprehensive article available on Thunderbird can be viewed here as a PDF file as it appeared in Vintage Aircraft. This article written and researched by James E. Dunavent, is the most informative historical chronicle available on this rare plane. It not only details Jack Frye's launch of this company, but mentions Whittier too. The article is a "must-read" in regard to Thunderbird!

THUNDERBIRD WINGS WAY ALOFT

New Factory's First Plane Tested-

Marking a forward stride in the western development of commercial aviation the W-F-W Aircraft Company, yesterday, christened and officially tested the first specially designed light passenger craft, the Thunderbird, before a crowd of several hundred persons at the airport of the Aero Corporation of California on Western Avenue.

The Thunderbird, a speedy commercial biplane that differs from the average commercial plane, principally in the full streamline effect that tends to develop greater speed and case of handling, is the first plane of the W-F-W company built locally. Similar planes will be built here as soon as a permanent construction plant is located and the production unit located.

Alberta Vaughn, screen actress, broke the bottle of champagne on the landing gear of the plane in the ceremony that officially named the Thunderbird. She then congratulated Theodore A. Woolsey, designer of the craft, and Jack Frye, chief pilot of the Aero Corporation, who took the plane on its first public test.

Pilot Frye and the designer of the plane are associated with Paul Whittier in the aircraft company that is pushing plans rapidly toward the immediate opening of a construction plant in Los Angeles. It is expected other planes will be under construction within 6 months.

Jack Frye was a whiz at publicity this is how he was able to promote Burdett, Standard Air Lines and Aero Corporation during the hardest of economic times. Jack and his pal Paul Whittier hatched a plan to promote the newly formed Beverly Hills Aerial Police. The stunt promoted the new Thunderbird aircraft described below in Los Angeles papers.

LA Times- June 22 1928
Large Contract in Commercial Planes Secured

What company officials say is the largest contract for commercial airplanes was closed yesterday by the Thunderbird Aircraft Corporation of Glendale.

Fifty planes are to be delivered to Thunderbird Sales and Service Corporation, headed by Lee Schlens. The first plane will be delivered Saturday and one per week will be produced at the Glendale factory until the order is filled, according to Theodore A. Woolsey, president.

Woolsey said that business of $400,000 has been contracted for the coming year. Ten planes now are under construction and the total output will be three per week, Woolsey said. Seventy men are employed at the plant located at 900 Allen Avenue, Glendale, California.

Air Officer �Tags� Plane August 15, 1926
Beverly Hills �Sky Cop� Arrests Pilot on Charge of Flying To Low Over City

The Very First Aerial Officer In The State Of California-- N. Paul Whittier

The existence of a duly authorized and municipally maintained aerial police officer was revealed yesterday when motorists near Carthay Center saw a speeding plane, equipped with a regulation police siren force another plane to land in a near-by field.

Curious, they investigated and saw Aerial Officer Paul Whittier arrest Jack Frye, chief pilot of Aero Corporation of California on a charge of flying over Beverly Hills at a height of 600 feet, in violation of a city ordinance setting 1000 feet, as the lowest flying height permissible.

Frye was duly tagged, by the aerial officer and his case was set for Monday, at 10:00 a.m. before Judge Strellinger, in Beverly Hills, on whom will fall the honor of passing judgment on the first prisoner taken in to custody, by a sky officer in California.

A unique twist in yesterday�s arrest was revealed when it was learned that the Beverly Hills police plane is The Thunderbird, a highly developed machine that was given its inaugural flight by the man that was taken into custody yesterday! Incidentally the police plane is stabled overnights at the same field at which the prisoner is chief pilot.

It was learned yesterday that Whittier was appointed aerial officer several weeks ago by Chief of Police Blair of Beverly Hills, and since then has maintained a Daily Patrol over the city and above the canyons of the surrounding hills. Numerous stolen cars have been spotted in the brush-covered hill lands by the new air officer and a competent fire prevention patrol is maintained.

The plane bears the legend Beverly Hills Aerial Police logo, and on the bottom of the lower wings are painted huge police shields. Beverly Hills police authorities yesterday declared the innovation already has proved a success, and that the aerial police will be continued. Aerial Officer Whittier is the son of the late M.H. Whittier, local oil man.

Please note-- not only was Jack a close friend of Whittier
but Jack�s sister was as well. Please see this page.

Flyer Arrested Aloft
California Sky Policeman Hands Him a Traffic Tag For Low Flying
Beverly Hills, California August 15, 1926

The very first aerial traffic arrest in California made by a "sky speed cop" occurred yesterday. Aerial Officer (Nelson) Paul Whittier, appointed to make a daily patrol of forests for fires, today forced a plane, piloted by Jack Frye, a commercial aviator, to land and handed the flier a traffic tag to appear in court tomorrow, charged with flying at a height of only 600 feet above Beverly Hills. A city ordinance sets 1,000 feet as the minimum flying altitude.

Hearing Of Accused Airman Postponed
Jack Frye, aviator charged with flying under the 1000-feet altitude prescribed by law in Beverly Hills, appeared at the Beverly Hills City Hall yesterday morning and his case was postponed until 10 a.m., next Monday. He is at liberty in $100 Bail. Frye was arrested by Paul Whittier of the Beverly Hills Air Patrol.

California Airmen Sheriffs

September 27, 1926

The photo to the left shows, Walter Hamilton, Lee Willey, Richard Edwards, Jack Frye, and Paul Richter, being sworn in by Sheriff Traeger as members of the newly formed Aerial Sheriff Squadron. (See newspaper photo to the left.) The photo ran on October 20, 1926.

FIVE AIRPLANE DEPUTIES FOR FUGITIVE PURSUIT SQAUDRON TO BE SWORN IN TOMORROW

September 26, 1926

A real flying squadron, composed of five airplane deputy sheriffs, is to be sworn in tomorrow afternoon by Sheriff William I. Traeger at the airport of the Aero Corporation of California. One Hundred Fourth Street and Western Avenue, it was announced last night.

This will be the first organization of its kind to be formed any place in the United States and the deputy�s oath to five pilots will be administered at 2 p.m. following an inspection of the airport and equipment by the Sheriff.

Paul E. Richter, Jr., W. Jack Frye, Richmond A. Edwards, Walter A. Hamilton, and Lee Willey are the five pilots who will compose the first deputy-sheriff airplane squadron.

According to Sheriff Traeger, the air squadron will form an important link in the organization to apprehend criminals and enforce the laws of the country. The squadron will prove especially valuable, it is said by Traeger, in trapping criminals who are attempting to flee the country or who are seeking refuge in the hills and canyons.

Members of the air squad will be on duty all hours of the day and night and will be ready to take up pursuit upon a telephone call from the Sheriff�s office or any substation. All planes to be used in the service will be equipped with powerful searchlights for night use. Through the use of these lights it will be possible to follow speeding machines, to search open and wooded country and to signal other deputies following by machine or searching on foot.

According to Sheriff Traeger, the five pilots have undergone an intensive course in police work and have passed an examination on the criminal statutes and the duties of a deputy sheriff.

To e-mail the webmaster of this webpage
please contact: admin@sedonalegendhelenfrye.com

A majority of the materials for the Burdett Airport website were graciously submitted by Denis Smith, nephew of Joseph "June" Smith.
One photo on this page is thanks to the Richter Family Collection of Images, additional information and files came from the Sedona Legend Research Achive.

a Jack Frye

Transcontinental and Western Air

Historical Web Site

The Sedona Legend Website is a compilation of copyrighted original work and historic materials presented for educational and entertainment purposes. The historic publicity materials displayed do not generate income or profit. These historic materials are not considered my copyrighted original materials. These materials are displayed in regard to the United States �Fair Use Act.� I am happy to consider the removal of any material on this website which may hold a copyright.
Please notify me by E-Mail with any questions.

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