sedona legend helen frye

Jack Frye- TWA Legend

Northrop Gamma 2D

TWA- NR-13757 and NX-13757

Sedona Legend Profile Series

The very first TWA Northrop Gamma "Overweather Experimental Laboratory", although not as widely publicized as the TWA Northrop Gamma- NX-13758.

This is the very same plane Jack Frye landed in the Arizona desert amid a howling blizzard January 12, 1935. The picture at the right, circulated world-wide was captured May 14, 1934, in Newark, New Jersey. Jack Frye had just broke a coast-to-coast aviation record. Jack can be seen in the cockpit. TWA File Photo

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 started its flight experiments 6 months prior in 1933. Jack's Gamma, as shown here, was soon replaced by the more publized TWA flight laboratory, NX-13758. When the NR-13758 was not being used for research, it served as Jack Frye's personal executive plane from 1935-1940. In 1940, Jack purchased the Lockheed Electra 12A, NC- 18137 which became his executive plane, and a third TWA experimental flight laboratory.

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

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, NX-13758, for TWA experimental flight tests, Jack was always "hands on" with TWA research. See the incredible documentation of Jack Frye's TWA executive planes on this page.

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 Gamma.

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

Jack Frye in his Northrop Gamma @ the National Air Races 1934, Cleveland Ohio.

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