307 Stratoliners Come Home

Image courtesy WHMCKC

 

The U. S. Army returned its five C-75s to TWA in 1944, who then sent them back to Boeing for extensive overhaul and rebuilding. Boeing replaced the wings and horizontal tail with those from the improved B-17G bomber model, while more powerful engines were fitted and the electrical system was replaced with one based on the Boeing B-29 Superfortress. Passenger capacity was increased from 33 to 38. The rebuild cost to TWA was $2 million for the five aircraft, which then re-entered passenger service on April 1, 1945. Although TWA was now committed to the larger and faster Lockheed Constellation, the Stratoliners remained in use for regional passenger service until being withdrawn and sold in April, 1951.

 

TWA then sold its Stratoliner fleet to the French airline Aigle Azur, who used them for scheduled flights from France to North and Central Africa, and later to French Indo-China. These 307s were later transferred to Aigle Azur's Vietnamese subsidiary and were used by a number of airlines in South East Asia, with at least one aircraft remaining in commercial use until 1974. Pan-Am disposed of its unmodified Stratoliners earlier than TWA, with them being sold to a number of small operators. One aircraft was purchased by the Haitian Air Force, being fitted out as a Presidential transport for Papa Doc Duvalier. This aircraft was later returned to the United States and was purchased by the Smithsonian Museum. (source wikipedia)

And this brings to closure the Stratoliner story with Jack Frye and TWA. The blog will now venture into the ultimate four engined propeller driven airliner in history - The Lockheed Constellation popularly known as the 'CONNIE'.

 

WWII breaks out - Boeing 307 Becomes C-75

December 7, 1941 as we know was the horrible day America was attacked by the Japanese at Pearl Harbor. Shortly thereafter congress and FDR declared war which became WWII. The US Government ordered TWA to deliver the 5 Stratoliners to the Civil Aeronautics Board.

The first delivery to a customer was to multi-millionaire Howard Hughes, who purchased one 307 for a round-the-world flight, hoping to break his own record of 91 hours 14 minutes set between July 10–14, 1938 in a Lockheed 14. Hughes' Boeing Stratoliner was fitted with extra fuel tanks and was ready to set out on the first leg of the round-the-world attempt when Nazi Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939, causing the attempt to be abandoned. This 307 later had the extra fuel tanks removed, was fitted with much more powerful Wright R-2600 engines, and was transformed into a luxurious "flying penthouse" for Hughes, although it was little used, eventually being sold to oil tycoon Glenn McCarthy in 1949.

Deliveries to Pan-Am started in March 1940, with TWA receiving its first 307 in April. TWA's Stratoliners flew three-stop flights between Los Angeles and New York while Pan-Am's flew from Miami to Latin America. Ten 307s were built, three being delivered to Pan-Am (named Clipper Flying Cloud, Clipper Comet, and Clipper Rainbow) and five to TWA (named Comanche, Cherokee, Zuni, Navajo, and Apache) with the one aircraft going to Howard Hughes. As previously noted, the first 307 crashed during a flight test demonstration to Dutch airline KLM.

On the entry of the United States into World War II. following the Attack on Pearl Harbor, Pan-Am continued operating its Stratoliners on routes to Central and South America, but under direction of the Army Air Force, while TWA's 307s were sold to the U. S. government, being designated Boeing C-75 and operated by the United States Army Air Forces (although normally still flown by TWA crews). (source wikipedia)

TWA President Jack Frye in the middle of negotiations with the US Government was glad to lead the way and commission his fleet of 307's for duty. This must have been quite a managerial leap of patriotism for both him and the shareholders of the company to see their brand new fleet go to war!

Caption above reads:

Members of the Civil Aeronautics Board were present at the Inaugural take-off of the first Stratoliner with crew recently turned over to the Army to serve in a foreign courier service. Pictured above (L to R) are standing: N.S. Talbott, TWA Director: Oswald Ryan, C.A.B.: Peter Redpath, navigator: Donald Terry, first officer: President Jack Frye: Otis Bryan, captain: Milo Campbell, first officer: W.L. Noftsinger, second officer: George Baker, C.A.B.: kneeling, Harllee Branch, C.A.B.: Wesley Pogue, chairman, C.A.B.: W.R. Shook, radio operator, C.A.B.: Robert Proctor, flight engineer: Guy Arnold, navigator: Edward P. Warner, C.A.B.

Images courtesy WHMCKC

Frye Inspects New Stratoliners

I am pleased to present a brand new photo donated to the Jack Frye Aviation Pioneer blog by Mr. Jon Proctor, retired TWA employee. The photo is of superior quality and shows some interesting styling selections in the seat upholstery with stars embedded. Since this is the very first airliner with a pressurized cabin enabeling it to fly passengers safely and comfortably in the sub-stratosphere (closer to the stars), could it be the designers and Jack wished to help passengers grasp this subliminal "closer to the stars" idea? Who's to say. Also note it appears the gentleman are sitting in what might be the first class section. From what Jon mentions in his comments, one can surmise Jack was out on the west coast on business to inspect the brand new planes prior to their delivery to Kansas City.

(right click image to view full size in a new window)

Here are Jon's comments:

"I have attached a picture of Jack, sitting in a Stratoliner, that came to me from Ed Betts (mentioned on your site); he and I were great friends and corresponded frequently before his passing. I believe he got it from Boeing, which leads me to believe it was taken at Seattle before the first Stratoliner was delivered. Unfortunately there was no caption with the picture and I don't have a name for the other person. More than likely it was an Boeing official. I've put out some feelers and if I find the name I'll let you know. Jon Proctor".

Be sure to visit Jon Proctors website at http://jonproctor.net/. He has a very interesting and informative career history with TWA, Pan Am, and is an accomplished historian/journalist having written several airline books.

Thank you Jon!

The Jack Frye Aviation Pioneer blog always welcomes donated photographs and stories about our favorite airline president. As is always the case, we award full credits and attach links to your donated materials.

TWA Red Stripes & Jack Frye

An interesting bit of trivia is, where did the idea of the TWA red stripes come from. I have read that, Jack Frye was walking down a street in New York City and saw a painting of a TWA airplane in a store window. The artist had added double stripes on the vertical fin. Frye liked the idea, bought and brought the painting back to TWA's headquarters at 10 Richards Road in Kansas City. He gave the painting to John Roche, who was assigned to the project. Roche transferred the stripes to TWA drawings, and then to the airplanes.

After the end of World War II, the double stripes were carried over the full length of the aircraft fuselage. Below are examples of prewar tail stripes only, and postwar applications. Both photos are from old TWA archive files.

Prewar striping

Postwar striping

Many thanks to Jon Proctor, retired TWA employee/historian, for this accounting of the origin of TWA's iconic Red Stripes. Visit his website here.

Edit: It is published by other sources the actual paint color specification was resolved to be Sherwin Williams Vermillion Lacquer 32092. 

Inaugrural STRATOLINER Commercial Flight

 

 

The 'dress rehersal' flights through the worlds newest travel-zone, the 'sub-stratosphere' 4 to 5 miles above the earth was held the week of June 23-29. as a final preliminary to the regular operation of the fleet of Boeing Stratoliners.

 

The new 307 STRATOLINER went into Coast To Coast service, July 8, 1940. On hand for the inaugrural flight from Burbank Terminal is movie stars Brenda Joyce and Tyrone Power who were on board for the historic flight to LaGuardia Field, New York. The 307 was piloted by captains W.G. Golain and Jack Zimmerman for the 12 hour and 13 minute flight.

 

Jack Frye's company officially breaks the elevation barrier for all the world to see setting the standard for future airline travel. What a hallmark of his and his development teams career.

 

 

First passengers on the historic flight.

 

 

 

Images courtesy WHMCKC

 

 

For a more complete history of the Boeing 307 Stratoliner aircraft, click here

 

Frye Announces TWA Plans, June 1940

New TWA TRANSCONTINENTAL Routes for the Stratoliner. The next historic milestone in air travel for Jack Frye and company. These were exciting times to be able to serve passengers nationwide with the new Stratoliners and their comfortable pressurized cabins. When we compare a route map of the 21st century and its hundreds of lines amassed like a city of spider webs, versus the simple map below from 1940, this truly depicts the sensational advancement and coverage airline companies have weaved into the fabric of our nation, and the globe!

We take it for granted that airline travel in the pioneering years up to 1940 as shown here, was not a normal everyday occurance folks could experience going about their daily business. We tend to forget, this period was still a luxury to be able to fly from state to state, and coast to coast for the average citizen. It was still out of reach for the masses for reasons of affordability and the fact that there just wasn't enough seat space to go around. Oh yes, Jack Frye must have had many nights of sleeplesness wrestling with how-to accomodate more and more passengers and to grow his company safely, on time and at a profit. This announcement might well have been one of those nights he was able to wrestle and tame knowing his companies new plans were pointing toward success.

Right click on image to view full size in a new window

Images courtesy WHMCKC

Stratoliners Delivered For Testing

 

Five new 33 passenger Boeing Stratoliners slated for TWA service are now being tested on daily flights from Kansas City throughout the TWA system. No's 400. 401, 402, 403 and 404 all together on the tarmack together, gleaming ready for the task mark the next milestone towards full service coming in July, 1940.

 

Also announced in this months Skyliner headline page is the appointment of DW 'Tommy' Tomlinson as the new Vice President of Engineering. If you remember Tomlinson was the cheif flying engineer who with Jack Frye were the pioneers in 'over-weather' flight testing with many dangers and unknowns. This key testing undertaken by Transcontinental & Western Air led by Frye was the forerunner to the Stratoliner's design and purpose with it being the very first airliner with a pressurized fuselage.

 

I'll bet if you ask anybody on the street the question, "What airliner was the first to fly passengers above the clouds in a comfortable pressurized cabin", none if any would know the answer. It's kind of a sad report on such a great airplane and it's key role in todays modern commercial travel history.

 

Image courtesy WHMCKC

 

Orson Wells receives Gold

 

Image courtesy WHMCKC

 

 

TWA offered memberships into what they called the Stratoliner Club. These medallions were issued to members before the war in 1940. Shown enlarged for detailed viewing.

 

Front

Back

Paper certificate signed by Jack Frye

 

Stratoliner 307 Christened

 Image courtesy WHMCKC

(right click on image to see full size in new window)

May 27, 1940 brought Mrs. Robert H. Hinckley, wife of the charman of the Civil Aeronautics Authority to Bolling Field, Washington. She clipped a strand of colored ribbon officially releasing Boeing no. 402 for flight. Over 100,000 excited onlookers were on hand over three days to inspect the TWA Stratoliner, and to witness this momentous occasion that launched above the clouds flying, a new first in airline history. Many high praises went to TWA's executive and engineering staff for being the first to adopt the aircraft for domestic service. Jack Frye must have been especially proud of this great acheivement.

 

Floating Stratoliner

 

Howard Hughes personal 307 converted into a houseboat!

 

The COSMIC MUFFIN is without a doubt the most unique one of a kind houseboats in the world. Its current owner Dave Drimmer keeps the Muffin in shape in an effort to maintain the legacy of one of Howard Hughes luxuries of the day, his Flying Penthouse. I only post this segment because of Howards relavence to Jack Frye and TWA's future, for his major investment in the company that set in motion a new direction toward world travel the likes that had not been realized by 1940. The Cosmic Muffin allows us a glimpse into Howards out-of-the-box thinking in terms of luxury that possibly translated into more passenger creature comforts for the next airline decade. You have to admit, this houseboat is pretty cool and turns heads wherever it cruises.
 

New Stratoliner is Introduced

 

In connection with the introduction of the new Stratoliner in 1940 as shown above at the Boeing Seattle plant, Representative Cannon, (D. Mo.) states in retrospect that railroad and automobile travel has been the safest in the land. But he follows up his summary that airline travel has not experienced one fatality so far in 1940. Jack Frye's vision has finally become the universal standard from which all future air travel is to be conducted. Remember his motto? Safety, Comfort and Schedule.

 

 

 

 

President Frye making an announcement to all TWA employee's the challenge ahead as more and more customers make flying a preferred mode of travel further and further away from home. The world is suddenly becomming smaller and smaller in 1940 and he is fully aware of its huge impact on air service.

 

 

 

 Image courtesy WHMCKC

 

First Pressurized Cabin Airliner

Enter the new Boeing Stratoliner 307 into the TWA fleet

photo courtesy Terry Wall

Up to 1940, the DC-3 was a very successful ship for TWA and other airlines that until today are still considered the most successful airplane ever produced. But it lacked an all-encompassing comfortable flight for passengers flying through weather in altitude ranges of 5-10,000 feet. By 1937 it was realized through Tommy Tomlinson’s high altitude testing in the Northrop Gamma and DC's that, the cabin needed to be pressurized in order to comfortably and continuously fly 'above the clouds' in the 20,000 foot range. The new STRATOLINER 307 was the very first aircraft with this new feature. The pressure differential was 2.5 psi (17 kPa), so at 14,700 ft. (4,480 m) the cabin altitude was 8,000 ft. (2,440 m). The Model 307 had capacity for a crew of five and 33 passengers. The cabin was nearly 12 ft. (3.6 m) across. It was the first land-based aircraft to include a flight engineer as a crew member (several flying boats had included a flight engineer position earlier). It changed the whole outlook of the future of global passenger travel. Another milestone first under the leadership of Jack Frye.

Here is a great 1940's video of the Stratoliner sponsored by Fashion Designs with the iconic background tones of the Glenn Miller Band. This is luxury flying at its best in the new pressurized cabin that paved the way to modern comfortable worldwide travel.

  

Video provided by Bomberguy

Too read about the 307's developement and service history, click here