Northrop ALPHA 2D

Transcontinental & Western Air was the launch customer and ordered 5 Alpha 2D versions. These aircraft began services on April 20, 1931 from San Francisco to New York with 13 intermediate stops. The entire trip took just over 23 hours.

The Alpha had a multi cellular wing of stressed skin construction. New aerodynamic wing fillets and other cutting edge design features were installed on this aircraft. It was also first commercial type to be equipped with rubber deicer boots. A total of 17 Alphas were produced by Northrop.

TWA serial number 8, 1931

This photo shows the side entrance and forward passenger

compartment of the Alpha

Alpha 2D, NC947V with early Transcontinental & Western Air

markings on the fuselage.

A nice view of the Northrop Alpha 2D, NC11Y after restoration. For a complete history of this airplane please click this link.

Dimensions: Wingspan: 13.4 m (41 ft 10 in)

Length: 8.7 m (28 ft 5 in)
Height: 2.7 m (9 ft)
Weight, gross: 2,043 kg (4,500 lb)
Weight, empty: 1,208 kg (2,660 lb)
Top speed: 272 km/h (170 mph)

Northrop GAMMA 2-D

Jack Frye was very actively involved with any number of cutting edge developments in air travel, equipment improvements and actual flying research that would put his companies in front of the competition. He was both a savvy businessman, organizer as well as a hands-on flyer that required first person analysis of his airplane fleet. This attention to all of what was required by a leading aviation operation at the time was Jacks calling through and through. His attention to safety is historic and well documented on equipment specifications that are still applied in todays modern air travel. The flight of the GAMMA 2-D above states his dedication to exploring new trails for the advancement of air and cargo travel.