Photos of very early aircraft/airlines flying Alaska

This is a link to Ebay that shows many, many great aircraft of the early days of flying the skys of Alaska. Worth looking at even if not buying.

A comment was made elsewhere about a great Alaska pilot,
Joe Crosson. Take a look at the first photo on the second page of this site. This is the aircraft piloted by Joe Crosson out of Barrow with Will Rogers and Wiley Post on board after they were killed in a crash just west of town. Short story about that accident later.


http://cgi6.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.d...eadrome-old&include=0&since=-1&sort=3&rows=50

Ernie

Cool pics.

Steve Pierce said:

Cool pics.

Click to expand...

Thanks Steve although I had nothing to do with these but I have so many more if people are interested. Oh the beauty of flying Alaska in the early days. Take along a ball of twine (never forget the piece of bailing wire) and find a few sticks around the aircraft and with a hammer to pound out the prop and a guy/gal could go anywhere. A piece of cloth always helped to have along too and if not need for the aircraft for fabric repair, it helped to keep warm while sleeping under the wing.

So many memories I am trying to put in print and I am only 1/4 or so through the life. A great reason to support the outstanding site that Steve and Dana have given us to enjoy and who have allowed me the space to share these thoughts to everyone.

Ernie

Part of the Wien fleet.

http://www.supercub.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=41029#41029


Link to some of the aircraft at the Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum in Anchorage.

http://www.ruudleeuw.com/alcan03-museum1.htm


A real workhouse in early Alaska. Stinson UC-81 Reliant

http://www.fleetairarmarchive.net/Aircraft/Reliant.htm

Photos of two friends, Merrill and Richard Wien in blue coveralls, who flew a 75th anniversary flight from the park in downtown Anchorage to Fairbanks a few years ago. You will not believe this but the FAA actually helped with getting the wavers done for that departure but the FAA in Alaska has always been so helpful but still always withing regulations. (I am sure all Alaska pilots agree). It was the anniversary of the first flight that their parent's company flew from Anchorage to Fairbanks. Needless to say, it is a fully restored Boeing Stearman and really a beautiful ship.
There is a very good article about the flight and will post it over in my memories area when I find it along with this link.

As I recall, this aircraft is on display at the Heritage Museum.


http://camera.touchngo.com/wien.htm

Ernie

AlaskaAV said:

Photos of two friends, Merrill and Richard Wien in blue coveralls, who flew a 75th anniversary flight from the park in downtown Anchorage to Fairbanks a few years ago. You will not believe this but the FAA actually helped with getting the wavers done for that departure but the FAA in Alaska has always been so helpful but still always withing regulations. (I am sure all Alaska pilots agree). It was the anniversary of the first flight that their parent's company flew from Anchorage to Fairbanks. Needless to say, it is a fully restored Waco and really a beautiful ship.
There is a very good article about the flight and will post it over in my memories area when I find it along with this link.

As I recall, this aircraft is on display at the Heritage Museum.


http://camera.touchngo.com/wien.htm

Ernie

Click to expand...

Actually Ernie, not that it changes the story, it's a Boeing Stearman... If you notice, it has the number 247 painted on the side... Boeing 247... A friend of mine had a Stearman, N747Q, thought it was cool to call in "Boeing 747 Quebec"... I've ridden with Merrill, actually he rode with me in a turbine Cessna 206 on amphibs... Heck of a nice guy...

Thanks a lot. Appreciate the correction. My Ex wife always told me I was wrong all the time anyway. I will go back and edit it.

Do you remember that flight? What a thing for Fairbanks and Anchorage. I was out of state when that went flew but I will find the log and map for all to read.

Richard was the person that hired me into Wien in 1965. What a person to work for, back that up, work with.
I like what he seems to be doing with Alaska Airlines and Harizon Air.
Oh the stories I could tell about Merrill but not on the Internet. What a pilot he is. Have you seen his Widgen?

Thanks again

Ernie

AlaskaAV said:

Thanks a lot. Appreciate the correction. My Ex wife always told me I was wrong all the time anyway. I will go back and edit it.

Do you remember that flight? What a thing for Fairbanks and Anchorage. I was out of state when that went flew but I will find the log and map for all to read.

Richard was the person that hired me into Wien in 1965. What a person to work for, back that up, work with.
I like what he seems to be doing with Alaska Airlines and Harizon Air.
Oh the stories I could tell about Merrill but not on the Internet. What a pilot he is. Have you seen his Widgen?

Thanks again

Ernie

Click to expand...

Ernie...

Merrill sold the Widgeon (Rangers with Hartzell props) to his Son Kurt and I think Kurt has sold it too... Merrill's was an absolutely beautiful Widgeon... I think Richard still has his (Continentals)...

When Pigs Fly said:

AlaskaAV said:

Thanks a lot. Appreciate the correction. My Ex wife always told me I was wrong all the time anyway. I will go back and edit it.

Do you remember that flight? What a thing for Fairbanks and Anchorage. I was out of state when that went flew but I will find the log and map for all to read.

Richard was the person that hired me into Wien in 1965. What a person to work for, back that up, work with.
I like what he seems to be doing with Alaska Airlines and Harizon Air.
Oh the stories I could tell about Merrill but not on the Internet. What a pilot he is. Have you seen his Widgen?

Thanks again

Ernie

Click to expand...

Ernie...

Merrill sold the Widgeon (Rangers with Hartzell props) to his Son Kurt and I think Kurt has sold it too... Merrill's was an absolutely beautiful Widgeon... I think Richard still has his (Continentals)...

Click to expand...

There are photos of one or both them on the Internet. Come to think of it, I did hear that Kurt had bought it and I think that is the photo on the internet. That had to be a fun aircraft to play with.
I have seen two Albatrosses converted into "motor home" type of interiors. Gee, how I wish I had lots of money and a beautiful copilot that enjoyed the same type of living and who was certified in the aircraft. Around the world in 5 years or so.

Check out the Wily Post memory on the other site. Feel free to add on if you can. Since I was not there, I can only listen to friends who were there.

Ernie

A fantastic link to all the great airlines that built Alaska.

Needless to say, I am partial to Wien but all the other airlines have equal history, even Pan Am.

http://www.geocities.com/alaskanheritage/

I must admit, when I found this link, there was a tear or two. You don't loose airlines like this with out lots of memories. When United goes down the last time, everyone will know how it feels.

Ernie

Although no photos, a very interesting history of Alaska aviation done as a class project for school. Please note the first paragraph.

http://www.mehs.educ.state.ak.us/portfolios/sharonr/schoolprojects/aviation.html

Ernie, Thanks for the memories.... a PNA DC-3 from Anchorage to Kodiak is my first airplane ride memory. I remember it turning back and landing at Homer in a snowstorm due to worse weather ahead. I also remember trips on the Connie from Kodiak to Seattle, with a fuel stop at Annette Is. if it was going to take over 7hrs.
Coincidently, I saw a local news piece about divers recently recovering the contents from a car that went off the road into Lake Cresent near Pt. Angeles in 1960. A passenger was returning from a trip and one of the things they pulled from the trunk was a vinyl "PNA" travel bag.

Anything coming about Bob Hall and Kodiak Airways?

Thanks
Mikey

Mikey said:

Ernie, Thanks for the memories.... a PNA DC-3 from Anchorage to Kodiak is my first airplane ride memory. I remember it turning back and landing at Homer in a snowstorm due to worse weather ahead. I also remember trips on the Connie from Kodiak to Seattle, with a fuel stop at Annette Is. if it was going to take over 7hrs.
Coincidently, I saw a local news piece about divers recently recovering the contents from a car that went off the road into Lake Cresent near Pt. Angeles in 1960. A passenger was returning from a trip and one of the things they pulled from the trunk was a vinyl "PNA" travel bag.

Anything coming about Bob Hall and Kodiak Airways?

Thanks
Mikey

Click to expand...

Thanks for the added input Mikey. Appreciate it.

Sorry about Kodiak Airways. Other than meeting a few employees, I don't have enough accurate information to pass on. If you have any stories, please feel free to post them over in my memories area so everyone can enjoy them. Same with PNA which was a great airline in it's days too.

Remember those belly pods on the PNA Connies? Oh how we hated the one we had for our 749 Connie, 7777G. The cables were run by electric motors and always electrical problems and talk about work trying to unload them just below the belly. Finally we just parked the pod. That little baggage compartment just behind the nose gear was really a problem to get into and offload too. Seemed it was like a mile off the ground.

Thanks for the comment

Ernie

Alaska bush flying in the Brooks Range.

For those not familiar with how beautiful flying the bush of Alaska can be, the following links will give you an idea. These photos are of the Atigun Pass area along the Alyeska Pipeline out of Prudhoe Bay to Valdez.
We used to land our Twin Otters, F-27s and F-227s at the private Atigun Airport durring construction of the pipeline.


http://www.alaska.faa.gov/fai/images/ATIGUNPASS/ATIGUN0.jpg


http://www.alaska.faa.gov/fai/airports2.htm#Arctic

Scroll down just over half way and locate the Atigun area shown on the right side. Each photo has a different view. Just picture try going through that pass with a very low ceiling. At the pass itself, it is one way and a 180 is almost impossible with anything other than a Super Cub or equal aircraft. As you look at the photos, you will see a light colored line at the bottom of the pass. This is the pipeline itself which was above ground in that area.

Just to the left of the Atigun area above is another list of photos of airports on the North Slope in much the same area.

I could talk for hours and never be able to describe areas such as this and how much fun it is to fly a Cub or Cessna in. Pictures speak a thousand words.

Largest cargo aircraft in the world.

Following are links to the huge Russian AN-225 that has made many layovers in Anchorage for fuel, crew change and maintenance. Unbelievable aircraft and used quite often by American industrial companies. To my knowledge, there is only one flying at this time although more were built.

http://members.lycos.co.uk/aerospace21/antonov/an-225.html

http://images.google.com/images?q="AN-225"&ie=ISO-8859-1&hl=en

http://www.aerospaceweb.org/aircraft/transport-m/an225/

Anyone care to change all wheel assemblies? How about 60 of them?

The AN-124 is a great cargo aircraft, also a frequent layover in Anchorage.

http://images.google.com/images?q="an-124"&ie=ISO-8859-1&hl=en

http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/row/an-124.htm

What an aircraft to operate a charter for any mile high club.

Ok, now on the subject of Russia I have to say something about my oldest brother.


Another story about Russia.


While on leave from Wien, I was assistant manager of the only hotel at Prudhoe Bay open to the public. At the same time, I set up and operated the first commercial tour program of the entire oil patch on the north slope.
At one point, there was a large group of National Science Foundation personnel from all over the world that stayed at my hotel when I was acting manager. Remember, this was back in the cold war days.
Since the entire oil patch was declared dry and no alcohol available, I invited the whole group to my room. I couldn't read so didn't know what the directions said.

At some point during the evening, I ended up sitting next to a great guy from Russia (who could speak some english) who had brought along his own bottle of, guess what? Vodka. He shared it with me and talk about something great. Went down like water. Anyway, we got talking and I happened to mention that my oldest brother had done a lot of lecturing in Russia, especially at the University of Moscow. Sooner or later, he asked the name of my brother and I said "Dr. Don Aufenkamp". Talk about a shock on someone's face.
After he got his voice back, he told me he had met and spent a lot of time with my brother in Moscow. One night, both of them almost got thrown in jail in Moscow by the KGB when they got drunk while parting. Seems the KGB was following my brother wherever he went. My bro never said a word about it so when I heard about it from a guy from Russia, it really floured me.
Much later, my brother confirmed the situation and was really surprised I had met the guy. That was about the time my brother brought out a bottle of the same vodka. Served in sake cups to save volume I assume. Kind of hard to keep up with a brother that got his degree at the Sorbonne in Paris, studied under Einstein and worked with Oppenheimer but I tried. I think I got a grade of F though. Just call me stupid. Now days I have to have a rabbit to help me tie my sneakers.

Another good friend of mine that flew for Wien.

http://www.akpub.com/akttt/hulsh01.html

A great bush pilot who helped build the state in the early days. He always kept his passengers laughing.

A link about my boss for several years, Andy Anderson. His book "Arctic Bush Pilot" (www.amazon.com) is well worth reading. Tells many stories of what the bush pilots in the 50s in Alaska had to go through out of Bettles. Many good photos too. After reading it please remember, "it was written on a closed course by a professional driver and please don't try this at home".

http://portfolio.waynesburg.edu/~san2416/stuorg_files/FirstHeraldStandardArticle

The lodge that Andy built at Bettles.

http://images.google.com/images?q="bettles+lodge"&ie=ISO-8859-1&hl=en

One of the great general ground mechanics that kept our aircraft and facilities going in the bush for pilots like Andy Anderson. This great guy started with Noel and Sig Wien almost from the start of the airline.

I did not have the honor of meeting and knowing him but everyone in the entire system knew about him. No one ever knew how he could fix anything since he had no real training other than common sense and I suspect he had lots of that and whatever he repaired, aircraft, generator or truck engine, it always ran for eons.

http://www.hancockhouse.com/products/alask4.htm

I often talk about Don Sheldon, probably the foremost high altitude bush pilot I have ever met in my life. After he left us, K-9 came in and the ladies were great too but maybe Don had a little edge. He used to fly out of Talkeetna and made so many emergency evacuations of climbers on "The Great One", Mt. McKinley, in all kinds of weather. In my days, he kept one C-185 with no paint just for that operation. He always felt that extra 25 pounds might save his life someday and who knows how many times it actually did.

Following is a link to many photos of "The Great One" and be sure and click on each thumbnail. Sooner or later, you will get to the photo of his very remote cabin at a very high altitude almost to the point of needing oxygen but Oh what a view.

http://www.pollackphoto.com/us/ak/ruth/default.htm

A link to an old time friend and great pilot with Wien Air Alaska. Merrill is the son of one of the brother founders of Wien Air Alaska, Noel Wien.

http://www.heritageflight.org/People_Pages/Merril_main_1.htm

http://www.avweb.com/news/columns/182043-1.html

http://www.magicair.com/Visitors.html

http://www.orgsites.com/ca/caf-socal/C-46stories.htm

I was recently informed that Merrill sold his Widgeon to his son who may have resold it. What a beautiful restored aircraft it is.

The stories about the old C-46 are really interesting. A great workhorse in the early days of building the bush of Alaska.

moved

History of Russel Merrill who Merrill Field (MRI) is named after. In 1957 when I was flying out of there, it was rated as the 4th busiest airport in the US. Nothing unusual at all to have 20 to 25 aircraft in the pattern at one time. (not in a holding pattern)

http://www.ci.anchorage.ak.us/merrill1/about.cfm

History of Ben Eielson who Eielson Air Force Base in Fairbanks is named after. Be sure and check all the links.

http://www.explorenorth.com/library/weekly/aa022800a.htm

Emergency evacuation May of 1941 out of the Hong Kong Kai Tak airport.
Aircraft: DC-2 1/2 Interesting aircraft as you will see in the link below.

This story has been around for a long time but maybe some of the newer pilots will still enjoy it.

At some point, an area in South East Asia was being over run by the bad guys. Lots of strafing of aircraft on the ground, mainly DC-2s and
DC-3s. Just after the attack and when all flyable aircraft had departed with full passenger loads, there were still many people trying to get out. Some really great mechanics with no "how to" manuals started looking around.

They found a DC-2 that was completely gone except for one wing. Not far away was a DC-3 that had a wing completely destroyed. (photos in link below) After doing some measuring, they figured they could stick that DC-2 wing, including engine, on the 3 and get one more aircraft flying. Needless to say, they got it bolted on but as I recall, no time for a test flight.

There were 54 passengers taken out on that flight, granted mostly little children and women so the weight might have not been all that bad but still over gross for a DC-3 let alone a DC-2 1/2. The media immediately started calling that aircraft a Douglas 2 1/2 and it has stuck ever since.

Although I believe the info I have is close to correct, it would be a good idea to trust the link below.

http://www.cnac.org/aircraft02.htm

(enjoy the music)


There was another emergency evacuation in modern days using a 747 (not sure what model) where there were 1054 passengers and another flight close to that number of passengers. When the chips are down, Douglas and Boeing and the great flight crews that flew their aircraft forgot to read part of the manuals. "It can't be done". Same as Piper did in Anchorage out of Merrill Filed in Anchorage just after the
Super Cub 150s came out in the 50s. 2400 payload of lead weights before the FAA stopped the demonstration.

Max Conrad Light aircraft pilot with 50,000 hours of flight time.


No need for me to tell this story because there are so many great links to his life. I met Max at Point Barrow on a record attempt back in 1964, I believe, when I fueled his flying gas tank. He was trying to fly to the south pole after having flown over the north pole. The flight had to abort but he tried again a few years later. What a guy to sit and talk with but it was always more interesting to just not say a word and listen to all his adventures.

Start with this link and if you feel it is interesting, search www.google.com for "max conrad" using the quotations marks.

http://www.luminet.net/~bkuhl/maxpics.htm

http://www.maxconrad.com/

http://www.southpolestation.com/trivia/igy2/conrad1.html
second attempt.

For those not familiar with bush flying in the golden days in Alaska, this link shows several great books to read and all worth while. Of course I have to recommend the book about the life of Noel Wien, one of the founders of the airline I worked for, Wien Air Alaska. Also the book? Arctic Bush Pilot about the life of my boss for several years, Andy Anderson.

http://www.hearthsidebooks.com/NASApp/store/IndexJsp?s=localbestsellers&page=214813

I recommend www.amazon.com to order from since there are many used books available at very low prices.

Although not an Alaskan air carrier, I thought many would enjoy some of the history of PSA (Pacific States Aviation).

http://www.pacificstatesaviation.com/pagesix.htm

How many out there would really enjoy grabbing the stick on that P-82E and take it up to play with the good old white clouds or tease some Hornets or F-22s. Far more fun than in the Pink Lady P-51 in Anchorage maybe but the price of fuel would shoot even that aircraft down? I have seen one P-82 aircraft and what a machine. Far better lines (other than my Playboy Bunny girl friend) than even the P-38 which has always been my favorite.

AlaskaAV said:

Although not an Alaskan air carrier, I thought many would enjoy some of the history of PSA (Pacific States Aviation).

http://www.pacificstatesaviation.com/pagesix.htm

How many out there would really enjoy grabbing the stick on that P-82E and take it up to play with the good old white clouds or tease some Hornets or F-22s. Far more fun than in the Pink Lady P-51 in Anchorage maybe but the price of fuel would shoot even that aircraft down? I have seen one P-82 aircraft and what a machine. Far better lines (other than my Playboy Bunny girl friend) than even the P-38 which has always been my favorite.

Click to expand...

Ernie, are you sure you didn't mean Pacific Southwest Airlines?... I literally grew up on Concord Airport (Buchanan Field)... My Dad started his business there in 1946, we were the Beechcraft dealer and our competition was Pacific States Aviation, the Cessna dealer...

On another note, I have a full set of data plates off a P-82 that crashed in Alaska...

When Pigs Fly said:

AlaskaAV said:

Although not an Alaskan air carrier, I thought many would enjoy some of the history of PSA (Pacific States Aviation).

http://www.pacificstatesaviation.com/pagesix.htm

How many out there would really enjoy grabbing the stick on that P-82E and take it up to play with the good old white clouds or tease some Hornets or F-22s. Far more fun than in the Pink Lady P-51 in Anchorage maybe but the price of fuel would shoot even that aircraft down? I have seen one P-82 aircraft and what a machine. Far better lines (other than my Playboy Bunny girl friend) than even the P-38 which has always been my favorite.

Click to expand...

Ernie, are you sure you didn't mean Pacific Southwest Airlines?... I literally grew up on Concord Airport (Buchanan Field)... My Dad started his business there in 1946, we were the Beechcraft dealer and our competition was Pacific States Aviation, the Cessna dealer...

On another note, I have a full set of data plates off a P-82 that crashed in Alaska...

Click to expand...

There was Pacific States and Pacific Southwest that shared the PSA abbreviation at the time, one an airline and the other, as you said, the Cessna dealer. Seems rather odd.

Where did that P-82 go down in Alaska?

Ernie

AlaskaAV said:

There was Pacific States and Pacific Southwest that shared the PSA abbreviation at the time, one an airline and the other, as you said, the Cessna dealer. Seems rather odd.

Where did that P-82 go down in Alaska?

Ernie

Click to expand...

Ernie, I'll PM you...

Airplanes in the Wrangles, southeast Alaska.


Some history and aircraft photos of a couple of great airlines in the old days of Alaska. Of course, Alaska Airlines is still flying and to me, one of the best in the sky today.

I worked for and with some of those mentioned in the article on this link.

http://www.mccarthy-kennicott.com/MA2001/id5.htm