Jack & Helen Frye Story – the Camelot Years of TWA
Frye Aviation Legacy
Transcontinental & Western Air, Inc. Trans World Airlines TWA
By Randall Reynolds
To purchase my Biography-Love Story (seen above) please click: Jack & Helen Frye Story – the Camelot Years of TWA which is available on Amazon in Softcover or Kindle
Airline to the Stars- Trans World Airline- TWA
President of Trans World Airline (TWA) Jack Frye and Helen Vanderbilt Frye (Notation: Trans World Airline was revised to Trans World Airline(s) after Jack resigned)
Jack Frye and wife Helen congratulating flight crew of Trans World Airline Constellation (1946)
Seen (right to left) Irma Protzmann Hannegan (wife of Robert Hannegan, U.S. Postmaster General & Chairman of Democratic National Committee), Kathryn Murphy Nunan (wife of Joseph D. Nunan Jr. Internal Revenue Commissioner), President of TWA Jack Frye & wife Helen Varner Vanderbilt Frye. Frye TWA Private Hostess (Attendant Stewardess) Harriet Appelwick is seen in doorway, others are unknown. The lady next to Helen, though, is thought to be an emissary-diplomat for a country which Frye was trying to secure TWA routes from. Image was taken at the deplaning of a flight with Jack and Helen Frye, the aircraft shown is Frye’s Private TWA Lockheed Lodestar NC33604. The location was Washington D.C. (Washington National Airport) DCA. The circumstances are not known, however, another flight close to this timeframe was in connection with a Democratic junket (vacation) the Frye’s took to Florida with Robert Hannegan (Chairman of the Democratic National Committee) and his wife Irma. The passengers shown are some of the most politically connected of the Roosevelt administration, Jack too was one of the most powerful men of the Democratic Party in the 1940’s and 1950’s (Roosevelt and Truman administrations). Jack was even asked to run for President of the United States (according to his daughter) in the 1950’s. Another interesting note on Jack and Helen Frye were they were invited to White House dinners several times. As testament to this, Helen was endeared to President Roosevelt when he would feed his terrier Fala from the table. Helen was a animal lover and even helped found the Sedona Humane Society! Also it was said Jack Frye was the only White House intimate who was allowed access to the Oval Office day or night! The Lodestar could board 14-passengers with 3-crew members (1945). The image cited was originally a Reni News Photo but appears copyright has not been updated or renewed to our current time frame of 2025. Therefore the image is displayed in accordance with fair use practice and thought to be ‘public domain’. The image is displayed as historically significant and in a manner which does not generate profit, any infringement on the copyright of said is not intentional. On file at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library. Truman Library image(s) hold specialized copyrights & usage fees –paid by Sedona Legend As stated earlier my purpose of this website is not to repeat narrative found in my novel ‘the Jack and Helen Frye Story’ but rather provide readers with images and information not available in this publication
Sedona TWA Online Presentations:
Standard Airlines – Aero Corporation 1920’s
Transcontinental & Western Air TWA 1930’s
TWA President Jack Frye Northrop Gamma 2D
Transcontinental & Western Air TWA 1940’s
A-Broad With Eleven Yanks – A Memorial to Boeing Superfortress 42-24698
TWA President Jack Frye Executive Plane Lockheed Electra 12A
TWA President Jack Frye Executive Plane Lockheed Electra 12A Robinson
TWA President Jack Frye Executive Plane Lockheed Lodestar 18
TWA Executive Mansion Doubleday Washington D.C.
Winslow Airport TWA Hub & Cross-Country Service
Mr. & Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt, Jr. (Helen and Neil)
Sedona Frye Tumblr Blog
The Sedona Legend Web Site is a copyrighted historic photo enhanced narrative presented for educational and entertainment purposes. Images are displayed in regard to the United States Fair Use Act and private archives. Sedona Legend was envisioned and created to provide Red Rock State Park visitors with a comprehensive historic overview of Jack and Helen Frye’s Sedona ranches and Jack Frye’s involvement with Standard Airlines and TWA. Sedona TWA is totally non-profit and generates no income, nor does it seek, or has it ever accepted a single donation, it is independently funded by Sedona Legend Publishing. This online presentation is encouraged by the many friends of Jack and Helen Frye and was launched at Sedona’s Red Rock State Park as result of volunteering for (two) 6-month sojourns. A gracious thank you to Red Rock State Park staff and volunteers for their enthusiasm and the Frye and Varner families for their invaluable support
23-years of Research & Presentation
Created By Randall D. Reynolds (Sedona Legend Publishing)
Copyright © 2003/2026 All Rights Reserved