Jack & Helen Frye Story – the Camelot Years of TWA

The Frye Legacy

A Lifetime of Accomplishment

TWA President Jack Frye Transcontinental & Western Air, Inc. 1930’s

By Randall Reynolds

Brand New Website Which Visually Documents the Lives of Jack & Helen Frye

My purpose in creation of this website is to not repeat narrative found in my novel ‘the Jack and Helen Frye Story’ but rather provide readers with images and text to complement the book

To purchase my Biography-Novel-Love Story please click:  Jack & Helen Frye Story – the Camelot Years of TWA which is available on Amazon in Softcover or Kindle

The Following Page Under Development

Please Note: The Original Sedona Legend Website (launched in 2003) was a voluminous archive of historical information on TWA, Jack & Helen Frye, and all the threads of their lives. Once I started this overview I had no idea the amount of time or effort it would take to assemble the information into one source. This became the Sedona Legend website published on the world-wide web. In time as the work became more and more extensive I felt the need to incorporate a fraction of it into the novel Jack & Helen Frye Story – the Camelot Years of TWA. To support the book I decided I needed simplistic oarchive if photographic material. I have tried to adhere to this end, but what to do with the some 500-pages of historical research> In thought, I decided to add some to pages of the Sedona TWA website. Jack and Helen’s life was so extensive there may even be a second book. But for now, please be patient with the sometimes extensive load of information on these pages.

At the event pictured above, Arizona Native American Indian dancers honored TWA’s Jack Frye as Arizona’s Number 1 Pilot, and to celebrate TWA’s new Phoenix-Boulder-San Francisco passenger service. The date was September 2, 1938.

Joan La Place (now passed on) contacts Sedona Legend

At the event pictured above, Arizona Native American Indian dancers honored TWA’s Jack Frye as Arizona’s Number 1 Pilot, and to celebrate TWA’s new Phoenix-Boulder-San Francisco passenger service. The date was September 2, 1938.

This story is long and complicated. The Jack Frye legacy has more twists and turns than a best-selling novel. Sedona Legend Publishing as a portal to his life, serves to pull together elements that could not possibly connect in any other way. One such event was the June 2004 contact by a web-surfer who found this site after searching for several years for Frye information. What was the search all about? Many years prior, this remarkable lady “Joan” had discovered and purchased a cache of memorabilia at an auction. This historical material turned out to be items that had been lost many years prior through an unfortunate chain of events from Jack’s own estate. I was contacted through this web site and immediately put Joan in touch with Jack’s daughter and heir Nevajac Frye. I knew a lot of property from Jack’s estate was missing and that these memorabilia were the tip of the iceberg so to speak. Nevajac and I were both overwhelmed by sharing this most amazing discovery! On this page I am honored to share a small portion of the photos that were re-discovered. These photos, uncovered in an old musty box, are photos that have been missing from Jack’s personal collection for over 30 years. Some remembered, some not. Just a small portion of estate property that “disappeared” many years ago. Nevajac had felt much of it was lost forever. The most moving part of this saga is that several of the items discovered by Joan had never been seen by Jack’s own daughter, even though they had at one time been a part of her father’s personal collection and had hung on the walls of his home and office. The Sedona Legend web work has been full of psychic and spiritual abnormalities. On the day that Joan contacted me I had the overwhelming feeling that something monumental was going to occur. In time I realized that her contribution to this work was a piece of a puzzle just waiting to fall into place. From beyond the grave, I strongly felt Jack, like a puppeteer, trying to reunite myself with a fragment of his rich legacy. It was the most amazing experience and gave me pause to realize the Sedona Legend work was serving a purpose that I had never previously fathomed! Joan discovered the items in a “lot” (grouping) of equine implements. The Frye documents were in the bottom of the box seemingly unconnected with the items featured. Joan restrained herself from just tossing the bonus material after she got it all home. Later, looking through the musty memories, she realized, as she told me, “That the material was someone’s life- I couldn’t just throw it away!” So, for 10 years, like an amateur detective, she tried to piece together “who” the photographs were of and attempted to solve the mystery. At the time, the internet was in its infancy and online info was lacking. Eventually, she discovered that the person in the photos was TWA president Jack Frye, but she knew nothing about him. Finally, after several more years, she discovered my web site and contacted me. The mystery came full circle, and in the process, many people have been emotionally moved. Not only have I come into items been identified, but where they came from and how they came to become “lost” in the first place. Thank you, Joan, for holding on to these priceless memories and after many years generously sharing them with me and returning the originals copies with scrap books to Jack’s family from whence, they originated (done so on my encouragement)!  Jack was a commercial photographer; many people are not aware of this hobby of his. All through the years of his amazing career Jack documented different events personally and, as well, had many events with Standard Air Lines, Aero Corporation of California, and Transcontinental & Western Air (TWA) meticulous and professionally documented. This is why he went on to become C.E.O. of Aniline Film Corporation, Kodak’s only rival in the world! His life was well documented by news photos and articles which were circulated world-wide by the press and by his TWA publicity department. But what happened to Jack Frye’s personal collection of career memorabilia documentation? A collection I might add which amounted to the “mother lode” of early TWA and Frye aviation connected historical documentation. Unfortunately, much of it has been lost due to pilfering of Jack’s estate (held in climate-controlled storage in Las Vegas) before and after his last wife (Nevada) died. The remainder of historical materials were lost when this stored material was eventually sold off in a closed carton auction to strangers. An unfortunate chain of events that scattered an aviation legend’s most personal and valuable items to disconnected parties. A real tragedy. Some of these items are now surfacing on the world market. This page represents just a small fraction of a few of the lost artifacts! I will share more items if they ever come my way.st- selling novel. This Web Site, as a portal to his life, serves to pull together elements that could not possibly connect in any other way. One such event was the June 2004 contact by a web- surfer who found this site after searching for several years for Frye information. What was the search all about? Many years prior this remarkable lady “Joan” discovered and purchased a cache of memorabilia at an auction. This historical material turned out to be items that had been lost many years prior through an unfortunate chain of events from Jack’s own estate. I was contacted through this web site and immediately put Joan in touch with Jack’s daughter and heir Nevajac Frye. I knew a lot of property from Jack’s estate was missing and that this memorabilia was the tip of the iceberg so to speak. Nevajac and I were both overwhelmed in sharing this most amazing discovery! On this page I am honored to share a small portion of the photos that were re-discovered. These photos, uncovered in an old musty box, are photos that have been missing from Jack’s personal collection for over 30 years. Some remembered, some not. Just a small portion of estate property that “disappeared” many years ago. Nevajac had felt much of it was lost forever. The most moving part of this saga is that several of the items discovered by Joan had never been seen by Jack’s own daughter, even though they had at one time been a part of her father’s personal collection and had hung on the walls of his home and office. The Sedona Legend web work has been full of psychic and spiritual abnormalities. On the day that Joan contacted me I had the overwhelming feeling that something monumental was going to occur. In time I realized that her contribution to this work was a piece of a puzzle just waiting to fall in to place. From beyond the grave, I strongly felt Jack, like a puppeteer, trying to reunite myself with a fragment of his rich legacy. It was the most amazing experience and gave me pause to realize the Sedona Legend work was serving a purpose that I had never previously fathomed! Joan discovered the items in a “lot” (grouping) of equine implements. The Frye documents were in the bottom of the box seemingly unconnected with the items featured. Joan restrained herself from just tossing the bonus material after she got it all home. Later, looking through the musty memories, she realized, as she told me, “That the material was someone’s life- I couldn’t just throw it away!” So, for 10 years, like an amateur detective, she tried to piece together “who” the photographs were of and attempted to solve the mystery. At the time, the internet was in its infancy and online info was lacking. Eventually, she discovered that the person in the photos was TWA president Jack Frye, but she knew nothing about him. Finally, after several more years, she discovered my web site and contacted me. Now the mystery has come full circle, and in the process many people have been moved. Not only have the items been identified, but where they came from and how they came to become “lost” in the first place. Thank you, Joan, for holding on to these priceless memories and after many years generously sharing them with me and returning the originals copies with scrap books to Jack’s family from whence, they originated (done so with my encouragement)! Jack was a commercial photographer; many people are not aware of this hobby of his. All through the years of his amazing career Jack documented different events personally and, as well, had many events with Standard Air Lines, Aero Corporation of California, and Transcontinental & Western Air (TWA) meticulous and professionally documented. This is why he went on to become C.E.O. of Aniline Film Corporation, Kodak’s only rival in the world! His life was well documented by news photos and articles which were circulated world-wide by the press and by his TWA publicity department. But what happened to Jack Frye’s personal collection of career memorabilia documentation? A collection I might add which amounted to the “mother lode” of early TWA and Frye aviation connected historical documentation. Unfortunately, much of it has been lost due to pilfering of Jack’s estate (held in climate-controlled storage in Las Vegas) before and after his last wife (Nevada) died. The remainder of historical materials were lost when this stored material was eventually sold off in a closed carton auction to strangers. An unfortunate chain of events that scattered an aviation legend’s most personal and valuable items to disconnected parties. A real tragedy. Some of these items are now surfacing on the world market. This page represents just a small fraction of a few of the lost artifacts! I will share more items if they ever come my way.

TWA fleet was well maintained

Albuquerque New Mexico (ABQ) Sunport (Terminal) Continental & TWA 1930’s

TWA DC2 NC13788 Albuquerque New Mexico (ABQ) Sunport (1930’s)

Gore Vidal and Jack Frye

(As cited previously on various pages within Sedona TWA, I am reposting some of the research featured on the original Jack & Helen Frye Story website, this,  if the information is valuable as to TWA)

Millionaire’s Flight

The event related below was Jack Frye’s only thought to a possible partnership of TWA – Zeppelin passenger service! This would have likely been executed as a “partner” relationship whereas airship conveyance would connect and complement T&WA routes and first-class offerings.

Among the V.I.P. luminaries were Jack Frye, president of Transcontinental & Western Air, Inc., Nelson Rockefeller, grandson of the founder Standard Oil, Winthrop W. Aldrich, chairman of the board, Chase Manhattan Bank (New York), John D. Hertz, transportation czar, Alvan T. Fuller, president of Packard Motor Company (Boston), Karl Lindemann, chairman of the board, Hamburg-Amerika Line, (North Bremen, Germany) and officer of Standard Oil Corporation, Dr. Hans Luther, German Ambassador to the United States, Admiral William H. Standley, (No.1 Sailor- Navy), Rear Admiral A. B. Cooke, chief of the Bureau of Aeronautics, Commander Charles E. Rosendahl, Lakehurst Naval Station, Paul W. Litchfield, president Goodyear Tire and Rubber, (Akron, Ohio), Capt. Edward (Eddie) V. Rickenbacker, general manager Eastern Air Lines, Eugene L. Vidal, director of Air Commerce, Juan Trippe, Pan American Airways, De Soto Motors president, Chrysler-Desoto, Byron C. Foy, J. W. Baucker, vice-president of General Electric Corp. Lucius B. Manning, Cord Automobile Corp., Thomas N. McCarter, president Public Service Corp. of New Jersey. The ship’s designer was Dr. Hugo Eckener, an outspoken anti-Nazi opponent. The most circulated accounts state a passenger list of 80-some dignitaries but one list cites just 58. It was said that 84 invitations were initially sent out.

A Stunning First-Class Affair from Start to Finish

News accounts state the V.I.P.’s were transported to Lakehurst from Pennsylvania Station(midnight) by luxurious private Pullman sleeper cars which were able to deposit them early morning at the launch site (siding). Jack Frye likely flew out to New Jersey in his private Northrop Gamma as was his modus operandi. Publicity was provided by an NBC News short-wave broadcast from the airship in flight. Dining? A spread fit for royalty that might well have been laid before Kings. The finest fare ever served on this most luxurious and largest airship in the world, only comparable to that of the R.M.S. Queen Mary.

The trip was arranged in part by Everit J. Sadler, executive of Standard Oil Company (New Jersey). A few notables that were invited but declined for various reasons were Walter C. Teagle, Standard Oil executive, Henry Ford, Ford Motor Company, Walter P. Chrysler, Chrysler Corp, Alfred P. Sloan, Jr., president and (soon to be CEO) of General Motors. The passengers on this flight were so well connected and held such a grip on the commerce of the United States that if the Hindenburg had faced disaster like it did later in its life (May 6, 1937) the country may very well have faced financial ruin. No such flight, with such a precious passenger load of government officials, industrialists, and influential wealthy tycoons, has ever been dared to be repeated since simply because of the risk. It was estimated that 10 billion assets were boarded (in people). Additional participants not mentioned are not known. The airship crew was headed by Captain Ernest A. Lehmann and was a sensation as it sailed over its six-state route- well reported nationwide at the time and fondly remembered today. Quite the milestone event before the demise of airship travel between the United States and Europe which was being enthusiastically developed before World War II. The war and the later Hindenburg disaster ended such grand plans.

Shortly after the ship returned to Lakehurst and off loaded the passengers it was prepped for its last crossing of the season back to Europe which departed the same day. The flight was a total success. There was one death; however, in Newark a mechanic had climbed to the roof to see the massive ship passing overhead and as he backed up for a better view he fell through a skylight to his death. The ship was a spectacle across the east coast, as there had never been such a massive transport to pass over cities before or since, and thousands stared and pointed at the sky at the phenomena. Schools were dismissed for the day, tens of thousands of children cheered from the ground and hundreds waved from the roof tops at the pampered revelers!

Interestingly during flights to and from Europe the Hindenburg was suspected of using sightseeing and trans-Atlantic voyages as a veil for spying after the ship appeared over strategic U.S. and Canadian military sites, supposedly as result of innocent variations of route. Nazi confiscation of the ship and its crossings or seemingly (military aerial surveys) would soon become ever evident to the suspicious United States Government and Britain. We will never know the full extent of the Nazi interaction with the airship Hindenburg.

In the Eyes of the World- Germany Falls from Grace

Jack Frye may have been impressed with the high-tech German technology of the day, but I guarantee he was not impressed with the Nazi regime which had consumed Germany. Before World War II, and before the Nazi’s tightened their maniacal grip on Germany and Europe, Germany was a staunch ally of the United States. But by the end of the 1930’s this alliance had weakened and the U.S. and many companies around the world were affected by the fallout and desired to extricate themselves from the controversial Nazis regime. Transcontinental & Western Air was no exception as exhibited by the following information.

Pro-Nazi Sentiments Cited- TWA Officials Vague

Early December 1938

Lindbergh’s name was removed from TWA calendars, schedules and advertising materials by December 5, 1938, aircraft followed shortly thereafter. For many years TWA planes were adorned with “The Lindbergh Line”. Anne and Charles were close friends of Jack Frye from a long way back and stayed at Frye home several times in Kansas City. Also, Charles was a valued advisor for TWA until 1934 and mapped the TWA route. However, business is business, and unfortunately in the late 1930’s Lindbergh’s speeches for America First and his alliance with the new German regime was a damaging detriment to those associated with him. This is the reason, and no other, that Transcontinental & Western Air (TWA) scrubbed Lindbergh’s name off all their planes by 1939 disassociating themselves with Lindbergh forever. Most Americans remember Lindbergh as an American Hero, and rightly so, but with a little research there is revealed a controversial side of him that patriotic citizens of the then pre-World War II United States did not appreciate or endorse. Personally, I have never endorsed the merit of Lindbergh’s name being emblazoned on TWA flying stock. In my opinion it was done by political pressure within TWA and not by Jack’s direction. The placement was a gimmick by TWA to promote the airline, but also, made a veiled statement that Lindbergh was either an owner or major stockholder. In realty Lindbergh held a (fluff consultant position) carry-over from Transcontinental Air Transport (T.A.T.) and was only associated with the company until 1934. Transcontinental & Western Air, Inc. adopted logos of ‘TWA’ thereafter… If desired one can view the Lindbergh Line logo at the top of this page

Loading front cargo bay (Douglas Commercial 2) my favorite DC because of the dual headlights

Brand New Website Which Visually Documents the Lives of Jack & Helen Frye

Sedona TWA Online Presentations:

Sedona Legend Entry Page

Standard Airlines – Aero Corporation 1920’s

Western Air Express

Transcontinental & Western Air TWA 1930’s

Transcontinental & Western Air TWA 1940’s

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 Frye Residence Washington D.C.

Deer-Lick – Smoke Trail Ranches Sedona Arizona 1940’s 

Mr. & Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt, Jr. (Helen and Neil)

A-Broad With Eleven Yanks – A Memorial to Boeing Superfortress 42-24698

TWA President Jack Frye Northrop Gamma 2D

Helen Vanderbilt Frye Sedona

Winslow Arizona Transcontinental & Western Air Mainline Terminal

Sedona Frye Tumblr Blog

22-years of Research & Presentation – Created By Randall D. Reynolds (Sedona Legend Publishing)
Copyright © 2003/2026 All Rights Reserved