Jack Frye, Aviation Legend, President Founder, Transcontinental & Western Air, Inc., Trans World Airlines, TWA, Lockheed Electra Jr. 12A, NC18137, TWA #240, Executive Plane, In-Air-Office, Helen Varner Vanderbilt, Truman

Jack & Helen Frye Story – the Camelot Years of TWA

The Frye Legacy

A Lifetime of Accomplishment

L12 NC18137 “Flight Research Laboratory”

TWA Lockheed Electra Junior ‘Research’

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.

This page features extensive information as to Jack’s use of this Lockheed. The documentation is so comprehensive I was not able to include such into my book narrative ‘Jack & Helen Frye Story – the Camelot Years of TWA‘. Page is best viewed on a P.C., Laptop, or Android (set to Desktop View).

The Following Page Under Development

‘It Takes a Lockheed to Beat a Lockheed’

TWA purchased the above transport as an executive transport and experimental Over-the-Weather laboratory. Because of Frye’s use of the plane and his spearheading the TWA Over-weather program from the early 1930’s the ship came to be heavily associated with him in newspapers, books, trade publications, and in the memories of associates. It was known as ‘Jack Frye’s private Lockheed’ and if you saw it landing or taking off around the United States you could be assured Frye was out in the field conducting the business of Transcontinental & Western Air. This twin engine Electra over the next 5 years of TWA ownership became Frye’s favorite ‘in-the-air TWA office’. Throughout the years every owner of the plane was told that it was the private plane of Jack Frye. This is the rich provenance of this priceless aviation artifact!

President of Continental Bob Six (above) with Jack Frye (June 28,1940). Varney Airlines – Continental initially used three 12A’s for passenger transport, after which they upgraded to larger Lockheeds. The 12’a came up for sale at which point Jack purchased his Lockheed Electra 12A (NC18137) to utilize as a executive transport from 1940-1945. Bob Six and Jack Frye were close friends.

How is this specific plane associated with Sedona?

At the onset of the Sedona Legend Research, I became aware of Sedona lore which stated that Jack and Helen Frye had discovered their ranch from the air. Having always been an aviation buff I was intrigued by this story, as in 1941, this would have been quite a luxury! Jack and Helen Frye were both quoted in media publications throughout the years saying that they were ‘flying over the Sedona region and looked out the cockpit of their plane and knew they had found their place’!

Specifically, Jack related that he and Helen, from the fall of 1940, started canvassing the Southwestern United States looking for the perfect ranch property. Jack Frye came from a historic cattle ranching family in the panhandle of Texas. What he was looking for was a large enough parcel of property to sustain a cattle ranch with an ample water supply. Jack was heard to state that he followed all the waterways (as seen from the air) in New Mexico and Arizona looking for suitable ranching property.

In January of 1941, after their marriage, Jack and Helen started investigating a region south of Flagstaff and Williams Arizona, one of these regions is what we now call the Red Rock Country. What they found was stunning, “It was beautiful” Helen once stated, “the clouds wormed around the red rocks like little corkscrews. It took my breath away”. Helen, who often sat in the co-pilot’s right seat, recalled that she cried out to Jack, “that’s where I want to live!” Jack was unable to land as Sedona had no airport in 1941, and the region was uncharted, even at the vast resources of Frye and TWA. So, after a few passes they continued to where they were staying at the Ambassador Hotel Los Angeles where Jack was engaged in TWA business.

When Jack had free time he studied topography maps of the area and identified two locations of interest which they had spotted from the Electra. However it was unclear as these areas were off TWA’s flight map routes. One was the southwestern slope of Bill William’s Mountain (Hell Canyon) this area drained into the Verde River basin. The other was the region below the mouth of Oak Creek Canyon, this the area Helen liked the most. Both regions were peppered with stunning red rock chasms and monoliths. In June of 1941, as a surprise for Helen, Jack and Helen flew out to Arizona where they landed at Prescott. They taxied off the primitive runway and parked the Lockheed in tall grass where Helen said deer observed them curiously as they grazed nearby. They rented a car and drove over to Jerome and down into what we now call old town Cottonwood, this where Jack tried to locate the realtor who was a listing agent for property in the area they desired. The right party turned out to be Andrew Baldwin who owned the property (now Cresent Moon Ranch) where Red Rock Crossing is (at that time called Baldwin’s Crossing). Baldwin was able to show them the old Armijo Ranch which was for sale several miles south of his ranch. The Armijo property included 80 acres with an old ranch homestead and other ranch buildings, all adjoining a verdant ribbon of the then vibrant Oak Creek. Jack and Helen liked what they saw and Jack bought the entire ranch on the spot. The rest is history! At the time Jack Frye had a large home on 5-acres in Kansas City, but he and Helen wanted ‘a place of our own’.

The significance of this story is, that in 1941, Sedona was so rugged and remote that only a man like Frye with the resources of TWA (an airline he co-founded) would have been able to locate this remote ranch, all from the air. If it were not for the TWA Lockheed Electra, Jack and Helen Frye would likely never have settled in Sedona, and the Frye name, which is now practically synonymous with Sedona, would never have been uttered, let alone Red Rock State Park, which occupies the last remaining undeveloped tract of the original Frye Ranch.

All this thanks to the dawning of aviation, Frye, a Lockheed Electra 12A, and TWA!

(Above) we can view the Lockheed Electra shortly after TWA’s purchase of the plane image captured by Russell Robinson who served as Frye’s co-pilot (1942-1943). Shared with Sedona Legend by his daughter Dorothy Robinson Nylan who has provided a wealth of information regarding her father’s association with TWA and as Frye’s private Lockheed 12A pilot. Important notation, this is the only image from TWA ownership (1040-1945) of this Lockheed in color. I will be forever grateful to Dorothy for her generosity.

(Above) we see Frye’s private plane TWA Lockheed Electra NC18137 parked at Cottonwood Arizona (as captured by his private pilot Russell Robinson) 1942

The article below appeared in the publication TARPA which stands for The Active Retired Pilot’s Association of TWA.

The story is a wonderful testament to Jack Frye and his relationships with his contemporaries, and as well, a wonderful narrative of one of Jack and Helen’s coveted trips out west to their beloved Smoke Trail Ranch. Certainly, one of the most beautiful tributes I have ever read, and it was written by the retired TWA (now late) pilot.

The following story was written by Walter Gunn and is used with permission. I had contact with Walt Gunn several times before he passed away by telephone and E-Mail.

“In TARPA, members are encouraged to write of their more memorable flying experiences. The tales are captivating. In searching for nearly 40 years of cockpit assignments, it is difficult to sort out any one situation which may qualify as a “most unforgettable” event in my career; however, one early and lasting impression persists. It follows:

Early on as a novice, I was privileged to serve as TWA president Jack Frye’s co-pilot on his private Lockheed 12A. On each trip, Jack enjoyed chatting about how things were going “on the line for his men.” On each fuel stop, he would seek out crews for chit-chat or check on any employees who may have needed a ride where we were going. A personable interest and concern for others might best describe Jack Frye. Physically, he resembled a defensive end, but with an affable, infectious smile for others. Pondering aviation matters, he assumed a pensively, more serious facial expression. Most corporate leaders today fall painfully short by comparison.

To paraphrase a popular cliché, “I knew Jack Frye… he was a friend of mine… etc.” Few, if any airline leaders today can be likened to Jack Frye! Two trips with Jack Frye stand out unfaded by the nearly five decades of time and myriad changes in TWA’s destiny-

The first trip left Kansas City at dusk, enroute to Amarillo for Boulder City (serving Las Vegas at the time.) We had five passengers (see note following article) of whom two were TWA executives (names missed) and three businessmen who were hurriedly introduced. After several minutes at cruise, Jack mentioned that he had some business to discuss in the cabin and left me to manage things; radio checks and traffic advisories, etc. Lacking an autopilot, I delighted at being in control, if only for the moment. In retrospect, trust (in me) was perhaps the real source of my delight. Some minutes later, Frye led a man to the left seat, and asked that I, “let Mr. Yerex look over things.” “Sure, my pleasure,” I replied. The first question by the stranger was, “What model airplane is this?” “Lockheed 12A,” I responded. The guest gazed around the cockpit and replied with a puzzled tone in his soft-spoken voice, “I don’t know if I have any of these or not.” My immediate impression was, what kind of clown is this character? For sure, I would know if I had any airplane, especially a sleek L12A, the sister ship to Amelia Earhart’s record-setter. I accepted the unlikely remark, deciding it could be possible for him to not know what airplanes he owned. I then learned that Mr. Yerex was President of TACA Airlines, the major freight carrier in Central and South America.

It was on this trip that Jack Frye concluded purchase control of TACA for TWA’s future expansion beyond the U.S. to Central and South America…. considered a bonanza for TWA, and an example of the fertile-minded leadership of Jack Frye. Later, the deal was never finalized due to war conditions and major postwar changes in international route awards. Still, the attempt reflects Jack Frye’s dream of expanding TWA internationally at such an early time. Pursuing his lifelong goal, Jack Frye accomplished a much greater feat at war’s end by expansion into what was to become Trans World Airlines as a major international carrier.

Another trip offered a broader view and insight into the charismatic charm and visionary focus of Jack Frye. (Granted the perception is that of a fledgling copilot!) The occasion for the flight was his recent marriage (second or third time, but unimportant) and subsequent honeymoon to his ranch in the Oak Creek Canyon near Sedona, Arizona. The flight was uneventful except he had Helen, his bride, join me by taking his left seat in the cockpit while he did some work in the cabin. After a fuel stop again at Amarillo, we then proceeded to a primitive, sod-surfaced landing strip at Cottonwood, Arizona. (Note: Jack used both Clemenceau Airport, now Cottonwood Airport, and his own landing strip). On final approach, Jack noted a Lockheed Ventura B-34 bomber parked on the field. He surmised the crew must have had an emergency to get that plane in on such a limited runway. And right he was!

As we secured the plane, Jack explained that he would be at his ranch “for a few days” and I would be staying at the only motel in Cottonwood. He also asked that I try to locate the bomber crew if they were in town as he would like to meet them. Even honeymoon plans failed to divert his interest in the pilots skillfully managing the emergency landing on such marginal turf.

The three or four days stay in Cottonwood grew to nine days. The bomber crew was at the same motel (only one) when I checked in. First Lieutenant Bill Reynolds was pilot, with a warrant officer copilot, staff sergeant engineer, and corporal radioman. We became close friends at once. They were intrigued with my job as airline pilot and more so, that I was flying copilot for the president of the airline! The bomber landing was an emergency as a result of engine failure (fuel pump) while they were enroute Nellis A.F.B. in Las Vegas, to Luke Field, Phoenix. As Frye stated later, “a helluva good job… getting into a postage stamp field!” Reynolds and his crew were a delight to know, and we spent three days whiling away our time in the limited one restaurant, one movie house (Mexican films) and one oasis (bar) in town. Boredom was offset by helping the motel owner stack lumber in his adjacent lumber yard and building supply enterprise. I was warmly received by all the townspeople, which I credited to their admiration of Jack Frye. With little activity in Cottonwood, the motel/lumber yard owner offered his Lincoln Zephyr (and wartime fuel ration stamps) to his only motel guest, for a trip up to Prescott. Dinner and a Clark Gable movie filled the bill.

After four days, the crew and I were in the local restaurant/bar with the Budweiser distributor, exchanging flying tales and the recent state of the war. The “Bud Man” was quite generous with a constant flow of cold mugs for the “grounded airmen.” The setting typified an old west saloon, but with one exception… we were the only customers rather than a raucous gathering of cowhands, bar maids and town cronies. A stately figure caught my eye entering the door… Frye in person… his tall stature was reminiscent of John Wayne as he shuffled to our table. His western wear only lacked a holstered six-shooter dangling from his waist; leather jacket, jeans, boots and cowboy hat could have come from the costuming department for a shoot-em-up western movie. Since he had left word, he was extending his stay, it was obvious he was not planning to fly out for several days. By imbibing with Reynolds and his crewmen, I was merely carrying out his wish to meet them… sure! Jack joined in and insisted on picking up the tab. After a brief negotiation, he deferred to the Bud distributor who mentioned it was a rare treat for him to host such honored customers. To the locals in the Oak Creek Canyon area, Jack Frye was highly revered. After introducing Jack to Reynolds and his crew, he made note of each of their names, giving them his card as he praised their feat of landing on such a limited airstrip. With a warm, confiding tone of voice, he stated, “When the war is over, we’ll need each one of you on TWA… so let me know when you’re free… I’ve got jobs for you!” How more personable can one be? He was serious! I sensed the pride felt by Reynolds and his men. They beamed with such approval, and from an airline president no less! Later, Bill Reynolds likened the career offer from Frye to having the Air Medal conferred on him by his commanding officer. A full round of “hangar flying” lasted for more than an hour. Jack went on to say he had come to town to meet the crew and to bring in a load of apples for the local grocer to market. His eyes gleamed as he described harvesting the crop from his ranch. I never figured if he found more pleasure in ranching than in flying.

If betting, I would have to toss a coin, his enjoyment of both activities brought him such great pleasure. On leaving, he briefed me on his plans. Apologetically, he had a few more days of “work” at the ranch…. Lots to do. He would let me know the day before we were to leave. My only duties were to check the airplane and see that it was serviced for our departure. From boredom, I did run-up the engines, checking all of the systems and radios. A real treat, since even engine-starting was not a copilot duty on regular line schedules.

Tragically and ironically, Jack Frye was killed in a car accident near Tucson, Arizona. In a fitting tribute to their revered leader, the TWA pilots established a “Jack Frye Memorial” with donations directed to purchase aeronautical engineering textbooks for leading universities such as MIT, Ohio State, Cal Tech, Purdue and Kansas University. Frye held these schools in high esteem for vital research in aviation, his “first love!” The books were given a special section in their libraries labeled as the “Jack Frye Memorial” collection and were the earliest publications in “aerospace engineering” as chosen by the various schools. What more fitting tribute would Jack Frye have wished for?

As a pioneer in aviation, Frye envisioned safer, faster, and higher performance aircraft for man to develop. Recognized in aviation textbooks as “father of the DC series of air transports,” Jack Frye’s visions led to the famous Lockheed Constellation series with pressurized comfort and valuable transoceanic ranges. As a team, Howard Hughes and Jack Frye built the TWA dynasty by developing the famed Lockheed Constellation. Frye pressed on, clinching international routes, challenging the venerable Pan Am under Juan Trippe’s forceful leadership. The TWA story internationally soon decimated Pan Am’s monopoly of foreign air travel… fulfilling Jack Frye’s dreams of TWA being known as truly the leading TRANS WORLD AIRLINE!

The last tribute from TWA to Jack Frye involved naming the training center in Kansas City after him. Since the training move to St. Louis, the Jack Frye Training Center is no more. The premises have been sold. Several “concerned” TARPA seniors have suggested that a fitting recognition of Jack Frye be considered by the present TWA leaders. I agree. (As you know, TWA is now defunct.) Unfairly, fate deprived him of an active role in the jet age when conflicts arose with the eccentric, unpredictable Howard Hughes, major stockholder of TWA. However, Jack Frye’s contributions to aviation continue to enhance today’s air transport industry and he will long be remembered by those privileged to have known him. Aviation history will be sadly lacking if his rightful role as a pioneer is not given full recognition and his visionary leadership given full credit.”

Walt Gunn – Retired TWA Captain

Footnotes and Comments by Sedona Legend-

The date of the trip with Yerex possibly was the week of October 13, 1943 (per October 18, 1943, Time Magazine article). The stated passenger load of 5 may be in error as stated by Gunn. This Lockheed 12A was reconfigured by Frye (early on) to accommodate only 4 passengers and 2 crew (pilots). This was done so Frye could use the plane non-stop from Kansas City to Winslow (the Frye Ranch) or Kansas City to Washington D.C. The latter was where Jack had an office and spent most of his time during the 1940’s. This configuration is well documented by Robby Robinson (Frye TWA executive pilot and Assistant to Jack Frye). Not only did Robinson service the plane and fly it in the early 1940’s but he also trained other TWA pilots with the plane and documented his 12A association methodically in letters written at the time. Without this documentation we would not have such detailed accounts of this plane with flights. In stating this I think Walt may have been mistaken at the number of passengers remembered on a flight after 50 years. I conversed with Gunn many times and found that he was “remembering” his stories about Frye, as opposed to Robinson, who wrote down his experiences in notes as the plane’s pilot and caretaker on the dates they occurred. This 12A was Frye’s executive plane from 1940-45. I think one of Gunn’s flights was late 1942 (just before Robinson came online) and the second (Yerex) was perhaps ‘43 just after Robinson.

It’s interesting to note that the bar Walt spoke of is now called Kactus Kate’s Saloon at 929 N. Main Street, Cottonwood. Our favorite restaurant Nic’s is right next door. The motel was Frank Eden’s Motor Court just up the street. Eden also owned the local lumber yard. Every time I walk past this old-time saloon, I visualize the aviation legend Jack Frye standing in the doorway in his western attire! The “load of apples” Jack transported to market described in this article would have come from the orchard where the Twin Cypress Ramada is now at Red Rock State Park. Helen and Jack called the area “Long Meadow” a region of the property we know as we resided here during volunteering at the ranch (now R.R. S. P.) and it is indeed a ‘long meadow’. This little clue tells us the date of the visit was more into fall than late spring simply because that is when apples mature around Sedona. The Smoke Trail Ranch apple trees died and had to be removed by Jack Frye in the mid-1940’s.

In the process of pulling this website together I have met some terrific people. Russ Hazelton, for instance, of whom I have had contact with through E-Mail and phone was able to contact Walt Gunn for me and help arrange an interview. Russ is a retired TWA pilot and DC 6/7 Flight Instructor who also worked for United among other airlines throughout the years. By the time he retired he had accomplished great things and was one of TWAs finest. Walt Gunn on the other hand had a similar career serving TWA for 39 years as a pilot, from DC-3’s to Boeing 747’s, and many other planes in between. For instance, flying the Lockheed Electra 12A and Constellation as a professional pilot. He was not only a friend of Jack Frye but many other notables from the airline industry, as well. Both these men are the best of the best, stellar pilots and pioneers, who would well serve our aviation youth as role models today.

‘I desired to run the above article (written by Walt Gunn) strictly on its historic merit and the association with Jack and Helen (and Sedona). Upon interviewing Walt I realized that the excerpt (above) was from his book which has even more information about his experiences with Jack Frye and other notable events in his career. It would greatly behoove those out there with interest in the glory days of pilots and airlines to purchase his book, you won’t be disappointed. It weaves tales of life in the air as only a seasoned veteran airline pilot can relate it.

I want to recommend this wonderful new book enriched with stories of one of the world’s greatest airlines: TWA. It is called: “A Life Aloft -from DC-3 to 747” by Capt. Walt Gunn, TWA, (Retired). Order through any bookstore: ISBN 0-9611817-1-2

Synchronicity plays an intricate role in our lives, and this became apparent when talking to Russ Hazelton. My great Uncle Yale R. Nelson was a United Airlines co-pilot and Captain from the early 40’s on. He had an illustrious career that spanned decades of change and exciting events. By the end of his career, he was the Chief Test Pilot (Flight Manager and Line Captain) for United Airlines. This entailed testing and troubleshooting all new planes that United committed to fleet service. He also trained all the new pilots hired for United and coordinated the flight simulators. Yale flew out of ORD SFO HNL for many years. I grew up listening to his wonderful stories of the glory days of UAL. He flew them all, Constellations, to the biggest jets in the world. He even told me once he was offered a chance to fly the Concord which he declined. I was so fascinated by these stories, that I too, was to eventually become an employee of the same great company. Recently, I found out that my great uncle actually knew Jack Frye! Blew me away as I never thought to ask him before and it never came up. I was able to get him and Russ in touch so they could share airline stories, experiences and the acquaintances of many of the same co-workers. In the end I found out they had similar positions just with different airlines.

My interest in all of this comes full circle with my fascination all my life with the beautiful Lockheed Electra 10E that Amelia Earhart flew into oblivion. Many hours as a teen I would read and re-read every aspect of the mystery spending hours going over every detail of that beautiful plane. Dreaming and wishing I could travel to the South Pacific and solve the puzzling mystery. Of course Amelia Earhart’s disappearance it appears will never be solved. The summer of 2003, and again in 2005, as I worked as a volunteer at Red Rock State Park in Sedona, I became interested in Jack and Helen’s story. No one knew what kind of plane they flew in to and from the ranch and to be frank no one had given it much thought. In time after I started the project I came to realize that it was the Lockheed Electra 12A (smaller sister ship and almost identical to Earhart’s). Coincidence perhaps, but the plane has drawn me deeper into the Frye story. At the same time I feel I am providing a public service.

The Frye saga was just aching to be told. Shadows and memories- whispers of imprints- fading more and more each decade have now been brought back to life with Sedona Legend research. In the long run, aviation buffs and everyday readers, people who just love to hear other’s stories, have been united through these pages!

Image of Jack’s plane (unknown photographer) purchased by Sedona Legend

Frigid Flight Over the Central Planes

Another interesting experience with Frye’s and their Lockheed can be told as follows- When Jack and Helen were in Sedona, they would often throw parties for their friends at the ranch and in turn they came to know many others who had also found and treasured the Sedona experience. One gentleman they befriended was a fellow rancher named Kelvin “Kel” L. Fox (now deceased) who owned the famous Foxboro Ranch above Sedona. Kel with his wife Patty shared a rich association with many who were early Sedona residents.

Patty related to me a time when her husband Kel, who shared a close friendship with the Frye’s, was invited to fly back east with them one of the times Jack and Helen departed Sedona for Kansas City. Kel, also needed to travel to the east coast for business. The date would have been in the early 1940’s, the plane was Jack’s Lockheed 12A NC18137. It’s not remembered if there was a co-pilot on board for the trip, but Jack, as usual, served as pilot. After departure from Sedona, Frye’s and Kel flew an air-route to Kansas City Missouri (as the first stop) on a leg that was to continue to Washington D.C. culminating in New York City. All three destinations were frequent stops for Frye who had executive offices in each of these cities and flew between these locations frequently on his private planes and TWA airliners. Now for the entertaining element to the tale! At some point, after they departed Sedona (in winter) the cabin heat failed in the Lockheed Electra Jr. The plane, as one can imagine, at cruise altitude, became quite cold and uncomfortable. Jack was piloting the plane, while Helen and Kel were in the rear of the cabin shivering under the mink coats Helen had on board that day. To stay warm, one of the two broke out a bottle of Tequila, miraculously for the two chilly passengers there was also salt and a lemon on board as well! As the chilly flight droned on Helen and Kel were polishing off the bottle to stay warm. After a while they became so boisterous with hearty laughing and carrying on that Jack, who was unaware of the party behind him, turned around and shouted over the deafening roar of the radial engines, “what in the hell is going on back there?” Unfortunately, Jack, as pilot, couldn’t join in and warmed up himself! It is not widely known that Jack Frye was not a big drinker, as one might suppose, but rather because of his intense TWA workload he had to limit his imbibing throughout his life. After they finally landed at Kansas City, Jack immediately ordered the plane’s heater repaired. However, perhaps because of the war and the lack of available parts, the heating system took three days to overhaul, and Kel was grounded at Kansas City.

During this time, he was a guest of the Frye’s and entertained by Jack at the local Men’s Club, downtown Kansas City, where Jack was a popular member. Men’s clubs were common gathering places for executives during those early years, especially in regional cities. Kel likely stayed there or with the Frye’s at their Overland Park estate. Finally, the plane was repaired and the Frye’s and Kel departed for the east coast. Jack always offered any empty L12 or L18 seats to TWA associates or friends. A Lockheed flight, never forgotten by Kel Fox, who treasured his friendship with Frye’s, re-telling the tale many times to his wife and friends throughout the years. In addition to being a rancher, Kel was also a one-time president of the Coconino and Yavapai Cattle Growers Association, executive secretary for Arizona Governor Robert T. Jones, and a member of the Arizona House of Representatives and the Arizona Senate.

Harry S. Truman- Future President

V.I.P. Passenger on TWA Lockheed NC18137

Weekend Adventure- New Wardrobe- Poker- The 21 Club

Yes, Harry Truman was a passenger on Jack’s Lockheed Electra Jr., several times over. Most of the trips were hunting and fishing and not “official” therefore I have had a difficult time documenting them. Jack Frye was one of the most influential men in the Democratic Party in the 1940’s. It is not at all surprising that he and Harry became friends, let alone the fact that they both hailed from the same region of the country in regard to business (Missouri). Jack was considered a mover and shaker within the hierarchy of the party and if you needed a favor or wanted something done you picked up the phone and called Jack Frye.

In July of 1944, Truman became the nominee for Vice President of the United States. It was shortly after this nomination that Truman and other Democratic officials flew in the Frye’s Lockheed Electra NC18137 (with Jack as pilot) to New York City for Truman’s vice-presidential make-over. Recently, I came across a transcript of an oral interview done for the Truman Library with Edwin W. Pauley, then Director of the Democratic National Convention and a friend of Jack Frye’s.

Truman Library Interviewer: J. R. Fuchs, Date- March of 1971. (Public Record)

Question to Pauley: “I’ve been told that after the nomination, you thought that Mr. Truman ought to spruce himself up a bit as the vice-presidential nominee?”

Pauley- “I think that was the unanimous concern of all of us. We persuaded him to go to New York and flew him up. Jack Frye had a plane at the time, and it was available, so we flew up in that, and he went to my tailor and shirtmaker and dolled himself up as a vice-presidential candidate should look.”

Question to Pauley: “Are there any events that stand out in your memory, sidelights on history, after the nomination of Mr. Truman?”

Pauley- “When we flew the vice-president-to-be to New York we used a suite I kept at the Sherry-Netherland Hotel. Another fellow and I owned most the bonds in the Sherry-Netherland, and as a result, we kept one of the top suites there all during the war, because I was back and forth on lend-lease. It occupied a whole floor; the Sherry-Netherland is very narrow at the top and there were only three bedrooms. We got the suite below mine for Truman. As usual, when Truman wasn’t busy with official appointments he liked to play cards, and very often the game was poker. He delighted, I think in that, more than any other relaxation he had. He used to do pretty well at it, particularly when he played games which he invented.”

Question: “How’s that?”

Pauley- “I don’t think they have an official title, but sometimes you’d play them with two, and sometimes three decks, and then by the time you got through naming the wild cards, you didn’t know what the hell you were playing. But he enjoyed it, and so did Hannegan, Jack Frye, and me. When I took him down to my tailor one morning, I said, ‘You’ve never eaten at the 21 Club have you?’ He said, ‘No.’ I said, ‘Do you want to?’ He said, ‘Sure, whatever you want me to do.’ So, we went by, you know where ’21’ is in New York, don’t you?

Fuchs- “I’ve been by it sir.”

Pauley- “Well during prohibition it was a Speakeasy, so its reputation wasn’t the greatest, although after prohibition it became quite a famous restaurant because only famous people could get in the Speakeasy when it was operating, and so it built a top list of clientele. He enjoyed that very much. I didn’t tell him until we got to it what it had been, although I don’t think it would have made a great deal of difference.”

Jack and Helen Frye were often seen at the 21 Club, as was Jack throughout his life. Harry Truman was a guest at the Frye Kansas City home and Hillcrest Farm at Arlington Virginia (also known as The Cedars and the Doubleday Mansion). One might wonder why Truman needed wardrobe advice considering the fact he was a haberdasher by trade. The inference to me is that the Democratic Party was trying to dress the future vice president in a more conservative manner rather than the typical flashy Senator Truman style. Jack’s sister, Sunny Frye Thomas, once told me that when she attended the dedication of the Jack Frye Training Center at Kansas City (April of 1962) after her brother’s tragic death, Truman, who was the speaker of honor, nudged her and kiddingly said, “I liked Jack because he’d let me win at poker”. Truman was heard to state another time in regard to his good friend Jack Frye, “he had imagination, which damn few businessmen have!” An accurate description to be sure!

The above excerpt is reprinted with permission and can be found in its entirety on the official Truman Library Website. Jack Frye and his wife Helen were close friends with Robert E. Hannegan and his wife Irma. Robert was a Democratic Powerhouse and Chairman of the National Democratic Committee (1944-1947).

Lockheed 12A NC18137 appropriately called ‘Research’ as displayed with Chester Calkins in a TWA employee publication photo (Skyliner Magazine). Jack worked at the TWA executive office in Washington D.C. and lived with Helen at the official TWA residence, Doubleday Mansion, Arlington Virginia. Jack’s L12 was often seen parked at the DCA TWA Terminal.

Jack and Helen waiting for Roy Kurtz to drive them out to the airstrip where the Lockheed 12A was waiting to fly them back east (above). Photograph taken by Frye Ranch Foreman Kurtz.

On Going Research- Lifetime Commitment

Because of Jack’s involvement with TWA, it seems many people who remember the Frye’s always have a story about planes. Jack Frye was all about air transportation and Sedona’s early history is forever cemented with TWA. The Frye’s ranch manager Roy Kurtz who worked for Jack and Helen Frye from 1941 to 1943, fondly remembers Jack and Helen, the ranch, and Jack’s Lockheed. One story Roy recalled when I interviewed him was a flight with the Frye’s when Jack needed to go to the valley (Phoenix) to purchase stock for the ranch. Jack, who came from a long line of very successful cattle ranchers, kept his Sedona ranch stocked with bovines, more so in the early 40’s. Jack and Helen (by 1948) had acquired over 50,000 acres of ranching property in Arizona, alone, all this property was successfully operated. Roy happened to be free this Saturday morning, so Jack asked him along for the flight to the valley with additional passengers Helen and Dolly Schuerman. Roy jumped at the chance to take a flight in the futuristic looking Lockheed 12A. Jack drove the passengers out to the Frye airstrip in his new Pontiac convertible where his Lockheed Jr. was tied down. After everyone was on board and settled into their seats Jack started the radial engines, one by one. After running them up, he released the brakes, the Electra gently rolled down the packed dirt runway smooth as silk. As the plane gained speed the tail lifted, and the ship rose with a throaty roar. The polished to a mirror-finish TWA Electra Jr. climbed into the sky over the Red Rock Country, it would have been a blinding sight in the intense early morning sun.

Keeping low in the air, Jack flew northeast for about 15 miles, at which he flew low over his Deer-Lick Ranch so they could see it from the air. Roy was amazed at how small the property looked from above, a fairytale land of red rock spires and pinnacles. At Baldwin’s Crossing (now Crescent Moon Ranch) Jack banked to the south and climbed to about 8,000 feet throttling back to cruise speed. At over 200-m.p.h., they followed a sky-route from Sedona to Sky Harbor Airport at Phoenix. In mid-flight, Jack asked Roy to come up and sit in the right seat of the cockpit and take control of the Electra (a seat Helen usually occupied).

Roy related he was very nervous and remembers resting his hand on the throttle levers of the twin R-985 Pratt and Whitney radial engines. He immediately felt the vibration of the powerful power plants and was abruptly taken aback. Jack showed him the basics of controlling the plane and let Roy take over, at least Jack let Roy, think, he was flying the plane. Eventually, Roy surrendered the controls back to Jack who navigated the 36 foot mini airliner on descent into the Valley of the Sun.

In our day, it takes 2 hours to drive from Sedona to Phoenix, in 1942, it would have taken more than 3 hours on the long narrow winding Highway 89A through Jerome and Prescott. I-17, Black Canyon Freeway, had not been constructed yet. On this hot summer morning it took Jack and his passengers less than 30 minutes to reach Phoenix Sky Harbor. As one of the most outstanding airplanes ever designed, the Lockheed Electra is still one of the fastest vintage twin engine planes ever produced and remained one of Jack’s all-time favorite private transports. The ship’s engineering was so remarkable that both Amelia Earhart and Howard Hughes chose nearly identical Lockheed’s for their round-the-world flights.

As they neared the airspace over Phoenix Arizona Jack radioed the tower requesting landing clearance. This airport was very familiar with Jack, as he and his partners Paul Richter and Walter Hamilton initiated the very first scheduled passenger service into Arizona, in 1927, with Jack flying the very first passenger flight! The routes between Los Angeles – Phoenix – Tucson – Douglas – El Paso were pioneered by Standard Air Lines, with company president Jack Frye, often the pilot. Later Jack, along with TWA, launched the very first Trans-Continental and Trans-Atlantic passenger service for the United States. There’s a reason Jack Frye is notated in history as an aviation legend!

There was a TWA courtesy car was waiting for the President of TWA and his guests, whisking them off to the (now famous) Tovrea Stockyards. Jack and Roy viewed cattle to purchase and made arrangements for them to be shipped up to Sedona in a big cattle truck. These were added to the herd Jack already purchased, to include 20, from Roy’s family ranch. By 1947, Jack had 501 2–3-year-old Hereford steers at the ranch in Sedona. After Helen and Dolly returned from shopping, they all had steaks at the stockyard’s renowned steakhouse eatery.

Late in the day, after Jack took business at the TWA terminal office, they returned to the Electra, which appeared to Roy like a rocket ship, its nose pointed high into the sky. Jack started the engines, one by one, and they took off again, soaring into the light of a magnificent signature Arizona sunset. As the clearance lights twinkled far above Phoenix, Roy fell into a hypnotic trance, staring out the port window. He imagined he could see all the way to Los Angeles and the Pacific Ocean. Over the background of the engines, he could barely hear Jack and Helen visiting with each other up in the cockpit, while he talked to Dolly. The dim horizon lost its light to the crimson hues of a setting sun as the executive airliner continued north to Sedona. Just as Roy was starting to relax Jack announced they were about to touch down in 5 minutes.

Roy watched intently as the ground quickly rose up to meet them. The engines, nearly silent and almost idle, purred, as the plane swung in low, gliding over the highway, where the brilliant flip-down landing lights illuminated the sage brush and pavement like daylight. They touched down amid running jack rabbits and rolled to a stop near Jack’s Pontiac. Roy stepped down from the Lockheed into the cool desert evening. The Arizona stars reflected brilliantly off the mirrored surface of the Electra and the smell of sagebrush and hot oil assailed his senses. The only sound he heard was crickets and the steady ticking of the hot radial engines. Certainly, a milestone in his young life, Roy vowed to never forget the experience, now after 63 years, his memory of that special day is vivid in his 96-year-old mind! Roy has now passed away, but each time I interviewed him, he was a delight and a true gentleman. He never failed to mention how much he thought of the Frye’s and how they had enriched his life!

Please note- I wrote this piece to reflect a story format of Roy’s recollection of his trip to Phoenix with the Frye’s. I filled in details only as I felt appropriate. Roy did not mention whether there was a TWA co-pilot on board that day. Jack did fly the plane alone, but more than not, the crew of the Frye private planes were staffed by a captain (Frye) and TWA co-pilot. Especially when flying west to the Sedona ranch. This extra pilot was necessitated by Frye who sometimes had to work in the cabin on paperwork. Jack also entertained TWA clients and associates on flights but often asked them to sit in the cockpit with him. It appears that the co-pilot stayed behind at Cottonwood (where Jack always put his pilots up the local motel) and Jack flew the plane down to Sky Harbor himself. A few years later, with Jack’s Lodestar, the flight crew included the Frye’s private TWA hostess Harriet Appelwick, who later worked for Howard Hughes. Because the L18 was a larger airliner, Jack always had a flight crew on board.

Regarding Dolly Schuerman, it was thought this was her first flight and that she was afraid of flying, however, recently in 2010, I found out that she was certainly not timid about flying with Jack and Helen Frye in their Lockheed’s. At least twice, when the Frye’s stopped in Sedona on their way to California, Jack and Helen invited Dolly on board for a flight to the west coast, where she would visit her sister. It is not known if she was able to connect with the Frye’s for the flight back. Jack’s flights were ‘oft delayed due to TWA business, and as well, he would often have to fly different routes due to business engagements. This makes three flights for Dolly which are documented. Stories of early flights in Jack’s private planes are treasures and much sought for addition to this work!

No one has conducted as much meticulous research into Frye’s association with TWA L12, than Sedona Legend, indeed, it was I who discovered and documented this historic Lockheed and its TWA provenance. Yes, this plane was officially a TWA corporate plane, but it was always considered Frye’s personal executive plane and was used by other entities only when available. Frye was in the air with this Lockheed so often, that the engines barely had time to cool, before it was up in the air again. This is evidenced by the flight logs that have survived for short periods of the plane’s life with TWA, and documented trips. The plane served as a monumental corporate tool in the development of TWA, from 1940-1945, with business conducted and directed by Frye.

As far as TWA’s pioneering Flight Research Program? This was always ongoing, but not so much with the L12 or L18. These planes were officially designated as flight research ships but the real breakthrough in flight research was completed by TWA in the 1930’s by test pilots Tommy Tomlinson, Frye, and Richter. Research conducted in the 1940’s, was more so, with larger equipment like the Douglas Commercials, Stratoliners, and Constellations. As for instance, the only time that the F.A.A. shows a re-register of the NC18137 to (NX)18137 for experimental status was from, 12-31-1941 to 02-23-1942. Interestingly, during this official testing period, the plane was still in constant use on executive flights by Frye. Jack Frye was once quoted in the newspapers as saying that he used the former TWA 12A for observation purposes and testing various gadgets. Of course, this is a generalization by Frye, but more likely the flight research conducted with the 12A in the 1940’s. This use pales in comparison to the earlier TWA Northrop Gamma test ship(s), which also, incidentally, were dual-purpose Frye executive planes (and) research ships. Interesting huh? One was nearly always designated (NX) 13758.

Throughout the last 70 years flight logs have disappeared and witnesses have died. Certainly, at just 5 years, TWA’s use of this plane was short-lived. This, regarding a plane that is now 88 years old. However, that said, we can still piece together a partial list of TWA flights utilizing a variety of sources, to include newspapers. In doing so, I have been able to compile a general overview of untold Frye flights, excluding the Lodestar (that is a separate tabulation). I have also compiled testimony from Frye associates who traveled on the plane with Frye, as adults, not children (I have found testimony from children to be most unreliable). This list comes to about 50 flights, which is a paltry amount compared to how often Frye flew in the plane. The list is adjusted for accuracy and added to as new information is revealed. We will never discover all the flights, as too much information has been lost over the years, and all the documents from Frye’s estate were lost in the late 1970’s.

Mrs. Jack Frye on a stop with on the TWA Lockheed 12 at West Virginia to see her family.

Airport Codes during operation of Frye executive transport Lockheed 12A NC18137

Both images (above) were of the 12A after TWA ownership.

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

This is the ‘NEW’ Sedona Legend Helen Frye – the Camelot Years of TWA website, the original rendition launched in 2003 is no longer supported by host Yahoo GeoCities and has been discontinued. The original website will be rebuilt within these pages. The new revised overview title is now Sedona Frye TWA Story’ with world URL www.sedonatwa.com. This effort is managed and owned by Sedona Legend Publishing. Herein you will find a historic perspective of Sedona that was nearly lost to time itself, the real HISTORY of Red Rock State Park a rich and valuable legacy which must not ever be forgotten or swept under the carpet, a showcase of treasured information and documentation. Sedona’s history with Transcontinental & Western Air (TWA) one of the world’s largest and most beloved airlines known as the ‘Airline to the Stars’ and how this association helped put Sedona Arizona on the map! Red Rock State Park known as a ‘Crown Jewel’ of the Arizona State Park system and one-time private playground of the rich and famous. Originally owned and discovered in 1941 by one of the most glamorous couples in America and one of the greatest aviation legends this country has ever known! An association so powerful the original identity of the property will always be known as the Frye ‘Smoke Trail Ranch’ and the ‘TWA Ranch’ at Sedona’. Dare to delve beneath the surface and discover the hidden and forgotten history of one of the most pristine, beautiful, and priceless real estate parcels of the Southwestern United States and the legendary couple who owned it!

This website serves to offer readers of the book ‘Jack & Helen Frye Story – the Camelot Years of TWA’ with images that complement the biography. Photos were not included in the publication because of copywrite restrictions. An effort will be made to not include a lot of repetitive narrative on these pages as this can be found in the book. This website will be updated and refined as time allows, and as well, the layout will be improved in an easy to navigate format. This Entry Page features the Fryes at the onset of their relationship (as covered in the book). Please click the following link to purchase the Biography-Novel-Love-Story Jack & Helen Frye Story – the Camelot Years of TWA available on Amazon in Soft Cover or Kindle. The presentation herein is best viewed on a Personal Computer.

The Sedona Legend Web Site is a copyrighted historical photo enhanced narrative presented for educational and entertainment purposes, some materials may be displayed in regard to the United States Fair Use Act. Sedona Legend was envisioned and created to provide Red Rock State Park visitors with a comprehensive historic overview of the Jack and Helen Frye Deer-Lick and Smoke Trail Ranches. This web portal is totally non-profit and generates no income, nor does it seek, or has it ever accepted, a single donation, it is an independent venture.

Sedona Legend is encouraged by the many friends of Jack and Helen Frye and was in fact launched at Red Rock State Park when volunteering for (two) 6-month sojourns, this presentation is not a disconnected effort. A gracious thank you to the Frye and Varner families for invaluable support and Red Rock State Park staff and volunteers for their enthusiasm, also thanks to the TWA Museum at Kansas City for their dedication to Transcontinental & Western Air, Inc. (Trans World Airlines).

Formerly this effort was called Sedona Legend Helen Frye (the Jack & Helen Frye Story)

Order the Biography-Novel on Amazon ‘Jack & Helen Frye Story – the Camelot Years of TWA’

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 Frye Executive Mansion Washington D.C.