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While everyone is aware of the aircraft we operated, few know of all the other aircraft options we evaluated.  These pics are from a trip to Marseilles in 1974 to look at the Avions Marcel Dassault "Mercure."  The management team was led by Ed Altman and consisted of: Shelby Tuttle, George Locke, Bob Jorgenson, Kip Wharton and Terry Ashton.  At the time, we were looking for a twin engine aircraft with more range and payload than any of the proposed DC9 series or the B737-200 for scheduled and charter service.  Altho the price was right for the Mercure, performance wise, it did not fit the mission requirements.  Where was a B737-700 when you needed it?    Everyone knows, we eventually selected the advanced B727-200.            
      ...our thanks to Terry Ashton, long time RW VP - Planning for this info and photos.

This photo was taken by noted aircraft photographer Curt Hulslander of Kent, WA. in June of 1968 at Boeing Field.  The former WCA DC-3 (N1051N) was painted in the "Fiesta" color scheme of newly formed Air West to help promote the combined merger of Bonanza, Pacific, and West Coast.  We'll bet that some of you out there probably flew this classic airplane.

We saw this little beauty at Airliners International 2004 held in LAX recently.  If you would be interested in owning one of these little gems, contact us for the info on the manufacturer.  We'll warn you up front that the price tag will be well over $300 as it is a custom handmade model done in Bahrain.

 RARE BIRD

Left - In 1976, Hughes Airwest placed an order for three of these Boeing Advanced 727-200 trijets as the flagships of its fleet.  The aircraft were to be named in honor of Howard Hughes' aviation feats.  

Right - Howard R. Hughes climbs out of his Northrop Gamma in which he set three world speed records in 1936.  Hughes Airwest named the first of its three new Boeing 727-200 trijets the "Spirit of Gamma".

HOWARD HUGHES' AVIATION FEATS
MEMORIALIZED BY HUGHES AIRWEST

Hughes Airwest named its first 727 200 flagship "Spirit of Gamma" after the aircraft in which the late Howard R. Hughes set three world speed records in 1936.

He leased a Northrop Gamma in 1935 from aviatrix Jacqueline Cochran and made extensive modifications to it.

They included installing a new Wright GR 1820G 5 engine with a two speed supercharger for high altitude flying, a three bladed constant speed propeller, three additional fuel tanks and one reserve oil tank. The airframe also was streamlined.

He made seven test flights and then waited nearly one month for proper weather conditions across the country.

Hughes took off from Union Air Terminal in Burbank on Jan. 13 1936 with a full load of fuel, 690 gallons. Gross weight was 9,550 pounds, 2,500 pounds more than its normal take off weight.

He landed at Newark Airport, New Jersey 9 hours, 26 minutes and 10 seconds later to break Roscoe Turner's transcontinental record of 10 hours, 2 minutes and 51 seconds. Hughes' average air speed was 259.11 miles an hour.

Hughes set another record flying the Gamma on April 21, 1936 between Miami and New York in 4 hours, 21 minutes and 32 seconds with an average speed of 276 miles an hour. He cut 40 minutes and 7 second off the previous record set in 1933 by James Wedell.

A third record was established May 14, 1936 when Hughes flew the Gamma between Chicago and Burbank in 8 hours, 10 minutes and 25 seconds. The previous record was 12 hours and 45 minutes set by a TWA DC 2 regular passenger flight.

In recognition of these aviation achievements, Hughes was awarded the American Harmon Trophy as the world's most outstanding aviator of 1936. It was personally presented by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

He also won the International Harmon Trophy, which had been previously awarded to Charles Lindbergh and Wiley Post.

The last of three of the sixteen DC9-30's purchased by Air West were flown in formation for the entire trip from Long Beach to Phoenix by Air West flight crews in June of 1969.  The lead aircraft was flown by Shelby Tuttle and Dave Hinson.  The 2nd "9" was under the command of Lyle Peterson with Gary Felts in the right seat.  The 3rd "9" was commanded by Bob Manning with Dick Tribe as his co-pilot.