Searching for 1937 Lockheed Electra 12A N-18137 s/n 1229

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Searching for 1937 Lockheed Electra 12A N-18137 s/n 1229
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Thread Starter: sedonalegendhelenfrye
Started: 12-18-2003 8:06 PM
Replies: 4

Avitop Forums » Aircraftbargains.com Forum » Aircraft Wanted » Searching for 1937 Lockheed Electra 12A N-18137 s/n 1229

sedonalegendhelenfrye is not online. Last active: 10/30/2005 7:44:40 PM

sedonalegendhelenfrye

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Joined on 11-17-2003
Sedona, Arizona
Posts 5

Searching for 1937 Lockheed Electra 12A N-18137 s/n 1229

Hello!

Does anyone know where this plane is? Or who owns it? I have located the supposed last owners, but have not heard from them, a large AeroSpace Corp. I think the plane may have been sold several years ago when Pratt and Whitney, whom owned it was bought out.

The Plane was last spotted at an airshow by famed vintage plane photographer Dick Phillips in 1988. The plane is supposedly airworthy and currently registered.

Does anyone know if Pratt and Whitney has a private airplane museum somewhere??

Hope to hear some responses..........

sedonalegendhelenfrye

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Joined on 11-17-2003
Sedona, Arizona
Posts 5

Re: Searching for 1937 Lockheed Electra 12A N-18137 s/n 1229

To see a photo of this Lockheed Electra 12A Registration Number N-18137, Jack and Helen Frye's personal plane, while Jack was president of TWA, please click on this link:

http://www.geocities.com/sedonalegendhelenfrye

Perhaps some of you might recognize this famous plane and might be able to let me know where it is today, or anything you might know about it.

Thanks,
Webmaster for: Sedonalegendhelenfrye

corsair739 is not online. Last active: 8/1/2004 7:03:40 AM

corsair739

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Joined on 01-25-2004
Posts 1

Re: Searching for 1937 Lockheed Electra 12A N-18137 s/n 1229

N-number : N18137
Aircraft Serial Number : 1229
Aircraft Manufacturer : LOCKHEED
Model : 12A
Engine Manufacturer : P&W
Model : R-985 SERIES
Aircraft Year : 1937
Owner Name : CENCO INC
Owner Address : PO BOX 7639
HIGH POINT, NC, 27264-7639
Type of Owner : Corporation
Registration Date : 20-Apr-1993
Airworthiness Certificate Type : Standard

sedonalegendhelenfrye

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Joined on 11-17-2003
Sedona, Arizona
Posts 5

Re: Searching for 1937 Lockheed Electra 12A N-18137 s/n 1229

I appreciate the information, even though I already have all of it. I have written to the owners, but am yet to receive a response. I suspect they may have sold the plane when the company went through a buy-out recently. An interesting bit of trivia, Cenco is also Pratt and Whitney: the famous airplane manufacturer, I thought it was intriquing that they would own this plane. Perhaps they have a collection of planes with there engines on them? However, just because FAA records still show them as the owners, doesn't mean they still have it. Cenco has been absorbed by another company and no longer exists.

sedonalegendhelenfrye

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Joined on 11-17-2003
Sedona, Arizona
Posts 5

Re: Searching for 1937 Lockheed Electra 12A N-18137 s/n 1229

UPDATE!

Thank you, for all your interesting comments on Jack Frye and his Lockheed Electra 12A. The whole saga has now come full circle. The full history of the plane can be found on this new page:

http://www.sedonalegendhelenfrye.com/page19

The plane was indeed "officially," a TWA Flight Research Laboratory, NC-18137. But it served a dual purpose as an executive plane and was used regularly by Jack Frye, long serving-TWA President, (one of the original 3 founders) of TWA. The plane was purchased in 1937 by Continental, (former Varney Speedways.) It was used as a passenger transport for 3 years by Continental Airlines. TWA subsequently bought the plane in 1940 and sold it in 1945. The plane was named "Research." Jack was instrumental in maintaining a top-notch flight research program for TWA, (something close to his heart,) many of TWA's breakthroughs are still benefiting our modern day airlines. This plane, in beautiful condition and very much air-worthy, has recently sold. A dear friend of mine purchased it, (Ruth Richter, daughter of Paul Richter, Executive Vice-President, (also one of the three original founders,) of TWA. Paul regularly flew the Lockheed 12A NC-18137, "Research," as well. I recently flew in this marvelous Lockheed Electra over the southern California coast. An incredible experience I assure you! The plane is a wonderful testament to the glory days of air-travel. The engines just purred, never missing a beat! One of the highlights of my life!

In 1945, TWA obtained another plane which was also used as a Flight Research Laboratory/Executive Transport. This beautiful Lockheed, Serial number #2170, NC-33604, was a Lockheed Lodestar, Model 18. It was reserved for Jack Frye, who flew it frequently as an executive airliner, transporting many V.I.P.'s. Howard Hughes, too, used it, as well as Paul Richter, and many TWA test pilots. Where is the plane now? That remains to be discovered. Last heard of, it was owned by a company called (B and H Industries in Akron Ohio.) But even though the company and plane have vaporized...........I have hope, like the 12A, it will be re-discovered. Purchased and restored.

Please note Daniel Peterkin of Howard Aircraft, and Morton Salt Corp. (father founded) owned the plane from 1954 to about 1963.

Any comments will be appreciated.....

Thank you,

http://www.sedonalegendhelenfrye.com

Randall Reynolds, author/webmaster for
"The Jack and Helen Frye Story!

208.54.14.65

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