Correct alpha identity

In the last issue, we reported on the Northrop Alpha project being offered for sale by The Air Museum Planes of Fame. Further research by Ed Maloney has revealed that the aircraft is actually Alpha c/n11 registered NC986Y and not NC999Y in whose markings the plane is painted. Alpha c/n11 was completed on 25 June 1931, in a two-passenger configuration. The craft was sold to Transcontinental & Western Air for $14,220, less engine. Assigned TWA Fleet No. 8, the plane was back at the factory on 17 August 1931, for conversion to an all-cargo Alpha 4.

On 22 August 1935, the Alpha had an accident near St. Clairsville, Ohio. Pilot R.S. LeRoy noted in his log "lost and ran out of gas."

The aircraft was salvaged and the remains were sold in August 1938 to Foster Hannaford, Jr., of Minneapolis, Minnesota. The new owner planned to rebuild the aircraft and retained the registration as late as 1948. In 1945, Hannaford also purchased intact Alpha NC11Y and he stored both airframes in a barn. When he died in 1971, the aircraft were acquired by the Experimental Aircraft Association and TWA beautifully restored NC11Y and that aircraft is now proudly on display at the National Air and Space Museum. Ed Maloney then acquired the remaining airframe. AC

Copyright Challenge Publications Inc. Apr 2003
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved