Climbing out of Seattle-Tacoma Airport on its scheduled late afternoon departure time in the Spring of 1959, Pacific Northern Airlines Constellation wings its way over downtown Seattle. Its final destination is Anchorage, but with a few stops along the way: Ketchikan, Juneau, Yakutat, and Cordova. Cost of the ticket from Seattle to Anchorage: $165.

Back in the 1920s, almost any routine event was automatically far more interesting when it was done in an airplane. Take a fashion show for instance. Appealing as such a venue would be on terra firma, it became much more newsworthy when it happened 5,000 feet in the air. That brings us to the photo. The aircraft is, of course, a Ford Trimotor. The location, Hollywood (also, of course). The woman is famed fashion designer Peggy Hamilton – and famed she was: Hamilton was the designer for all the big movie studios and top names in the film industry.

So, why is Madam Hamilton about to board the Trimotor? According to the photo’s caption, she is going to perform the “World’s first” fashion show in an airplane. Once airborne, she will model eight “gorgeous gowns” to an appreciative audience of club presidents from various organizations. Given that Hamilton was married at least 6 or 7 times (no one is exactly sure which) the gowns in question might be leftovers from her numerous matrimonial endeavors. Whatever the case, I am sure the club presidents were vastly entertained.

Note: Given the Trimotor’s low altitude and lack of insulation, I would venture to say that this event also set the record for the world’s bumpiest and noisiest fashion show.

Nose gun installation. Note the former serial number “366”.

The two forward rows of seats were removed to allow the installation of additional fuel tanks.

Cockpit of the 247-Y had the addition of the gun charging handles seen jutting from the instrument panel in front of the pilot’s yoke.

A one of a kind aircraft if there ever was one. When this Boeing 247 began life with United Airlines, I doubt many believed it would end up being converted into a warplane but that is exactly what Boeing itself did. NC 13366 earned money for United until they retired the 247. Boeing then reacquired the aircraft in order to fulfill a rather unusual request to turn it into a militarized airliner for China. This Boeing obviously did.

Super Connie NC90926 (“Star of Tunis”) heads an all-star ensemble of American Airlines heavies.  B-377 Stratocruiser (NX1023V, “Clipper Golden Gate”) is next. It was the second prototype of the 377 and, judging by its lack of company markings plus the sizable crowd, had probably just arrived. Sadly, it crashed in Manila on 2 June, 1958. Last in the line is the stalwart DC-6.

It’s January 1970, and Pan Am’s factory-fresh first 747 roars past photographers at Paine Field as it begins its eastbound journey in preparation in for its inaugural service. Next stop: Dulles Airport where it will be christened by First Lady Pat Nixon.

With all four turning, Dad looks things over from the right seat in the late 1950’s. He was giving a check ride to a new captain.

Aloha for gaily colored shirted and lei bedecked “Air Tourists” as they deplane during an early evening arrival in Honolulu. I say “Air Tourist” because that is the logo next to the door. This DC-6 (N37544) was delivered in 1950 and flew many a mile for United.

United Flight 2609 is readied for another load of revenue. (Note the “Flight 2609” sign in the rear window.

A jolly group of passengers about to embark on a PAA (Pan Am) Sikorsky S-38 at Key West for a weekend frolic in sunny Havana. I do believe Pan Am boss Juan Trippe is in both these photos. Havana was a hot spot for travelers in Prohibition-era America. Take the train south to Key West, hop aboard PAA, and voilà: you were in boozeville. This planeload of flappers and their Beau Brummells are in for a heck of a good time. F. Scott Fitzgerald would approve.

It’s about 1955, and the Dash 80 is on an early test flight over Port Townsend, WA. Below its nose is Fort Worden, a Coast Artillery post from the late 1800’s. Whidbey Island is in the background.

This hat dates from the time dad was captain on DC-6’s and 7’s (Note the propeller device). The buttons holding the strap state “Coast to Coast”. For the record, dad was never happy with the chocolate brown motif.

End of an era. Two Pan Am 314’s sit quietly at their mooring buoys as a shiny-new DC-4 takes off over San Francisco bay. Both of the 314’s will have a lease on life with new owners. 18612  in the foreground (the Capetown Clipper) will go to American Intl. Airways in 1947 and be christened the “Bermuda Sky Queen.” That won’t last long – in November, 1947, she will ditch in the North Atlantic. All rescued by the US Coast Guard, but the aircraft was then sunk as a danger to navigation.

18602, the California Clipper on the servicing ramp.

18606, the American Clipper is readied for an overnight flight to the Territory of Hawaii.

Dad was at the controls when this photo was taken way back when. His logbook shows that he flew this aircraft numerous times between 1947 and 1956, but he’s pretty sure this was 1949. SeaTac opened in 1947, but United didn’t shift its operations there until a few years later. Dad didn’t mind; Boeing Field was closer to our house.

Same aircraft (N37511) on the United ramp at Chicago.

Sydney “Syd” Chaplin was an all-around man: Actor, aviation pioneer, and business manager to his younger half brother, Charlie. (Yes, that Charlie Chaplin) But it was in aviation where he made history in 1919 when he bought a plane and hired pilot Emery Rogers and thus begun the first privately owned domestic American airline.

Things were looking good for Chaplin, but when the pesky government began requiring things like pilot licenses, he got out of the business. The aircraft is, of course, a Curtiss Jenny.

Above are two shots of a 247 belonging to Inland Airlines at Billings, Montana.