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Northrop Alpha 2

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07/21/2007. Remarks by Jack McKillop: "This aircraft was one of ten delivered to civil customers, a further three were delivered as C-19s to the USAAC. It was built as a transport carrying a pilot and two passengers and was sold in 1930 to the US Department of Commerce, Aeronautics Branch in Washington, D.C. Painted black and orange, it was registered NS1 and flown by the Assistant Secretary of Commerce.

On April 16, 1931, it was sold to the Ford Motor Company who sold it to National Air Transport four days later. The aircraft was re-registered NC11Y and flown as a four passenger transport. It was sold to Transcontinental and Western Air (TWA) on November 27, 1931 as an Alpha 4A and assigned fleet number 12; the aircraft was used primarily to transport mail.

TWA sold it to Frederick B. Lee of New York, New York, on April 26, 1935; Lee planned a long-distance world flight which never materialized. Between 1937 and 1971, the aircraft was owned by several individuals and was derelict on a Missouri farm when acquired by the Experimental Aircraft Association who completely rebuilt it in TWA markings. Work was completed in 1975 and the aircraft was presented to the National Air and Space Museum in 1976. As of this date, it is on display in the National Mall Building in Washington, D.C."


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07/21/2007. Remarks by Jack McKillop: "This aircraft was one of ten delivered to civil customers, a further three were delivered as C-19s to the USAAC. It was built as a transport carrying a pilot and two passengers and was sold in 1930 to the US Department of Commerce, Aeronautics Branch in Washington, D.C. Painted black and orange, it was registered NS1 and flown by the Assistant Secretary of Commerce. On April 16, 1931, it was sold to the Ford Motor Company who sold it to National Air Transport four days later. The aircraft was re-registered NC11Y and flown as a four passenger transport. It was sold to Transcontinental and Western Air (TWA) on November 27, 1931 as an Alpha 4A and assigned fleet number 12; the aircraft was used primarily to transport mail. TWA sold it to Frederick B. Lee of New York, New York, on April 26, 1935; Lee planned a long-distance world flight which never materialized. Between 1937 and 1971, the aircraft was owned by several individuals and was derelict on a Missouri farm when acquired by the Experimental Aircraft Association who completely rebuilt it in TWA markings. Work was completed in 1975 and the aircraft was presented to the National Air and Space Museum in 1976. As of this date, it is on display in the National Mall Building in Washington, D.C."