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11/30/2006. Remarks by Jack McKillop: "This was built as a Model M-4, c/n 338, and delivered to the US Post Office in 1926 and registered NC1475. It was used by the Post Office Department for their own airmail operations however, as provided by the Air Mail Act of 1925 and Air Commerce Act of 1926, air mail services were to be transferred from the Post Office to private operators. One of the first private operators was Western Air Express (WAE) which was awarded one of the first mail contracts (CAM 4) from Vail Field, Los Angeles, California, USA, to Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, via Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. WAE made its first flight on this route in April 1926. This aircraft was sold to WAE in June 1927 and flew almost 914 hours carrying airmail before it crashed in January 1930. It was sold to several corporate and private owners until re-acquired by WAE in April 1940. It was registered as an M-2, NC150; this registration had been assigned to WAE's first M-2. WAE was renamed Western Airlines on April 17, 1941. "The first restoration of this aircraft occurred in 1946 but the it was not restored to flying condition and for the next 22-years, it remained in a Western Airlines hangar at Los Angeles International Airport. Starting in 1974, the aircraft and its Liberty engine were completely restored by volunteers and it made its first flight on June 2, 1976. After a transcontinental flight in May 1977, the aircraft was transferred to the National Air and Space Museum. It is believed to be the last Douglas mailpane in existence." |
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