Seeking Northrop Gamma info

[Dillon]

Hi, everybody - I'm looking for info on the Northrop Gamma
2-series, specifically:

Does anyone know what happened to the remains of the Sky Chief
(X-12265) after it was destroyed in an accident during the 1936 Bendix
Trophy Race from New York to Los Angeles? I understand there was an
explosion over Kansas that forced a bailout.

Does anyone know the ultimate fate of the wreckage of Jackie Cochran's
NR-13761, or the whereabouts of Bernard McFadden's NC-2111? NC-2111
finished in third place in the 1935 Bendix Trophy Race. Anything about
NR-13757 or NR-13758, two of the Gamma's built for TWA?

I did find on the Northrop registration website the following list:

2111 Gamma 2D2 (2H), 12 - > Army Engrs 1942; path unknown
12265 Gamma 2A, 1 - Frank Hawks Texaco Sky-Chief; crashed 9/4/36
12269 Gamma 2B, 2 - Ellsworth Polar Star; Smithsonian 1936
12291 Gamma 2C, 5 - > YA-13/XA-16 [34-027]; surveyed
13755 Gamma 1E, 29 - > [SE-ADW]; crashed 7/6/34
13757 Gamma 2D, 8 - > Army Engrs 1942, rptd crashed in Africa
13758 Gamma 2D, 9 - > UC-100 [42-94140]; surveyed 9/11/43
13759 Gamma 2D, 10 - > [XA-ABJ] > Spanish Civil War
13760 Gamma 2E, 47 - Frank Hawks > USSR 1935
13761 Gamma 2G, 11 - H Hughes 1936 speed record; crashed 7/10/36

I'm interested in all of the 2A, 2B, 2D, 2G, and 2H versions. Any
info on these aircraft, last known location, and/or their fate is
welcomed.

A shot in the dark, I know, but I thought I might find others out there
who are as interested in this great plane as I am.

Thanks!

Diilon

[[email protected]]

Dillon wrote:
> Hi, everybody - I'm looking for info on the Northrop Gamma
> 2-series, specifically:
>


Didn't NASM end up with a Gamma that was carefully removed from a barn
about 10 years ago? I remember seeing some pics as they hauled it out
ever so carefully in deep snow out of a barn.
Craig C.

[Dillon]

Craig, NASM doesn't show it in inventory. Do you recall where you saw
the photos?

Could you be thinking of the Ellsworth Polar Star Antarctic Explorer?
That one is in NASM now. Ellsworth donated the Polar Star to the
Smithsonian in 1936.

Thanks for the response! Please let me know if you recall any other
details. I'll get cracking on a search based on your info.

Dillon

[Randall]

Northrop Gamma 2D TWA Mail Express #16

Looking for location of wreck. Northrop Gamma 2D, serial number #8, TWA fleet Number #16, United States registration numbers, NR-13757. Personal plane of legendary aviator, Jack Frye, long-time TWA President and founder. Sold by TWA around 1942, and drafted as a Army Corp of Engineers plane, lost in Africa in about 1942 during the war. Does anyone know of the wreck site? Any wreckage ever recovered? Has it ever been investigated? I am interested in the acquisition and restoration of this plane. Any information on the other 2) TWA Northrop Gammas: NC-13758, NC-13759 would be appreciated.

Please see:

http://www.sedonalegendhelenfrye.com/page19

http://www.sedonalegendhelenfrye.com/page98

Thank you, Randall