New Beginning

Brand New Website Which Visually Documents Lives of Jack & Helen Frye

This is the 'NEW' (Sedona Legend Helen Frye - the Camelot Years of TWA) website, original format launched in 2003, is no longer supported by host Yahoo GeoCities and has been discontinued. Portions of the original website will be rebuilt within these pages. Please note the recently launched website www.sedonatwa.org is no longer valid. The new revised overview title is now 'The Sedona Frye TWA Story' with world url www.sedonatwa.com. This effort is managed and owned by Sedona Legend Publishing

Herein you will find a historic perspective of Sedona that was nearly lost to time itself, the real HISTORY of Red Rock State Park, a rich and valuable legacy which must not ever be forgotten or swept under the carpet, a showcase of treasured information and documentation. Sedona's history with Transcontinental & Western Air (TWA), one of the world's largest and most beloved airlines and how this association helped put Sedona Arizona on the map!

Red Rock State Park, a 'Crown Jewel' of the Arizona State Park system and one-time private playground of the rich and famous. Originally owned and discovered in 1941 by one of the most glamorous couples in America and one of the greatest aviation legends this country has ever known! An association so powerful the original identity of the property will always be known as the Frye 'Smoke Trail Ranch' and the 'TWA Ranch at Sedona'. Dare to delve beneath the surface and discover the hidden and forgotten history of one of the most pristine, beautiful, and priceless real estate parcels of the Southwestern United States, and the legends who owned it

This website serves to offer readers of the book “Jack & Helen Frye Story – the Camelot Years of TWA” with images that compliment the biography. Photos were not included in the publication because of copywrite restrictions. An effort will be made to not include a lot of repetitive narrative on these pages, as this can be found when reading the book. This website will be updated and refined as time allows, and as well, the layout will be improved in an easy to navigate format. Please click the following link to purchase the Biography Novel Love StoryJack & Helen Frye Story - the Camelot Years of TWA available on Amazon in soft cover or Kindle. (This presentation best viewed on Personal Computer) or cell phone (desktop view)

Jack Frye & Helen Varner Vanderbilt @ Scottsdale & New York City (1940-1941)

(Seen above) Jack & Helen Frye relaxing on their Sedona Smoke Trail Ranch in the early 1940’s. Thought to have been captured by Frye friend and business associate Howard Hughes (narrative in the biography)

(Images seen above) President of TWA Jack Frye and Mrs. Helen Varner Vanderbilt at the Camelback Inn Scottsdale Arizona (1940). Jack flew into Tucson and Phoenix on his Lockheed 12A as notated in newspaper coverage. (First image) signed to Frye personal pilot of Jack’s executive plane (TWA Lockheed Electra #240) by Helen Frye. (Center image) Fryes arriving via TWA airliner (LGA) New York City, January 1941, last image Jack and Helen caught by reporters in the Valley. These press images ran with nationwide with copy, ‘The Cowboy and the Lady’

Lockheed Electra TWA #240, Executive Plane of Jack Frye, President of TWA (in service from 1940-1945)

The Frye Marriage was ‘In the Air’ as much as much as it was ‘On the Ground’ (1940-1950)

The focus of this page is the two private TWA planes Jack and Helen arrived and departed on from Sedona Arizona. These transports were paramount to their Sedona Frye sojourn, as the Sedona Red Rock Valley was virtually undiscovered in the 1940’s and populated by just a handful of small ranches. Without the luxury of a private plane it was virtually impossible to access the region

'A long time ago in a decidedly different time, over the spires of Sedona a silver airship climbed. Banking, dropping, low to the ground, Jack and Helen Frye had found their little town. Property rugged, too rough to land, they both vowed to return as soon as they can. Return they did with maps in hand, staking their claim to this most beautiful land. A vision, Jack and Helen willed, became the House of Apache Fires which took years to build. On the Wings of the Wind Jack and Helen Frye came, Smoke Trail Ranch they soon tamed. These two celebrities, travelers from afar, in the end became Sedona's First Celebrity Stars!'

After their Scottsdale wedding, Jack and Helen started searching for a 'home' of their own. Previously, Jack lived in Kansas City and Los Angeles, Helen, in South Pasadena and Lake Arrowhead California. The couple searched for months in Jack's personal Lockheed twin over the regions of Southern California, New Mexico, and Arizona. They were looking for a unique tract of land with plenty of water for cattle. Of course, it was on one of these trips that they discovered the property which would become the Frye Deer Lick and Smoke Trail Ranch on the west side of what is now known as Sedona Arizona. The Frye honeymoon was ‘oft delayed due to Jack’s business with TWA and his involvement with the ensuing war effort; however, despite this, Jack and Helen boarded Jack’s private Lockheed and headed south for the destinations of Louisiana, Florida, Cuba, and the Caribbean. One lost photo shows the honeymooning couple standing in front of the Lockheed, on a sandy beach with a resort hotel in the background, surrounded by a ribbon of palm trees. This was the Caribbean end of the Frye’s Lockheed honeymoon. In the early months of 1941, whenever Jack and Helen were in flight east to west, Jack set aside a few days for Helen and him to canvas the Western United States by air to find the perfect ranch property (this was usiually from TWA Airports AB or WO). Jack Frye came from a historic cattle ranching family which owned a large portion of the Texas panhandle. What he was seeking was a large enough acreage to sustain a cattle ranch, coupled with an ample water supply. Following all the waterways with the Lockheed, Jack and Helen scoured the ground in over-flights of New Mexico and Arizona hoping to discover the perfect Southwestern ranching property

On one particular trip, Jack’s silver Lockheed drops down from Flagstaff south, navigating a picturesque rust-hued canyon with a ribbon of water running through the center. At the bottom of the chasm, the Lockheed soars out over an open valley of red rock spires. The sparsely populated region, displayed below the soaring Lockheed, is remote and rugged, so much so, that rarely has it seen air traffic. Ranchers rush out of their homesteads to look up, shading their eyes with their hands as they watch the silver TWA airliner with 450 HP Pratt & Whitney engines bank and circle through the tight canyons. Helen, stylishly dressed in slacks and dark shades, gazes out below, waving and smiling in wonderment at the scene. Typically, Jack is dressed in a suit, with a cigar at the corner of his mouth. He expertly sweeps and banks around towers of crimson, the ground below unfolding like a fairytale of red rock pinnacles. Suddenly, a picturesque valley appears outside the starboard window with a flowing creek at its heart. As the plane plows through low clouds, corkscrewed around red-hued spires, Helen cries out passionately, “Look, look, down there, Jack, this is it! This is where I want to live!” Spread out beneath the plane, a picturesque ranch appears, hugging a creek which snakes through a red rock valley peppered with cottonwood trees. Jack looks out the port window as he banks sharply, exclaiming, “Helen, I think we’ve found it, at last, our Shangri-La!” He circles several times trying to identify the area. Finally though, with an eye to the fuel gauge, Jack tells Helen they have to start west, but he promises he will find out where they are and look into it when they reach Los Angeles. Helen is disappointed, there is nowhere to be set down; yet amazed she and Jack can search for real estate in Northern Arizona by day, and be back at the coast for dinner by nightfall. The Lockheed drones off into the western sunset, the massive twin Pratt and Whitney engines slowly fade away, as the rugged country below returns to silence after the noisy intrusion. After a flight, with speeds of well over 200 M.P.H., and in less than 2 hours, Jack sets the Lockheed down at Los Angeles. After unloading the plane, the couple takes a limo to the Beverly Wilshire where they freshen up and talk about their exciting discovery, over a quiet dinner in their suite. Jack pours over Transcontinental & Western Air navigation charts, yet despite hours of searching, he finds no reference to the region they spotted from the air, let alone a nearby airstrip. The Red Rock Valley does not show on any of the up-to-date TWA navigation charts!

The information below regarding the TWA Lockheed NC18137 was never known but for Sedona Legend research, it’s a revelation in documenting Frye’s use of this plane! It’s from the letters of a private TWA pilot of Jack’s 12A written to his parents in 1942, (will add more info later)

November 26, 1942

Dear Mom and Dad-

I almost called you up from Winslow last Sunday, but I was financially embarrassed, and did not feel you would appreciate another collect call. I left here last Thursday on 1 1/2 hours notice with Mr. Frye. We flew from KC to AO to AQ to WO (Kansas City Amarillo Albuquerque Winslow) stayed that night there and the next morning we went to his ranch (about 5000 acres including Gov. summer range) which is about 25 mi. East of Cottonwood, Arizona, on Oak Creek. There is a pretty fair field at Cottonwood, that is where we landed. After we unloaded, I stayed in WO (TWA at Winslow) until Monday night I got a phone call from Phoenix, they had driven down in their car, so on Tuesday morning I flew down there and picked them up and then we went to El Paso (EO) Texas. We stayed all night there and then we returned her to KC. I guess I have already told you, but the plane is a Lockheed model 12-A, it has two Pratt & Whitney 450 H.P. engines, cruises at 210 m.p.h. at 7000 ft. Originally the ship carried six passengers and two pilots but when TWA got it they rebuilt it and now it can only carry four passengers, as the first two seats have been removed and two 48 gal. gas tanks have been installed, giving the ship a total gas load of 298 gal. This gives it a safe six hours fuel supply. We are able to fly non-stop from KC (Kansas City) to WA (Washington D.C.), or KC to WO. We can fly from KC to WO in the time it takes a Douglas DC-3 to go from KC to CO (Columbus, Ohio). To this date I have 1 hr. & 45 minutes check time, and 1 hr. 43 min. solo in the Lockheed in addition to the time I have flown with Mr. Frye. To this date I have a total of 1859:18 hrs., 1488:46 is in single engine land planes, 32:55 hrs. is in single engine sea planes, and I now have 337:37 hrs. in multi-engined land planes. This may be further broke down as follows; 98:35 hrs. instrument flying, 226:24 hours nighttime, and 809:21 hrs. of instructing. The young fellow whom I have been training for a job as copilot with us passed his commercial license with 206 hrs. the minimum time required is 200 hrs., and the inspector could find nothing wrong with his flying at all. He is now employed as a Student First Officer by TWA. Note: Robby stated 298 Gallons (but likely he meant 296). The 12A was equipped to hold a maximum of 200 gallons of fuel load (Lockheed factory specs.)

I couldn’t be more grateful to Russell Robert ‘Roby’ Robinson’s daughter for sharing her father’s archive of information as the private pilot for Jack and Helen Frye. This was at onset of his career with TWA. Because of World War II it was difficult for Jack to pull a pilot ‘off the line’ to help fly the 12A for him, Jack usually served as captain with other TWA pilots as co-pilot. Russell thought the world of Jack and Helen (and Helen and Jack same) as evident in the signed image of Helen and Jack at Scottsdale (seen above). The archive of information details his time with the Fryes in these early years as pilot of the Lockheed Electra 12A NC 18137, information which was all but lost but for Sedona Legend research

(Left to right) TWA Executive Lockheed Electra seen on the ramp, likely Kansas City. (Center) Helen Frye at the first property purchased at Sedona (Deer Lick Ranch) which adjoined the second parcel they purchased (Old Smoke Trail Ranch). (Last image) a confident Jack Frye aside his Lockheed Electra after arrival at the Frye dirt private landing strip (Cornville) taken by Helen Frye. You can see the Cottonwood Valley in the foreground. It must be notated this airstrip was constructed on a tract of land the Fryes owned

Whenever Jack and Helen would arrive at the Sedona Ranch from back east they would circle the ranch (twice) this would let the ranch hands know they were landing at the Frye Airstrip and signaled them to drive over to the landing field to come get themselves and their guests

1942 Lockheed Lodestar 18, TWA #241, (above) being serviced and loaded for Jack and Helen Frye and their V.I.P. guests. I was able to purchase this image on E-Bay several years back. What a coup! There are virtually no images of this TWA Lodestar (1945-1947) and the person who sold it likely had no idea it was Frye’s executive plane. Image was captured about 1946 or so, and is just a small 3-inch snap shot. This plane was but forgotten and discovered by Sedona Legend research

The above (3-15-1945) Lockheed factory workorder with paint call-outs was for Jack Frye’s personal TWA Lockheed Lodestar NC33604. We have Tim Rathbone to thank for generously sharing them for historical sake. Mr. Rathbone worked for Lockheed about 35 years ago and came across the Burbank sketches after his superiors had requested a spring cleaning. Unfortunately Lockheed did not have a venue for preserving the discarded paperwork from which the Lodestar work order was found. It is a miracle after 80-years that these documents can be shared here, the only historical venue dedicated to the preservation of this famous Lockheed Lodestar NC33604. Many thanks to Tim and his friends for having the insight, to one, recognize a valuable historical document, and secondly, to make sure it was preserved! The NC33604 Lockheed paint shop work order is a treasure of information. In veiwing these documents we can learn exactly what lettering was required by Frye down to the actual color codes! The Transcontinental & Western Air signature color "TWA Red" was envisioned and developed by no other than Jack Frye himself. TWA planes were not emblazoned with just any shade of red, they were all painted with "Sherwin Williams Vermillion Lacquer #32092". (This per an obscure 1942 Frye profile documenting Jack's attention to the 'perfect shade' of red for his TWA fleet!)

As notated on the above work order Jack requested a TWA Arrow painted on the front cargo door. The image (above) shows a similar arrow except that on the Lodestar, the arrow pointed to the front and the wording was not added. On Jack's Lockheed Electra 12A NC18137, the nose insignia was different, matching the fleet logos of the day. The above logo was used mid-1930's.

Jack Frye stands aside his Lockheed Electra after arrival at the Frye Cornville airstrip (taken by Helen Frye). Center is an early telegram sent to the ranch announcing arrival by the Fryes in 1942 in the Lockheed 12 (there were no telephones at the ranch). The housekeeper and secretery were driving out in a new Pontiac the Fryes wanted to leave at the ranch. (And lastly) we see TWA NC18137 #240, Lockheed Electra 12A Junior being polished out by a TWA ground crew member

The first location was where the current Sedona Airport (SDX) is today on Tabletop Mountain. Jack and Helen Frye considered this flat top mountain in the summer of 1941, as Jack had spotted it from the air while searching for suitable landing locations. The Frye’s walked off the perimeters together and found it suitable for an airstrip. However, for whatever reason, Jack felt a second location was more suitable for his needs. The Sedona Airport was eventually developed, in part, by Joe Moser, but it can be truthfully stated that Jack Frye of TWA was the first to survey this location for a future Sedona Airport. This per Helen Frye (Red Rock News interviews). The development of airports was nothing new to Jack Frye. In the 1920's, he owned the largest private airport on the west coast (Aero Corporation Field) Western Avenue in Los Angeles. He was responsible for the development of the 1st passenger air service, interstate and intrastate, (California to Arizona) and later El Paso. Frye held the 1st commercial license ever issued by Arizona and flew the 1st commercial flight to Arizona (1927). He’s officially credited with the development of the current Albuquerque Airport (ABQ) and was instrumental in pushing for the current location of LAX, even to the point of stating, ‘TWA would no longer land at L.A. if this new improved airport was not developed’. El Paso (ELP) airport was also developed by Frye’s Standard Air Lines. The 2nd Sedona location was located at the (now) stoplight of (Cornville Road and 89A) north of Cottonwood (Bridgeport) Arizona. Frye found property here which was available (N.W. corner of the intersection) which even today is still open land. At that time, however, this was the flattest land close to the Frye Ranch which could serve as an airstrip. Jack secured the location and had it graded. Improvements consisted of buildings and service facilities. Wisely Frye developed it as a private landing field for his Lockheed’s, and, as well, a public field. Jack envisioned the development of this location for commercial use or Army use, as stated to media.

The (image above) reproduced from a current United States Forest Service map clearly details of the runway layout of the Frye private airstrip. This airfield, which Jack Frye developed and financed, was created specifically to land his executive TWA L12, NC18137, airliner, and later, his TWA L18, NC33604 airliner. This location gave TWA president Frye access to his nearby Deer Lick and Smoke Trail Ranch(s) now as Red Rock State Park. Many TWA clients and associates were flown into this location to be entertained as guests of Jack and Helen Frye at their famous ranch. Howard Hughes was said to have visited the ranch twice and landed here as well. Many local Sedona residents witnessed the arrival and departure of these beautiful polished to a mirror-finish TWA airliners. These flights were the VERY 1st by any major airline (TWA) into the Sedona-Verde Valley region. However, they were not scheduled passenger service flights. Local media covered the opening dedication ceremonies of the Frye landing field, which was officially dedicated, on October 25th, 1941, and officially christened the “Verde Valley Airport”. On that day over two hundred people attended the event. On this important October day, excited locals listened to the guest speaker (TWA President Frye), who not only was one of the best pilots in the country but a national aviation celebrity as well. In his speech Jack talked about the future of Verde Valley aviation and TWA. After which, he took local aviation officials on flights over the location in his "private Lockheed plane" as a newspaper writer coined it. Jack always shared his accomplishments and it was only logical for him to open what was originally meant to be his "private" airstrip to public use and the Army.

The image (aside) was captured by famous aviator Ruth Reinhold. Although not a very clear photograph it does show Jack’s Lockheed 12A at the Clemenceau Airport (Clarkdale). As stated previously, the aircraft was parked here occasionally for fuel. Pilots were housed at a nearby motel for the time the Fryes were at the ranch (this per historical interviews). Occassionally, Jack had 2 pilots on board, this airport no longer exists. (Image would have been early 1940’s).

(Aside) we see the TWA Locheed Electra being serviced in a hangar at Burbank California

President of TWA Jack Frye and his wife Helen Varner Vanderbilt and V.I.P. guests aside his Lockheed Lodestar at Washington D.C.

Seen (above left) Irma Protzmann Hannegan (wife of Robert Hannegan, U.S. Postmaster General & Chairman of Democratic National Committee), Kathryn Murphy Nunan (wife of Joseph D. Nunan Jr. Internal Revenue Commissioner). President of TWA Jack Frye & wife Helen Varner Vanderbilt Frye. Frye private Hostess (Attendant) Harriet Appelwick is seen at doorway. others unknown. Lady next to Helen is thought to be an emissary-diplomat for a country from which Frye was trying to secure TWA routes. Image was taken at the deplaning of a flight with Jack and Helen Frye, the aircraft shown is Frye’s TWA Lockheed Lodestar NC33604. The location was Washington D.C. (Washington National Airport) DCA. The circumstances are not known, another flight close to this timeframe was in connection with a Democratic junket (vacation) the Frye’s took to Florida with Robert Hannegan (Chairman of the Democratic National Committee) and his wife Irma. The passengers shown are some of the most politically connected of the Roosevelt administration. Jack, too, was one of the most powerful men of the Democratic Party in the 1940's and 1950’s (Roosevelt and Truman administrations). Jack was even asked to run for President of the United States (according to his daughter). The Lodestar could board 14 passengers with 3 crew members (1945). The image (above) was originally a Reni News Photo, but it appears the copyright has not been updated and renewed to our current time frame of 2025; therefore, the image is displayed in accordance with fair use practice and thought to be 'public domain'. The image is displayed as historically significant and in a manner which does not generate profit, any infringement on the copyright of said is not intentional. On file at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library. Truman Library image(s) hold specialized copyrights & usage fees –paid by Sedona Legend

TWA Lockheed Lodestar Paint Call-Outs (1945)

Lockheed Lodestar TWA #241- Executive Plane of Jack Frye President of TWA (in service from 1945-1947)

TWA Executive transport of President of TWA Jack Frye, 1942 Lockheed Lodestar 18 C56D, C/N 2170, NC33604, TWA Fleet #241, Crew (3) Passengers (14). Width 65 feet, Length 49 feet. At the dawn of 1945, Jack Frye traded his beloved Lockheed 12A NC18137 for a larger more luxurious executive plane, a Lockheed 18. From this point (until 1947) if you spotted a TWA Lodestar 18 arriving or departing, you knew Jack Frye and his wife Helen were in town. Fast and sleek the plane represented Frye and Transcontinental & Western Air with a futuristic flair. Congratulations to Lockheed for creating one of the most beautiful planes ever built! This was the only L18 ever owned by TWA and it was always designated as Frye's personal executive plane! The Lodestar was capable of lift-off with full load (17,500 lbs) in 15 seconds (860 feet). Climbing rate was (1200 feet) per minute, 10,000 feet in 6.6 minutes, 20,500 feet ceiling. Approach was (50 feet) and (65 m.p.h.). The Lodestar had a rollout at just (600 yards and 1800 feet). The Lodestar was well-suited for typical paved runways or hard-pack remote dirt landing strips like the Frye’s at Sedona Arizona. Example: Jack had TWA pilots search for Howard Hughes after an accident, eventually, the TWA Lodestar landed on a flat desert area, picked up Hughes, massive engines at idle, and flew him back to the TWA Mansion at Washington D.C. (DCA)

(Seen below) The Frye Lockheed Electra Jr. (NC18137) tied down at Clemenceau Airport (near Clarkdale Arizona). This was the nearest refueling location to the Sedona Frye Ranch (captured by TWA private pilot Russell Robinson in 1943). This is the only color image (from slide) known of this plane during the time TWA owned it (1940-1945). Eventually will try to obtain a clearer rendition of the slide. Interestingly, Amelia Earhart’s plane which she disappeared in, was the larger version of this model, a Lockeed 10E Special, NR16020

As seen above (left to right) in the earliest days of the Sedona Ranch Helen is seen with a beloved horse. (Center) Jack and Helen wait to be taken back to their plane at the Frye airstrip (Cornville) by one of the early ranch foremens (Roy Kurtz). As seen, Helen is ready for departure with an early Halliburton carry-on from the early 1940’s. Notice her cowboy boots and leather satchel briefcase, seen through the years in many images. The last image is Helen in the corral at Smoke Trail Ranch (1945) riding a rather lively horse

Background on the Frye property holdings at Sedona Arizona. The Frye Ranch consisted of the adjoining Frye Deer-Lick Ranch (1941 to 1947) now as Cross Creek Ranch Estates. In 1954, Helen Frye developed an adjoining southern parcel as Cup of Gold Estates. To the north (a section added in 1950) by Jack Frye is known today as Smoke Trail Ranch Estates. At one time, the Frye Ranch consisted of more than 700-acres of Sedona's most valuable and pristine creek-side property known as 'Smoke Trail Ranch' so named by the Frye’s. Currently, a remaining portion (286 acres) of this famous ranch remains today as Red Rock State Park. Frye landmarks include the House of Apache Fires or the 'Apache Fires' house as Jack and Helen called it, the Wings of the Wind House and the Willow House (so named by Helen Frye). Other landmarks are various other ranch buildings to include the historic dwellings at the now named Cross Creek Ranch Estates. Lastly, not to forget, Sky Fires House (now demolished) at the Ridge (the renowned local golf course) in the (VOC) Village of Oak Creek (Sedona). In mid-1941, Jack and Helen Frye bought a substantial amount of ranch property in what is now known as Sedona Arizona. Jack Frye, long-time president and one of the original founders of Transcontinental & Western Air (Trans World Airlines or TWA), purchased the property for use as a working cattle ranch and TWA get-a-way. The property was also utilized throughout the years to entertain many Frye guests to include associates of Transcontinental & Western Air, Hollywood celebrities, and the "Who's Who" of our government. Helen named the first parcel of the new Frye property "Deer-Lick Ranch" and the second parcel "Smoke Trail Ranch". Eventually, the Frye’s sold a 120-acre parcel (per Helen Frye interview) which included the Deer-Lick Ranch buildings in 1947. This parcel was part of the original 320-acre Frye purchase from 1941. The 1947 sale (which did not close and record until 2-9-1948) was misleading; however, as Frye actually increased the size of his Sedona holdings rather than decreased them- Jack Frye merely shuffled his property a bit. The Deer Lick sale was in conjunction with other land trades and purchases. As an example of Frye National Forest Service land trades, I cite just a couple below….

Initiated by Jack Frye, February 20, 1946, finalized November 6, 1947, 110 acres. Initiated by Jack Frye, February 20, 1946, finalized November 6, 1948, 52.50 acres. Initiated by Jack Frye, 1950, finalized April 9, 1952, 32.5 acres (Helen Frye’s Wings of the Wind house was built on this 32.5-acre parcel). Land trades were with the Frye Sunshine (22,000 acres) and Spring Valley (4,500 acre). Ranches in Northern Arizona (which were substantially larger properties than any of the Sedona Frye holdings). By 1948, the Frye’s owned over 50,000 acres of ranch property in Arizona alone (according to a Fortune Magazine profile article on TWA and Frye) this aside from other residential properties around the country and a sizeable Texas ranch holdings with oil interests

(Above) we see a Texaco promo with TWA, Jack is signing off on flight tests, while TWA Executive Vice-President Paul Richter looks on. (Aside) is the original photo used in the ad

Whenever Jack was at the Sedona Ranch or anywhere else in the country, his life was consumed with the operation and responsibility of TWA. On his shoulders rested the safety of thousands of airline passengers and the management of the many employees which enabled TWA to flourish and succeed! Jack was a rancher at heart, a lover of nature and rural living, yet his career with TWA consumed his life. His beloved Sedona was only enjoyed in stolen moments. Yet, Helen, for the last 10 years, lived a life of refinement and status as Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt and was expected to conduct herself befitting this position. It need to be stated, Helen went from one of the leading societal leaders of the country to a rancher practically overnight. Yet, even though she loved the Sedona Ranch and Sedona was a magical escape for her, at the onset she was again expected to walk in the public limelight as the wife of TWA’s Jack Frye, a position by 1950 she grew very weary of…..

Stunningly dressed Mrs. Jack Frye on a visit to see her family at Clarksburg West Virginia in the early 1940’s. There are additional images (not shown here) of Helen, her family, and the Lockheed NC18137, with riding apparel shown at this location (early 1940s)

Whenever Jack could get away from TWA for some R & R, he enjoyed fishing and hunting with his contemporaries. It’s not known where the image (left) was taken except that it was somewhere in the Western United States this is a cropped image. (Aside) is a picture of the nose of the TWA Lockheed Electra NC 18137 (about 1944). This plane occasionally was used by Jack and TWA as a high-altitude flight research aircraft, but more so, as Jack’s executive plane. Unfortunately there has been a lot of misinformation about the providence of this aircraft, but rest assured, Jack, as long-time President of TWA, was in the air constantly in the management of his airline and needed a plane for transport at his disposal. The first such plane was a TWA Northrop Gamma, then the Lockheed 12A Electra, and lastly the Lockheed 18 Lodestar

In the images seen above private TWA pilot Roby Robinson captures Jack and Helen Frye at their Sedona ranch. Often when in Sedona, Roby stayed at the ranch with Jack and Helen, and became very fond of the Fryes. In these images private TWA pilot Robinson captures Jack and Helen Frye at their Sedona ranch in an intimate moment. Often when in Sedona Roby stayed at the ranch with Jack and Helen and became very fond of them both…

The Sedona Legend Web Site is a copyrighted historical photo enhanced narrative presented for educational and entertainment purposes. Some materials may be displayed in regard to the United States Fair Use Act. This web portal is totally non-profit and generates no income nor does it seek or has it ever accepted a single donation. It is an independent venture

Sedona Legend was envisioned and created to provide Red Rock State Park visitors a comprehensive historic overview for Jack and Helen Frye and their Deer-Lick and Smoke Trail Ranches. Sedona Legend is encouraged by the many friends of Jack and Helen Frye. A gracious thank you to the Frye and Varner families for invaluable support and Red Rock State Park staff and volunteers for their enthusiasm. Also thanks to the TWA Museum at Kansas City for their dedication to Transcontinental & Western Air or Trans World Airlines

Formerly this effort was called Sedona Legend Helen Frye, a.k.a. the Jack and Helen Frye Story, now as The Sedona Frye TWA Story, see www.sedonatwa.com

TheTumblr Blog created for TWA and the Fryes many years ago can be found here: Sedona Frye Blogspot

Please also see the Youtube Presentations at: Sedona Legend All Things Jack & Helen Frye

The book ‘The Jack & Helen Frye Story - Camelot Years of TWA’ can be ordered on Amazon

22-years of Research and Presentation, Created By Randall D. Reynolds (Sedona Legend Publishing)