Jack & Helen Frye Story – the Camelot Years of TWA
Frye Aviation Legacy
Transcontinental & Western Air, Inc. Trans World Airlines TWA
By Randall Reynolds
To purchase my Biography-Love Story (seen above) please click: Jack & Helen Frye Story – the Camelot Years of TWA which is available on Amazon in Softcover or Kindle
Sedona TWA Entry
‘A long time ago in a decidedly different time, over the spires of Sedona an 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!’
Press image (above) was at the onset of Jack and Helen’s relationship photographed at Camel Back Inn (Scottsdale Arizona), this is where Frye and Vanderbilt were staying when they were married. The Fryes has been dating from the late 1930’s
Helen Varner Vanderbilt & TWA President Jack Frye (above) in press photo after arriving at DCA (Washington National Airport) Washington D.C. after their marriage at Scottsdale Arizona (January 10 1941)
Mr. and Mrs. Jack Frye and the former Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt, Jr. (seen above) in Washington D.C. before continuing 0n a Caribbean honeymoon aboard Frye’s executive Lockheed Electra Jr. Mrs. Frye, a hat designer of merit is seen displaying her latest creation out of copper screening and black velvet. This design christened ‘Aerial Hat’ is one of her more unique creations meant to celebrate her 3rd marriage to this airline executive. Mr. Frye, President of Transcontinental & Western Air, Inc. was said to state, “likely as not, somebody will tune in on it and get a radio program”. This event was heavily attended by national press
As we explore the onset of Jack and Helen Frye’s purchase of the Armijo – Schuerman Ranch properties of Sedona (1941) as detailed in the book Jack and Helen Story – the Camelot Years of TWA a visual unfolds here with the only known photograph captured within the first year of the Sedona Frye property ownership. This image is paramount to the sedonatwa.com as this was the dawning of nearly 50-years of Jack and Helen’s association with a community which was just a few ranches and a crossroad at the onset. The image (above) was of Jack and Helen Frye taken by early Sedona ranch foreman Roy Kurtz aside the Armijo Deer-Lick Ranch house Image (below) of Cathedral Rock below (1942) just 1 year after the Fryes bought their Sedona Ranch. The photo was captured in (1942) when TWA pilot Russell Robinson (on standby) was waiting for the President Frye to fly back to Kansas City. Co-pilot Pilot Robinson rented a biplane to pass the the time and flew over the magic unfolding of the Armijo Ranch (now Frye Deer-Lick Ranch) and the well-known megalith landmarks as seen (below). Robby (as Helen called him) was spell-struck in viewing the magnificence of the Red Rock Valley as it unfolded beneath him in 1942. Sedona was no more than a crossroads at the time from Phoenix to Flagstaff up 89a through Oak Creek Canyon. At that Jack and Helen Frye would have never discovered the Sedona acreage if not for Jack’s private Lockheed Electra 12A, a luxury few had at the time. On an aside Jack’s Lockheed was the smaller version of Amelia Earhart’s 10E used to fly around the world. The ranch was discovered by air and the nearest landing was the full service airport at Prescott Arizona. Let there be no confusion, this Lockheed Electra 12A was Jack Frye’s executive plane, as TWA President Frye, Jack utilized it back and forth across our nation in management of TWA
Red Rock Country of Sedona as seen from the air in 1942 taken by TWA pilot Russell Robinson. This view is same which Jack and Helen Frye observed in early 1941. They found it so enthralling they soon after purchased the first parcel of property which was to become the Sedona TWA ranch. Robby Robinson, co-pilot of the Lockheed 12A, captured this image. That said, at the same time frame Jack Frye allowed Robby to fly the 12A down to Phoenix, solo, where he had it serviced at TWA. A daunting task to be sure according to this co-pilot who said the plane was a marvel of transport (1942)
Frye’s Executive Plane NC18137 seen at Clemenceau Airfield (Cottonwood Arizona). Both images (color and black & white) were taken in 1942 during a visit by the Fryes to their newly purchased Sedona Ranch. This visit, one of many, were with co-pilot Robinson (who took the color image). The men shown in the black and white image were part of Jack’s involvement with the Arizona Civilian Pilot Training program. To this end Jack had already purchased (or leased) the property at the junction of Cornville Road and 89A for use as a private landing strip to land his 12A, and later Lockheed Lodestar 18. The Arizona Civilian Pilot Training celebration took place at Jack Frye’s newly graded airstrip
As covered by local media Frye’s private landing strip and airport near Sedona is dedicated on this warm October day. Christened the ‘Verde Valley Airport’ this event is attended by 200 officials and locals. Verde Valley residents are most excited to attend so they can hear the valley’s newest and most well-connected resident Jack Frye as guest speaker, and meet his glamorous wife Helen Varner Vanderbilt Frye. Jack Frye is not only one of the best pilots in the nation, but as well, a national aviation celebrity featured in newspapers and media copy regularly. Speaking before the crowd Jack expounds on the future of Verde Valley aviation and TWA with enthusiasm. Afterwards Jack generously transports local aviation officials on flights over the airport in his ‘private Lockheed plane’ as a newspaper writer coins it. These promo flights are reminiscent of Jack’s visit to Prescott in 1927 (14 years earlier). Jack always shared his accomplishments so it was only logical for him to open his private airstrip for public use and the Army for a training field. Sedona had yet to develop an airport so any landing field nearby was a boon for the community which was forced to fly in and out of Clemenceau Airport at Cottonwood, Phoenix Sky Harbor TWA at Phoenix, Koch Field at Flagstaff, and the Transcontinental & Western Air, Inc. full service terminal at Winslow Arizona. Many times the Fryes when traveling by TWA airliner asked ranch hands pick them up at Winslow after westbound or eastbound flights. Interestingly Jack Frye bought his property in the Verde Valley at the onset of 1941, and by October of 1941, he had already graded his property at 89A and Cornville Road as a private airstrip capable of landing his twin engine TWA Lockheed Electra 12A. One old timer in Sedona related to me he remembered the Fryes flying in and out of the Frye airstrip, he further stated, Jack’s Lockheed could be seen for miles parked out in the desert, it’s reflection brilliant as reflected by the hot Arizona sun. Research has not determined whether this property was leased or owned. In-depth images as to this Lockheed will be explored more in-depth on TWA President Jack Frye Executive Plane Lockheed Electra 12A President of TWA Jack Frye (1930-1947) and his wife Helen Varner Vanderbilt Frye with V.I.P. guests aside his Lockheed Lodestar at Washington D.C. There’s a reason Helen Frye was known as ‘Mrs. TWA’! Talk about class, she was the face of elegance and poise, as Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt, and later Mrs. Jack Frye. On Constellation flights back and forth across the nation Helen often assisted TWA Hostesses in serving passengers (and entertaining) while Jack served as captain with his flight crew (1946)
Seen (right to 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 TWA Private Hostess (Attendant Stewardess) Harriet Appelwick is seen in doorway, others are unknown. The lady next to Helen, though, is thought to be an emissary-diplomat for a country which Frye was trying to secure TWA routes from. Image was taken at the deplaning of a flight with Jack and Helen Frye, the aircraft shown is Frye’s Private TWA Lockheed Lodestar NC33604. The location was Washington D.C. (Washington National Airport) DCA. The circumstances are not known, however, 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) in the 1950’s. Another interesting note on Jack and Helen Frye were they were invited to White House dinners several times. As testament to this, Helen was endeared to President Roosevelt when he would feed his terrier Fala from the table. Helen was a animal lover and even helped found the Sedona Humane Society! Also it was said Jack Frye was the only White House intimate who was allowed access to the Oval Office day or night! The Lodestar could board 14-passengers with 3-crew members (1945). The image cited was originally a Reni News Photo but appears copyright has not been updated or 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 As stated earlier my purpose of this website is not to repeat narrative found in my novel ‘the Jack and Helen Frye Story’ but rather provide readers with images and information not available in this publication
Helen Frye (above) at the Armijo Ranch, re-named ‘Deer-Lick Ranch’ by Helen (1942)
Aviation Legend – Founder of TWA – Jack Frye aside Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt Jr. Scottsdale Arizona (1940)
Sedona TWA Online Presentations:
Standard Airlines – Aero Corporation 1920’s
Transcontinental & Western Air TWA 1930’s
TWA President Jack Frye Northrop Gamma 2D
Transcontinental & Western Air TWA 1940’s
A-Broad With Eleven Yanks – A Memorial to Boeing Superfortress 42-24698
TWA President Jack Frye Executive Plane Lockheed Electra 12A
TWA President Jack Frye Executive Plane Lockheed Electra 12A Robinson
TWA President Jack Frye Executive Plane Lockheed Lodestar 18
TWA Executive Mansion Doubleday Washington D.C.
Winslow Airport TWA Hub & Cross-Country Service
Mr. & Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt, Jr. (Helen and Neil)
Sedona Frye Tumblr Blog
The Sedona Legend Web Site is a copyrighted historic photo enhanced narrative presented for educational and entertainment purposes. Images are displayed in regard to the United States Fair Use Act and private archives. Sedona Legend was envisioned and created to provide Red Rock State Park visitors with a comprehensive historic overview of Jack and Helen Frye’s Sedona ranches and Jack Frye’s involvement with Standard Airlines and TWA. Sedona TWA is totally non-profit and generates no income, nor does it seek, or has it ever accepted a single donation, it is independently funded by Sedona Legend Publishing. This online presentation is encouraged by the many friends of Jack and Helen Frye and was launched at Sedona’s Red Rock State Park as result of volunteering for (two) 6-month sojourns. A gracious thank you to Red Rock State Park staff and volunteers for their enthusiasm and the Frye and Varner families for their invaluable support
23-years of Research & Presentation
Created By Randall D. Reynolds (Sedona Legend Publishing)
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