Roy Dickson 1930s Alaska Bush Pilot
FIRST TIME PUBLISHED
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| BIOGRAPHIES (A - B) of 1920s-1930s Era ALASKA BUSH PILOTS |
TOIVO AHO - Born about 1915 at Knik, moved to Anchorage 1919. Wesley Dunkle taught him
to fly. Operated Aho Flying Service out of Anchorage. While ferrying a Stinson through Canada in
1938, died in crash in Yukon Territory.
to fly. Operated Aho Flying Service out of Anchorage. While ferrying a Stinson through Canada in
1938, died in crash in Yukon Territory.
HARVEY W. "BARNEY" BARNHILL - Born about 1902 in Ohio. Learned to fly in 1920 as a
U.S. Navy recruit at the Great Lakes Training Center in Illinois. Arrived in Alaska in 1929. Was
part of Carl Ben Eielson's team in Fairbanks transporting personnel & a fortune in furs from the
merchant ship Nanuck that was stranded in the ice of the coast of Siberia. He flew in the search
for the Eielson wreck after his fatal crash in the winter of 1929/30. Barney & Linious "Mac"
McGee purchased a three-seat Stinson in 1931 & founded Barnhill & McGee Airways which
became McGee Airways after they dissolved their partnership in about 1932. Died in automobile
accident near Spokane, WA in the late 1950's.
U.S. Navy recruit at the Great Lakes Training Center in Illinois. Arrived in Alaska in 1929. Was
part of Carl Ben Eielson's team in Fairbanks transporting personnel & a fortune in furs from the
merchant ship Nanuck that was stranded in the ice of the coast of Siberia. He flew in the search
for the Eielson wreck after his fatal crash in the winter of 1929/30. Barney & Linious "Mac"
McGee purchased a three-seat Stinson in 1931 & founded Barnhill & McGee Airways which
became McGee Airways after they dissolved their partnership in about 1932. Died in automobile
accident near Spokane, WA in the late 1950's.
LUCIEN "FRANK" BARR - Born August 22, 1903 Lawrence County, Colorado, came to Alaska
1932. Varied career from southeastern Alaska to the Interior to the Yukon. Barr Air Transport was
his one-man, one-plane company. Best known on Gillam's mail run from Fairbanks to Bethel, also
flew bush for Alaska Airlines. Territorial Senator, member Alaska Constitutional Convention, US
Marshall. Retired to Grants Pass, Oregon & died there in April 1983.
1932. Varied career from southeastern Alaska to the Interior to the Yukon. Barr Air Transport was
his one-man, one-plane company. Best known on Gillam's mail run from Fairbanks to Bethel, also
flew bush for Alaska Airlines. Territorial Senator, member Alaska Constitutional Convention, US
Marshall. Retired to Grants Pass, Oregon & died there in April 1983.
JOE BARROWS - Joe & Harry Blunt were partners in Pacific Alaska Airways when they expanded the airline from
British Columbia to Alaska. Joe known for mail runs Fairbanks to Bethel, Fairbanks to Nome. Went on to fly for Pan
American Airways. Retired in San Francisco area.
British Columbia to Alaska. Joe known for mail runs Fairbanks to Bethel, Fairbanks to Nome. Went on to fly for Pan
American Airways. Retired in San Francisco area.
ELMER A. "A.A." BENNETT - Born about 1888 in Oregon. Came to Alaska in the mid-1920's. Believed to be the
first pilot to land on Kuskokwim River ice at Bethel. Was flying partner of Bennett-Rodebaugh Company in
Fairbanks. Left territory for Idaho in 1930. Later lived in Las Vegas, Nevada.
first pilot to land on Kuskokwim River ice at Bethel. Was flying partner of Bennett-Rodebaugh Company in
Fairbanks. Left territory for Idaho in 1930. Later lived in Las Vegas, Nevada.
EDWARD "LONNIE" BRENNAN - Born December 28, 1898. Became a commercial pilot in
1920, flew out of Vancouver, Bremerton & Seattle, WA before coming to Alaska to fly for Wien.
In 1939 established Lon Brennan Flying Service out of Manley Hot Springs. Retired in 1948, died
May 1967 at Stanwood, Washington. (Picture courtesy Seattle Post-Intelligencer Collection,
Museum of History & Industry)
1920, flew out of Vancouver, Bremerton & Seattle, WA before coming to Alaska to fly for Wien.
In 1939 established Lon Brennan Flying Service out of Manley Hot Springs. Retired in 1948, died
May 1967 at Stanwood, Washington. (Picture courtesy Seattle Post-Intelligencer Collection,
Museum of History & Industry)
HUGH BREWSTER - First "temporary" CAA Department of Commerce aircraft inspector in Alaska. Was Marine
pilot in WW II. Died in an auto accident in California in the 1950's.
pilot in WW II. Died in an auto accident in California in the 1950's.
CHET BROWNE - From Colorado. Flew in the Nome, Fairbanks and Anchorage areas. Purchased a Tri-motor
Ford and formed Arctic Airways. Perhaps most famous for finding a spot in Southeast Alaska to land the Tri-motor
Ford when the weather turned bad on an early trip to Seattle. Chet taught Archie Ferguson to fly.
Ford and formed Arctic Airways. Perhaps most famous for finding a spot in Southeast Alaska to land the Tri-motor
Ford when the weather turned bad on an early trip to Seattle. Chet taught Archie Ferguson to fly.
NATHAN C. "NAT" BROWNE - Born March 31, 1895. Flew in South America. In about
1932 attempted to fly from Seattle to Tokyo, but the aircraft came apart during refueling
attempt and he parachuted to safety. Came to Alaska in early 1930's with a Faden, one of
the earliest all-metal planes, which he demolished in a wreck near Valdez. Formed Nat
Browne Flying Service out of Valdez, then Fairbanks & Anchorage, then out of Bethel for
many years. Flew mail routes to Lower Kuskowim & Yukon villages and to Goodnews Bay.
Closed air service in 1950 after receiving contract to map DEW line radar sites. Moved to
South 48 in mid-1950's. Died in August 1979 at Santa Fe, New Mexico. (Picture courtesy
Seattle Post-Intelligencer Collection,Museum of History & Industry)
1932 attempted to fly from Seattle to Tokyo, but the aircraft came apart during refueling
attempt and he parachuted to safety. Came to Alaska in early 1930's with a Faden, one of
the earliest all-metal planes, which he demolished in a wreck near Valdez. Formed Nat
Browne Flying Service out of Valdez, then Fairbanks & Anchorage, then out of Bethel for
many years. Flew mail routes to Lower Kuskowim & Yukon villages and to Goodnews Bay.
Closed air service in 1950 after receiving contract to map DEW line radar sites. Moved to
South 48 in mid-1950's. Died in August 1979 at Santa Fe, New Mexico. (Picture courtesy
Seattle Post-Intelligencer Collection,Museum of History & Industry)
HARRY BLUNT - Called the "Bristol Bay Sea Hawk" by the "Glacier Priest" Father Hubbard. Harry & Joe Barrows
were partners in Pacific International Airways when they expanded from British Columbia to Alaska. Later flew for
Pacific Alaska Airways stationed in Anchorage after they bought Pacific International Airways.
were partners in Pacific International Airways when they expanded from British Columbia to Alaska. Later flew for
Pacific Alaska Airways stationed in Anchorage after they bought Pacific International Airways.
VERNON BOOKWALTER - Born November 18, 1892 in Oregon. Was a pilot & mechanic for
Tex Rankin in Portland, Oregon in 1925. Made the first contract Air Mail flight in the northwest
in 1926 flying from Vancouver, WA to Los Angeles in his TravelAir. In 1934 purchased a
Tri-motor Ford from Grand Canyon Airlines of Arizona & flew to Alaska to organize and operate
White Pass Airways out of Skagway. He and wife Esther also operated a gold mine near Nome.
Was honored by United Airlines for being first pilot to fly mail on the Seattle - San Francisco run.
Died November 19, 1975 at Nome, Alaska.
Tex Rankin in Portland, Oregon in 1925. Made the first contract Air Mail flight in the northwest
in 1926 flying from Vancouver, WA to Los Angeles in his TravelAir. In 1934 purchased a
Tri-motor Ford from Grand Canyon Airlines of Arizona & flew to Alaska to organize and operate
White Pass Airways out of Skagway. He and wife Esther also operated a gold mine near Nome.
Was honored by United Airlines for being first pilot to fly mail on the Seattle - San Francisco run.
Died November 19, 1975 at Nome, Alaska.
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