Wien Airways
Bellanca 300-W Pacemaker NC354W
(c/n 303)
Noel Wien had started business
as a
charter pilot in 1924. He and brothers Sigurd and Eielson
then incorporated as
Northern Air
Transport in 1929. Sadly, Eielson was killed in an air
accident
only two
months
later. Their route was from Fairbanks to Nome, Kotzebue and on to Point
Barrow.
Since this Bellanca is carrying Wien
Airways titles, it probably preceded the formation of Northern
Air Transport, although, having said that, the 300-W was not certified
until June of 1930. Go figure.
The 300-W differed from the "regular" CH-300
Pacemaker in that it had a 300 h.p. Pratt & Whitney
Wasp Junior
engine (vs the Wright J6 of the former). This image is from the
Ted Spencer collection,
via Lars
Opland.